USS WEXFORD COUNTY CREWMEMBER PROFILES.
(File is currently 13 pages long) Updated 8/15/2011
Browne, Bruce D Date Entered 6/6/2011
Nickname Rate ADR2 Division
Spouse Patricia Hometown Columbus, OH
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1961 Years To
Civilian Occupation Owner Plastics Injection Molding Company
Special Hobbies Fast cars
Favorite Memory Everyone got out (See Below)
Worst Memory Lost our helicopter in the water with an engine failure
Children Grandchildren
Special Comments Was on board with the helicopter from HU1 working in the Kwajalein Atoll.
Chadwick, Emery E Date Entered 5/17/2011
Nickname Rate QM2 Division
Spouse Barbara Hometown Independence, MO
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1963 Years To 1964
Civilian Occupation Computer Programmer
Special Hobbies Ham Radio, Genealogy, Computers
Favorite Memory
Worst Memory
Children 2 Grandchildren 2
Special Comments
Click, Curtis Date Entered 5/17/2011
Nickname Rate ETR3 Division
Spouse Nancy Hometown New Iberia, LA
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1970 Years To
Civilian Occupation Accountant
Special Hobbies Pool, Carpentry, Stock Market
Favorite Memory Being issued a beer (Pabst Blue Ribbon) in Dong Tham and being the Station Ship in
Hong Kong and the end of Cinderella liberty hours.
Worst Memory Having to spend many hours bouncing around in LCVPs in Okinawa doing wet-net
training with the Marines and months of salt water showers.
Children 1 Grandchildren
Special Comments
Condra, Larry Date Entered 5/16/2011
Nickname Rate PN3 Division
Spouse Pat Hometown St Louis, MO
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1967-06 Years To 1968-11
Civilian Occupation Nineteen years as a hotel manager. Four years as a Shell Oil dealer. Three years as a
hotel property accountant. Fifteen years as a hotel night auditor. Retired June 2010-
something I am good at and really enjoy!
Special Hobbies 2 grandchildren. I have a sailboat that I race in a local sailing club.
Favorite Memory Two moments stand out vividly. One is the change in the motion of the ship just after
passing under Golden Gate Bridge. The other is the memory of entering Hong Kong
harbor in the drizzle and sleet on a winter day.
Worst Memory A dreaded moment was being messenger of the watch and having to awaken the Captain
to tell him we have a contact..
Children 1 Grandchildren 3
Special Comments My wife of 43 years and I have hosted 3 year program exchange students whom we
consider our kids. They add 3 Dutch and 1 Japanese grandchildren. Hope to see you
at the reunion.
Cooper, Robert F Date Entered 6/9/2011
Nickname Rate SF1 Division
Spouse Martha Hometown Georgia
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1964-10 Years To 1968-11
Civilian Occupation Machine Shop in Norfolk, Resort Manager in Warsaw
Special Hobbies NASCAR, FOOTBALL
Favorite Memory I had a lot of special friends while serving on the Wexford County
Worst Memory Overseas duty away from my family. We would be in port for a short time and back to
sea.
Children 2 Grandchildren 4 GG2
Special Comments Looking forward to a reunion.
Creson, David L Date Entered 5/19/2011
Nickname Rate Chief E-7 Division
Spouse Anne Hometown Myrtle Creek, OR
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1969 Years To 1971
Civilian Occupation Civil Service
Special Hobbies Black powder guns and Stamps
Favorite Memory Coming on board and already knowing how the ship runs
Worst Memory Going back to Vietnam
Children Grandchildren
Special Comments
Dodson, Durrett (Rhett) B Date Entered 7/11/2011
Nickname Rate Lt (jg)-Lt Division
Spouse Laurie Hometown Boulder, CO
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1964-08 Years To 1966-07
Civilian Occupation Stockbroker all 45 years since the Wexford County
Special Hobbies Sailing, Fishing and Bike riding
Favorite Memory Vietnam
Worst Memory Vietnam
Children 2 Grandchildren 1
Special Comments
Fabiano, John N Date Entered 5/24/2011
Nickname Rate BM2 Division
Spouse Hometown Chicago, IL
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1962 Years To 1966
Civilian Occupation A Bus Driver for 41 Yrs
Special Hobbies Going on a motorcycle
Favorite Memory I was on for 4 years. Made great friends on the ship
Worst Memory Felt sorrow when I left 1968
Children 2 Grandchildren 7 GG1
Special Comments I hope we have a great reunion.
Fron, Douglas H Date Entered 6/20/2011
Nickname Rate SH3 Division
Spouse Quona Hometown Ranger, TX
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1965 Years To 1969
Civilian Occupation Truck Driver
Special Hobbies
Favorite Memory
Worst Memory
Children 3 Grandchildren 2
Special Comments
Gaston, Alexander Date Entered 5/17/2011
Nickname Rate QMSN Division
Spouse Hometown Greenwich ,CT
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1967-11 Years To 1968-09
Civilian Occupation Investments
Special Hobbies Collecting ocean liner memorabilia & historic Americana
Favorite Memory The day I left for the last time in Sept '68, I hired a Cadillac limousine to come down to
the ship to pick me up at the gangway!!
Worst Memory The TERRIBLE way she "rode" at sea, rocking & rolling from side-to-side, while
SIMULTANEOUSLY pitching & yawing back & forward!!YEEECH111.
Children 0 Grandchildren
Special Comments Hated the ship when I was aboard her!!!
Greenhagen, Larry B Date Entered 5/19/2011
Nickname Rate EM 2/c Division
Spouse Gloria Hometown Commerce City, CO
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1965 Years To 1967
Civilian Occupation Fire Truck Mfg
Special Hobbies Gardening
Favorite Memory All the time spent on the ship was great. Going to Hawaii was the best
Worst Memory None
Children 2 Grandchildren
Special Comments
Hannon, Richard V Date Entered
Nickname Rate BM3 Division
Spouse Edwina (Eddie) Hometown Rochester, NY
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1968 Years To 1971
Civilian Occupation Was an Auto mechanic. After USN, I have, Owned Restaurants, Manager in Truck
Sales, Managed Automotive chemical sales in NE US. Now semi retired Driving
Roll-Off truck for a local company.
Special Hobbies Fishing, Camping, Traveling the USA and Grand Babies
Favorite Memory There are so many. We had a GREAT CREW. West-Pac 1970 and swimming in the
bow doors while at sea.
Worst Memory Death of a shipmate
Children 5 Grandchildren 4
Special Comments Looking forward to San Diego, 2012. I still have family there.
Hopkins, Richard C Date Entered 6/7/2011
Nickname Hoppy Rate EN3 Division
Spouse Diana Hometown Hobart, IN
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1967 Years To 1968
Civilian Occupation Continuous Caster Strand Operator-Bethlehem Steel Corp
Special Hobbies Yard work, Gardening, Woodworking
Favorite Memory LMAO..Getting out
Worst Memory
Children 3 Grandchildren 6
Special Comments Health permitting, I would really like to come to the reunion.
Hughes, Thomas R Date Entered 5/24/2011
Nickname Rate BMSN/BM3 Division
Spouse Barbara Hometown Houston, TX
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1961 Years To 1963
Civilian Occupation Owner of a fire, flood, odor control Cleaning Floor Co for 27 years.
Special Hobbies Deer hunting, Fishing, Past Master of my Masonic Lodge (1997-98), a Shriner, Knights
Templar, Grotto, York rite, Scottish rite
Favorite Memory Being selected to be the Captain's GIG Coxswain & selected to be the only non-com to
be in charge of our boat division..what a honor!!!--crossing the EQUATOR & getting
initiated as a golden shellback.
Worst Memory Riding out 7 typhoons back to back, to back, to back after 9 months of setting up weather
tracking stations in the Caroline Islands (kapingimiringi), sorry for the spelling
Children 2 Grandchildren 3 GG 1
Special Comments Looking forward to this reunion. Hate that it took so long. Hope to be reunited with
some shipmates who were onboard at the same time frame as I was, but will be happy
to get acquainted with everyone.
Irsik, David W Date Entered 5/19/2011
Nickname Rate RM3 Division
Spouse Barb Hometown Brighton, CO
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1969 Years To 1971
Civilian Occupation Pipeline Welder/Construction Supervisor
Special Hobbies Fishing, Golfing and spoiling grandkids
Favorite Memory All the traveling and seeing sites I would never have seen, and realizing how great
America really is.
Worst Memory The day jack Hancock was injured up on deck when the block and line separated.
Children 2 Grandchildren 3
Special Comments God Bless America, and may God Bless my shipmates
Johnson, William F Date Entered 6/9/2011
Nickname Rate HM2/HM1 Division
Spouse Sharon Hometown San Bernardino, CA
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1968 Years To 1971
Civilian Occupation Retired
Special Hobbies
Favorite Memory
Worst Memory
Children Grandchildren
Special Comments
Jones, Richard L Date Entered 6/7/2011
Nickname Rate Petty Officer 1/c Division
Spouse Patricia Hometown Crescent City, CA
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1965-01 Years To 1968-11
Civilian Occupation Heavy Equipment Repair/Welder (Retired)
Special Hobbies Riding my Harley, Fishing, Hunting and spending an inordinate amount of time at the
VA Hospital
Favorite Memory
Worst Memory Being deployed to Wespac and in the war zone
Children 4 Grandchildren 8
Special Comments
Malloy, Walter Steve Date Entered 5/23/2011
Nickname Rate SK2./SK1 Division
Spouse Julie (Deceased) Hometown Columbus, OH
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1967 Years To 1968
Civilian Occupation Logistics
Special Hobbies
Favorite Memory Good crew and officers
Worst Memory Was not onboard long enough to generate bad memories
Children Grandchildren 2
Special Comments
Mateyka, Charles P Date Entered 5/23/2011
Nickname Rate GMG3 Division
Spouse Marjorie Hometown Oshkosh, WI
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1965-09 Years To 1967-09
Civilian Occupation I was a Process Manager for 43 years with the Leach Co and retired in 2007
Special Hobbies Hunting, Fishing, Camping in Northern Wisconsin
Favorite Memory All the good times with the great friends I had.
Worst Memory Offloading ammunition before going in dry dock for repairs
Children 2 Grandchildren 5
Special Comments I hope you can set this reunion up. It would be great to see all the guys from back then.
McMillian, Ron O Date Entered 7/11/2011
Nickname Shorty Rate EN3 Division
Spouse Lawanda Hometown Jackson, MS
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1965 Years To 1967
Civilian Occupation Sales
Special Hobbies Hunting, Fishing
Favorite Memory Rose Festival in Portland, OR
Worst Memory Vietnam
Children 2 Grandchildren 4
Special Comments
Miller, Frank A Date Entered 6/20/2011
Nickname Rate BM3 Division
Spouse Jennie Hometown Shenandoah, IA
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1963 Years To 1966
Civilian Occupation Letter carrier USPS 30 yrs
Special Hobbies Yard and garden, raising cows and calves, horseback riding
Favorite Memory It was like a big family, papa Goldman and all the deck ape brothers!
Worst Memory Was there any??
Children 2 Grandchildren 3
Special Comments Who is Smoot talking about when he says old farts???
Miller, Paul B Date Entered 5/16/2011
Nickname Rate BM SN Division
Spouse Louise Hometown Plymouth, MA
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1964-01 Years To 1966-11
Civilian Occupation Lawyer
Special Hobbies Traveling, Reading
Favorite Memory Being kicked off Midway island after a beer bust at the EM Club
Worst Memory Being shelled in Chu Lai
Children 4 Grandchildren 3
Special Comments Everyone should try to attend. We're going to have a great time!
Misemer, Max Date Entered
Nickname Rate Lt (jg) Division
Spouse Cindy Hometown Springfield, MO
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1966 Years To 1969
Civilian Occupation Pharmaceutical sales and manufacturing (legal type) Insurance Marketing/Sales Mgr.
Special Hobbies Enjoying Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Raising money for Shriner's Children's Hospital,
Travel, Family
Favorite Memory Developing and building department teamwork and friendships
Worst Memory When the pilot had the con, approached the pier in Seattle way fast, Pierced the
starboard side forward, slicing the skin like opening a can of tuna. A DCA's panic light!
Children 4 Grandchildren 6
Special Comments It will be great to hook up, renew friendships and build new ones! Come on out crew
members, reach out to your buddies and encourage them to attend.
Monaco, Frank R Date Entered 6/7/2011
Nickname Rate BM2 Division
Spouse Carolyn Hometown La Puente, CA
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1964 Years To 1967
Civilian Occupation Chief Wharfinger at the Oxnard Harbor District. Retired from there in March 2001
Special Hobbies RV camping and hiking, swimming, kayaking and playing cards with my wife, kids and
grandkids
Favorite Memory When my shipmates came up to my home in La Puente on liberty weekends.
Worst Memory When I climbed down the anchor chain to swim ashore to see my bride when the ship
anchored in the harbor. I did this several nights when I did not have liberty and everyone
else slept. This ended when the fog came in one night and I almost got run over by a
boat returning to the ship. Thus ended my midnight runs to see my bride.
Children 3 Grandchildren 6
Special Comments Retirement is a great way of life and I would recommend anyone to join me. In 2009
my wife and I traveled in our 5th wheel to Sunderland, MA for my mother-in-laws
family reunion. Stopped to see lots of people I had met over the years and had a
wonderful time. Home was a welcome sight at the end of the 9,000 mile trip.
Pazman, Chuck Date Entered 5/19/2011
Nickname Rate Lt (jg) Division
Spouse Maggie Hometown Westbury, NY
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1967 Years To 1969
Civilian Occupation Commercial Real Estate Broker
Special Hobbies Boating, Snorkeling, Power-walking, Reading, Manage an Annual football pool.
Favorite Memory Goodwill trip to Coos Bay, Oregon. R & R in the Philippines, Taipei, Yokosuka, Hong
Kong
Worst Memory 1. Conducting on-deck Helo Ops with the Marines during monsoon season off the coast
of VN
2. Fire in pyrotechnic locker while in port
Children 3 Grandchildren 4
Special Comments l. It'll be great to see my old shipmates after all these years!
2. We are especially proud of our son who is a Navy Diver (E-6) and is up for Chief
in August. He's with SEAL Delivery Team One (SDV-1) in Hawaii.
Peetz, Norman K Date Entered 5/16/2011
Nickname Rate ETN2 Division
Spouse Nona Hometown Louisa, VA
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1962-04 Years To 1964-10
Civilian Occupation Service technician and then service manager for 36 years with a Computer Co
Special Hobbies Vegetable gardening, yard work, traveling and golf
Favorite Memory My shipmates in Operations Division were great to work with and our time spent in
Hawaii in 1962 was a memorable time. We actually witnessed the last hydrogen bomb
set off on Johnston Island one night about 2200 hours while off the coast of Hawaii.
Worst Memory One month of mess cooking when I first came aboard. (This was after 5 months of mess
cooking while waiting for ET school at Great Lakes.)
Children 4 Grandchildren 12
Special Comments I would really enjoy seeing some of the crew from the 1962 to 1964 period as I have
not seen anyone since that time. I e-mail with a couple of the guys, but haven't seen
them.
Perkins, Foster Date Entered 5/19/2011
Nickname Rate ET2 Division
Spouse Margie Hometown Garden City, KS
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1966 Years To 1968
Civilian Occupation Stockbroker
Special Hobbies Hunting & Fishing
Favorite Memory
Worst Memory
Children 2 Grandchildren 2
Special Comments
Quick, David C Date Entered 7/11/2011
Nickname Rate BM Seaman E-3 Division
Spouse Divorced Hometown Lovington, NM
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1964-01 Years To 1967-08
Civilian Occupation Hobbs Fire Dept 1967-74, West Texas Oilfields, Drilling Rigs 1967-70, North Sea
Stabford J deep sea drilling Rig 133 miles off the coast of Norway 1971-85, 1985 to
2005 Cross Country Truck Driver, 2005 to now retirement!!
Special Hobbies Living life to the fullest!!!
Favorite Memory Too many to list in this small space
Worst Memory Spending the night in the S P Jail at the T J border and the one in San Diego, and putting
out a cigarette butt on the main deck at morning muster. When M E Goodman died in
Hong Kong, Our XO
Children 8 Grandchildren 9
Special Comments I was regular Navy and was always proud of the fact that I joined and still am to this
day! God Bless all my shipmates and their loved ones, I'd never made it without them!
Riese, Larry M Date Entered 7/11/2011
Nickname Rate EM3-E4 Division
Spouse Diana Hometown Valentine, NE
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1964 Years To 1967
Civilian Occupation Design Engineer for Qwest Comm. Designed A/C and D/C
Special Hobbies Ride my motorcycle, fly and sail r/c toys and play with my two dogs.
Favorite Memory Almost all of my time spent on the ship. All the different countries we went to. Good
food and good movies.
Worst Memory When I lost my rank for 30 days.
Children 2 Grandchildren 6
Special Comments
Rittman, Peter Date Entered 6/13/2011
Nickname Rate CS3 E-4 Division Supply/S2
Spouse Darlene Hometown Quincy, FL
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1968 Years To 1970
Civilian Occupation Retired from Florida's Dept of Children & Families as a Program Analyst in the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program Office. Also Social works State mental
Health Hospital
Special Hobbies
Favorite Memory
Worst Memory
Children 10 Grandchildren 14
Special Comments
Smith, Mark A Date Entered 6/16/2011
Nickname Rate Division
Spouse Kathy Hometown Hot Springs, AR
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1965-02 Years To 1966-06
Civilian Occupation Math Teacher
Special Hobbies Camping, Fishing, Canoeing
Favorite Memory Yokosuka, Japan
Worst Memory Sept 1965 Chu Lai, Vietnam when we were hit by a shell at the 03 level
Children 3 Grandchildren 3
Special Comments
Smoot, Jack E Date Entered 6/6/2011
Nickname Rate BM3 Division
Spouse Tresa Hometown Malvern, AR
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1964 Years To 1966
Civilian Occupation Automotive Upholstery
Special Hobbies Hunt, Fishing, and Drinking
Favorite Memory R & R In Hong Kong
Worst Memory Taking the hit in Chu Lai and going to recover the round and throwing it over the side.
Children 4 Grandchildren 12 GG6
Special Comments I enjoyed my time aboard the SEXY WEXY and look forward to seeing you old farts.
Taylor, Gary L Date Entered 6/9/2011
Nickname Rate EM2 Division
Spouse Judi Hometown Fromberg, MT
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1968 Years To 1971
Civilian Occupation Supervisor at large coal fired electric generation plants, retired March 2009
Special Hobbies Working around the yard, working with wood
Favorite Memory Spending time with shipmates
Worst Memory I had 6 months left on my enlistment when the Wexford County was turned over to the
Spanish Navy. I would have liked to have spent my entire enlistment on the Wexford
Children 2 Grandchildren 2
Special Comments Looking forward to the reunion
Thomas, Elmer Date Entered 6/7/2011
Nickname Rate SS3 Division Supply
Spouse Evonne Hometown Harhan, KY
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1956 Years To 1959
Civilian Occupation Federal Mine Inspector
Special Hobbies Fishing
Favorite Memory Good times
Worst Memory None
Children 1 Grandchildren 1
Special Comments
Wade, Larry J Date Entered 6/13/2011
Nickname Rate RM E-5 Division
Spouse Jeannie Hometown Lakewood, CA
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1963 Years To 1965
Civilian Occupation Machinist
Special Hobbies
Favorite Memory
Worst Memory
Children Grandchildren
Special Comments
Wellinghoff, Herman J Date Entered 7/11/2011
Nickname Rate ETN2 Division
Spouse Venia Hometown Bigelow, AR
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1965 Years To 1966
Civilian Occupation Retired
Special Hobbies
Favorite Memory Shore leave
Worst Memory No fresh water, salt water showers
Children 3 Grandchildren
Special Comments
Zane, George R Date Entered 5/19/2011
Nickname Rate Seaman Division
Spouse Marianne Hometown Philadelphia, PA
Ship USS WEXFORD COUNTY (LST-1168) Years From 1965-08 Years To 1969-04
Civilian Occupation Instrument Tech for Gulf Oil, Chevron, Sunoco. Retired now
Special Hobbies Walking, Reading, Pinochle
Favorite Memory Going on the beach with Jacobson, Harris, Demarino & Kaip
Worst Memory A Lt Commander
Children 3 Grandchildren 4
Special Comments I have the original ships plaque. It was given to me by James Dean's widow shortly
after Jim passed away.