HAVE YOU CHECKED THE HOME PAGE FOR THE LATEST INFO?
I have managed to resurrect some of the Guest Books from the previous FDR Websites. There are some that are lost forever but this is the best there is at the moment. There is a lot of good stuff there.
Click on the year you want to view. Click on the left arrow at the top of your browser to return to this page.
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006-09
MISUSE OF INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN COULD BE AN INVASION OF PRIVACY!
Sign in using the comment form at the bottom of the page and please leave a valid email address. It will NOT be viewable to visitors! If you want to hear from your shipmates leave your email address IN THE MESSAGE ALSO.
SO
Please put your email address in your message so your shipmates can get back to you (if they can remember you).
There is software on board that makes it unreadable to the “bots” who collect that sort of stuff.
All entries must be approved before they will appear in the book. Any inappropriate entries, as well as those with invalid email addresses, will be deleted and will not appear. I check daily so don’t despair if your entry doesn’t appear immediately.
Due to a rash of automated spam messages we now use “captcha” authentication. Just enter the “captcha” code and then SUBMIT. Don’t worry about upper or lower case….either will work. If you have trouble reading it just click the little button to the right and it will “refresh”. Thanks!
Many shipmates have told me, via email, about having visited this site. Oddly many have not left entries here for their shipmates to see. THEY do wonder how you are and probably would love to hear from you. This is a great way get back in contact.
REMEMBER….THE ONLY WAY FOR YOUR SHIPMATES TO GET IN CONTACT WITH YOU IS HAVING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN YOUR MESSAGE
For YOUR protection – No home phone numbers or addresses please. Please save that for when you make email contact.
REMEMBER….IF YOU WANT TO BE CONTACTED MAKE SURE YOU PUT YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE BODY OF YOUR MESSAGE
I was in VF84, T.A.D. to S-1 as a supply runner on the 1972 Cruise, also did 3 months in the S-3 break out crew. Stayed back at NAS Oceana in 73′ , Then made 3 months of the 75′ cruise, worked in the Rotatable Pool above the forward AIMD with AK2 Jim Austin, Palma Spain was the first port I saw (we pulled in on my 18th birthday ) and the last port I was in prior to discharge. If anyone wants to conact me my e-mail is DaltonVF84@verizon.net Later…
served on the rosie from oct1960=nov1963 gm div had a great time would like to hear from old crew members
My name is Rick Gower and my dad, Master Chief Roy Gower, served on the Rosie from July 71 til Jun 73 (“R” Division). I’m proud to have been a Navy Brat and carried on the family legacy. Now, my two son’s who are OEF – OIF veterans, currently carry on that legacy in the Air Force and Marine Corps. My dad is still alive and very proud of the privilege to have served. I’m sure he’d appreciate his shipmates contacting him. I can be reached at rg627@hotmail.com, and I’d be happy to forward your message on to him.
Thanks for your service!
Rick Gower, MSgt (Ret.), USAF
To all servicemembers and our allies(too often we forget them), I and my family Thank You for the sacrifices you and your families have gone through. We wish all “MERRY CHRISTMAS” and a Happy New Year 2010. I served aboard Rosie, Aug. 1973 to Dec. 1976
E-Div. IC gang. Look me up, I’ll gladly get back dkj3395@live.com
TO ALL FELLOW SHIPMATES : THANK YOU FOR SERVING , AND HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS—————DENNY
I proudly served aboard the USS Franklin D. Rossevelt CVA-42 during March 1962 until March 1964. I worked in the 3rd Division boatswains and deck force. I was also a member to the Seafarers 42 Glee Club during the 1962 Med Cruise. We entertained audiences as ambassadors of the United States and the US Navy while visiting various liberty ports. Being aboard the Dear Rossie was a great experience that changed my whole life. We worked hard and played hard, thanks Rossie for the memories.
ENJOYED THE WEB SITE ON THE FDR. WAS ON THE FDR 1958-59 WITH MARINE SQUADRON VMF(AW)114, WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM MEMBERS OF THE SQUADRON.
JMAY195@AOL.COM
Thank you for putting this together. My husband, the late Eugene J. Wlodarczyk (15th Med cruise 700102-700727) always talked about his days aboard this ship. It is comforting to pull up this website and direct my children to it so that they may share in part of their dad’s naval career and the history surrounding the ‘Rosie’.
I served aboard the FDR from 1956 – 1960. I was a Machinst Mate 2/c assigned to #2 Engine Room. It was great duty with fond memories of the cruise’s to the Mediterranean and ship mates. I visited Mayport for the first time since 1960 five years ago, which brought back many memories. Any mates out there serving on the FDR during this time I would like to hear from you.
God Speed
Ray Durman
rdurman@att.net
I was onboard roosevelt several times in 1967 for carrier qual’s and then the med cruise 67-68. I was an aircrewman with Helicopter Combat Support squadron two (HC-2) The Rosie was a great ship and those times in the navy were some of the most exciting periods of my life. I would love to share memories with anyone who served on that great ship, especially those in the air group (CVW-7) and the Air Office.
Contact me at: davedhp@aol.com
On board the Rosy for both ’70 & ’71 Med cruises working as an AQ attached to VA-176. Good work on this website; I’ll pass along the link to others from my squadron with whom I’ve recently become reaquainted.
On board (4th Division) 69-71 out of Mayport. Two Meds. Did a lot of growing during that time. Still have dreams of being aboard. Must have meant something. It was a building block for the success I have experienced.
Was in San Diego yesterday and went aboard sister ship the “Midway” which is now a museum. Goose bumps. Looked and felt like “Rosie”.
GOOD TIMES. May Rosie rest in peace.
Email address is: urightme@gmail.com
Neglected, but always made do with what she had. That best describes Rosie. All of us who served on her were always given the least but we made the most out of it for Rosie. I wasn’t in ship’s company but I was with VA-15 and made the 1975 cruise on her. Came aboard Rosey via a Cod in December 1974. Bumpy ride. Trapped on her and got to see one of the biggest things in the ocean, from the air, I had ever witnessed…an Aircraft Carrier underway. She looked so big back then and later I found out she wasn’t the biggest, but in fact one of the smallest carriers in the fleet. But boy was she a good ship. After I left her in June 1975, we transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet and moved on to the America. Got to see her one more time when we were on our way out going back home in Rota Spain in 1977 and Rosey was on the way into the Med for the last time. We all shot pictures of our previous ship (Rosie) cause the Airwing that was on the America was Rosie’s previous Airwing. It was like she was a celebrity; some of the guys were even crying cause they knew it was her last hurrah. Yeah, she was a piece of steel, metal, alloy and hulk; but the bond from the Men that served on her was tight, good, and nothing has ever been said about her since but good. I served on five more aircraft carriers thorughout my 20 year career but none could compare to CV-42. She’s still alive thorugh this forum, and through all of the great Men and Sailors who served on her. Sail on Mighty Rosie!
Garry
med cruise 65, vietnam 66-67. A Div. chill water . like to hear from some of my friends from that time. contact at kayebrown68@yahoo.com
It’s nice to go to your webside and view all the photos. It does help to fill that hole in my life. Thanks.
I served on the Rosie 1971-1972. I was an ABH2 and served as Fly 2 PO, V1 Divison. This was my first time assigned to a ship during my 4 years of active service. Mayport was a great home port. Working on the flight deck was both exciting and the most freighting experience of my life. Really good liberty during the Med Cruise made it all worthwhile. I still look back at those days and smile !!
Does anyone have any pictures of the FJ Furies, from the Randolph, that landed on the FDR by mistake? They were decorated very much prior to their departure.
Served July 1951 – Dec 1953. My Email address: fdrmanowar@bellsouth.net.
Was Aviation Ordnanceman in V3-O division. Was transferred to VS-39 squadron at Quonset Point, Rhode Island as the FDR went around the horn for a 2-year overhaul and canted flight deck. My squadron made cruises on the USS VALLEY FORGE and USS ANTIETAM before my discharge in Sep 1954. After Navy I continued to work for Navy as a Civilian Employee working in Naval Ordnance Weapons Engineering. I retired in 1988 and during the 1990s I organized a number of reunions with my FDR shipmates.
Would like to hear from anyone who served aboard the Foody Roo when I was aboard.
Great Website.
Ma Perkins AO3
WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM SHIPMATES FROM “R” DIV. ABOARD FROM 72–76—- FRANK DANGO , DAVE LAMBERT, RICK BEARD, RUSS BENSON, HAD MANY GOOD TIMES, THEY SAY THAT YOU DON’T REMEMBER MANY BAD TIMES , AND I BELIEVE IT’S TRUE. BETWEEN FIGHTING FIRES, FLOODS, G.Q., I’M SURPRISED NOT MANY WERE EVER SERIOUSLY HURT. I STILL REMEMBER THE HURRICANES WE WENT THRU AND THE FLOODING AT THE 06 AND 07 LEVEL. WE HAD 5 FT. OF WATER IN THE HALLWAYS, 80 FT OFF THE WATER LINE. WE WERE ALL SO BUSY SHORING UP BULKHEADS, AN D PUMPING OUT WATER, WE NEVER HAD TIME TO GET SCARED. I REMEMBER RICK HENDRCKSON GETTING ZAPPED FROM A 440 LINE IN THE HANGER BAY CAUSE THERE WAS A FOOT OF WATER THERE. ANYWAY—- I REMEMBER THESE THINGS LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY. I WOULDN’T CHANGE THESE MEMORIES FOR ANYTHING, –ALL GOOD—- DENNY
i was on the rosie for her last two cruises and got out of the navy shortly after that..i was aviation ordnance with vf-41..would love to hear from my pals of those days. i knew she was scrapped but seeing the pictures made me tear up…very sad. email is jimrunyans@rocketmail.com.
This is my second entry because I left out when I served. I went on board Rosie in June or July 62 and stayed untill April of 66. I signed up for what they called a kiddie cruise, they told me I would get out the day before my 21 birthday they lied, haha my birthday is in Dec. would like to hear from any one who was in s-3 div. between those dates. I also had a first class named Blake who swore he would never make a sailor out of me. well would like to hear from some shipmates my e-mail address is mroland65@comcast.net
Looking for my friends from s-3 division
I served on board the Roosevelt from 1971-1974
Served from 1961-1965-3A BOILER ROOM:
Worked hard-many good times,miss shipmates:
Contact me at: aceman@merc-man.net
Thanks for this website. I was aboard the Rosie in ’69, being deployed with VAQ-130 from NAS Alameda. I was a PR2 and my most memorable part of the Carrier Quals was the shore leave at St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. I have kept in touch with at least one of my buddies from PRA School, Lakehurst. If anyone who might have known me wishes to contact me, he is welcome. Take care and may God bless.
Saturday, November 14,2009 at 1905.
I arrived aboard the FDR in 1954 at the Naval Station, San Diego,Ca. with Moses Whitehorse,Jr. We were instructing or teaching young personnel how to run a whaleboat since Moses and I came from a Amphibious ship and ran Mike 6 and PAPA land craft while aboard the USS WASHBURN (AKA 108). We also was waiting one those USNS ships to come in and take us to Bremerton, Washington.
I was glad when got underway, Moses and I were both in the 3 Division on the fantail of the FDR. I remember our visits in San Francisco, San Diego which stop for fuel then on to Panama City, Panama. We stayed there for a couple I really dont remember then we proceeded for Chile. After we left Chile we started our trip around the horn but first we had to get our initiation in the Shellback club which was very unusable but fun. As we were starting to come around the horn a big wave hit starboard side and it tore off the sponson deck along with a 5″ gun. It was discovered in the morning a shipmate opened the hatch door and looked and it was gone. It looked like someone took a knife and cut it because it was so smooth.
After that we proceed to Rio de Janeiro then on to Mayport.
I left the FDR in 1957 when I was transferred to Naval Reserve Unit, Bayonne, New Jersey. After I was transferred to the USS FREMONT APA 44 then I changed my rate from SEAMAN to YEOMAN and rcvd orders to Naval Justice School in Newport Rhode Island. Then in 1962 I was transferred to the Naval Air Techincal Training Center, Memphis, Tn. After serving there as the Discipline Specialist I rcvd orders to the Fleet Training Group, GTMO CUBA that was in 1964. I spent three years there as Legal Assistant to the Group.
I was transferred from GTMO in 1968 and had orders to Viet Nam which I spent a year there and I will let be.
After Viet Nam I was transferred to Naval Air station in 1969 where I spent 5 years there as the Discipline Specialist for the command
I retired in 1974 from the Navy as YN1 and after serving 22 years. That is my story.
Jack E Butler