This message is for Alan E. Hartman; Jim Blackburn; and David Treherne. Do you guys remember when the Navy Ensign Michael Long fell overboard from the amphibious command ship Blue Ridge on September 28th, 1973? This Ensign was rescued by the Soviet Intelligence Ship Kursograf and not returned back to his ship until about three days later. The Tuscaloosa and about nine other ships along with extensive U.S. air and sea operations of about 400 square miles went to try to rescue him. He was returned unharmed to his ship after communications with the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. David do you remember me down in the tank deck trying to secure Amtraks? Jim if you have some photos of the Tuscaloosa during the storm; before or after I would be interested in obtaining some copies of these memories. I will pay whatever the cost unless one can email these pictures.

This is Dennis Larson from Delta Company 1/9; 3rd Marine Division. I am looking for anyone that knew me on Okinawa at Camp Schwab; The USS Tuscaloosa; and or in the Philippines during 1973 to 1974 time frame. To jar anyone's memory, one may remember me boxing in boxing matches on Okinawa; running all the time training for marathons; and or being a machine gunner. I just heard from Scott Jenkins recently on this site. I remember a Marine named Fluentes. Also Tim Skagen. If anyone knows how to reach any of these guys please let me know. I do not know how to retrieve some messages on this site as; I was told I have some messages. It would be nice if there was a reunion or something to see everyone. Semper Fi--Dennis

Ahoy!!!

This is a return message to Dennis Larson Delta Company 1/9 on board the Tuscaloosa during Typhoon NORA! in 73. David Treherne and I were in the same company and platoon together. Looks like you were in our weapons platoon at the same time. I left my e-mail address get ahold of me we can talk. I lived in tri cities WA. for about 5 years after getting out in 1-3-76 Any one with pic's from the typhoon damage would be great, one of the sailors on the bridge had some nice pic's of the waves coming up and over the derrick arms at least 50-60 foot waves.

BLT 1/9 rode out typhoon Nora 185 mph winds , the starboard bow door became unlatched and the bow door beat the side of the ship until it broke off , there wasn't anything we could have done during the typhoon. The ship sounded an alarm and woke up everyone to report to the tank deck , and given a bucket and told to start scooping water into pump rooms . Amtrak's were breaking loose from tie downs and slamming into each other. with no bow doors the ship was taking on more water than it could get rid of. We limped into Taiwan and changed ships to USS Duluth and went on to do Pagasa 2 , I have the original news paper article on Pagasa 2 from the Pacific Stars and Stripes still. I have some pictures onboard the USS Tuscaloosa before the typhoon. We had plenty of great times , I will never forget them .SEMPER FI to all my Brother Marines and Sailors who were onboard . PS , The cinnamon rolls on Sunday would wake you from a dead sleep with smell coming through the ship and troop quarters calling you to the mess hall like zombies with arms out stretched . Scott Jenkins in previous comments was one of my best friends, we just made contact this month after 45 years, great to hear from you Scott .

My dad was 18 he turned 18 2 days before normandaay he was known foe drinking milk.,my dad was a swimmer Please I need him to get recognized Please help

Hello. My name is Dennis Larson. I was an E-3, L/cpl. I was in 1st Battalion; 9 Marines; 3rd Marine Division; Delta Company. I was stationed at Camp Schwab, Okinawa. Then I went on the USS Tuscaloosa LST-1187 from Okinawa to the Philippines. I would like to get in touch with anyone that was on the Tuscaloosa during the Typhoon Nora in October of 1973, or anyone that knew me at Camp Schwab, on the Tuscaloosa, and or in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan. Someone mentioned having pictures taken during their time on the Tuscaloosa. I am going to mention some things just to trigger off any memories that someone might recognize me. I was from Snoqualmie, Washington while I was in the service. I now live in Renton, WA. I used to box for the Marine Corps and before I joined the Marines. I mention this not because, I was good or anything, I just want anyone to contact me if they remember who I am. I was a M-60 Machine gunner 0331. In fact, I would like anyone to contact me even if they do not remember me and especially if you were in my unit 1/9 3rd Marine Division, Delta Company.

Boarded the tuscaloosa in okinawa. I remember hitting a typhoon and causing damages than docking it in subic bay ,stayed in quncent huts before reboarding on the USS Scenectaty 1185

Jim Blackburn, I was on Tuscaloosa during your time-frame. I would like to take you up on your offer on receiving photos you took while on Tuscaloosa. Thanks, Alan Hartman

I was on helm (00:00 to 05:00) during the typhoon of November 1973 in the Luzon Straights while steaming from Subic Bay to Taiwan. What a night that was! I also was one of the Coxswains that took 50 sailors in my LCVP and pulled up alongside the Midway in the South China Sea during the evacuation of South Vietnam in April 1975. Those poor guys were still in their civies (left behind in Subic Bay) and had to climb up "Monkey Lines" to a lower elevator. If anyone reading this was on Midway during this time and has any photos/movies of this. I would appreciate the possibility of getting copies.