FEEDBACK
FCMs, this 'FEEDBACK' page is in place for any FCM to respond to any item or issue that one may feel appropriate to respond to that has been posted on this Website, and this editor will post such responses as deemed informational and appropriate.
Anyone wishing to participate is welcome to do so and all responses will be posted
as seen fit by this editor.
See = WebSite Publisher/Editor, Former Crewmember (FCM) John A. Simonetti
at the very bottom of this page for the 'Feedback' Email address
When submitting your 'Feedback' please make sure you type 'Feedback' in the 'Subject' box
A few 'postings' will remain until a response comes in or otherwise for a limited time.
John Simonetti - Publisher/Editor
While I was in Florida this March/April ('11), I went to the "Sun 'N Fun airshow in Lakeland - sort of a mini - Oshkosh event. The flight line was unusually loaded with T-28's (my all time favorite a/c while in flight training). I was pointing out the difference between the "B" model and the "C" model to my buddies & showed them a "C" model (which only difference was the tail hook), when I checked my logbook and discovered that I was standing next to the very same aircraft I made my 8 carrier qualification landings aboard the USS Antietam in the Gulf of Mexico on 12/15/'59. That made my day! - Ltjg George Konow, HS-3, Dec of '63.
I served onboard the Intrepid from Feb '71 until June '72. I had turned 18 in Dec of '70. I was an Electricians Mate Fireman the entire time. I made third class in transit to my new duty station aboard the USS Prairie (AD-15) in San Diego and subsequently made EM2 in '73 at age 20.
I crossed the Atlantic four times on the Intrepid, making two Med deployments. First one was kind of a goodwill cruise, we hit a bunch of ports during the 6 month deployment. Spent relatively long stays in ports, namely Portugal, England, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Scotland and Italy. When back home in Quonset Point, RI, our homeport, we steamed a lot...not in port to often. On my 2nd deployment we only hit Spain and Portugal. Became a Bluenose when we crossed the arctic circle, and was proud to serve on the 1st US carrier to be in the Baltic Sea since WWII.
All in all, I enjoyed my time aboard the Intrepid, but was homesick for California, and was lucky to get duty on the USS Prairie, subsequently making a cool 7 month WESTPAC deployment. But thats another story! On Intrepid, I worked in the Lighting Shop but mostly in the A&O Shop. It was good duty; the shop was responsible for all bomb and plane Elevators, as well as the Escalator, Aircraft DC, 400Hz Starting Cables, Catapults, Arresting Gear, and Flight Deck Lighting. Before I left Intrepid, my Chief tried to entice me to stay, saying he would send me to Catapult school in Lakehurst, NJ. And, if I stayed onboard it would give me permanent flight deck pay. It was tempting, but the sunshine state and San Diego beckoned. I dont regret a thing, and I remember with fondness my time onboard the "Fighting I". FCM Daniel Mitchell Posted May 21, '11
My Brother Bill and I served on the Intrepid together from ‘68 to ’69, and we both went to Boot Camp at Great Lakes, Illinois before being transferred to different “A” Schools.
Bill went to Bainbridge, MD to Radioman School and I went to Lakehurst, NJ for Aviation Boatswains Mate School. I originally reported aboard in October, ‘67 and Bill was sent to the Panama Canal Zone.
Intrepid (to my surprise) was about to embark on its 2nd deployment to Nam…so, I was on my way to Viet Nam and Bill was sipping cocktails under a Palm Tree.
Nine months later, Bill heard that the Intrepid was going to make a 3rd trip to Nam and requested ‘brother duty’. I was able to welcome him aboard Intrepid and get him ”checked in”. During our time together on Intrepid, we were able to enjoy Liberty in ports such as the Phillipine Islands (Olongapo, Whoo Hoo!!); Japan; Hong Kong; Singapore; Australia; New Zealand and Rio De Janeiro.
This was a tremendous experience for an 18 & 19 year old, since Bill was only 18 when he enlisted, he was considered a “Kiddy Crusier”...Three Years and out. When his enlistment expired I was able to escort him off the Ship. Bill returned to our home in Riviera Beach, MD and I stayed with Intrepid for another year until the end of my enlistment. Much of that time was spent in the Philadelphia Navy Yard or Sea Trials or Carrier Quals.
Bill has made his home in LA, Calif. for the past 35 years. I still live in Riviera Beach, MD. Both of us are in touch with some of our FCMs but would like to be in contact with more. Hopefully, this great Website at http://ussintrepidfcmassociation.org/default.aspx will enable more contact with those with whom we shared the most interesting times of our lives. - FCM Don Kerr. V-2 Division, ’67-’70 Posted Jan 1, '11
"John (Editor), I just reviewed "Intrepid Remembered" on your new website. I'm a little confused on the details of the ship's history during '71-'74. It states that the ship conducted a cruise in '71, then did the final cruise to the Med. Actually, there was a separate cruise to northern Europe commencing in Aug '72. I joined the ship in the N. Atlantic in Sept, and the ship was recalled early for conversion from CVS to CV to replace the Roosevelt in the Med as Saratoga could not deploy as scheduled. At least that's how I remember it...Respectfully, FCM Dave Amidon Posted: Nov 27, '10
Editor's response: "Dave, thank you for your comments. I can only respond by saying that the information
provided in the 'Intrepid Remembered' LINK was gleaned right from the Internet. Understandably those who may have gathered the info that was then made available on the Internet, may not have done their homework.
Following is a response to Dave Amidon's 'Feedback'
"Mr. Amidon is correct on the ship's schedule. I was a fireman in A Div. - FCM Lance Winer"
Any FCM may all add their comments by responding to 'Feedback'
Find Email address for your 'FEEDBACK' at the very bottom of this page
Again, make sure 'Feedback' in typed into the 'Subject' box of your email.