USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39)

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USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39)

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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

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LOOKING FOR FRIENDS OF TOM ORGAN

Comments: LOOKING FOR ANYONE WHO RERMEMBERED TOM ORGAN SERVED ON THE CHAMP IN KOREA

Keywords: served aboard uss lake champlain 1951-1953

Looking for Horace Keith Lindley

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cross deck penant operator

Comments: Although I was never assigned to a squadron, I felt a closeness. I operated the cross deck pendants ( cables ) for nearly all recoveries during the Korean cruise. Believe me, for a 19 year old, I had a ring side seat. I recall losing 7 Corsairs in one day when we ran into heavy swells. Willing to chat.

Keywords: USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN CVA-39

looking for old buddies

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Connecting With My Grandfather

Comments: I am 19 years old and currently serving active duty in the Navy. My Grandfather Russel Bauer was a cheif welder from Kentucky on the USS Lake Champlain during the time when of the Freedom 7 recovery mission. I have pictures of him and the ship but he died when I was only 2 so I do not know him. If anyone out there has any information or remembers him at all please let me know. I wish more than anything in the world to know more about my grandfather. Please write me with anything you know. Thank you and have a great Navy day!!

Keywords: USS Lake Champlain / Freedom 7

information regquested

Comments: Requesting information, location of Darren Monahan, possibly a storekeeper stationed aboard uss lake champlain around 1945-46 in the tidewater, virginia area.

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information regquested

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Looking for Who knew Elmo Y Lawson

Comments: Does anyone remember an Elmo Lawson from Texas he was assigned to vc-12 at Quonset Point, R.I. in 1953.

Keywords: vc-12 1953

Cruise Book-Korean Tour 1953

Comments: Is there any way to get a cruise book from the Korea tour-1953? Thank you.

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cruise book

Comments: Can I get a cruise book from the 1953 tour in Korea? Thank You

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Information on Capt. G. T. Mundorff

Comments: I was on the USS Lake Champlain 1994-1955 during the Mediterranean Cruise in the Reefer plant. I am searching my family genealogy.

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I am looking for information if someone knew my father

Comments: My father died when I was a teenager and I did not ask him alot of questions about what he did in the war. His files were lost the fire at the Navy headquarters, so w have no way of knowing about his life in Korea. If anyoneknew him we would love to here from you. His name was Michael Brockmeyer, he was in the serve sometime around Jan 1952 to Nov 1954.

Keywords: Lake Champlain

Info Needed

Comments: My father, AOC Raymond T. Moran served on the Champ in 1953. I only have a limited amount of information on him. If any of you good folks out there served with him, please give me a call or drop me a line. I really want to know more about him. In fact I'm not even sure if he is still living or not.

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like to talk with stewarts 8/55 to 9/56

Comments: would like to talk to anyonr that served at that time,1955 to 1956 mayport fl. was home port jacksonville fl.

Keywords: Green: uss lake champlain cva 39

Looking for info on Sully

Comments: Hello, I am looking for anyone who knew my Dad. William Sullivan (Sully) This card I found says Nov. 15,1953 and the USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39). Which he was on. Thanks

Keywords: USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39)

50-54

Comments: my father Ron Evans served as a fireman on the Lake Champlain, and was in the navy from '50'54. I don't have very much infor, and any help would be appreciated. THANK YOU!

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Jack Bailey was looking for my father

Comments: If Jack Bailey still wants to talk to John Dwyer, I can arrange that. Email me. Thanks!

Keywords: John Dwyer Shoals Indiana

Info needed

Comments: I came aboard Feb 1953 Assigned #3 fireroom Later on was in boiler repair gang. Finished up BT1 in charge # 4 fireroom.

Keywords: Looking for ex B Div shipmates

USS Lake Champlain CVA 39

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USS Lake Champlain CVA 39

Comments: Looking for shipmats from either ship.Champ 7th Div.Salerno Bay 3rd Div.1952 to 1955.Thank you.Almy

Keywords: USS Lake Champlain CVA 39 & USS Salerno Bay CVE 110

WERE'S MY FATHER NOW.

Comments: I WAS BORN IN 1957 AND MY FATHER WAS STATIONED IN NEW PORT RHODE,NOT SURE OF ANY UNITS HE WAS IN? I WAS JUST GIVEN LESS THAN A YEAR LEFT.PLEASE OH PLEASE I NEED TONS OF HELP FROM ANYONE THAT CAN HELP. MAY GOD BE EACH OF YOU THAT MIGHTREAD THIS PLED FROM THE VERY BOTTOM OF MY HEART. MY FATHERS NAME IS CHARLES G.CONNELLY,HE WAS BORNED AROUND THE 1928. THIS HAS BEEN ONE VERY PAINFUL SEARCH FOR ME. MY MOTHER'S MAIDEN NAME IS DALIA DEARMAS. THIS IS ALL THAT I NOW RIGHT NOW,PLEASE HELP THIS DIEING NAM VET SOON.

Keywords: MY FATHER WAS IN THE NAVY. HIS NICKNAME MIGHT HAVE BEEN "CHASE" BUT I'M NOT SURE.

Tommy Coker

Comments: Looking for anyone who may have known my father, Tommy Coker, he was on the Crash and Salvage team during the Korean War Cruise.

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Looking for shipmate

Comments: Does any one know what happend to Mat Mathurin AN in V-6 Div. He was in the fire in Marseille France in July? I got transferred to the FDR in Gibraltar,so I lost touch with him. The last I heard, which was this year, he married his nurse when he was in Texas.He came from Danielson Conn. Does any one have a 1957 Med. Cruse book that they want to sell?

Keywords: 1957 Med. Cruse

Comments: Does anyone remember chief machinery repairman "Blackie"Ballash.He came to the naval minecraft base at Charleston in 1953 from the Lake Champlain.I served under him there.If anyone knows where he is now I sure would appreciate an e-mail from you.He always had good things to say about your ship.

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KOREAN CRUSE VF-22 1953 ON CHAMP.

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VF 22 Squadron Members

Comments: R Dillman, Ashcraft, B Gamaras, J Printy, R East have been communicating this fall and we would like to locate some of those guys that made the Korean Cruise. I have some videos made from some 8mm film made during the cruise and most of the above guys are in these movies especially going across the equator. Am willing to communicate by mail, telephone or by email Jack Bailey

Keywords: WM. "Jet" Manning, NH, Neal Bennett, Robichaud, RR Boldt, Davenport, IA, John Dwyer, Shoals Ind, E p Walker, FL,Billy T Marsh, AL, McNamara ?, RR Story, FL, Barbaree AL, Red Turner ?Aremburg ?

Looking for dad's shipmate/reunions

Comments: On behalf of my father, Robert Schumitz,I am attempting to locate his shipmates and information on reunions. All messages will be forwarded to him.

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LOOKING FOR REUNION INFORMATION

Comments: LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON REUNIOMS IF THERE IS OR HAS BEEN ANY . WHO CAN GIVE ME ANY SUCH INFORMATION

Keywords: SERVED ABOARD SHIP FROM 1954-1955 HOME PORT WAS MAYPORT FLORIDA. TRANSFERED TO JAX AIR STATION IN NOVEMBER 1995 FOR DISCHARGE. HOME TOWN WAS BRISTOL CONN

U.S.S. Lake Champlain Association,Inc.

Comments: Join the U.S.S. Lake Champlain Association. Great newsletters--Reunions--Over 700 members--Membership roster. Locate your old shipmates. Help keep the memory of the "Champ" alive.

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Korean Cruise

Comments: Seeking B Division Shipmates #2 Fireroom

Keywords: Utah Carl Brown Kenneth Robbins BT3

Looking for info for my dad

Comments: My Fathers name is Fred D Cross he worked on the flight deck, I believe he was in the area of aircraft repair. He is looking for anyone that remembers him. As far as a physical discription he was about 6'-3" and rather thin with light almost blond hair. He still resides in Minnesota.

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Need Info on my Dad

Comments: Looking for info about my Dad. His rank what he did ect. anything I can find to help fill in his life while onboard. His name was Charles Norman Keel.

Keywords: USS Lake Champlain

Ship's History - Korean War Service

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USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CV-39)

“...becoming the largest ship to transit the Suez Canal...”

Displacement: 27,100 t. Length: 888' Extreme Width: 147'6" Speed: 33k. Complement: 3,448 Armament: 12 5"; 72 40mm Class: Essex

After the United States had allowed her active military strength to shrink to the danger point, the Communists struck in Korea. Fortunately, we had ships in reserve, though it took time to obtain and train crews and provide materiel.

Lake Champlain was reactivated and modernized at Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. and recommissioned 19 September 1952, Capt. G. T. Mundroff in command.

After shakedown in Cuban and Haitian waters, 25 November through 25 December, the carrier departed Mayport, Fla., for Korea 26 April 1953 via the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and China Sea, becoming the largest ship to transit the Suez Canal. She moored at Yokosuka, Japan, 9 June 1953.

As flagship of Carrier Task Force 77, she sailed from Yokosuka 11 June and arrived off western Korea 14 June. The carrier's air group immediately launched sorties cratering runways; assaulting enemy troops; attacking trenches, bunkers, gun positions; and giving close air support to hard pressed ground forces. Her planes also escorted B-29 bombers on their way to enemy targets. Lake Champlain continued to strike at the enemy until the truce was signed 27 July 1953.

From: DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL FIGHTING SHIPS

Keywords: TF 77,