I served aboard the USS Randolph during 1968 with ASW air group VS-27. The ship made it's last cruise and crossed the Equator at Latitude 0000 and Longitude 42-21-02 W on 7 August 1968. Our entire ship's crew was duly initiated into the "Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of Shellbacks". I offically went from a "pollywog" to a "Full Fledge Shellback" We also participated in joint ASW exercises with the Brazilian Navy as part of the UNITAS IX training.
Name
Jim Mumaw
Date
09-18-2009
Location
Message
I was aboard the Randolph from 02/59-07/61. I was in M-division the forward engine room. I was on the ship when we were to recover the space capsule, but they blew the hatch and the capsule sank. I am looking for anyone who was in M- division that served in the same time frame. It was a good ship to serve on.
Name
Kenneth H. DeWitt
Date
09-13-2009
Location
Message
I would like to make a correction of my previous post regarding my father's experience as an aircraft machinist aboard the U.S.S. Randolph, CV-15. Harold Frank DeWitt was transfered to her from the old U.S.S. Lexington, CV-2, after it was sunk on May 8, 1942. I mistakenly affixed the newer number, CV-16, to her.
Sincerely Yours, Ken DeWitt
Name
Kenneth H. DeWitt
Date
09-13-2009
Location
Message
I want to post a message in memorium to my father, who served aboard the Lexington (CV-16)before it was finally laid to rest, and then he transfered over to the Randolph (CV-15). He recently passed away at the age of 84, and he was given full Navy Honors at his gravesite. It brought tears to my eyes, and although I am a Vietnam Veteran, I never felt the honor that my dad had bestowed upon him on that day. I felt honored that he he was remembered by so many. His name was Harold Frank DeWitt. He was born on July 11, 1923. He was an Aircraft Machinist on board the Randolph, who maintained several different types of aircraft. He especially talked about the SB2C Helldivers and TBF's. He also took care of F6F-3 Hellcats. He was so proud of his service to the U.S. Navy. I ended up being a baby-boomer, who was born in 1946 after the war ended. He made me what I am today. He always taught me, "Always use the right tool for the job." He started me on my path to becoming an electronic technician. He had just started a TV Repair business before I was born. We even played in bands together. I am so proud to be his son, and I am very proud of his service to the U.S. Navy. I have constructed a memorial containing his medals and a scale model of a TBF Torpedo Bomber with the Randolph's markings on it, including four white horizontal strips on the tail. There is also a CV-15 hat on my memorial. Each day I return home to my home office, I am reminded of my father, and I am humbled. - Ken DeWit
Name
Ron Delp SK3
Date
09-12-2009
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I really enjoy this website. I read the past Guestbook comments and saw one from Robert Hulings, SK3, in 2005. I tried to send an email but the address is invalid. We worked together in the Supply Department office during my tenure on the Randolph along with T. Stoecklin, Bill Merritt, LtJg Ralph Howard, H. Safer, Jon Cain, McClung and others. Many fond memories including the astronauts recovery, the Med cruise and the collision with that foreign ship. Frank Bitondo, I remember you and some of the AK's, from your interaction with the Supply Office. You were located at the rear of the Hanger Deck. I am living in Kutztown, PA and still working fulltime.
Name
George W. Davis BT2
Date
09-10-2009
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I served with honor aboard the Randolph in the oil and water test lab and finished my tour in # 1 fireroom (1960 to 1963). This was a wonderful experience. At the time I did not know that we were making history. Grissom, Glenn, Cuba. About 10 years ago our company moved John Glenn's house to a museum. Our company found out I was on that recovery ship. They sent our "News Letter" to him; which he autographed and returned to me. The Best To All. Thank You for taking the time to serve and protect this wonderful country.
Name
Lisa Driscoll
Date
09-09-2009
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Hi, my father John P. Saganich served on board the USS Randolph in 1946 to 1948. He died in 2005 and my family lost all of his military records in a fire. I would love to hear from others who may have known him or has any pictures or information. I would love to be able to show his grandchildren pictures of him serving our country. Thank you, Lisa Driscoll
Name
W.C. Dave Davenport
Date
09-05-2009
Message
Thanks John I was on the Randolph worked in shipboard communications. Remember very well the great day as you finished your flight and was transfered to CVS-15
W.C. (Dave) Davenport IC1
Name
John Herschel Glenn Jr.
Date
09-03-2009
Location
Message
In February 1962 the Randolph was my primary recovery ship after my orbital voyage in space. After a three-orbit flight, I landed near Noa from which I was transferred, by helicopter, to the USS Randolph. I just want to say thank you again to the crew of the USS Randolph for picking me out of the sea that day. God Bless - John H. Glenn, COL USMC (Ret)
Name
frank bitondo ak3
Date
08-26-2009
Location
Message
I served aboard l961 to dec 62. hello ron delp .I remember you. I have the book they sold to us when we were in the med and it has all a pictures in it. Remember Micky Cremer . jerry ney . Incidently my company number in 1959 at the great lakes was 521.jerry and me served in guantanamo and on the randolph.I have a picture of you at an outing the ship had and we all were playin baseball.At this time i live in new jersey.