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Ken Poorman's USS Forrestal Stuff . . .
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| U.S.S. Forrestal CVA-59 |
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I was on the USS Forrestal off and on from 1961
to 1963, while assigned to ComCarDiv 4 in Norfolk. I went onbd in '61 just as she was going into the yard at Portsmouth
- so our Unit went TAD on USS Kitty Hawk for her Maiden Voyage around The Horn to PACFLT, San Diego. Then after
a few months on USS Roosevelt and USS Shangri-La in Mayport, we went back on Forrestal for a 9 month med cruise, and for Project
Mercury. I left her in April '63 when I transferred to CINCLANTFLT.
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Here's a brief summary of Forrestal activity during my assignment: 19 Jan 1962 USS Forrestal received a Unit
Award, i.e. the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal [AE] for 19 Jan–7 Mar 1962. Jan-Feb '62 the ship accomplished a six-week refresher training cruise off the east coast that extended down into Caribbean
waters, focusing upon the Guantánamo Bay area. She also visited Port-au-Prince, Haiti. In addition, Mercury-Atlas 6
[MA-6] launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida at 0947 on 20 February 1962. LCOL John H. Glenn, Jr., USMC, the 40-year-old
astronaut, completed three orbits about the earth in four hours 55 minutes to become the first American to orbit the planet.
Glenn flew spacecraft Friendship 7 in her 75,679 mile voyage at a maximum speed of 17,544.1 miles per hour. Describing his
re-entry as a “real fireball” Glenn splashed down in the Atlantic some 166 miles east of Grand Turk Island in
the Bahamas, about 800 miles southeast of Bermuda. Destroyer Noa (DD-841) recovered the astronaut after he spent 21 minutes
in the water, and a helo flew him on to antisubmarine warfare support aircraft carrier Randolph (CVS-15) at 1745. Although
Glenn did not land nearby, Forrestal stood ready as one of the potential tracking and measuring stations for the epochal flight. 9–14 Apr 1962: Forrestal combined
operations with aircraft carrier Enterprise (CVAN-65) for a presidential cruise. President John F. Kennedy and his entourage
arrived on board Enterprise on 14 April. The busy day included sea and air power demonstrations for the President and many
distinguished guests, including most of his cabinet, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, many congressmen and about 30 foreign ambassadors,
all hosted by VADM John M. Taylor, Commander, Second Fleet. About 20 ships participated in the exercise off the Virginia and
North Carolina coasts. A “spectacular display” culminating in a mass flyby and recovery by naval aircraft entertained
guests. CDR Joseph P. Moorer, commanding officer of VF-62, LCDR Joseph S. Elmer, LT Richard C. Oliver and LT William F. Heiss
of that squadron shook hands with President Kennedy on board Enterprise at the conclusion of the demonstration. Forrestal
also hosted Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson and several senators and congressmen during the cruise. Mid to late Apr 1962: Following the Presidential Cruise,
Forrestal returned to the Caribbean for the Atlantic Fleet exercise LantPhibEx 1-62, and took advantage of the opportunity
to visit Port of Spain, Trinidad, where the Carrier Division 4 band entertained crowds. Jul 1962: The ship visited New York City for Independence Day festivities. During
one of the days of her week-long stay, almost 22,000 “curious” visitors swarmed on board. 6–12 Jul 1962: Leaving New York waters, Forrestal participated
with Enterprise in LantFlex 2-62, a nuclear strike exercise under the command of RADM Reynold D. Hogle, Commander, Carrier
Division 4 and Commander, TF 24. Enterprise launched eight “pre-planned” strikes and six call strikes while operating
in the Virginia capes area against targets ranging from the Tidewater area to central Florida. 3 Aug 1962: Forrestal weighed anchor and set sail for another
Med deployment. This sail included 12,900 officers and men from commands along the east coast assigned initially to the Second
Fleet, manning Enterprise and Forrestal, guided missile heavy cruiser Boston (CAG-1), from which RADM Robert H. Weeks, Commander,
Cruiser Destroyer Flotilla 10, broke his flag, heavy cruiser Newport News (CA-148), from which VADM John M. Taylor, Commander,
Second Fleet, broke his flag, 13 destroyers from Destroyer Squadrons 8 and 14, ammunition ships Shasta (AE-6) and Suribachi
(AE-21) and oiler Chukawan (AO-100). This became the last time that A-1 Skyraiders of VA-85 deployed on board Forrestal, and
her first deployment with Mach 2.2 capable McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIs of VF-74. Soviet Tupolev Tu-95 [Tu-20] Bears
would fly the huge journey–hundreds of miles–from their fields near Murmansk in the Kola Peninsula to find the
ship as she crossed the Atlantic. Russian electronic specialists operated their sophisticated sensors probing for the carrier’s
radar, and when they discovered her they would drop down for a closer look, but Phantom IIs from the ship would intercept
the intruders and escort them out of the area. Even during the tensions of the Cold War most of these encounters were professional
and the rivals often waved to each other. 13–17 Aug 1962: Forrestal participated in RipTide III, an exercise with allied aircraft carriers in the eastern
Atlantic that demonstrated interchangeability, compatibility and reliance with NATO allies including the British, French and
Portuguese. 7 Sep 1962: Forrestal participated
in Lafayette II, an exercise that involved 14 scheduled conventional strikes coordinated with aircraft from Enterprise against
multiple targets to the French Low Level Route in southern France. French air force and naval aircraft opposed them. 6 Oct 1962: NATO chiefs of staff embarked
Forrestal for a one-day cruise. 16–17
Feb 1963: Enterprise relieved Forrestal at Pollensa Bay. 2 Mar 1963: Forrestal returned to Norfolk. Russian reconnaissance bombers overflew the carrier en route her return
home. Her aircraft flew over 10,300 missions and logged over 23,000 hours in the air during this deployment.
 OUR UNIT ONBD USS FORRESTAL CVA-59 Steve Bergstrom, Bob Bowman, Jerry Brown, Jack Caldon, Corky Corcoran, Deege Dechesser, Joe Gallagher, Alfie
Hodge, Bob Hores, Jack Ingram, Bob Migacz, Shorty Parker, Ken Poorman, Joe Pryor, Sal Salazar, Paul Sipe, Larry Treaster, Ted
Zelio
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| Admiral Hyland |
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| COMCARDIV 4 |
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RADM Hyland was ComCarDiv
4 when we were on the Forrestal,
and Capt. Geis was The Skipper. |
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A few mementos of Forrestal times . . .
USS Forrestal was the defending carrier in an amphibious force landing exercise on Vieques Island,
during the largest assembled naval force since the Korean War. Forrestal had Vice-President Lyndon B. Johnson
aboard, and Enterprise had President John F. Kennedy aboard. They hosted many foreign ambassadors, military
attaches, and other diplomats for a Naval Air Power demonstration. We deployed to the Mediterranean on 3 August
1962 to 2 March 1963 as flagship for Commander Carrier Division Four (ComCarDiv 4) participating in NATO exercises in the Atlantic and western Mediterranean with Enterprise, British and French carriers,
and cross deck operations were conducted.
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←Our
Forrestal Christmas Party in Cannes France in 1962 . . . I remember being a bit homesick at this time, nice of The Skipper
to throw a party.
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| Poorman on Forrestal Flight Deck |
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Buddy Morrow's big band playing a show on USS Forrestal - some of us Unit Band 194 members sat in with him and
played between sets . . .
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Larry Treaster took these photos of Forrestal's aircraft on the flight deck
with his little Brownie Hawkeye camera . . . and I'll add some photos of the planes in flight.
(Click to enlarge)
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Some of our guys on Forrestal . . .
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| Larry Treaster & Jerry Brown in our berthing compartment - 18 guys lived in this little room |
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| Bob Bowman drew this artwork and decorated our closet door for Christmas |
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| Migatz Bergstrom Treaster and Prior sorting laundry - I don't sort laundry! |
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Bowman in the Machine Shop
Bob was known & welcomed all over the ship |
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Poorman in our Berthing Compartment
Could I have a larger room please?
WITH A WINDOW!!! |
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There's a Band on the flight deck - Hello!
Would you move these planes out of the way! |
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| DJ & Bob in Barcelona (Remember the Cognac) |
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| Bob was/is truly a "Good Will Ambassador" |
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Alfie was a good American Tourist
camera and all - Palermo |
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Deege in Palermo Catacombs
DJ, please don't touch the dead people |
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| Our Christmas Tree on Forrestal-Cannes '62 |
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| Prior Treaster Poorman Migatz in Athens Oct 62 |
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| POORMAN K.R. MUSN |
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| USS Forrestal 02-167-2-L |
A
few pix from our cruise book . . .
| Entering port |
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| Starboard Section, muster on the flight deck! |
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| POORMAN K.R. MU3 |
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With ComCarDiv 4
on USS Forrestal Forecastle |
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| COMCARDIV 4 STAFF |
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| Unit Band #194 |
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| Lets see, should we take the gig or the launch? |
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| Bonjour Christine - Cannes France |
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Who doesn't remember Christine?
I loved her tureen of vegtable soup! |
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| COMCARDIV 4 BAND |
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| Playing for Refueling |
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Now
can you tell me why our band, or at least some of us, would have to play for refueling and replenishments at sea?
I think it was punishment, or something about morale. It was cold out there. I’d rather be upstairs
on the Flag Bridge surface plotting. Although I have had sailors tell me that they liked the band playing
while they were refueling. Go figure. (Oops! "Upstairs" is not a Navy term.
I'm not supposed to say that, or floor, or wall, or toilet, or dining room either. Sorry, I forgot. I meant topside,
deck, bulkhead, head and mess.) |
| Refueling at sea . . . JP5 |
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In The Yard - for the last time?
| The Navy Yard - Philadelphia Pennsylvania |
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Today 17 Jan 2011 Tom Gratz and I drove down to
The Navy Yard in Philadelphia to check out the USS Forrestal. She looked pretty sad. 50 years ago I did a little chipping and painting in 02-167-2-L, and she looks
like she could use a little more work right now. I'd go back to help her out, if they would let me. I was hoping
the Forrestal Museum Association would be her beneficiary and park her down at Ft. McHenry in Baltimore as a museum, but it does not look like that's going
to happen. I think the Navy is going to send her to Davy Jones' Locker.  Never saw so much rust on a Navy ship. God bless all the people who served and died on her. I took a few pix of FID with my cell phone while there
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| USS Forrestal CV-59 (Foregrd) JFK (Backgrd) |
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| Philadelphia Navy Yard 17 Jan 2011 |
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| USS Forrestal - Fantail |
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Philadelphia Navy Yard
17 Jan 2011 |
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| Forrestal (Left) JFK (Right) |
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| Ladies in chains |
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So after looking at the Forrestal for a while, and
thinking about all the people I met on her, and all the ports of call, we drove around the base. A few in moth balls,
but NavSea is bacically the only Navy presence these days, engineering, etc. Looks like they're selling off the Navy buildings
to commercial enterprises.
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| The Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pa. 17 Jan 2011 |
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| Bye Navy Yard - - - (Wish I was in Florida right now!) |
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So
here it is, 2014 . . . and it looks like USS Forrestal will meet her fate soon . . . FID is going to be scrapped . . .
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| USS FORRESTAL 4 FEB 2014 |
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| Last Voyage |
The decommissioned
carrier Forrestal heads past the decommissioned carrier John F. Kennedy on Feb. 4 on its way out into the Delaware River in
Philadelphia. (Joseph Battista/Navy)
(ARTICLE)
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Im sorry I didn't have the gumption to do down
to The Navy Yard to see FID leave Philly earlier this month . . . but it was sad, snowy, cold, and at 5AM !!!
But Im glad I went down to see her a year or so ago for one last time. Sad to see the rust. I'm glad to hear that
some Forrestal vets are going to Brownsville to bid her farewell . . . thanks.
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Hey . . . do you get the Forrestal Spot Sheet? It's the newsletter of
the USS Forrestal CVA/CV/AVT-59 Association, Inc. A lot of good articles about the Forrestal and her people, the
annual reunions, photos, etc. I especially like Ken Killmeyer's article "Looking Back . . . A History of USS Forrestal.
He publishes the deck logs over the years. Very interesting. They have a ship's store, and you will see lists
of members with telephone numbers. Maybe you can contact some of your old shipmates. Check out their website at
http://www.uss-forrestal.com/.
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Ken Poorman in a nutshell . . .
K.R. POORMAN – PETTY OFFICER
3rd CLASS – USN (20 JUL 60 – 19 JUL 66) CRUITSTA, PHILA PA; 20 JUL 60; Enlisted USNFTC,
SDIEGO CA; 21 JUL 60; Basic Training USNAVSTA, WASHDC;
4 OCT 60; USN School of Music (Theory/Keyboard/Percussion) COMCARDIV4; NOB NORVA; 25 JUL 61; Fleet Band #`194 (Sea Duty) · USS FORRESTAL (CVA-59);
NORVA; Med Cruise (Cuban Missile Crisis) (Project Mercury) · USS KITTY HAWK (CVA-63);
SDIEGO (ORI-Maiden Voyage-Equator)
· USS SHANGRI-LA (CVA-38); MAYPORT (CarQuals) (Dominican
Republic Operations) · USS F. D. ROOSEVELT (CVA-42); MAYPORT (CarQuals) ·
USS K. D. BAILEY (DD-713); Hitched a ride-highlined to carrier-WOW! CINCLANTFLT; SACNB NORVA; 5 APR 63; Navy Band #85 USNRESERVE; BBRIDGEMD; 19 OCT 63 DISCHARGE:
Honorable; 19 JUL 66 MEDALS: Navy Good Conduct;
National Defense Service; Navy Expeditionary RATING:
Musician (MU); Surface Plotting/Air Intelligance (Flag)
— — —
— — Lock Haven High School Doebler's Pennsylvania Hybrid Seed Corn; Jersey Shore PA Mangan's Bakery; Lock Haven PA Sputnik Sub Shop; Lock Haven PA Bill Stoddart's Town Tavern; Lock Haven PA U.S. NAVY; San Diego CA; Washington DC; Norfolk VA; Mayport FL Marriage One Williamsport Area Community College - Chi Gamma Iota Piper Aircraft Corporation; Production; Commanche; Aztec; Lock Haven PA Clinton County Sheriff Department; Deputy Sheriff; Corrections
Officer; LCHN Pennsylvania State University
- Administration of Justice Bell Atlantic/Verizon
Communications; Claims Manager; Retired 1992; Phila PA Marriage
Two Harleysville Insurance Co; Supervisor-Medical
Disability Services; Retired 2004 Website Consultant
- Self-Employed 2005 - 2008 Archdiocese of Philadelphia;
Senior Compliance Auditor 2008 - 2013
Here are links to some of my military band pages . . .
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 JFK (Backgrd))
 JFK (Right))
