1968-1979 P-T

• Mark Pace, GMG3
  707 Carol Villa dr.
  Montgomery,AL 36109
  
  Email: mpace57@hotmail.com
  Occupation: Car Sales

  boarded: 03/15/76
  departed: 08/25/79
  
  experiences:
  
  I remember the North Atlantic cruise when the Russian minesweeper tried to run over our SEAL team who was stealing their sonar buoys in a rubber raft. The skipper (Olds) had one of our interpreters cuss them out in Russian over the 1MC, and had us go to GQ & man the gun mounts (loaded).

  
  Signed onboard this site: January 17, 2004
   

• Jose I. Penichet, EN2
  12410 Wild Turkey Lane
  Thonotosassa, FL 33592

  Email: tpd_709@yahoo.com
  Work Phone: 813-354-6600
  Fax Phone: 8123546670
  Current Occupation: Law Enforcement

  
  boarded     01/02/75
  departed    10/02/77 

  Experiences to remember:

  I reported to the Sumter while she was enroute back to the US from a med cruise. They shipped me out on the LSD Pensacola and we met up with the Sumter in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. In stormy/rain driven seas, I climbed a rope ladder up the stbd side of the Sumter. At o-dark hundred hours they woke me up for my first mid watch in engine room #3.
  
  My departure from the Sumter and her crew, although not as dramatic as my arrival, was equally exciting. I left Turkey during a med cruise and for a period of two weeks, vacationed in Greece, Spain and Orlando, Florida were I was ultimately discharged.
  
  I like many others had an experience of a life time on the Sumter that I will not forget and wish not to forget.

  Signed onboard this site: February 09, 2003

   

• Tony Petrone, OSSN
  165-10th St
  Wood-Ridge, NJ 07075

  Email: foneguy7@optonline.net  
  Work Phone: 201-694-1191
  Home Phone: 201-372-0250
  FAX: 201-372-0251
  Current Occupation: Construction Splicer for Verizon
  AOL: telefoneguy10038

  
  boarded: 01/76
  departed: 06/78

  
  
  Experiences to remember:
  
  Reported while ship was in Horn Brothers Shipyard for overhaul, then on to GITMO. Man, was it hot down there! Had a great time, made some good cruises and made some great friends....

  Signed onboard this site: March 21, 2004
   

• Brian E Phillips PO2 (LST-1189)
  2606 Orchard Meadows
  Henderson, NV 89074 USA

  Email Address: bphillipslv@netzero.com
  Work Phone: (702) 499-5759
  Home Phone: (702) 260-0854
  Current Occupation: Self Employed
  Yahoo IM: saveabuc

  Boarded: 7/5/1973
  Departed: 11/27/1976

  Experiences to Remember:

  I was on the San Bernardino County my whole enlistment. Didn't see a lot of action until the Saigon pullout when we went and rescued all the refugees and gave them a better life (than most of us here in the states). At the time I totally disagreed with it. We had over 1200 on board. Trying to feed, control the chaos, and cleanup the bodily waste was no fun. Now it looks like the Iraq war is looking a lot similar. WE NEED TO GET OUR MEN OUT OF THERE. There's no winning this, Just losing our kids..

  God Bless all the sailors and servicemen I had the privilege to serve with.

  Brian E. Phillips, Gunners Mate 2nd Class, USS San Bernardino County LST 1189

   

• Mike  Rasch NOT DESIGNATED
  12506 Lake Underhill Rd

  Orlando, FL 32825 USA

  Email Address: mtbeers@yahoo.com
  Current Occupation: Computer Support For Lockheed Martin
  Yahoo IM: mtbeers

  Boarded: 1/4/1977
  Departed: 4/5/1980

  Experiences to Remember:

  I remember going out to sea, and the seas were so bad that the ship would roll so bad that the bell in the bridge would ring every time that  the ship would do a 45 degree role.  I also remember when we would hit some real bad seas that water would go well above the derrick arms. I also remember when the seas were so rough that you were just about walking on the walls when you had to go to chow or on watch. I remember when the Sumter went to the artic circle. I remember when the Sumter sat 50 miles off the cost of Russia while we watch the Russians play the war games. Some of the Russian ships would follow us so we would put some playboys magazines and jeans and some hats and coffee mugs in a trash bag and the Russian ship would pick up the bag. There was one time I was on watch on the bridge and a Russian ship came with-in less then 50 yard across the bow of the ship I heard full astern and the bow thruster was also put in astern to avoid hitting the Russian ship. Commander Olds was the commander at the time.

  Signed onboard this site: May 27, 2004

   

• Doug  Stackpole IC2/GSCM(SW)
  1428 W. Carrollton Ave

  Salem, VA 24153 USA

  Email Address: dbstackpole@msn.com
  Current Occupation: Territory Service Manager, Carrier Corp.

  Boarded: 10/19/1977
  Departed: 3/21/1979

  Experiences to Remember:

  I must admit that of the five ships I served aboard during my 21 years, the 17 months I spent onboard the Sumter were probably the most enjoyable.  The MED Cruise (77'-78') with Fast Freddy Olds was great (my first).  I left in 79' when I was accepted into the GS program, but I never again served with such a tight knit crew as we had there.  I was fortunate to run into fellow "Gamecocks" over the remainder of my career and always enjoyed the Sea Stories from the North Atlantic and MED trips.  All the best to everyone and if you remember "Whale", drop me a line.

  Signed onboard this site: February 4, 2005

   
• Douglas J Stalker BM2
  3228 Oakridge Dr.  

  Chino Hills, CA 91709 USA

  Email Address: djstalker@msn.com
  Current Occupation: Hospital Const. Inspector  Oshpdior

  Boarded: 5/10/1970
  Departed: 10/15/1972

  Plankowner: Yes

  Signed onboard this site: February 20, 2005

   

• George T. Sutherland, EN2
  2109 Huntzinger Ave
  Farmington, NM 87401

  Email: gsutherland_606@hotmail.com
  Home_Phone: 5053243058
  Current Occupation: Retired

  boarded 10/15/1971
  departed 05/07/1973

  Experiences to Remember:

  I checked onboard when the ship came back from West Pac to Long Beach Ca. I was C. Wolley's relief in EOS2 great Crew in Engine Rooms. I guess the most lasting memory was when we were extended in the Med. my last cruise when we finally headed home and hit a storm somewhere near the Azores bow doors broke open and the BM's chained them up. We only had 4 engines and bad pitch on starboard shaft. I think our max speed was 12 or 14 knots not a good feeling when you are loaded with Jarheads and equipment. Had some great friends, best Snipe Crew I ever rode with.

  Signed onboard this site: March 29, 2006