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  • Sorry for the late reply.  I vaguely remember LT Mergo but that is about all I can tell you.  Wish I could be more helpful.  

  • Hi Don - I was in RVAH-5  from Feb. 1965 to Aug. 1967.  I made the Med. cruse on the USS America.  I was a DK3.  Hope all is well with you.

  • Thanks Donald, here's to the good ol' days.

    Stu Carlin

  • Donald,

    I was in Heavy Five from around April 1963 until May 1965. I was a PR3 and worked night check while in Sanford and worked some nights and days while deployed on WESPAC 1964-1965. I left the unit on our return from deployment and went to shore duty in Key West.

    Bill

  • Thanks for the welcome. I've been a member for several years just been away for a spell, I heard from an old friend recently and thought I would check back with the Tigers, guess I had to start over but will visit a bit more often. I was with heavy 1 from 65 to separation in 69 in the Med. Made a lot of friends back then but lost touch will most of them over the years. Again Thanks-------Danny

  • Hey Don, you may or not remember me but I was a PT the worked in the IOIC on ship and intell office when in Sanford from 64to 66, I'm sure our paths crossed when we where in Heavy 5 as I was all over the place,bullsXXXing with the guys.

  • Hello Don

    Yep made a partial cruise on the 64/65 years. I was an AE 3 with the squadron

    I nearly got my self killed during night combat operations just before we lost the first Viglante and crew in Dec. of 64. My accident occurred on a dark as hell night where the flight deck crew parked one of our birds to close to the rear right A/C elevator. The port gear was over the safety fence and they could not raise the fence I was assigned to that A/C that night. Went up to flight deck made it to the plane to board the cockpit. As i reached for the ladder I steped off that big black hole because the elevator was down on the hanger deck level. Needless to say I had very critical injuries from that almost 40 foot fall, but at least I am one of a few people survivng that type of fall. Was flown off the next day to hospital in Phillipines. Spent about a year as a in patient and finally as a out patient at Bethesda Naval Hospital Maryland. Finish my navy career at the now closed Anacostia Naval Air Station, Washington DC. After five years I was medically retired from the Navy. Even though I still experience pain every day from those injuries I am very humbled that my awesome God has allowed me to live 72 years so I can't really complain. Good hearing from you and God Bless you.

    Russ

  • Thanks for the friend request I made the Indy cruise in 68/69. left the ship as a new daddy and AD 1. took me 9 months to get my kid and 4.5 months to be a ADJ 1. what shop were you in Don?

  • Hi Don;

    I was with heavy 7 Aug 66 to Aug 68. Made west pac on the Enterprise and Med on the Independence got released in Greece and flew back to states to be separated.

  • Hi Don,

    I got laid off in 69.  I think the last tail id I remember seeing in the hanger was 126 which I thought was the last one out.  I was in avionics doing checks and trouble shooting on all those coax and wave guide installations.  Hope I never see another piece of safety wire.

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Activity Feed

Donald Lee Frederking left a comment for John DeFiore
"Red Ribbon"
Apr 22, 2020
Donald Lee Frederking left a comment for Rick L Cobb
"Welcome aboard, RVAH-5 was my squadron, took the RA5C to sea Aug. 1964 on board USS Ranger CVA-61."
Mar 13, 2020
Donald Lee Frederking left a comment for Al Shimkus
"Ok picture man, do you happen to remember Lt. Nick J. Mergo? He has passed away and the family is putting together a Agent Orange claim and needs any help some of us may have.Please search your brain (what you have left) and let us know of anything.…"
Aug 21, 2019
Donald Lee Frederking left a comment for Frederick P Myers
"Frederick, I am trying to help one of our FALLEN squadron members Lt. Nick Mergo flying in the second seat with us at Sanford and on the Ranger 64-65 wes-pak cruise. His family is trying to help mother file a claim for Agent Orange exposure and…"
Aug 21, 2019
Donald Lee Frederking left a comment for Russell S. Decatur
"Well it has been a long time since we last spoke, hope you are doing well, living the dream everyday. I have been asked by Lt. Nick Mergo's family for some help. He passed away and the wife is putting together a claim for exposure to A.O.. Do you…"
Aug 21, 2019
Donald Lee Frederking left a comment for delbert w hayes
"Hello Delbert, I am reaching out fort one of our fallen officer that was with us in the FIVE on the Ranger. Lt. Nick Mergo, ring a bell? He flew second seat and the family is looking for ANY info you could provide. He help locate/search for one of…"
Aug 21, 2019
Donald Lee Frederking left a comment for George B. Fleet
"Geo. I trying to help one of our squadron 5 veterans (fallen) Lt. Nick J. Mergo. His son Nick jr. contacted me asking for information and I though I would reach out to those that served together on the RANGER AND AT SANFORD. The Lt. flew several…"
Aug 21, 2019
Donald Lee Frederking left a comment for William (Bill) Kelehar
"Bill, I trying to help one of our Fallen squadron members. Lt. Nick Mergo was stationed with us at Sanford as well as on the Ranger  wes-pak cruise. His family is trying to file a claim for Mother and needs any info you may have regarding Lt. Mergo.…"
Aug 21, 2019
Donald Lee Frederking left a comment for Kenneth Vincent Killmeyer
"Welcome aboard Ken. RVAH-5 was my squadron 1963-64 Sanford & USS Ranger Wes Pak cruise.
Great group with lots of discussions that are of interest."
Jul 25, 2019
Donald Lee Frederking left a comment for richard callahan
"Richard, Hope you are doing well. I believe you may remember one of our shipmates that lives in Fla. also, his name is Charles Knight? Do you know him? Have you spoken to him lately or have his e-mail? I believe he & I went on the same OFFSHIP duty…"
Jan 3, 2018
Donald Lee Frederking left a comment for Russell S. Decatur
"Russ, do you remember a Charles Knight?
I believe he is one of the guys I am looking for"
Jan 3, 2018
Donald Lee Frederking left a comment for John Morales
"Welcome aboard John. You never know who you will meet, find and hear from, so stay in tune."
Dec 26, 2017
Donald Lee Frederking left a comment for Steve Gaylor
"Welcome aboard to our group. What years were you in the five? I was there in 1963- 1964 leaving in Dec. 64 from aboard the USS Ranger. AE shop working mostly in hanger handling parts removable and replacement issues.
Great way to re-locate old…"
Dec 23, 2017
Donald Lee Frederking left a comment for Stuart F. Carlin
"Stuart,  welcome aboard. "
Dec 22, 2017
Donald Lee Frederking left a comment for Stephen "Crash" Diamond
""Crash" Did you get hit by a boat sliding sideways toward you?
 while heading back to Sanford from Daytona? I know this happened to someone in the squadron  in 1963/64. Just couldn't pass up the question and with the nickname I thought it may be…"
Dec 22, 2017
Donald Lee Frederking left a comment for AL Anderson PN2 rvah-5
"Welcome Al to the group.
Noticed you were in the (5), when? I was on the wes=pak cruise in 1964 on the Ranger.
First time for Vigilantes to go on ship."
Nov 15, 2017
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