USS Oak Ridge
 

From October 1972 until March 1976, I was stationed in Rota, Spain aboard the Oak Ridge, a floating drydock. It was the best duty I had in my 8 years in the Navy. I have found quite a few old shipmates on facebook and enjoy seeing their pictures and catching up with them. I am wondering if there are any old shipmates living in TV? One of the recent posts about finding old friends here got me to thinking about the possibility.

Wasn't on the Oak Ridge but served on the USS Ozark, Farragut & Barry circa 69-72.

I was in the Navy from 68-76, but wasn't on those ships. My list is USS Alamo, USS Sierra, USS America, USS Oak Ridge, and USS Holland.

USS Holland 1992-1994 Guam

USS Courtney (DE1021) .......... USS Springfield (CLG-7)

Loved Rota Spain. Was there in 1976 for about a month on the USS Puget Sound AD38.

Of the countries I visited, Rota was my favorite. Still remember the pitchers of Sangria after riding horses on the beach. Then the Lebanon Crisis went and ruined it.

I talked to an old shipmate who had gone back to Rota in the 90's. He said it had become a resort area and was unrecognizable from the time we were there. I'd like to remember it like it was.

The only problem we had was when Franco died. They locked down the base and no one could come on or leave the base. My wife and son were in our apartment in town and we couldn't even call. They were on their own and I was scared half out of my mind, along with several thousand others on the base. Nothing happened and we were allowed off the next day. They were worried there would be riots and such and American servicemen would be the targets. Ah, the good old days.

Was on the USS Jonas Ingram DD938 1968-1969 ; Transferred to USS Power DD839 1969-1972 Both homported in Mayport Fla.

MSTS Patch Dec 64 North Atlantic Cruise to Bremerhaven.


.

USS Forrest Sherman DD931 Newport RI, 1962 - 1996
USS DeLong DE684 Reserve Training Ship, Bronx, New York 1966-1967
Ft Bragg SC Psychological Warfare School 1967
Defense Language Institute Montery CA, 1967 - 1968
SERE Training San Diego CA 1968
Naval Advisor Vietnam 1968 -1970

Check out the Sherman website at ForrestSherman.org