Hoping everyone had a very Merry Christmas and it is time to wish one and all the very best for the new year.

I guess the biggest happening since the last newsletter was the annual Mahan reunion held in Branson MO. from the 5^th to the 9^th of October. Although it was not the turn out that we had expected , I think that everyone had a great time. Our Vice President enjoyed it so much that he even got on stage aboard the Branson Belle and joined the show. I think that Pam Brown and Gatherings Plus planned out a very good program for us. We did miss having some of the old standbys who didn’t make it but did have three first timers. From talking to them during the course of the reunion they all said they were glad that they had decided to come.

Not much happened at our meeting except that we decided to add one more trustee, Jim Story from DLG 11. We also discussed adding $5000 to the Mahan scholarship fund. This was approved but we decided to hold up on it until we could get some answers from the Navy League on how the scholarship was being awarded and to whom. Over the years, the only one that we have found out about was the granddaughter of Frank and Jackie Carr of the DD364. She was awarded it in 2000. Capt. Sweet was going to drop a bomb on the Navy League and find out what we could. Since the passing of Capt. Campbell we have had no one in touch with them to get this information and they seem to not want to answer the phone.

Also Capt. Sweet is working with a cruise planner to see what it would take to put together a cruise for the 2007 reunion.

As everyone knows, it was decided in Las Vegas to have the 06 reunion in the San Diego area with Peter and Coco Mann hosting but things didn’t work out for Peter, so our webmaster Dick Hallowell volunteered to host and do the planning. As of this writing, it will be held on September 13-17 in San Diego at the Red Lion Hanalei Hotel. More information will be posted on the web very soon.  I’m sure that Dick and his wife will do a great job and it will be kind of nice to get back to southern California after a ten year absence. As most of you know 1994 was a great reunion there on the 50^th anniversary of the sinking of the DD 364.

One person we did miss at the Branson reunion was Lloyd Frahm, off the DD 364. I was informed by his daughter, Gretchen, that he was on oxygen and couldn’t fly so therefore couldn’t make the trip. I’m sure that he would appreciate a card or a note. Lloyd Frahm, 4601 E. Skyline Dr, Apt. 512, Tucson, AZ 85718-1657

October was a sad month especially for the Plankowners of the DLG 11, when we found out about the passing of our skipper, Capt. W. S. Busik. All who knew him know what a great skipper he was.

The following is a note from Russ Owens:

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Captain Bill Busik. I did not serve under him. I first met him at the launching of DDG 72. We became better acquainted later at the Washington, DC reunion. We sat at the hotel bar talking and I commented to him how I regretted not making the Navy a career. His reply was, "don’t worry about it, you served and others did not" Also when I sent him a videotape of the DDG72 launching ceremonies, he sent me a very nice letter, thanking me for preserving these historic moments.

One of the stories he shared was, when he first reported to the Naval Academy, he was mistaken for a senior enlisted man, and was briefly given some extra considerations. Until they found out his title was not Sargeant, but Sargent was his middle name. A very classy guy.

As for myself I thought Capt. Busik was the very best.

I remember one time in 1961 three young sailors were at Mast after being picked up by the shore patrol for fighting in a National City bar with some submarine sailors. When asked what the story was, one of them spoke up and said "Captain, one of those squids called my ship a ----barge." Case dismissed was all Captain Busik said.

As far as the ships store goes, I have been informed by Russ that the inventory is running low but he does not want to replenish until spring, unless demand warrants it. He has plenty of hats and patches for the DLG-11 and DDG-42 on hand. He hopes to have a full stock by the September reunion in San Diego.

A Message from our President.

Greetings to All:

With all the holiday hubbub in the rear view mirror, I hope this finds you in good health. I want to thank Jerry and Evagene for all the hard work they put into our great reunion in Branson. MO.

Rob Lalumiere, a diver, believes he has located the wreckage of DD 364. The identity is not yet confirmed. As the story develops, we will keep you informed.

I look forward to seeing you at the San Diego reunion in September.

Wishing you all the best.

Jeff.

Please note in Jeff’s message the note on the Caribbean Cruise and let him know what you think.

Also in the message was the mention of Rob Lalumiere. As Jeff stated, he is a World War II buff. Rob is from New Hampshire and has made several deep scuba dives. More info is available at this site: http://www.dd-692.com/lalumiere.htm  .  He has searched out the wreckage of USS Cooper and put a plaque on it. He is diving in Ormoc Bay and believes he has found the DD 364. We had discussed via e-mail the possibility of having a plaque made and putting it on the 364. Any 364 vets, let us know if you are interested in the venture. Also when Rob put the plaque on the Cooper he had some of the Crew of the ship with him when it was done. Maybe some of our 364 men would be interested in being there if he succeeds.

Received from Ships Master Chief Mike Conran:

Senior Sailor of the Quarter

2^nd Quarter FC1 (SW) Timothy Rickburg

3^rd Quarter PS1 (SW) Jason Miller

4^th Quarter MA1 (SW) Tarleter Reed

 

Junior Sailor of the Quarter

2^nd Quarter FC3 Philip Jordan

3^rd Quarter STG3 Joseph Beaty

4^th Quarter GSE3 Diedra Jenkins

 

Blue Jacket of the Quarter

2^nd Quarter ITSN Timothy Cagle

3^rd Quarter DCFN Zachary Gizzard

4^th Quarter SHSN Keven Burnett

This is the first time that we will be sending out the majority of the newsletter by internet.  I hope that it works out for all.  One request we have is that anyone who changes snail mail or e-mail addresses please let me know and let the webmaster@ussmahan.org  know so that we can get the changes made to the mailing lists.

I have had several requests from members of the association to get a roster list. We haven’t had one made up since Cal Shugart handled everything. Some people have stated they didn’t want their information out so before I start putting this roster together, let me know if you do not want this information out.

I want to get started on this as soon as possible.

I haven’t had any information from the DDG 72 since she returned from her last deployment but she is due to go into the yards somewhere for overhaul. I am sure that she had a very good cruise and I’m sure we can all be proud of her and her crew.

In closing I would like to say smooth sailing to all and let's meet in September in San Diego

Jerry