they were merchants on the mighty waters.
They saw the works of the Lord,
his wonderful deeds in the deep.
For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
that lifted high the waves.
in their peril their courage melted away.
They reeled and staggered like drunkards;
they were at their wits’ end.
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.
the waves of the sea were hushed.
They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
Psalm 107:23-30(NIV)
I’d like to report a deceased shipmate
27/NOV/68 – 18/JUL/12
LTJG Thomas Hohlweck – 09/11 World Trade Center casualty
BM2 Donald Batten
CAPT Edward P. Stilwell
BTCS David Thibodeau
BM3 Michael Thacker
LTJG Antonio Ruiz
HTC Charles Saunders
RMCS Larry R. Potts
EN2 Binnie Knudson (Plankowner)
MS3 Patrick H. Faircloth Jr. 81-85
CAPT Otto William Will, III (Commanding Officer 77-79)
Steven L. Cottrell 76-78
BT3 Paul Bartleson 68-72
Capt: Crawford A. Easterling, (Commanding Officer 73-74)
MMCS Laurence “Larry” Webb
SKSN Terry Lein
FN Robert Stump
AK1 Jay Bostick
OS1 R.C. Moore
DPC Frederick D. Jones (“Plank Owner”)
BM2 James Michael ‘Mickey’ Hurlburt Sr (Plank Owner)
Ricky Eugene Rice (68-71) photos attached.
Dean L. Troutman (E-6 70(?)-81)
Barry S. Shultz, M.D. Lt USNR Ship’s Doc early 70-72
QMSN Ken Lovell (72-75)
CAPT Kathleen McGrath Obituary
CDR Carl Finefrock
SK3 Jamie Fallon Obituary (9/11 Pentagon casualty)
LT Barry Schultz
SM1 Roberts Burns
ET1 Champ Echols
IT1 (SW) Macarthur Williams
ETR 3 George Estes
BM2 Raymond Sullivan
BM2 James Anthony Molinari “Plank Owner”
BM3 Robert H. “Bob” Sulser, “Plank Owner”, 2nd Division.
DPC Eugene “Gene” Harold Stanton
SKSN John Trendler 68-70 “Plankowner”
CAPT Louis J. Collister, Plank Owner and Concords 1st Commanding Officer
SKSN Thomas Truskowski (68-71)
Charles W. Burton “Chuck” (SK2 early 82-86)
Joseph Leroy “Jojo” Burton Jr. (HT early 83-87)
EW3 Rodney Gossert
CAPT Van F. Westfall, (Commanding Officer 80-82)
CAPT George R Waterman (Commanding Officer 86-88)
RM2 Euin “Tiny” Leonard (plank owner 68-70)
EM3 Steven “Doc” Severance (71-73)
LCDR Samuel Jackson “Jack” Visage Jr.
BMCM Jack C. Hall, Chief Master at Arms
BM1 James E. Turk Sr. D1 Division Leader
YNC Ira V. Howard, Ship’s office
YNC Thomas J. Armao, Ship’s office
YNC John B. Creech, Ship’s office
YN3 Robert “Buck” Slater, Ship’s office
DS2 John P. Lindell, Data systems
SN Edward Graham, D1 Division
RADM Richard T. Gaskell, Commanding Officer 74-75
LCDR Leonard William Riedel, Chief Engineer
SK2 Charles “Chuck” Osmon 79-82
HM2 Ron Dods 71-72
HM3 Larry R. Callison 71-?
DT2 Johnnie Gates
LT Garry N Collins, Supply Officer, 81-84
DP3 Paul Parker 68-70
William Benson SK
Allen Hale SH3 69-70
Robert Thompkins LCDR
Stanley Prachniak ETC
Robert Louis Stevenson
Concord sailors have two families, one that is biological and one borne out of steel, deployment, and dedication to our country. A loss of either family member is heartbreaking and difficult. This is one of the main reasons our association was formed, to remember our brothers and sisters who have sailed on. LCDR Shepperd sent the following report of a shipmates’ passing and his thoughts concerning his mentor warranted posting below. Thanks Mike.
Since I retired from the USN in September of 1994, I’ve been trying to track down LCDR Richard A. Buttina. He was Ops boss on the USS CONCORD (AFS-5) from about the time that I first reported until the Spring of 1980. He taught me a lot. I finally tracked him down. Unfortunately, he died on Christmas Day 2011. This breaks my heart. While moored in Norfolk, VA in February 1980, (I think it was 20 February 1980) he was CDO on the CONCORD. We were watching the “Miracle on Ice” hockey game in the wardroom. After the USA had won, I asked his permission to pass the word to the crew, even though it was after Taps. He immediately said, “yes.” I went to the Quarterdeck and personally passed the word to the crew that team USA had beaten the Russians and were to take on Sweden in the Gold Medal round. The team won that, too! After I passed the word, you could hear a roar emanating from below decks all the way to several levels above the main decks. LCDR Buttina was a special man. He needs to be remembered by the crew of the USS CONCORD.
Michael B. Shepperd, LCDR, USN (Ret.)
Jenni Olson, daughter of BM1 Harry Roy Olson (1921-1985), contacted us after finding our site and wished to contribute her fathers pictures here at our site. Of course we readily agreed to publish his memories and each time we receive these moments in time they reflect on each sailors time serving and causes a reflection into our own time we served. As you peruse Jenni’s pictures just think of the special times these were and in particular the shell-back initiation. I was fortunate enough to shed my pollywog skin on-board AFS-5 in September of 1985 and while I felt like this was “real navy” it seems to pale in comparison to what Roy went through. Also, pay special attention the minute man statue above the air tight door in pictures “friends under the statue” and “on the deck of Concord”.
Thanks for sharing, Jenni