THE "CHAMP" AND THE "BOMB"

Comments: IN 1953, 7TH. FLEET COMMANDER, VICE ADMIRAL J.J.(JOCKO) CLARK OBTAINED PERMISSION FROM COMMANDER IN CHIEF UNITED NATIONS COMMAND, GENERAL MARK W. CLARK, TO ARM HIS 7TH. FLEET FAST CARRIERS WITH NUCLEAR BOMBS. SOON ON THE USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN CVA-39, THERE WERE REFIGERATION MEN RUNNING REFIGERATION LINES IN STOREROOMS BELOW DECKS. THEN SPECIAL EQUIPMENT & LIFTS WERE INSTALLED IN THESE STOREROOMS. THESE REFIGERATION-MEN CAME FROM JAPAN. THEIR BERTHING COMPARTMENT WAS WAY DOWN IN THE BOTTOM OF THE "CHAMP". THEY WERE FED AT SPECIAL HOURS, WORKED FOUR HOUR WATCHES. THESE MEN WERE KEPT AWAY FROM THE CREW, YOU COULD TELL THEM BY THE RADIATION BADGES THEY WORE. WHEN THESE MEN GOT EVERYTHING READY FOR THE NUCLEAR BOMBS, THE LAKE CHAMPLAIN RACED TO SASEBO,JAPAN. THE A-BOMBS WERE BROUGHT OUT ON THE DOCK ON RUBBER TIRED WAGONS,WITH HUGE SUSPENSIONS. THE DOCK WAS LINED WITH US MARINE GUARDS. ONCE LOADED ABOARD, THE "CHAMP" RACED BACK TO THE LINE. THE BOMBS WERE STORED IN THE REFIGERATED STOREROOMS IN SECTIONS, AND IF NEEDED, TO BE ASSEMBLED IN A STOREROOM NEAR AN ELEVATOR. THE USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN CVA-39 HAD THE SCB-27 MODERNIZATION, WHICH AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE FLIGHT DECK,THE FLIGHT DECK ELEVATORS, CATAPULTS, AND ARRESTING GEAR WERE MADE TO SUPPORT AIRCRAFT WEIGHING UP TO 52,000 POUNDS, MAINELY THE AJ SAVAGE BOMBER. THE AJ AIRCRAFT(THE FIRST NAVAL COMBAT AIRCRAFT DESIGNED TO CARRY AN ATOMIC BOMB)HAD WORKED WITH THE CHAMP BEFORE OFF OF THE ATLANTIC COAST, WITH SAND BOMBS FOR THE PROPER WEIGHT, AFTER THE SHIP'S SHAKE- DOWN PERIOD. TO DELIVER THE NUCLEAR BOMBS THE SHIP COULD USE AJ AIRCRAFT FROM VC-6, ATSUGI,JAPAN, AND WITH NEW SPECIAL ORDNANCE EQUIPTMENT, ATOMIC BOMB RELEASES-ETC., FOR VA-45 SKYRAIDERS, THE AD'S COULD BE USED. WHEN THE 7TH.FLEET WAS READY TO DELIVER THE NUCLEAR BOMBS, THE WORD WAS LEAKED OUT TO THE COMMUNIST ENEMY. LATER, VICE ADMIRAL C.TURNER JOY,THE U.N.DELEGATE AT PANMUNJON, STATED THAT THE COMMUNIST GOT BUSY, AND SPEEDED UP THE CEASE-FIRE TALKS, THAT LEAD TO THE ARMISTICE SIGNING, WHEN THEY LEARNED OUR FLEET HAD THE A-BOMB, WHICH SAVED SCORES OF U.N.LIVES. AFTER THE CEASE-FIRE THE CHAMP CARRIED THE NUCLEAR BOMBS,(JUST IN CASE). SHE OFF-LOADED THE BOMBS IN OCT. 1953 AT SASEBO,JAPAN.

Keywords: KOREAN WAR

USS Lake Champlain

Comments: My dad was aboard the USS Champlain in 1957. I am told he was a cook on the ship. His name is Lloyd Massey. He passed away in 1972. Does anyone remember him, or have any photos? Thanks.

Keywords: cook

Anyone who served 56-58

Comments: Looking for shipmates that served from 56 to 58

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LOOKING FOR ANYONE THAT NEW TOM C COKER

Comments: I would love to hear from anyone that knew him back when. He died from Cancer in 1968 so I don't remember him very well at all. Would love to hear your stories and see your pics! Thanks!

Keywords: My Dad served aboard the Champ during the Korean war.

FOX DIV. 1952/1954

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New Champ Website

Comments: A new USS Lake Champlain CV, CVA, CVS-39 website has been established covering the 21 years of service from 1945 to 1966. It is a members only Yahoo Group site with over 1300 photographs and a large number of files concerning The Champ.

Go To:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/USS_Lake_Champlain/

And press the button that reads "Join This Group." Provide your name, division, task aboard and years served and we will arrange your membership.

Keywords: The Champ, V-6 Division, Lake Champlain

CDR. John D, Santivasci

Comments: Cdr. John D. Santivasci passed away on October 23, 2008. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetary on January 28, 2009.

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1951 friends of anthony bazza aerial photographer

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Keywords: served on uss lake champlain

INFO ON CHARLES S.

Comments: Do the flight-deck guys,or anybody know anything about the "Big" man Charles S. "Chuck" Lutz, Pittsburgh,Pa? Was "Tilley's" driver--great fire- fighter, V1F Div. 1952--1954.He and I served in the USS Philippine Sea CV-47, and the USS Lake Champlain CVA-39. Thank you, shipmates.---------

Keywords: V1F---Chuck,Big man-6'5' From Pittsburgh,Pa--- Drove "TILLEY" on the flight deck---One hell of a firefighter. Flight Bos'n John Santivasci (Ret. Cdr.), his brother, W.H.--1st. Class R.A. Smith---E. Russo, D.S. Niemeyer---A. Hess--Ted Clevenger(Indiana) Korean War--1952----1954.

Looking for Buddies

Comments: I am looking for any of my friends who served or I worked with in the Gunnery Office,etc. Antonio Ghigi, from Bronx N.Y., Ralph Davis, North Carolina, Hamilton, California, or Lindquist???

Keywords: I served on the air craft carrier USS Lake Champlain CVS-39 from 1961 through 1963. Stood ready off the coast of Cuba during the Cuban Crisis, Bay of Pigs.

I KNEW RALPH JONES AKC--S1 DIV.--1952-1954

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I KNEW RALPH JONES AKC--S1 DIV.--1952-1954

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looking for information on cruise book for lake champlin 1953

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Keywords: am looking for erman ray altizer-served in marine detachment on board---also bill ailstock

Looking for VA 85 shipmates 1954-55

Comments: Would like to find shipmates same periods

Keywords: Med cruise 1954 CVA 39 VA85. Med cruise 1956 CVA 11

Looking for VA 85 shipmates 1954-55

Comments: Would like to find shipmates same periods

Keywords: Med cruise 1954 CVA 39 VA85. Med cruise 1956 CVA 11

Looking for VA 85 shipmates 1954-55

Comments: Would like to find shipmates same periods

Keywords: Med cruise 1954 CVA 39 VA85. Med cruise 1956 CVA 11

1959-1956 TOUR

Comments: Left Norfolk after recommissioning. Thru Med and Suez to Korean waters. Retured to Mayport Flordia where I left ship for submarine School at New London, Conn. Sailed on three diesel boats before leaving Navy. (Boats, meaning submarines. Am 78 and still making waves.

Keywords: Sie (Nickname)

korea 1955-56

Comments: I knew few of the crew but mi can tell you about the g general atmosphere of battlestations on the line. See me at@ jimscyphers@att.net

Keywords: SIE i Was a carpentersmate (DC) on t6he Lake Champlain during the Korean War.

korea 1955-56

Comments: I knew few of the crew but mi can tell you about the g general atmosphere of battlestations on the line. See me at@ jimscyphers@att.net

Keywords: SIE i Was a carpentersmate (DC) on t6he Lake Champlain during the Korean War.

squadron CV A H5

Comments: H.K. "PONCHO" WALLACE NAVAL PILOT LAKE CHAMPLAIN IN THE MID 50'S. SQUADRON VAH5. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW AND SEE A PIC OF THE PLANE THAT HE FLEW. HE IS NOW 85 YEARS OLD AND DOING WELL. HE TALKS ALOT ABOUT HIS LIFE AMONG THE LAKE CHAMPLAIN. HE WAS A LIEUT AT THE TIME AND RETIRED AS A CDR AT PNS NAS FL AID TO CNATRA. THANK YOU SON OF CDR H.K. "PONCHO" WALLACE BRIAN S. WALLACE TRAUMA NURSE

Keywords: LAKE CHAMPLAIN PILOT 1953-1955 SQUADRON VA H5

Anyone remember Gordon Stetson

Comments: My dad served in the Korean War, in part, aboard the Lake Champlain. He was a gunner's mate. Wondering if anyone remembers him. Please e-mail.

Keywords: USS Lake Champlain; Korean War

INFO ON RALPH JONES--AKC1952-54-S-1 DIV.

Comments: Does any shipmates know what has happened to, RALPH JONES, AKC, S-1 DIV.---1952-1954????

Keywords: Ralph Jones AKC S-1 Div. 1952--1954 KOREA U.S.S. LAKE CHAMPLAIN-CVA 39

Like to hear from any Marines on board 1952-1954

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Keywords: Marine Detachment menbers

contact my friends

Comments: like to meat some friends from v-1 devision 1956-1959

Keywords: smitty