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Here is a First Day Cover mailed off Collett on July 22, 1966. This would have been about two months after we left Long Beach for WestPac. The cover celebrates the participation of Collett in Project Gemini Recovery Operations in the Pacific Fleet. I do not know the addressee, but I am sure someone out there does. I bought this item off e-Bay about 5 years ago.

Ship's lighter from the HMAS Hobart.

 

This was given to me by a sailor off the Hobart named Bill Stewart. He also gave me the boomerang you will see in a later picture and can see some of in this one. We had a swap of personnel while on station in the Gulf and he was one of the sailors that came on the Collett. We made port together a couple of times, and I remember his favorite saying being "Let me take 'im, Mate!". This fellow definitely enjoyed his beer and barroom brawls.


Lighters lined up under the boomerang.

 

From left to right they are: Shitkicker Bar lighter, Windjammer Club lighter, HMAS Hobart lighter, Collett Asiatic Squadron '66-'68 lighter, Collett Asiatic Squadron '62-'64 lighter, and finally a USS Chicago CG-11 ship's lighter.


Close-up of the Windjammer Club, Yokosuka lighter.

 

As I recall this was the starting place for many a good night's steaming on Honcho Street. The Windjammer Club, The Swingin' Red Doors, then on to bigger and better things. I am sure I don't have to elaborate on the Red Doors.


Collett lighter.

 

I ran across some of the lighters I collected while aboard the Collett. this is a pix of a Collett lighter showing the Desron 9 shield and the script "ASIATIC SQUADRON 1966-1968" (This is the lighter I carried while aboard-it must have lit a million Pall-Malls!).


Collett lighter.

 

This is the reverse side of the same lighter showing Ships' Crest and the script "USS COLLETT DD-730". The third picture is of a lighter I got at one of the bars I hung out in Yokuska. It was the Hitching Post Bar, and I am sure I spent many a night there, while in port, working on some magnificent hangovers. The fourth is the reverse of the "Shitkicker Lighter" with a little cartoon sailor.


Shitkicker's lighter.

 

The fourth is the reverse of the "Shitkicker Lighter" with a little cartoon sailor


           
 

At Sea in the Bashi Channel

Collett Souvenirs


The plan of the day for Sunday, 4 June 1967 signed by LCDR Wardell, the XO (lovingly referred to as "Shakey Jake" by the crew). Movie was a double feature, Uniform of the day was Dungarees, so we were most likely out to sea, and it appears we were using too much fresh water. I do not recall the signifigance of the 42's across the top, under the ship's picture. This was mimeographed, state of the art stuff then, seems hard to imagine such pre-historic methods being used back then, what with all the computers and printers we have today.





One of my old Sun Laundry tickets from Yokosuka. I wonder if I ever got that batch of laundry. Man, I can still feel the stiffness of those whites that they used to starch until they resembled boards. No trouble standing at attention when you first donned a fresh white uniform. A few hours on Honcho Street softened them right up, though.
 

5 Inch 38 Shell Case Ashtray


This is an ashtray I made out of a 5 inch 38 shell that we fired into the shore in Viet Nam. This particular shell is dated 1944 - 11. I looked for one that had my birthday (10/44), but 11/44 is as close as I could come. I had the engraving done in Yokosuka - it is two dragons. Seemed appropriate at the time. I no longer smoke, but I have enjoyed this piece ever since I made it. It still has a place of honor on my fireplace mantle. As you can see in the last three pictures, it polishes up beautifully.  I made the ashtray by cutting off the top of the shell about 3 inches up from the bottom and then using a file to cut four cigarette slots in the perimeter.  The first picture is of the ash tray is on the bench in the ET shop aboard Collett.



The second is the same as the first, only cropped to show the engraving. You will notice I was smoking Pall Malls then.

 


The third picture is a current one of the base showing the markings from the armory and manufacturer.


The fourth is from the side showing the dragon.
 


The fifth is with the addition of a .38 special cartridge for size comparison.

MPC, Philippine Pesos, Hong Kong and Australian Dollars



This is the front side of a genuine 5 cent MPC bill.  Can you imagine the printing costs on something like this these days?


This is the back side of the previously described bill.  Neat picture of our astronaut in a space walk.
   


Here is the front of a 1 dollar MPC script.  MPC script was for use by servicemen overseas to spend rather than genuine greenbacks to prevent the Commies from counterfeiting our money and the like.  As I recall, the script was changes periodically, and the bases were locked down during the exchange and whoever missed out then had a bunch of worthless paper.


This is the backside of the previous bill.  Don't know how I managed to make it out the bars with this much money still to my name.  Judging from the wrinkles in it, I must have had a death grip on it!
   


This bill came from Hong Kong.  Seems to me that the exchange rate back then was about 6 or 7 Hong Kong dollars to one American.



Here is the reverse side.  Lot of memories from the time we visited Hong Kong.  The last being brought to Mast for being AWOL.  Damned near missed ship's movement over that one!


This is a one peso note from the Philippines.  This one had to come from one our visits to Alongapo.  We had a division party for us newly designated petty officers.  Serving as our guide was Roy Habegger, who had been there before and claimed to know all the really good place to go.  Started at the 3B's and when that turned into a brawl and the SP's had been called, we hastily retired to Mom's Bar (Place)?


The rear of the previously mentioned bill.  Getting back to Mom's Bar this place must have been world renowned for OLD and UGLY women!  A word of caution, if you ever go to Alongapo, don't use Roy as a guide.  And above all stay away from Mom's Bar!  Thank god we were pretty well swacked when we arrived.


Another peso bill in a 2 peso denomination.  As previously mentioned, the girls at Mom's, in spite of our well lubricated state, still needed some more beautification elixer, and as the evening progress and we imbibed San Miguel beer they all began to look pretty decent.  Truth be known aside from one I doubt there was one under a hundred or so.  I think they all may have been "Mom's" Grandmothers.


Backside of he aforementioned bill.  The bad thing about Alongapo is that the girls there latch on to you, and once you have bought one a few drinks, you are here, and you cannot get away.  If you go to another bar, she will find you and a fight will ensue.  I will post a picture later of this Mom's bar episode so you can see for yourself that I am not exaggerating.



This is a one dollar Australian bill that I got from a Seaman off the Hobart.  Mentioned this fellow in one of my earlier submissions. 



Backside of the same bill.  Always thought I would get to spend this one in Australia, but the ship never got there till after I left.

 


3 B's and Mom's Bar



Here is a picture of the rating party group before the festivities really got started at the 3 B's.  I can't tell you any of the girls names, but the crewmen for left to right are:  1st on the left I cannot remember his name for the life of me, 2nd from left, looking over the girl in the hat is myself, 3rd from left is Bill Rose, 4th from left -under the palm frond- is Paul Lang, and on the right is Bill West.  Bill Rose has since passed on.  (Thanks to Bill Ross the sailor on the left has been identified as Gary Clement.)





This is picture later the same day at the infamous Mom's Bar.  On the left with Mom's Grandmother is myself, and on the right is "Will Bill" Hickox (who has been on the missing list for many years now.).  Conspicuously missing in both these pictures is our intrepid (but sadly misguided) tour guide, Roy Habegger.

Official Underground Newspaper/Scuttlebutt Sheet "Ragalwem"



This may be the last remaining copy of "Ragalwem" the Collett "underground" newspaper.  This copy is undated, but references our visit to Minamata which according to chronological list of activities submitted by Steve Blanchard which would have made it July of '66.  I remember the visit but somehow I had it in mind that it was later.  Time clouds the memory.


Volunteering for a Mail Buoy Watch?  What dedication to duty...none higher!  I'm sure the subjects of these news flashes can elaborate better than I.  I seem to remember some talk about Benjo Ditch wading in a couple of differnt ports o' call.


I am glad that I was not the only Anderson to lose a watch in Japan.  Mine was actually lost by proxy.  I purchased a watch at the petty officer's club in Yokosuka from another sailor, and as I had one on, I asked "Wild Bill" to wear one for me till we got back to the ship.  As the evening wore on we were separated, and when I saw him again the next morning and requested my watch, he informed me that he had traded it for some time with one of the local bar girls.  Thanks a lot!  I didn't loan "Wild Bill" much after that.


CAPTAIN'S CORNER

WE HEAR THAT A CERTAIN SEAMAN ENJOYS SERVING UNDER A CERTAIN CAPTAIN ON A CERTAIN SHIP SO MUCH THAT TO SHOW HIS APPRECIATION HE BOUGHT THAT CAPTAIN (AND HIMSELF) A DRINK WITH THAT CAPTAIN'S YEN..."SORRY ABOUT THAT FISHEEEEEE SIR"

EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S CORNER

NOW HEAR THIS!

WE THOUGHT WE SAW AND HEARD THE XO SERENADING THE CO IN A ROWBOAT COMING BACK TO THE SHIP AFTER MIDNIGHT ONE NIGHT.

ANY SIMILARITY BETWEEN PERSONS LIVING OR DEAD IS PURELY INTENTIONAL!

Whaleboat and Gunfire Photos

 



This is the famous Collett Motor Whaleboat,  It seemed that this boat could always get "There" under power, but most often the crew had to row back.  This picture was taken in DaNang Harbor.  I'm not sure of most of the name here, but I believe that the officer standing midships in from of the oarsman was the XO, LCDR Wardell.  The last white-hat towards the stern was our ship's mail clerk, Dan Rich.  I think also that the fourth white-hat from the bow (partially hidden) was Joe Kozerski.


One way to blow a smoke ring!  shore bombardment, Mount 51, I think.

Fire and Brimstone.  Looks like a two gun salve from Mount 52?

Sunset in Hong Kong from Mount Victoria.  Quite the picture of serenity after the previous two pix.

Hong Kong Memorabilia

Greetings shipmates from the palatial home of Andy Anderson here in beautiful Poverty Acres, Arizona.  The following are some pictures of a few Collett mementos I found while cleaning the attic of our humble mansion.  I imagine many of us have spent at least a little time in one or more of these fine establishments in Hong Kong. 

 

This and the following are pictures of some of the advertising lures thrown up onto the deck of the ship by the bum boats that came along side as we entered port. I imagine many of us have spent at least a little time in one or more of these fine establishments in Hong Kong.

This is a guide book I purchased in Hong Kong, and the following are some of the write-ups it contained avout the bars above.


 

Photo of Bill Rose and myself working on I. F. F. transponders in the Radar Transmitter Room.  I am the one standing with the sound powered phones on.  Looks like we could have been at GQ.


Here is a picture taken, from the midships passageway, of line handlers during a refueling that had to have taken place just before I left Collett, which would make it in probably April or May of '68. Can’t identify the crewmen, and do not know what ship we were fueling from, but still, shows what it was like to be alongside and in such close proximity to a larger ship while underway.





"A picture of myself and the long time missing, but recently located Phil "Wild Bill" Hickox taken in June of '66."



"Left to Right - Phil "Wild Bill" Hickox, Myself, Bill "Smitty" Smith. I believe this was taken on the Dash Deck. The photo was taken in October of '66 while operating on South SAR Station.  Also it appears that this picture was taken after the first beard growing contest aboard ship as you will notice we all three have a real nice growth. OH, well maybe just two of us do. Seems I do recall being told to shave my peachfuzz growth off by someone in a position of higher authority sometime prior to this shot."



"This really has nothing to do with the ship other than to prove that I finally was able to grow a decent beard later on. I might add that my pickin' improved some with time also."



Pugilists on South SAR - August 1966

"Here are some pictures of the smokers held on the Dash Deck while on South SAR Station in August of '66. For the most part, I am unable to positively identify the pugilists or onlookers. The pictures are not in any particular order."





"The fellow on the right looks to be from below decks, not much sun down there you know. The 'Great White Hope'?"



"Break the Clinch, boys."



"Khaki pants..Chiefs or Officers, I guess. If that right landed, it had to sting!"



"Another of the 'Great White Hope'."



"Khakis again, the guy in the rear appears to have been the recipient on that right again."



"I seems to me that one of these fellows was Bill Hood. The Battler on his back on deck appears to be perfecting some form of 'Kick Boxing'"



"Some pretty good form here!"


USS COLLETT First Day Covers




Here are a couple more Collett First Day covers I ran across a while back. Both are from 1953 and both are postmarked from Collett. The first one is honoring Collett's namesake, Cmdr. John Austin Collett. I imagine this was in anticipation of Collett's 10th anniversary as her keel was laid on Oct. 16th, 1943, as we all know.

The second, well, I just don't know the significance to Collett's service, but I am guessing it was probably some government attempt to drive home a message to try and curb inflation, or more possibly to help skirt product shortages Stateside during the Korean Conflict.

Regards to all,

Andy



Here is a picture I ran across on the Mansfield website of Destroyer Squadron Nine around 1950. Pictures appear to be pre FRAM. Left to right Mansfield, Collett, Dehaven, and Swenson.

Regards,

Andy



I ran across this picture of myself and three shipmates recently. This was taken in Yokosuka probably in December of 66. The reason you see no piping on my cuff is because I was wearing a Pea coat. Must have just come in from the cold. Shipmates are myself on the left, then to the right, Roy Habegger (Who later became our hapless tour guide in Alongapo City), the late Bill Rose, and lastly my friend to this day, Bill West. I suspect Phil Hickox probably took the picture. I cannot remember the name of the bar we were patronizing at the moment this picture was taken, but it was on Honcho Street. Looks like an Asahi beer in my hand.


1998 Reunion Photos


Banquet night -  4 Queens.

Hula Dancer.

Bill West talking to shipmate. Sorry cannot put any more names to the faces.

Left: unidentified, center: myself, right: Bill West.

Bill West and his lovely wife Tessie.

Bill West 2nd from right shooting craps at Binion's Horseshoe Casino.

Jim Glaze, Myself, and Bill West. We were the only three present at this reunion from the '66-'68 Westpac Cruise.

Jim and Bill.

Fremont Street before the light show.

Outside the 4 Queens where we all stayed. Just before the light show.
   

More of Fremont street.

The Fremont Experience begins.

A sample of the show-it was spectacular.


One more of the light show.



This one, I think was taken on base as all are in dungarees. Possibly Grandy Island in Alongapo? I guess it could have been the PO club in Yokosuka, but in dungarees? I can’t remember those in the foreground, but at the table in the rear are myself looking at the camera, Bill West on the extreme right, and I think the fellow with his back to the camera was Bill Rose.

Behind closed doors in the ET Shop. This is Paul Lang demonstrating the method Texans used back home to catch Horseflies.
 

This is what the other end does when the Texan is catching flies. Looks like a size 13 Boondocker to me. It is obvious Paul had a good "understanding". A very effective door blocker/alarm system to prevent someone from entering unexpectedly, say, and finding one loafing during "Turn To" hours?  



Official USS COLLETT Photograph
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USS COLLETT Insignia  Information
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1st Day Covers
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USS COLLETT Plaques

Hello once again,
Here are some photos a couple of Collett Ship's Plaques I recently acquired. The large one was supposed to have come from the estate of an officer named Miller, who resided in San Diego area at the time of his passing. The smaller, I have no history on.
 
When I went to photograph them for this submission, I discovered something I had not noticed before. You will notice I the photo of the large painted plaque, the anchor is standing vertical with the trident in the horizontal position. In the photo of the smaller un-painted plaque, the anchor is on about a 45 degree angle and same with the trident. Also, on the large plaque, there are two stars on each side in the outer field, while the smaller has none. Odd.

  

I for some reason, thought that was the correct orientation, but in looking through the submitted photos, all the ones I see have the vertical anchor, so I guess that is the correct position. But in doing so, I also noticed some inconsistency in the coloration of the plaques. In some the Lettering is red, and on the Ship's Insignia patches (and the plaque I have) the lettering is blue.
 
As I have been researching the photos on this plaque, I am now wondering  if there is an original plaque that was attached to the ship (probably hung in the Wardroom, I imagine), and if so, would it be one of those I have seen in the reunion pictures? If not, where might it have gone, and who may have it?
Regards,
Andy Anderson
'66-'68





2010 Reunion

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Ahoy Mates,

Here is something I made up from the 2010 Collett Reunion at the old NTC. I don't think I ever got around to submitting. The picture is just an old USN photo I blew up and added text to, and the second is the back side that I had all the attendees sign. Hopefully, I got all who were there.

Regards,

Andy Anderson




Roy Habegger




On this day of giving thanks, I am reminded to be thankful we had shipmate Jim Glaze along on our recent visit to USS Laffey in Charleston.  He was able to single-handedly hold up the collapsing overhead in the messdecks until the rest of us were safely through.