Guestbook

Ray frakes from Mineral Wells Texas wrote on April 8, 2018 at 6:40 pm:

On board 59/64. Hope too see shipmates in 2018.

Chad James from Redmond, OR wrote on February 25, 2018 at 11:00 am:

This is a "Shout-out" to all shipmates to gather as many crewmembers you can find and have them come to this years reunion onboard our legacy ship in Bremerton, WA. She promises to behold you and give you back some personal feelings and memories. To honor her and to share with each other in telling your stories. It will be a good time for all - especially for those onboard during her final years of steaming. We the reunion committee - look forward to your early sign-up and commitment to participate in this years reunion. In doing so, this allows us to better prepare for your visit. Thanks

LCDR JIm Chester USN (Ret) from Carson City, NV wrote on January 4, 2018 at 5:49 pm:

This is for Brian Andrew Bartlett! I was there on the USS Turner Joy with your Dad and I am reasonably sure he pulled the trigger down in gun plot that fired the last naval round of the Vietnam conflict at 0759 and 15 secs to impact in the DMZ at precisely the cease fire! The heavy combat we endured for nearly one solid month was not an exaggeration whatsoever! Until the publishing of Fighting to Leave in 2008, by Bob Stoffey, the truth about the end of the Vietnam conflict was not properly told. The Alpha and the Omega is also true, because TJ was involved in the Tonkin Gulf incident in early August 1964 with the USS Maddox... Read more

This is for Brian Andrew Bartlett! I was there on the USS Turner Joy with your Dad and I am reasonably sure he pulled the trigger down in gun plot that fired the last naval round of the Vietnam conflict at 0759 and 15 secs to impact in the DMZ at precisely the cease fire! The heavy combat we endured for nearly one solid month was not an exaggeration whatsoever! Until the publishing of Fighting to Leave in 2008, by Bob Stoffey, the truth about the end of the Vietnam conflict was not properly told. The Alpha and the Omega is also true, because TJ was involved in the Tonkin Gulf incident in early August 1964 with the USS Maddox (DD-731) where the Johnson Administration chose this incident to escalate the Vietnam War under the HOT War part of the Cold War doctrine. Furthermore I worked closely with your Dad in combat and did things that were nearly impossible because of his knowledge and team spirit! He helped produce miracles in combat! Your Dad is NOT exaggerating one bit! That may shock you, but it's all true! Also we had a civilian techrep, Hal Settle, we took into battle with us and he maintained the laser and the FLIR. That is also fact! One last thing! TJ fired more rounds in direct combat [3200] in one day than any other destroyer in the Vietnam conflict! Just happened to be the last day of the Vietnam War until the cease fire at 0800 Local, 28 Jan 1973. TJ was the last all gun destroyer ever built! Your Dad is a very large part of history! Jim Chester

Ricky jacobs from Brunswick,Ga. wrote on December 4, 2017 at 8:53 am:

Served aboard from late 1964 until mid 1967 hello to all shipmates

Brian Andrew Bartlett (USN 1994-1998) from Gainesville wrote on October 18, 2017 at 4:27 pm:

My father FTGCS Oscar Jay Bartlett (Ret.) was aboard during both the Gulf of Tonkin incident and when the last shot of the conflict was fired. I LOVE dad, but I'm not sure I belive his story (dad exaggerates sometimes, but it's in good fun) that being the senior FT aboard he pulled the trigger for the last shot. I'd love it if one of his shipmates could confirm or deny it. Also is "The Alpha and Omega" an official ships nickname or something dad calls her? Either way, it's appropriate and BillyBadAss! Thanks shipmates Go NAVY! Beat ARMY!

Claude Fuhr (RD2) from Greenwood, IN wrote on October 11, 2017 at 6:55 am:

A shout out to everyone I served with on the TJ during 64,65, & 66

Robert Erick from Chesapeake wrote on September 25, 2017 at 2:56 pm:

I was chaplain with DesRon 19 from 1965-1966. Always enjoyed my time on the Turner Joy. She of course, was the ship fired on by the Vietcong along with the other ship in the squadron, the USS Maddox.

Mark (Stretch) Wiesner from Brunswick wrote on July 13, 2017 at 3:07 pm:

OS on the WesPac 1980/81 met some great people and saw half the world!!! ALWAYS looking for shipmates!!!! On the Turner Joy Page of face book under stretch wiesner

Greg Toomes/Rock from Los Angeles wrote on June 20, 2017 at 10:29 pm:

Hello fellow shipmates. I served aboard the TJ from 1978 to 1982. I would like to hear from some of my shipmates; Hop, Alleyne, Kid Blast, T-tight. Spence, Kirby D, Slim, Hercu-Rock, Mayfield, and others.

Dan Rinkoski-MSSN wrote on June 15, 2017 at 5:13 pm:

HEY CREWMATES! SEE A FEW NAMES AND REMEMBER GOOD TIMES! WAS SERVING MEALS WITH THE LAST CREW 80-81. BEST OF TIMES AT MID-RATS AND THE LAST CRUISE. GOD BLESS & TAKE GOOD CARE!

Wayne Moberg from Buhl, ID. wrote on June 9, 2017 at 2:15 pm:

Aboard1966-1968. Retired off her. Greatest duty in eight ships. Wonderful crew,outstanding captain and exec.Seeyou in 2018... Retired off her.

Fred Van Lith from East Wenatchee, Wash. wrote on May 22, 2017 at 3:09 pm:

FTG2 Fred Van Lith I served aboard the TJ from July '69' until Nov. '73'. I was assigned to the MK 68 GFCS maintenance and operation, under FTGC Bartlett. During my 4 1/2 years on board I made three Westpac cruises. I was in Plot one when we fired the last round in Viet Nam. Just wanted to say "Hi" to all those I served with!! Would love to hear from any of you. I will visit the TJ In June of this year...a great ship!

Ernst Linnemann` from Issaquah, WA wrote on April 9, 2017 at 7:39 pm:

I understand that the ship went in to have the hull scraped and repainted. Is the job complete? If not yet completed, when is the due date as I'd like to photo coming out of the Ballard Locks. Please advise via my email above.

Claudine Miller from Seattle wrote on February 28, 2017 at 10:26 am:

My father-in-law was the TJ's last XO. I've heard so many wonderful stories of this great ship, and my husband and I love that our little boys are so proud of the TJ ("Grandpa's ship!"). We visit it as often as we can, as my boys love to hang out in their grandpa's old berth and wandering the ship connecting all of the stories to the TJ. The Turner Joy is almost like a family member! 🙂

Douglas Benton from St.John, Virgin Islands wrote on February 27, 2017 at 6:02 pm:

FTG3-August 65 thru November 67. I thought the September 2016 reunion was great. On this board I saw Gunners Mate Vinny Bongirno and FTG Dick Stewart have posted. Love to see you guys at next reunion, John Hart was there in Norfolk. Are you on Facebook,didn't find you there. TJ,was a great experience.

Richard Adelsberger from Cedar Hill Missouri wrote on February 16, 2017 at 8:48 am:

I was 17 when I first came on board. 01/31/64 to 03/05/66. Just wanted to say Hi to all I served with. Hope everyone is well.

Ray frakes from Mineral wrote on January 15, 2017 at 6:12 am:

Found out shipmate Terry Mayfield passed away a couple years ago. R.I.P. MY FRIEND.

Larry Nader from Surprise wrote on January 13, 2017 at 11:43 am:

I served in the Electronic Division from 1980-1982 and was trying to reach Johnnie Young and Lonnie Moore who both were ETs aboard the TJ the same time that I was. Part of the last west pac crew before decommissioning. My email address is LPNad97@gmail.com or I am easily found on Facebook.

Noel Lane III from Costa Mesa wrote on November 17, 2016 at 3:28 pm:

I am trying to locate two shipmates in WA Division on the Turner Joy, 1972/1973: Bruce Hammerich STG2 Anthony Mate SN

Noel Lane III from Costa Mesa wrote on November 17, 2016 at 3:25 pm:

I served with Jack Grindstaff on the Turner Joy from 1972 - 1973. Jack was an STG1. I was a TM2. We were both in WA Division.

Write a new entry for the Guestbook