USS Leader (MSO490)
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Name: Ed Churchill
E-mail address: etc1415@yahoo.com
Comments:I was the CO of the Leader during the minesweeping in Haipong Harbor. I was the commissioning CO when she was re-commissioned at the Long Beach Naval Station.
Sunday, April 20th 2008 - 11:34:54 PM
Name: Robert Banks
E-mail address: rssbiz@live.com
Comments:Served on Leader 1981 to 1984 First LT.,MCM Officer
Wednesday, April 16th 2008 - 10:41:41 PM
Name: Robert Haley, PNC, USNR (Ret.)
E-mail address: chiefhaley@gmail.com
Comments:Bravo Zulu on your web site. I was on the USS GALLANT (MSO-489) in 1980-81 when she was homeported at Treasure Island, California.
Friday, April 11th 2008 - 01:02:55 AM
Name: Robert Haley, PNC, USNR (Ret.)
E-mail address: chiefhaley@gmail.com
Comments:Bravo Zulu! Great web site. I spent some time on board USS GALLANT (MS0-489) while she was homeported at Treasure Island in 1979-80.

I was also on the USS WASHTENAW COUNTY (LST-1166) from 1962-63. In the mid '70s she was converted to a Minesweeper Special (MSS-2) and also swept Haiphong Harbor.

Keep up the good work.
Tuesday, March 25th 2008 - 10:55:19 PM
Name: John Allison
E-mail address: sphere321@yahoo.com
Comments:I served as a QM on Leader from 1985 - 1987. Loved the ship, the crew and the experience. Nothing like breathing the stack gas!
Sunday, March 23rd 2008 - 02:24:35 AM
Name: MONTY HEILWAGEN
E-mail address: montrose_37@yahoo.com
Comments:ONBOARD THE LEADER 1978-1981
Saturday, March 1st 2008 - 04:51:36 PM
Name: Bill Lindell (Cook) 3rd class
E-mail address: carollindell@msn.com
Comments:I was trained as a cook by Dallas because Bill Hicks went to the brig for not wanting to cook. I was on the Leader from 1967 to 1968.One trip to Wespac. Cheese(nickname)was the head steward, he did the sewing for us. Webb was the Chief Bosen Mate. Lou, 1st Class was the engine mate. My nick name was Little Stew. I got an early out because ship was going back for 13 months. I am hoping to hear from any of you guys that were there with me.
Tuesday, January 29th 2008 - 02:06:41 AM
Name: joe alberts
E-mail address: joealb@yahoo.com
Comments:I served on the USS Lucid MSO 458 1962/1965.I would enjoy hearing from the guys i served with.I`m also looking for pictures that i have from those days and Looking forward to correspond with old shipmates.

joe alberts
Thursday, January 10th 2008 - 04:13:40 AM
Name: EDWARD D. DAHM
E-mail address: edd969@yahoo.com
Comments:I SERVED ON THE LEADER FROM SEP 1975 TO AUG 1979. IT WAS
A GREAT SHIP AND I ENJOYED MOST OF MY TOUR THERE. I WAS ON
THERE FOR TWO CO'S, LT WAITE AND LTCDR MILLER. I MADE THE
NATO CRUISE IN 78-79 AND HAD A BLAST. I REALLY LIKED
ENGLAND THE BEST BECAUSE WE SPOKE ALMOST THE SAME LANGUAGE.
I HAD MANY GOOD FRIENDS ON BOARD BUT TIME MAKES THINGS RUN
TOGETHER AND I DON'T REMEMBER MANY OF THEM. I WAS AN HT2
AND WORKED FOR HT1 KITCH. I LEFT THE LEADER AND WENT TO
SCHOOL IN DAGO. I THEN SPENT THE REST OF MY SERVICE BETWEEN
FRIGGATES AND DESTROYERS.
I RETIRED IN 91 AS A DC1 AND RETURNED TO MY HOME IN MICHIGAN
AND AM THERE STILL.
WELL MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU.

V/R

EDWARD D. DAHM DC1 U.S.N. (RETIRED)





Thursday, January 3rd 2008 - 09:16:28 AM
Name: Jerry Von Kohn MACM (sw) ret
E-mail address: sandiego_678@yahoo.com
Comments:Served on recommishing crew in 1972 and did "end sweep" great seeing some of the old guys ans reliving the days.
Great web page
Friday, December 28th 2007 - 08:27:23 PM
Name: Alan LaBerge, RMCS(SW/SS), USNRET
E-mail address: aplaberge@gmail.com
Comments:It was my fist sea duty tour (outside the reserve DD's)Served aboard as leading ops LPO (RM1) for several years in the early 80's. Made the Norlant/Med run. I don't believe there were any finer or more well rounded communicators in the navy, then those that served on sweeps.

Some of my fondest memories and shipmates were
onboard.


PS Just curious...anyone remember "Sweepers McBride"?
Friday, November 9th 2007 - 03:14:11 AM
Name: W. W. "Mike" Warren
E-mail address: usslucid@usslucid.org
Homepage URL: http://www.usslucid.org
Comments:Members of the minesweeping community; The Lucid MSO-458 Foundation was formed by a group of minesweeper crewmen who served aboard US Navy MSO's. MSO's are a class of wooden hull oceangoing minesweepers that are now decommissioned and fading from public memory. The group has obtained the USS Lucid MSO-458 and has her docked at Bradford Island, California. Work has begun! The organization is restoring her and a public museum is established. The MSO is a little known and poorly documented, extremely interesting facet of Naval history. The USS Lucid Museum is dedicated to telling the story of the minesweeping men and their wooden ships, the last all wooden US Naval ships, to navigate the oceans. We will be telling the stories of Mine Recovery and UDT teams, Floating Pigs, Hammer Boxes, Magtails, Aluminum Engines and Towed Sonar. The little known stories of Contact, Magnetic and Acoustic minesweeping as well as the mystery of Magnetic Countermeasures will be told through the displays, narratives and museum media. Typhoons, tiny ships and ice-clad superstructures are only a small part of the "Wooden Ships and Iron Men" story. From sweeping the Mekong Delta in Viet Nam, observing the final Nuclear blasts on Johnston Island to sweeping the Persian Gulf, "Where the Fleet Goes, We've Been" will be clearly illustrated. Since there is no other Naval Museum that even attempts to tell the story of the MSO the USS Lucid is an important and living detail of US Naval History. First, Lucid must undergo a restoration. Previous civilian owners for commercial use have modified her. She needs hull repairs and painting and re-outfitting to be brought back to her former Naval dignity and glory. The Lucid MSO-458 Foundation has a workforce of planners, engineers and volunteer manpower who are vested and committed to this grand and worthy project. Bringing her to life is a large financial undertaking. We’re looking for tax-exempt gifts from the Military Industrial sector and individuals to help with this extremely valuable endeavor. Of course, all donors will be properly and prominently acknowledged aboard the vessel. Your donation will help preserve this vital part of Naval History. Please join us in telling the MSO story by sending a tax-exempt gift to Lucid MSO-458 Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit foundation through our website. http://www.usslucid.org
Monday, August 6th 2007 - 04:45:52 AM
Name: edward rodriguez
E-mail address: www.rodvino@hotmail.com
Comments: dear sir - while trying to research a mr. harvey e. toponce,i found your site interesting.i happen to own many personal letters of mr. toponce which he wrote to his wife ruthie, most of them are from 1955 . please contact me ,should you have any interest.
regards,
ed r.
Thursday, July 26th 2007 - 10:30:25 AM
Name: Jeff Smith
E-mail address: jsmith@atomicbearing.com
Comments:EN (A-GANG) 78-81 What a hoot. A good ship and a great crew.
Best of luck to all.
Jeff
Wednesday, July 4th 2007 - 01:54:25 AM
Name: Richard L. Newkirk
E-mail address: catfishenjones@sbcglobal.net
Comments:Hi Mike
I was just remembering the best day I ever had aboard the Leader. It was the day Dave Scott and I were given the day off and we went sailing on the three masted Prince Louis that was tied up across the pier from us in Harbor Boat. I think the worst day was the one that the xo, bob garnett called me to the bridge during a general quarters "drill" to inform me that my grandfather had passed away and that I couldn't go home to be there to comfort my mother.
Richard L. Newkirk
Richard L. Newkirk
Saturday, June 23rd 2007 - 04:47:55 AM
Name: Mark Stefanik
E-mail address: mbstefanik@earthlink.et
Comments: I am the prospective Executive and Commanding Officer of MCM Crew LEADER. My goal is to establish a link between the LEADER of the past and the LEADER of the future. I appreciate all of the hard work you have put into this site and I would love to hear more about it - my E-mail is above.
I believe that the heritage of our name - LEADER - is incredibly important and a source of pride. Hopefully you will concur and keep in touch.

Sincerely,
Mark B. Stefanik
LT USN
Thursday, June 14th 2007 - 07:23:48 AM
Name: Brian Hiatt
E-mail address: devildog45co@starstream.net
Comments:My uncle and the Leaders first commanding officer, CMDR Harvey E. Toponce passed away on May 21, 2007. I am curious to know if there is anyone that reads this guest book that knew and/or served with him. Please contact me by my e-mail or posting here. Thank You.
Sunday, June 10th 2007 - 12:37:12 PM
Name: Myron Berry BM3
E-mail address: mberry51473@roadrunner.com
Comments:just updating email address
Tuesday, March 20th 2007 - 07:34:43 AM
Name: Calvin Hunt
E-mail address: crhunt@optonline.net
Comments:Served on board the USS Leader from September 1971 - August 1972. I was the PN3 onboard at that time.
Monday, March 19th 2007 - 02:01:34 AM
Name: Calvin Hunt
E-mail address: crhunt@optonline.net
Monday, March 19th 2007 - 01:56:43 AM
Name: Mark (Welby) Caldwell
E-mail address: caldwell2@frontiernet.net
Comments:I served as an RM3 on Leader from August 1971 (before recommissioning) until July 1973. My fondest memories are of the great guys onboard, enlisted and officers alike.It's hard to imagine that it's been 35 years since those days. I remember well the other guys in the radioroom. Chief Mac, Terry Knight, Dominic (Dago) Famia, Tom Cunningham, and Shorty Page. Yes Paul, I remember you very well too. By the way, the Engineering Officer was Ltjg. Robert Gompers, and we also had a green Comm. officer, Ens. Andy Jensen. I was one of four guys named Mark on that tiny ship. Myself, Mark Evans, Mark Poole, and Mark Mendelsohn. Also remember the likes of SM2 Rucker, Dave Kish, Bill Gordon, Dan Barrows, Ed Sheehan, PN1 Warner, Rick (crazy man) Newkirk and others that come to mind every so often. Anyone wanting to reflect on those great times on the Leader, send me an E-mail.
Wednesday, January 3rd 2007 - 09:38:33 PM
Name: George Atwood
E-mail address: atwood318@alltel.net
Comments:I was stationed aboard Leader 72-73
EN-2, main engine room.
Saturday, December 23rd 2006 - 10:50:53 AM
Name: walter jahn
E-mail address: walter_jahnintx@yahoo.com
Comments:I was on the leader in the gulf during desert storm Hay Delashmutt,Snoke or Beasley you out there????Great web site
Tuesday, December 19th 2006 - 10:31:15 AM
Name: Marshall Mota
E-mail address: moodyrivers1234@msn.com
Comments:I was on the USS GRASP during the VIETNAM ERA,How I'd love to reach some of myMATES, Your site was inspireing,God Bless THE USA
Monday, December 11th 2006 - 12:51:15 PM
Name: David Scott
E-mail address: scottfree123@earthlink.net
Comments:I was an RD3 on the Leader from 1971-72 and served with my great friends Rick Newkirk, Mark Evans, and Mark Mendelsahn. I disagreed with the war, but I loved the men I served with. I am now retired, living in NC and on my cruising sailboat, have one daughter who is a freshman at UNC-Chapel Hill, have been married 30 years, am a active environmentalist and also active in liberal politics. I would love to have fellow crew members contact and visit me in NC where we live on a large inland lake. 910-646-3274
Thursday, November 23rd 2006 - 03:37:08 AM
Name: Kevin MacKenzie
E-mail address: Kevinm552@verizon.net
Comments: I served abored the Leader from 83 to Sept.85. Very good job on this web site! I had a great time aboard that ship...Great bunch of guys we had in the aft engineroom...Jablonski,Watson,Studholm ect. I still have the photo of all the guys on the bow of the ship taken during the Panama cruse, enlarged and hanging on my wall.
Thursday, November 16th 2006 - 03:08:26 PM
Name: david studholm
E-mail address: catdozer326@yahoo.com
Comments:thank you for your hard work of this web site .served onboard 4/15/84 to 11/05/87 .
she was a hard fighting lady
Sunday, October 29th 2006 - 07:30:51 PM
Name: Richard L. Newkirk
E-mail address: catfishenjones@hughes.net
Comments:Hi Mike,
I visit the site often and I think you've done an outstanding job on it. I was aboard from 71-73 for the recommissioning and the last west-pac she ever made. It was a memorable experience to say the least. One of the most memorable was taking the rap for a PN3 that had let the air out of a PN1's vehicle tires and breaking his headlight, I was to be discharged shortly and didn't care if I got in trouble to protect him from his rotten boss. The punishment that I received evidently wasn't enough for the PN1 so he played some games with my personal file so that I couldn't test for the next promotion. Like I said I was short and didn't care much.
Sunday, October 15th 2006 - 03:45:43 AM
Name: Paul Hansen
E-mail address: paul@bgtrans.com
Comments:I was on board the LEADER when she was recommission in I believe 1972. Edwin Churchill was the Commanding Officer.
The Executive Office was Robert Garnett. Ops Officer was Richard Burton. Supply Officer Rick Beechum. Engineer Office slips my mind. Had a great crew of men. Lots of great memories and great times. Would love to back up the hands of time for one last cruise with them all. I was the YN3 on the LEADER. Remember we had a golf team: Dave Ramirez was the leader of the pack along with Beechum and Burton. Think of those days often.
Saturday, September 16th 2006 - 02:07:58 AM
Name: Brenda Murphy
E-mail address: brenlam@comcast.net;
Comments:Hi
My name is Brenda and I just finished looking at your web site for the Uss Leader.

I had called my father today to wish him a happy Father's Day. He was in a talkative mood and he told me about a ship he was on when he was in the Navy... he reminisced and then told me that he would like to get in contact with the old crew... or what's left of them.

The ship he was on was the Uss Leader. So after talking with him I got online and did a search for the Uss Leader and it led me to your site. I was floored when I found his name on the Commissioning Ceremony paper as well as seeing him in the film that Larry Higgins put together... (or at least I believe it was him I saw). Is there anyway I can get information on Mr. Higgins or any of the others of that crew that you might be in contact with so that I can pass information on to my father?

My Father's name is Loyd E. Abbott... otherwise and most often known as Bud.

Thanks,
Brenda Murphy
Monday, June 19th 2006 - 06:42:47 PM
Name: Conrad Wilmar
E-mail address: gencon@mac.com
Comments:Dear Mike …
Hello "Small Boy"
As a neighbor of Larry Higgins and a past destroyer sailor (USS Ludlow DD 438 (WWII) and USS Conway DDE 507 (Korea), I commend you on an excellent website for a vessel we "tin can" sailors appreciated – you know what a mine could do to a tin can. Well Done fellow sailor!
Sunday, June 11th 2006 - 10:07:06 PM
Name: Thomas F Wolf Sr
E-mail address: tomwolfsr@yahoo.com
Comments:My son and I were asigned to the Leader in 1987 with the Navy Reserve out of Wilmington NC a father & son team.
Saturday, May 27th 2006 - 02:21:34 AM
Name: Bud Pratt
E-mail address: budpratt@yahoo.com
Comments:!957, 1958

Kiddie Cruiser ET2 Yokosuka, Saipan, Guam, etc.

Just after Korean War. Fine Ship ...... Like New then
Lots of memories, wouldn't trade them for anything.

Good luck to all.
Friday, May 26th 2006 - 06:05:51 AM
Name: william wolf
E-mail address: wolfwillyworld@aol.com
Comments:I was on the leader from 76 til 78 i remeber ed davis wild bill ogara and so many others . being from the bronx we had our own crew fron the bronx .one person from each borough ide like to here from anybody later wolfie 646 391 9654 stillin da bronx
Friday, March 24th 2006 - 07:50:55 AM
Name: John F. Kennedy Jr.
E-mail address: jfkjr@bellsouth.net
Homepage URL: http://www.oxfordox.net
Comments:I served as an EN3 during the STANAVFORCHAN NATO Cruise in 1978 and 1979 on board U.S.S. Leader.
Thursday, February 23rd 2006 - 07:20:23 AM
Name: John F. Kennedy Jr.
E-mail address: jfkjr@bellsouth.net
Homepage URL: http://www.oxfordox.net
Comments:I served as an EN3 during the STANAVFORCHAN NATO Cruise in 1978 and 1979.
Thursday, February 23rd 2006 - 07:17:53 AM
Name: Ed Sheehan
E-mail address: eds@xmission.com
Comments:Served during End-Sweep. Two stories:
1. I think his name was Lt. Cherry. This was before End-Sweep. We were coming back into Long Beach from exercises and Cherry had the conn. I was in CIC and we were all relaxed at the impending liberty call. Cherry decided to do a Kennedy-esque last minute prop-reversal. He wanted to state "Full reverse" to the pilot room, but instead shouted "full ahead" and we slammed into the pier, breaking the ship's stem. Six fun weeks at the shipyard, next to a tuna packing plant. Stink city!
2. We were in Subic Bay, in a wait status in End-Sweep. Time to do an at-sea re-fueling. We had a 3-inch rope to tie us to the fuel ship, when we noticed a lot of slack in the line. Ever quick to respond, we backed over the line, entangling it around one of the prop shafts, locking it tight. We had to limp back to Subic on one prop, where we waited three weeks to get the new one from Norfolk, only to discover the box was empty! Another six weeks, and we finally were underway again.
Many fond menories!
Saturday, February 11th 2006 - 03:44:04 AM
Name: Mark W, Spangler (HMCM(SW) USN-RET)
E-mail address: markwspangler@comcast.net
Comments:I was the “Doc” on the Mighty-490 from 09 November 1979 until 14 December 1982. I have wonderful memories of great shipmates, and good times on the Leader. Most memorable was our deployment to the Mediterranean and North Atlantic. Also our heroic rescue of many Cuban refugees. I would love to hear from some old Shipmates!

Sunday, January 22nd 2006 - 10:13:14 AM
Name: Scott Martin
E-mail address: barbarlm@centurytel.net
Comments:Servced on the Uss Exultant crew on borad the Leader during Dessert Strom. EM2 Martin
Thursday, January 12th 2006 - 09:23:58 PM
Name: Ben Cousyn
E-mail address: bencousyn@excite.com
Comments:When Comander Churchhill was takeing over command he came to Cousyns unfinished furniture and bought a lot of wall units and gave us a magnet so there was no magitisom in the wood, they gave the magnet to my wife Mary Cousyn to give to us so as to fix all items, when done we deliverd all products to the pier and unloaded all.
when he came back he stated that it was all in the bottim of the river because they had to loose all the weight to out run the enemy, yes we got and invation when all was done ,it was a beautiful boat and the comander was a neat person.
Ben Cousyn
Mary cousyn
Monday, January 9th 2006 - 04:01:01 AM
Name: Earl Holder
E-mail address: pappys_wing@yahoo.com
Comments:Ex RM3. Served on USS Pluch MSO-464 in the mid fifties. Great ships. Lots of memories.
Tuesday, December 6th 2005 - 11:17:54 PM
Name: Ray Owen
E-mail address: rayowen555@hotmail.com
Comments:Great site. I appreciate the insights and the sharing of information about other boats and their crews.
Ray Owen
Ex RM2, USS Excel, MSO 439
Can Do 72
1968 - 1970
Tuesday, December 6th 2005 - 10:38:02 PM
Name: John Love
E-mail address: lovejl70503@yahoo.com
Homepage URL: http://http://www.geocities.com/jllwebmaster/
Comments:You have done a very good job, very enjoyaable. If you want to try and secure crew list, order from the US Archives.

John Love
MSO 494 USS Sturdy
Tuesday, December 6th 2005 - 08:00:17 PM
Name: Dick Hasher
E-mail address: dhasher@yahoo.com
Comments:Great site and wonderfull stories! Being an old sweep sailor myself, I had tears in my eyes when viewing the scrapping pictures! Sad to see these old gals are all gone now. I was on the USS Dynamic. MSO 432. Thanks for keeping these memories alive for us and our kids. Dick.
Tuesday, December 6th 2005 - 09:39:23 AM
Name: T. Gibson
E-mail address: tgibson@warplanes.com
Homepage URL: http://www.warplanes.com
Comments:Please visit our website to view the finest ship and airplane models. All of our models are handcarved out of solid mahogany and hand painted.
Wednesday, November 16th 2005 - 10:03:46 PM
Name: Michael Koffler
E-mail address: mso489@hotmail.com
Comments:Nice tribute to a fine ship and the courageous men who sailed on her.
Wednesday, November 16th 2005 - 08:24:54 AM
Name: Michael Koffler
E-mail address: mso489@hotmail.com
Comments:Nice tribute to a fine ship and the courageous men who sailed on her.
Wednesday, November 16th 2005 - 08:24:44 AM
Name: FATIMA
Comments:NICE PAGE!
Wednesday, November 9th 2005 - 01:44:12 PM
Name: Joe Epperson
E-mail address: joseppy@consolidated.net
Comments:Aboard USS Lucid "63" to "65".
Enjoyed your web site.
Saturday, October 29th 2005 - 09:09:39 AM
Name: michael markiewich usn ret
E-mail address: mikesc131@hotmail.com
Comments:Served onboard Illusive 1979-1982. Good times overseas with both ships crew. Still run into Alan Laberge every once in a while here in Goose Creek SC.
Thursday, September 29th 2005 - 12:25:12 AM
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