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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
"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.…"
"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…"
"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…"
"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…"
"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…"
"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.…"
"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…"
"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…"
""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…"
"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."
Comments
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.