Date: Mon, 01 Jan 2001 23:02:44 -0500

I was a member of the Palm Beach commissioning crew. I came aboard as the senior Mat Man as a CTM1 but made chief on board in may 1968. Dave Maberry

Date: Sat, 6 Jan 2001 21:48:54 -0800

I enjoyed your web site in reference to the USS Pueblo very much. I too am a vet. I was very young when the event happened.. What has happened to the USS Pueblo. Is it still under North Korean control..? Was it ever returned to the U.S.? A comment at the end of the web site would be very nice. Thanks fellow veterans. RSVP VanVacas

Date: Tues, 09 Jan 200117:58:53 MST

I was a radioman stationed in Yokosuka, Japan during the seizure of the USS Pueblo. My job was in the ship-to-shore (CW) comms center and we relayed radio circuit activation info to the CT site at Kamiseya for both the Banner and Pueblo (along with other comms duties). I was not on duty the day the Pueblo was seized but did have comms with her a few days prior. I found out about the seizure of the Pueblo when I was on liberty and a fellow radioman came running into my room with the morning "Stars and Stripes" with the photo and headline telling of the capture. I can remember being extremly pissed off, at the time. Upon hearing the news we were all ordered back to base and remained there on comms watch for sleepless days and convienced by our watch officers that war with North Korea was just hours away. I do not have perfect recall of the days prior to the seizure, but I do remember the problems Pueblo radiomen had in being able to attain consistant comms with us. They would contact us, by not using the Pueblo's usual 4 letter radio call sign, but used a 2 letter 4 digit call sign. However, I was a relatively experienced comms operator and could identify the tone of the Pueblo's radio transmitter and felt resonably certain about the ship identity when they attempted to contact us. We were only a relay point for the ultimate comms with the CT's at Kamiseya. We always gave their message traffic the highest priority. Sometimes the radioman aboard the Banner and Pueblo would try to contact us on several of our primary frequency's before we were able to pick up their signal. I can remember that a few days prior to the seizure it took! us some time to finally get the correct "circuit activation codes" to relay to K! amiseya, so they could actually activate a network to pass messages. It was frustrating at times and I believe that this issue may have been a problem during the Pueblo's seizure. The only one that would know for sure, would be the radioman aboard the Pueblo that was "working" the circuit activation on that date. I have some fague memories of "suits" with shoulder holsters coming into our comms room and taking a large 8 track reel-to-reel tape that monitored our radio traffic. They shuffled in and out of the crypto room for days. I was never interviewed. I thought a little strange at the time the the investigators never talked with any radiomen at Yokosuaka to ask us any questions about our radio routines with the Pueblo or Banner. Maybe they had good reasons. I have no idea. I wish I had more info to pass along. I just remember being very frustrated and saddened at that event. Being one of the lead radiomen in my section, I have often felt that if I had been on duty that day, maybe I could have been of some help with my experience at helping establish a quicker comms net for the crew. After the insodent, I volunteered to go to the Naval Command site on the Korean DMZ, I nearly went, but they wanted to keep me at the comms site in Yokosuka and train new CW operators being assigned there. In June 1968 the CW room was transfered from Yokosuka to Kamiseya. I was the radio operator to officially receive the last CW radio transmittion from a ship, before transfer. I was in Kamiseya until July 1969. From there I received orders to the Brown Water Navy in South Vietnam. I spent most of my time on the Mekong Delta as comms support for River Patrol Boat Division 572 and made several patrols with units and was involved in a number of fire fights. In Sept 1970, I left the Navy and returned to civilian life. Today I live with my wife in Orange County, Calif and work in the design of cellular telephones. I would like to pass along my kindest regards to all the survivors of the Pueblo and their families. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Regards, Dennis J. Walker (RM3 - Navcommsta Japan, 1967-1969)

Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2001 21:03:21 -0500

Has the USS Pueblo been recovered? Is still on 'active' status in the Navy? Thanks, Mark Bellis

Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2001 23:15:46 EST

I was a yeoman in the Armistice Affairs Division, United Nations Command from the beginning of the incident until June of 1968. I signed for the SECRET message coming in to our office that had the title "U.S. ship taken by North Koreans." I brought the message into Colonel John Lucas' office. He told me to leave and close the door. Within about an hour the entire AAD staff came in for the first meeting . I was driven to the DMZ by an MP that night to deliver the first message from the United Nations to the North Koreans to be presented at a Military Armistice Committee meeting demanding the return of the Pueblo and its crew. Colonel Lucas gave me a .45 for protection on the drive up since the North Koreans had attacked the Blue House just days before. Like I would have known what to do with a .45! I don't know to this day why it took so long to free the crew since the precedent of apologizing and denying the apology had been established in an earlier case called "Stutz and Volts". Two army helicopter crewmen who strayed over North Korea and were shot down. One was killed and the other was returned after we apologized. I remember at Xmas of '68 in Sasebo reading in Stars and Stripes when my carrier, the Hornet pulled in that the crew had been released. I was sorry I wasn't in Korea when it happened. I'm glad I stumbled on to your website. I didn't think anyone remembered this event which is so memorable to me. Terry McGinn YN3, USNR COMNAVFORKOREA AAD/UNC 14 MAY 67-15 JUN 68

Date: Tue, 16 Jan 2001 17:01:35 -0500

To whom it may concern, My name is Robert Jackson and I'm a First Class Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy. I have a question concerning the famous picture of the crew where they were suppose to be inconspicuously sticking out their middle fingers to "Give the Bird or Hawaiian Good Luck Symbol" to the North Koreans. I recently read a conflicting story while looking through a book on photo analysis. I'm sorry I don't recall the title and author but according to the passage he wrote concerning the subject picture, he stated he made an incorrect analysis of the crew's intent and after receiving a letter from a relative of one of the crew (didn't state the name) informing him that they were actually spelling out help in sign language. Could you please, if possible, tell me if they were actually giving the bird to the North Koreans or signing of help? I have many an occasion to relate naval history to juniors and don't want to give them bad gouge. I'd greatly appreciate any help you can provide. Respectfully, Robert A. Jackson PO1 USN

Date: Tue, 16 Jan 2001 18:37:47 -0500

Dad - I sent you a copy of this because I wanted to be sure you knew I finally went to the website. Only problem was I spent about 3 hours there and now I have to study.... Gentlemen, I just wanted to say "Bravo Zulu" My father, Norm Spear, told me to visit this website before I left the Navy's Submarine force to pursue a civilian career, but my computer fell on hard times and decided it didn't want to be online in the State of Georgia anymore. My interest in the Pueblo and her crew, although it started when I was much younger, become even more of an issue during my time on the boat. I used your experiences (and still do) as a guideline when guys thought they were getting "screwed" by whatever the Navy was throwing them at the time. It still amazes me to this day that such a horrible thing could have happened to any member of the world's "Finest Navy." The "forced sacrifice" that was given by the crew will always make me consider myself not only lucky, but humbled that such a thing never happened to me. I regret however that I am not so sure that had my father not been onboard, I would even know about this since it happened before I was born and was never covered in my history classes or in any of my naval training. This website will hopefully maintain the record that this did happen and that the United States should never allow such a thing to happen ever again. Thank you for your time and effort. Bill Spear

Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2001 20:26:23 EST

My father was a part of the task force which was sent to rescue the U. S. S. Pueblo in 68. But, to navel records they were in Yokosuka, Japan. The task force include the U. S. S. Ticonderoga (CV-14), the U.S.S. Preble (DLG-15) her call sign was bonecrusher angle, the U.S.S. Enterprise (CVAN-65), the U.S.S. Jouett (DLGN-29), U.S.S. Truxtin, and the U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), the U.S.S. Oriskany (also refered to as the Smokey "O") where some of the ships that were sent to rescue the U.S.S. Pueblo in 68. Sincerely, Thomas Eddleman

Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2001 21:29:42 EST

To the Honorable crew of the USS Pueblo; I served on the USS Banner AGER-1 from December 1, 1967 until her de-comission in November 1969. As a young 19 year old fireman apprentice I will never forget coming back from liberty to see The USS Pueblo tied inboard, and The USS Banner tied outboard at pier eight south. I guess I never thought about the navy having two ships that looked alike. All these years I have felt guilty because you had to come to Japan and take our place. As I remember, we were supposed to set sail on that mission. Our skipper wanted us to have additional liberty. We were having to go out for 3-4 weeks at a time and only be in port 3-5 days. I remember being glad that another ship was there to share the duty. I do not know why anyone had to be subjected to the torture and mistreatment that the crew of the Pueblo was. I'll never know if I could have been as strong or brave as you were. Being an American has always made me proud. But I will never understand or be able to justify the lack of response our government showed you. Know ye crew of the USS Pueblo that God has a special place for you. You were spared for a reason. You will forever be in my memory and my prayers. Thank you for giving service above and beyond the call of duty. If your travels ever take you through Fort Worth, Texas, feel free to call on a friend. I'll be there. Respectfully Yours, George Ellerbee Engineman 2nd class (once upon a time)

Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2001 11:32:12 -0500

Sir: As this is the month, which is the aniversary of your crew's capture and internment, I'm writing an article for our publication, Surface Warfare about the "Pueblo incident." This official magazine is produced by the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Requirements and Programs' Surface Warfare Directorate, and serves as a historical and professional journal for enlisted and officer personnel serving in today's surface fleet. I. therefore, request permission to publish some of the crewmembers' anicdotes posted to your website as part of the article. You can see past electronic versions of the publication at http://surfacewarfare.nswc.navy.mil. A link exists at the bottom of the page, which will take you to the magazine. We are currently finishing the January/February issue for release in early February, and would like to include this story while it remains timely. Your swift reply would be appreciated. We would also be pleased to provide copies of the published magazine containing the article to your association. Respectfully, Dick Cole Editor in Chief Surface Warfare (OPNAV N76) Crystal Plaza Arlington, VA

Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2001 22:01:46 +0900

First off, let me compliment you for a very educational website. I am a SERE Instructor in the US Air Force, providing training to aircrew members on how to deal with captivity. Your site has proved to be treasure trove of information on North Korean captivity, and with your written permission I would like to use some of the prepared articles on the site in a newletter-type distribution I am designing for study by our aircrew. This would be a newletter designed to prepare them for captivity and to familiarize them with past POW incidents. I look forward to your reply. Thank you, Jim Kysar USAF SERE Instructor

Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2001 9:20:1 -0500

On this the 33rd anniversary of the taking of AGER-2, I'd like to pass on my support to the survivors of the Pueblo Incident. I believe that we may someday bring her home. In fact, I think we should demand that our property be returned to us. I am also know as exkorling@yahoo.com. The guy who runs the Korling HQ website (www.geocities.com/exkorling/index.html). Korean linguists around the world send our thanks for your sacrifices. --- Timothy Miller

Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2001 16:31:06 -0500

Dear Crew Members of the Pueblo, Today belongs to you the crew of the USS Pueblo (AGER-2) . I wish you all good health and safety for today and the rest of your lives. You are all in my prayers. John Hrankowski Rochester, New York USS Liberty Survivor http://www.ussliberty.com

Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2001 21:52:23 -0000

My congratulations on a most comprehensive and interesting account of this incident. Capt. A.K. Erskine CD (Ret) Royal Winnipeg Rifles

Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2001 12:25:00 -0800

Just wanted to let you know I remembered you guys today, as I do especiallyevery january 23rd. God Bless each of you. Earl Cooley Former Yeoman for RADM Frank L. Johnson

Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2001 06:32:39 -0800

I don't know if you were aware of this, but the USS Truxtun and USS Enterprise were tasked to be prepared for an attack on Korea. We departed our position off the coast of Viet Nam to arrive at coordinates off the coast of Korea and "steam." The admiral on the Enterprise felt the directive to "steam" was not clear and chose to steam directly toward Wonson harbor. We of course followed. When an Air Force overflight noticed the direction of our path, they radioed back a query asking if an attack order had been given. We received new orders to return to those same coordinates and "steam in circles." While steaming in circles, a boatswains mate was polishing brass on the bridge and inadvertently triggered the general quarters alarm. Everyone paused for a second looking at each other and lurched into action. That was the shortest time that we manned stations and set zebra on the Truxtun. Jerry in Little Rock õ¿õ Ltjg, USN Retired

Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2001 21:02:04 -0600

My name is Ron Stevenson, and I am an active duty CTIC(SS/NAC). I know that the anniversary is not a time for congratulations, but I do feel that it is a time for thanks to you all as well as those shipmates that have departed. I have been a KORLING my entire career and have studied much of the incident itself, as well as the aftermath. God bless you all as I feel that you gentleman are a fine representation of the U.S. Navy. Very respectfully, Ron Stevenson

Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2001 13:07:46 -0500

Here's a well wishing e-mail to say I didn't forget the anniversary. God Bless. Dick Carlson USS Liberty AGTR-5 survivor USN Retired

Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2001 17:06:51

As a wounded survivor of the attack on the USS Liberty all of you have my greatest sympathy and admiration for the ordeal you suffered 33 years ago and in your minds every day. Although we aboard the Liberty did not suffer the pain and tribulations of captivity, we certainly can share in the horror of unexpected and uncalled for attack by a foreign power. The greatest indignity to me then and now was the utter sense of abandonment by our government in the time of our greatest need. I can never condone nor forgive this injustice to the Liberty or the Pueblo. I personally was wounded by an armor-piercing anti-personnel rocket to the left side of my body after assisting Lt. James Ennes, the author of "The Assualt on the Liberty" following his wounds sustained while on the bridge during the 3rd strafing run by Isaerli aircraft. Following three surgeries and a month leave at home, I was re-assigned to the U.S. Naval Communications Station, Honolulu where I was on duty the night of the attack on your ship. Our entire group unsuccessfully tuned into the distress frequency given to us by CINCPAC for a number of hours before being told to mention nothing of this incident to anyone. It was approximately 12-16 hours later that the news of the attack on your ship was made public. I only hope that some day both stories will be fully and openly revealed to the American public and the world. All of us have suffered through no fault of our own and hopefully we can put the bad memories to rest. Thank you and God bless you all. Kenneth P. Ecker CTR 3 USS Liberty survivor dahma@localline.com

Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2001 12:17:16

I would like to take a few minutes to send a note of thanks for your service and sacrifices. As a Korean Linguist in the Navy, I want you to know that your service hasn't been forgotten and the memory of the USS Pueblo remains as a core motivating factor in the Korean Linguist community to this day. We train so that it will never happen again. We look forward to the day that the USS Pueblo is returned to where it belongs. Respectfully Phillip C. Lee CTI1 USN

Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2001 11:27:26 EST

Pueblo Crew Members - Just a short note to let you know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers as your 33 year anniversary came and went. It seems that we are all a forgotten bit of "official" history. I sincerely wish all of you the best that life can bring. Lt Lloyd C. Painter (USNR) USS Liberty AGTR-5

Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2001 19:25:34 -0600 T

On behalf of the crew and families of the USS Liberty I just wanted to drop a note to our brothers on the USS Pueblo and their families that we remember you during this time of the year that brings back memories of what seems to be just yesterday. Warmest regards, Joe Meadors Vice President USS Liberty Veterans Association http://www.ussliberty.com

Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2001 17:34:39 -0500

After a crewmember contacted the buyer of a bogus Pueblo ashtray sold online, buyers response follows: Hi Sir! well youre not the bearer of bad news-youre the bearer of the truth and for that i am very thankful! The seller could not provide me with background info and has thus far failed to contact me! Bless you for telling me about the official site -I will go there to see items I know I can trust! Well, my father was a civilian Puget Sound Naval Shipyard worker here in Bremerton and worked on your ship here. And I myself am a Bremerton City Councilmember whos trying to find some Pueblo items for our city"s 100th. ann. thats why my interest in this ashtray-were going to have a photo display on you guys that im putting togehter by March..thousands will see this display and learn again about your voyage/bravery! I have been in contact with your then CMDR. Bucher and I even gave him some items from his old home here in Bremerton-Im very aware of both your voyage,N.Koreas real mission-kw-7, and the extreme bravery all of you went thru in the face of an enemy using extermley sadist torture-Im proud of every member of your crew-especially Bucher and the marines the KORCOMS singled out for even harsher treatment.And Im going to stress your bravery again!Never forget! a good motto to remeber your mission by.My research also showed that Duane Hodges was Brem. police chief for a day in May,1967! You are all amazing heros! Thank you for setting me straight! Ed

Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2001 13:52:17

My Name is Dave Burpee and I'm the webmaster for The Department Of Maine VFW. Our Voice Of Democracy contest winner this year was written by a POW's (USS Pueblo)Daughter. I'm Posting it on our internet site and would like to use the pic and patch from your site. I will of course give a link back to your site. Attached you will find the essay. Thank You In advance Dave Burpee Sr Vice VFW Post 2744 Navy Sea Bees RVN 70/71 www.MaineVFW.homestead.com

Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2001 19:28:06 -0500

Hello, As the last "O" brancher to serve on the USS Banner, I was pleased to find this Web Site. I served on the Banner after the Pueblo's capture. In fact, I received early orders while serving on Section 1 at USNSGA Kamiseya, Japan, to the Banner. However, prior to reporting aboard on 4 July 1969 at Pier 8-south in Yokosuka, I was sent to S.E.R.E. school in San Diego. Most all Banner crew, evidently, were sent through S.E.R.E. after the Pueblo experience. I surmise this is a way the higher ups in the chain of command were attempting to cover their butts. In any event, after I reported aboard on Independence Day, we never left the pier again save for one evening in Tokyo Bay to shoot skeet and run up the communications link with Kami. The only other thing we spent any time on, and it was a lot, was on port side repel boarder drills and working on system destruct drills with the large thermite slabs that the gunners mate would bring up from their spaces and wire to our open equipment. Of course, this system was retrofitted after the Pueblo capture. By the way, my first day watch as an "O" brancher at Kamieya was on January 23, 1968. I had just started on Section 1 with a first eve watch the preceding Sunday. Therefore, I was in the comm. center working the receive bank with another new watch-stander when all hell broke loose. J.C. Cone, our section's asst. communications chief was the individual who chatted point-to-point with Don McClarren on the KW-7 link before the circuit was lost upon the Pueblo being boarded. The following year, April 1969, I was the tech controller responsible for maintaining contact with "Peter Rabbit", the recon flight out of Atsugi which was flying off the Korean coast snooping. As you may recall, the Koreans shot down the plane and I lost several friends, including an "O" branch colleage, Steve Tesmer, in that incident. I was moved to try to find your Web site after seeing a recent History Channel documentary on the Pueblo incident. Just wanted to share my own experiences and tell the Pueblo crew how proud I am of all of them, especially Cmdr. Bucher. God bless you all. John McQuaid CTO2 Apr 67 to Apr 71

Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2001 11:49:59 -

Hello, my name is Jack Cramer, I'm trying to find out what U.S. Navy ships participated in the task force sent to the Sea of Japan, off Wonsan, North Korea, to aid in the release or rescue of the PUEBLO during her attack or capture ? Apparently, or I was told by a former ship mate who remained in the U.S. Navy a few years after my honorable discharge, that our ship, USS UHLMANN DD-687 participated in the rescue as a support vessel for one of the carriers, in addition, we were to receive a service ribbon or medals (Korean Expedition and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross) which I never received due to an early out to play college football. If you have any information on the USS UHLMANN DD-687 and it's participation in the PUEBLO rescue/task force or citations, medals issued to her crew, please let me know as my service to my country during the Vietnam War means a great deal to me. . . Thank You, Sincerely, Jack B. Cramer

Date: Sat, 03 Feb 2001 08:28:49 -0800

May no one ever forget. As a survivor from the USS Liberty I wish you well and regret I missed, your anniversery. I have been so busy I have had a hard time keeping up with work and Liberty issues. As our coutry seems to pay less and less attention to veterans, I hope your service is never forgotten. Donald W Pageler

Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2001 15:23:37 -

My name when I served in the US Navy as a CT was Leon Ivery. I was aboard the USS Liberty, and subsequently received orders to serve at CINCPAC. I was on watch when the Pueblo's messages (Flash) were being relayed to DIRNSA, etc. After that I was ordered to NAVCOMSTAWASH, where I transcribed notes at Commander Bucher's trials. Over the past 30 years, I finally was able to contact an old shipmate from the Liberty, through their website. What a reunion! I saw recent photos of Commander Bucher and his family, as well as those of the late Captain McGonagle. I will be visiting down in Virginia in a couple of weeks in hopes of meeting Commander Bucher, and survivors of the Liberty assault. I am in the process of becoming a USS Liberty Veteran Association member. I also have special ties to the USS Pueblo as well. Let me know how I can help.

Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2001 22:20:36

Dear USS Pueblo Veterans Association, My name is Christos Frentzos and I am currently working on a Ph.D. in History at the University of Houston. I received my Master's degree in History from the University of New Orleans in 1996 and wrote my thesis on the Pueblo Incident. I am planning on continuing my analysis of the Pueblo incident for my doctoral dissertation. As significant as the seizure was, it is amazing how little attention the incident has received from historians during the last 30 years. This is just one of the problems I hope to address with my research which will eventually be published as a full length book once completed. One of the problems I have experienced is that it is very difficult to get good primary documents from the intelligence agencies, especially NSA. Nevertheless, with the end of the Cold War and the availability of new archives, I am convinced that the time has come for a new examination of the incident to help place it into the larger context of U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War. I am about six months away from pursuing this objective full time, as I am currently finishing up course work. However, I would eventually like to talk to any member of the crew who may be interested in granting an interview. I am also interested in learning if you are aware of any other historians who are planning or have recently published any new accounts of the incident. Any assistance or advice that you feel would benefit my research would be greatly appreciated. Also if there is anything I can do to help you please let me know. I would be more than happy to send you a copy of my thesis if you would like.

I can be reached via e-mail at cgjw@earthlink.net Sincerely, Christos Frentzos

Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2001 21:13:08

Hello, You have a good and informative site. I have an intrest in the USS Pueblo and was able to find more information at this site than any place else. You may not be interested in my little tidbit, but I thought I would share my very small story. The USS Pueblo was the reason that I served duty in Korea from January 1968 to January 1969. At he time I was a 18 year old PFC in the US Army, B Btry., 6th Bn., 37th Arty. On day I was in a guard shack and the radio was on a Korean (propaganda station I suppose) radio station. I was a soldier and did not know the Navy ranks very well, so I am not sure who I was listening to at the time, but I suppose it was the XO or the CO of the USS Pueblo. Some of the crew was being interviewed by the North Koreans and questions were asked to some person of the Pueblo crew. I can't remember all of the questions or exactly how they were asked. I remember two statements or questions. The North Korean (in English) said that they were providing certain needs to the Pueblo crew. If I remember right he asked the Pueblo spokesman to comment. The crew member, who I suppose may have been the XO or CO replied that they were allowed to play volly ball and that (eye) glasses had been provided to a crew member. I don't think that the glasses really were provided and after serving there for a year I imagine what the Pueblo crew's diet may have been like. I know it was bad for them. I only served in the country and it was no cake walk. I know it was bad for them. The soldiers were ready to do whatever may have been called for, but of course, we never had any order given. Anyway, the story is very insignificant. I think of those days from time to time and I think of that day listening to that propaganda. When I saw this site, I thought I would tell my small story. Who ever gave that interview; he might say to himself, "Oh, yeah, I had forgotten about that, but now it's interesting to remember. And I'm glad that there were those that listened, cared and were ready to come and get us....if the could have." I was a Spec. 4 when I got out of the Army, went into the city of Houston Fire Department and simultaneously served in the US Coast Guard Reserve and retired as a CWO-4. I appreciate reading your site and I appreciate the contribution given of the crew of the US Pueblo. James Holden

Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2001 15:58:55

The DMZ Vets group will be having a reunion in Washington, DC June 8,9,10,2001. There will be a special memorial service June 9,2001 at 11 am at Arlington National Cemetary,sponsored by No Greater Love, a national organization which recognizes families and friends of soldiers, sailors and airmen killed in "lesser conflicts", such as the Korean conflict after the war "ended". It is a way to remember Dwayne Hodges. I will see that he is included in this ceremony, along with my buddy, Michael Rymarczuk who was killed July 30,1968 in an ambush in the DMZ. If any of you want to come to the reunion, you will be welcomed with open arms. If the family of Dwayne Hodges wants to come, that would be fine. No Greater Love has annual ceremonies for Desert Storm vets and families, Grenada, Panama, Somalia, and the Beruit bombing, among others. We will be staying at the Holiday Inn at Rosslyn at Arlington, Va. Contact me if you want information about our reunion or the memorial service. David Benbow DMZ Vets

Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2001 00:39:31

I am writing a history paper for a Cold War history class and have chosen the USS Pueblo Incident - mainly Commander Pete Bucher. This paper will be written as a museum script with museum articles. I want it to be a nice as possibl - a real tribute to a man who I think is a hero in every sense. If there is a way I can contact Commander Bucher, I would like to be able to get the highlights of his life - mainly what made him decide to join the Navy in the first place and some of this adventures and how life has been since the Pueblo Incident. The USS Pueblo Incident is one of those memories I have not forgotten, mainly because I met Pueblo survivor Michael Alexander when I was a Senior in High School as he lived in the same area I did. He had only been released as a detainee for a short time. I was very sorry to see is deceased. If you can or will help me I would appreciate it! Thank you! Phyllis L. Tompkins

Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2001 19:01:17

Dear Pueblo Site - I remember the weeks and months of hearing the Pueblo story in my girlhood. It seemed constantly on the radio - coming out on the news. Yet though ignorant of so much, I recall wondering why the Captain and crew were being persecuted afterwards by the Navy? They were the victims - why were they being accused? Some years ago I was able to read C. Bucher's story, and my anger at our Navy and our Government's incompetence - not to mention complicity or traitorism - knew no bounds. Indeed, what could be done when the boat was so entirely and overwhelmingly overpowered. It happened again with the deliberate downing of the Korean Air flight in the '80's - which had an American Congressman on board. Not a thing was done about it. As Sen. Joe McCarthy discovered in the '50's, there were at least 3 spy rings in the State Department. Nothing was done about that either - so, it figures that the Pentagon, too, may be infiltrated. How disgusting for America - how disheartening for the enlisted man. The true story of the USS Liberty is getting out and about now. May the Pueblo story have it's day too. Having just started to surf this subject today, and just found your site, I also only just discovered that Bowen died on my birthday. May God bless the men of the USS Pueblo. Mary McHugh

Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2001 15:12:32

thanks for the info. my son needs on his school report. douglas brittain hempfarm

Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001 15:42:59

Gentlemen: I contacted you some weeks ago and requested permission to utilize some of the information from your phenomenal web site in the preparation of an article for the Navy's Surface Warfare magazine of which I am the Editor in Chief, and you were kind enough to grant that permission. Since writing you, I have read LTJG Schumacher's book, Mr. Armbrister's book, Mr. Brandt's book, CDR Bucher's book and studied the material on your site. I am preparing to write the article for our March/April issue of the magazine. I'm writing again to request your assistance. I did a comprehensive search of the web resources of the Defense Visual Information Center for Pueblo-related photography, only to discover that all photos of the ship and crew had been turned over to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). When I submitted a research request for them to find photos for us, they were only able to find four, and none of them were in color. I don't mind using black and white photos, if necessary, but I would prefer to use color pictures if I can obtain them. Would it be possible for you to loan us a color photo of AGER-2 which we can scan and return? Would it be possible to get your assistance also in obtaining a copy of the photo of the Pueblo with Pyongyang in the background taken by Joseph O'Brien which appears on your site? I want to do you folks justice in the article I am preparing. I feel it is time that an official Navy publication gives you a fair shake. The article will appear as part of a new feature called "Honor, Courage and Commitment" -- the Navy's core values. The first article to be published as part of this recurring feature is about Sen. J. Robert Kerrey -- a former Navy SEAL who lost his leg in Vietnam and was awarded the Medal of Honor. It is part of the magazine presently at our printer and will be posted to our website shortly. Our young Sailors need to be aware of the things that happened to the crew of Pueblo and how well you represented us all during your difficult internment. That's the story I want to tell. I am also trying to contact the CBS Archives to attempt to get some of the photos of you folks giving the "Hawaiian Good Luck Sign" to use as part of the story. In closing, thanks for the fabulous website your organization has put together, and for your permission in being permitted to use material from it in my article. If you will provide me with an address where hard copies of the magazine should be mailed, I'd be happy to provide you several copies for you to distribute to your members. I'll also advise you when it has been posted to our website where you will be able to access it. Very Respectfully, Dick Cole Editor in Chief Surface Warfare magazine (OPNAV N76)

Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2001 11:29:34

I looked up your web page for the first time today. I am impressed. The USS Pueblo Veterans' Association has done a very nice job. Congratulations. I am speaking to a Kiwanis group here in Arizona Tuesday and looked up some background information for my talk. I had in involvement with the incident that may be buried in NSA materials. I was aboard the submarine that left Yokosuka Harbor three days before the USS Pueblo. I remember standing on the deck of the sub (I'm sorry but I can't for the life of me remember the name of the sub as I did four sub trips and it WAS almost thirty years ago) and saluting the Pueblo as we steamed out. I knew that there were probably people I knew from Language School in Monterey aboard the Pueblo as you were on the same kind of mission we were. Indeed, I later found out that Bob Chicca was aboard and one of those captured. I knew Bob when we were in language school. He was a Korean language student while I was a Chinese language student. I'm pretty sure we were on the same floor and wing of the barracks there in Monterey. Anyway, I distinctly remember be awakened in the middle of the night and being told that our mission had received a radio message from Japan that was very important and they couldn't break it out. I was the one who usually decrypted our messages in the radio shack. So I got up and reworked the basket on the crypto gear and put the paper tape back through. It was the announcement that the USS Pueblo had been fired upon by North Koreans and our mission orders suddenly were changed. That was one weird mission from then on. I didn't find Bob Chicca's address in your Web page other than the fact that he lives in Bonita, California. I remember a newspaper article on the tenth (?) anniversary of the release of the crew from North Korea. If memory serves, Bob was mentioned in the article and was not a happy camper (or exprisoner as the case was) and many in the crew were unhappy over the U.S. response to the whole incident. If you could get a message to Bob Chicca and have him email me, I'd like to correspond with him and see how he is doing. Thanks. Harvey L. Lee, USN honorably discharged. 1964-68 I got out of the Navy in August of 1968 and was a civilian when the crew was released.

Date: Fri, 02 Mar 2001 23:10:16

Hello, my name is Walter Wilson. I work as an intern for constituent correspondence with Senator Tom Daschle in Washington D.C. I recently recieved a letter expressing concern over the current status of the USS Pueblo. I would appreciate your help in locating documents which contain the terms to which the Pueblo was abandoned in North Korea. I am also curious to know if any effort is being put forth by your organization or another organization to get the Pueblo returned to the United States. Thank you for your help. Walter Wilson

Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2001 21:22:35

To whom it may concern, Hello, my name is Kendall Cripe and I am a sophmore at the university of clorado at boulder. For my International Behaviors class, I am to do a 30-50 page research paper, and i have chosen the USS Pueblo incident as my topic. I would greatly appreciate it. if you could guide me to some places that would be good to do research in. my e-mail is Kendall.Cripe@colorado.edu Thanks, kendall Cripe

Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2001 05:24:23 EST

I was thinking it's about time the Pueblo had it's own poem. Feel free to
use it or not. Let me know if you would like some changes in it.

Remember The Pueblo

THE U.S.S. PUEBLO'S FATE WAS NOT KIND
HER OFFICERS AND CREW WERE READY TO ALIGN.
WITH MISINFORMATION AND NO FEAR TO TREAD
SHE SAILED ON HER MISSION FULL SPEED AHEAD.

WHO COULD HAVE KNOWN WHAT WAS IN STORE
SHE WAS IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS, NOT CLOSE TO SHORE.
AS THE NORTH KOREANS APPROACHED THAT DAY
THE PUEBLO KNEW SHE WAS IN HARM'S WAY.

WITHOUT ANY GUIDELINES OF WHAT WAS EXPECTED
IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE PUEBLO HAD BEEN NEGLECTED.
THE AIRWAYS WERE BUZZIN', "WHAT SHOULD WE DO?
REPEL BOARDERS, OR TRY TO HEAVE TO?"

AS THE SHELLS TORE THE METAL OF HER SKIN
IT WAS APPARENT HOW VULNERABLE SHE HAD BEEN.
OUT MANNED,OUT GUNNED AND OVER POWERED
THE PUEBLO WAS UPON HER DARKEST HOUR.

FIREMAN DUANE HODGES LOST HIS LIFE THAT DAY
"JUST A CASUALTY OF WAR", SOME MIGHT SAY.
COMMANDER BUCHER AND EIGHTY ONE [sic] MORE
WOULD LIKE TO RETURN AND SETTLE THE SCORE.

TO THE U.S.S. PUEBLO AND THE SHIP'S CREW
FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM, WE'RE ALL PROUD OF YOU.
FURTHER WORDS OF WISDOM ARE NOT MINE TO GIVE
BUT AS LONG AS I BREATHE YOUR STORY WILL LIVE.

GEORGE ELLERBEE
U.S.S. BANNER
AGER-1

Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2001 22:57:27 EST

Dear Sirs,
I am the webmaster for the USS Halsey veterans association. Come see our new home at USSHalsey.org. I read that the Halsey was part of the actions to get the Pueblo free. Some of the men that were on the Halsey in 68 will find the Halsey's new site soon and one of them might want to write about those days. I would like to put a link up on the Halsey's site to the Pueblo just in case we find that person to write that story. I would like your permission for the link and if you would be so kind, place a link to the
Halsey's home page on yours.

Sincerely,
Larry W. Wells
USS Halsey DLG/CG-23
FTM2 1976 to 1979

Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001

Hello. My name is Min-Young Kim, working at Washington D.C. I have been doing research on Pueblo affair for MBC, Korean TV broadcast, which is making documentary on it. I would like to talk somebody there to get some help. Could you let me know phone number, please? Thank you so much.

Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 09:47:39

Intelligence Officers and Analysts 14 March, 2001

We have many stories about the US Navy bouncing about in the media and just as many suggested scenarios from authors who have probed and analyzed and given us new perspectives to ponder. Far back was the attack on the US Liberty by Israeli military forces. Then there was the USS Pueblo and our abandonment of that ship to the North Korean government. Recently, we have been exposed to the USS Greeneville submarine and its collision with the Ehime Maru in Hawaiian waters. While we're so focused on the United States Navy, we might also consider the plight of another vessel that preceded the USS Pueblo as the first American warship to be surrendered to an enemy.

- - - - - - - - CAPTAIN BAINBRIDGE HAD HIS ORDERS TO BLOCKADE THE HARBOR - - INCOMING INTELLIGENCE LED HIM TO DIVIDE HIS FORCES AND HIS UNITED STATES WARSHIP WAS CAPTURED BY THE ENEMY After only four hours of battle the Captain of the American frigate USS Philadelphia lowered the American flag and surrendered to the Pasha's men inside Tripoli Harbor - - - - - - - - BEST VIEWED ON EXPLORER BROWSERS http://www.thepalmerpress.com/tripoli.html
JACK MORRIS

Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 09:36:47

Your site is very impressive in its comprehensive coverage of the "legal" aspects of the Pueblo incident. I would like to pass along some of the ripple effects of the Pueblo ordeal. I was a CTT1 aboard the USNS Muller (1967-68). The crew of the Muller was spared the fate suffered by the crew of the Pueblo only because we had an armed US destroyer as an escort. The only reason we had that escort was because of the Pueblo. During a spring storm, the Muller suffered an engine failure, while on her track about 7 miles north of Havana. The winds were out of the north and threatened to beach us. We took a tow from the destroyer and were able to keep off the beach until emergency repairs could be made to our engine. Just like the Pueblo, we were unprepared to contend with a determined boarding party. Our weapons were only small arms and grenades. The Cubans had made many practice torpedo runs at us, so we knew we would face 50Cal machine guns and torpedoes. If we had to take to the lifeboats, I'm convinced there would have been loss of life, due to the heavy seas. Throughout my tour on the Muller, we were all inspired by the Pueblo crew and disgusted with the lack of retaliation from our government. One Pueblo article provided particular inspiration and a feeling of kinship with her crew. During our days at CT school in Pensacola, Florida, each Plan of the Day contained a "supposedly" random article from the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The young sailor(s) who composed this POD always found an article that had something to do with SEX. In each case, the article concluded with the phrase, "penetration, however slight, is sufficient to complete the act." As we stood each day in formation, the entire assembly would mouth those words as they were read aloud by the officer or petty officer in charge. Every CT in the world knew that the Pueblo crew was putting the North Koreans on, when the crew's "confession" was published. The article said that the crew admitted that they did, indeed, intrude slightly into North Korean territorial waters, and they were aware that ... "penetration, however slight, was sufficient to complete the act." It was BEAUTIFUL! William (Skip) Hard (CTT1)

Date: Sat, 17 Mar 2001 17:02:47

I stumbled upon your site today and was fascinated. I am an Army Korean linguist x 17 years and as a member of a remains repatriation team spent 26 days in the DPRK last summer. Most of the time in the DPRK we were in the countryside working but prior to flying out we spent a day in Pyongyang and were taken siteseeing. After our tour of the Fatherland Liberation War Victory Museum we were bussed to the USS Sherman monument and walked down the stairs to the wharf and boarded the USS Pueblo. We were given a tour by the NKN folks who "man" the Pueblo today. After 13+ years in Korea I never expected to visit the DPRK, ever. To go there and see the Pueblo was stunning. Brad Roberson

Date: Sun, 25 Mar 2001 13:55:40

Hello, I was a CT O branch and on watch at Naval Security Group Headquarters, Nebraska Ave, Washington D.C. when messages were coming in about the boarding of the Pueblo. I don't remember what time it was, but it was late at night. It was my job to carry urgent, high priority incoming messages to the night duty officer. That night I took him 2 or 3 messages that had quotes from the Pueblo transmissions about being boarded, and "these guys mean business". The messages I handled had already been sent to the White House and were being sent on down the line to offices that needed to be informed. I was outraged when we were not at war, or at least trying to help those sailor on the Pueblo the next days and weeks. I blame the president and his advisers for not trying to help that night, because I know that they knew what was happening and had knowledge of what was going on when there should have been time to do something. I would guess that the messages I saw than night are still classified, but I will never forget that night. I found your site on the USS Pueblo on the internet today and it brought back a lot of memories, thanks for the good work. I salute the men on the Pueblo! John Lashbrook

Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2001 13:38:38

Dear Sir, Let me introduce myself. I am a lecturer at the Polish Naval Academy, my main field is history of naval wars. At present I am writing an article about the "Pueblo incident". It is to be published at the magazine which is colled "Seas, ships and warships". The title is addressed mainly to you shiplovers. According to this situation I want to ask you for permission to publish photos from your page. I must underline that the incident is hardly known in my country, for many years people knew only the one version of events which had been presented by communist - controlled media. At present we have excellent opportunity to show an incident not only as a an interesting episode of modern history but also as a real tragedy of the skipper and his crew. Thanks in advance. Very respectfully,
Krzysztof Kubiak