Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2007 15:58:36 -0400

As a USN veteran, I have followed the Iranian piracy of a Royal Navy vessel closely and found the USS Pueblo website in researching the history of such events. This would be an appropriate time for your organization to speak up and assert its indignation at the lack of preparation and poor rules of engagement which seem to be destined to be repeated as the United States (and its NATO allies) lose more and more dignity and honor.

Dan Alman, USS NEWPORT NEWS (CA 148), 1956; USS Suribachi (AE-21),1957-58; USS Chandeleur (AV 10), 1959.

Date: Fri, 06 Apr 2007 16:04:18 -0600

I stumbled across the usspueblo.org website today and am completely dumbfounded. Someone mentioned the USS Pueblo incident on a blog I was reading, and since I was completely ignorant of the subject, I googled it and ran upon your site. I'm extremely embarrassed that I've known nothing of this Navy crew's ordeal. Granted, I was only two when all this was going on, but I would expect to learn something about this in school -- not to mention that I'm a college graduate and a history major! I'm so sorry for everything that these men went through -- and ashamed that the ordeal lasted as long as it did. I would like to think that our nation has learned from this and would not allow anything similar to it to happen in the future.

Thank you so much for serving. God bless each and every one of you! Sincerely, Tammi Cramer Lander, WY

Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2007 08:08:10 -0700

I'm curious as to whether an officer by the name listed above was aboard the Pueblo at the time of its capture. Is there a list of the officers and men aboard available to the public, or is that information being kept secret? Kind regards, Tim & Jan Arensmeier

Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2007 10:34:26 -0500

I had never heard of the Pueblo until this morning when I read a story about Bill Richardson taking a tour of it in his most recent visit to Korea. I found the story fascinating. Having spent 4 years in the Navy and having a father who served in the conflict I’m really surprised that I’ve never heard an account of it before. I enjoyed reading through the site and found it very informative and know that others would to. The collection of information on the site is substantial, but a little tough to navigate through. If you’d be interested I’d love to assist in restructuring / designing the site to make it more user friendly. I’ve got several ideas floating around in my head but will wait to see if you’re interested before discussing them.

Thanks Jonathan Jacks

Date: Mon, 09 Apr 2007 19:46:32 -0400

Last night NBC Nightly News reported that Bill Richardson was in North Korea with the administrations knowledge and approval hoping to medicate in our nuclear talks and that North Korea may release the remains of US servicemen killed there over 50 years ago. As a republican, I was impressed that the president allowed Richardson to assist and that Richardson agreed. Tonight, I was appalled and heartbroken that NBC reported that Richardson visited and toured the USS Pueblo. I emailed the President and wrote that he should immediately recall Richardson. He has insulted our country. The only way to handle North Korea is not to deviate from our policies. If they want to join the world community, its their decision not ours.

John Butler

Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2007 07:44:38 -0700

I was watching TV last night and saw a piece about Sen. Richardson, D.NM. It seems he traveled to N. Korea for one reason or another (on the pretense of getting MIA's returned), probably to help in his bid for the Dem. Pres. race In the TV coverage it showed him sitting in the USS Pueblo viewing a propaganda film by the N. Korean Gov. N. Korea it seems wants $25, 000,000. which the US has frozen in some bank. 1. before N. Korea gets anything from the U.S. they should return our ship. 2. pay reparations to each crew member still living or his family if deceased. If they refuse the Air Force should drop a bomb mid. deck of the Pueblo and blow her out of the water. I would rather she the ship sunk than used as a tool by N. Korea. Mike

Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2007 21:21:57 -0400

I was the commander of the 5760th Signal Company which provided communications to the 32d Artillery Brigade in the northern part of South Korea at the time the Pueblo was attacked. I was due to return to the US in three days at that time, but was extended for several months. We were put on DEFCON 4, as I remember, with live ammo, and steel pots at all times. It was a tense period.

Fred E. Lewis III, CPT (at time of discharge)

Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2007 03:48:27 EDT

Hello, I am trying to contact Mr. Lamantia. I was a friend of his in San Diego. I owned a comics shop (Golden State Comics) at the time. We spent fun evenings playing a baseball board game back then. Tony, I believe, moved to PA and I haven't spoken or seen him since. I would love to reconnect with this old friend if possible. In any event, please give my best to Tony and I wish him well in everything.

Thank you! Greg Pharis

Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 11:26:18 -0700 (PDT)

My brother, Chief Petty Officer, R. Patrick Krager, was a crypto operator on the USS Pueblo and served in the S. China Seas area for three years. In reading of the crew that was captured in that area, I did not see his name. Unfortunately, my brother passed away a few years ago while living in the Pensacola area. He was a Navy retiree. Unfortunately, we were not able to see him as often as we would have liked. He did mention that he had been on the Pueblo, but that is all the information I have. Is there some place where I might get a list of the crew members on this ship prior to and after being captured? I would appreciate any information you might be able to send me. [Must have been an older Pueblo vessel]

Paul A. Krager

Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2007 07:27:13 +0900

I'm a researcher live in Seoul, Korea and I'm trying get some information related with USS Pueblo incident. I was referred to your organization by historian in Seoul, Korea. Please share any information related with USS Pueblo.

Thank you. Park Tae Yun

Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2007 16:07:58 EDT

Web site Well done. DAVE EATON

Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2007 07:55:36 +0200

I'm a reporter for Stars and Stripes and I'm working on a story about North Korea hinting that they might return the USS Pueblo. I'd like to talk to some of the organization's members and get there reaction to the news. I'm currently working out of the paper's Pacific office in Tokyo. I would prefer to talk by phone but comments by e-mail might be easier because of the time difference.

Thank you very much. Best regards, Scott Schonauer

Date: Sun, 22 Apr 2007 09:27:54 -0500

I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your website on the SS Pueblo. I came across it while I was researching her sister ship the SS Navaho. The story of the SS Pueblo is truly a tragic event that I am sure most people have never even heard of. I look forward to including the history of the SS Pueblo to my guests when I breif them on their dives to the SS Navaho. Keep up the great work

Thanks Marcus Lyng

Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2007 20:00:10 -0500

It is my honor to say that all of the crew of the Pueblo represent the integrity of our Navy even when treated in the un-patriotic manner that they were by our own Navy. References to the Liberty and the way the families were treated on the loss of the USS Scorpion must not go unheeded.

God Bless all of you. Mike McCurtain

Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2007 06:50:03 -0700 (PDT)

I have been on your website reading all of the information you have provided. This is such a great source. I am sorry that I don't have information to share, I just have a question. I was curious as to who the individual was that Stu Russell referred to in his chapter title, "Hell Week Begins" - the one he felt was going to betray the crew by fabricating the organizer of the "Hawaiian Good Luck Sign". I am sure that he left the name out of the narrative for a purpose, but I was curious about this could have been. I am going to try and get copies of the books written by Bucher, Murphy and Harris. Based on some of the things that I have read, it is obvious Bucher and Murphy did not care for each other. I sort of felt that perhaps the individual was Murphy that wanted to give into the Koreans. [Way off the mark] I started reading as much as I could find about the Pueblo Incident when I read that Senator Allard was trying to present a resolution to the get the USS Pueblo back from the Koreans. I was just a kid when the Pueblo incident occurred. However, my father was a NAVSECGRU officer stationed at the NAVSECGRUHQ in DC when this happened. My uncle was a CTR stationed in Okinawa at the time. After I graduated from high school, I worked at NAVSECGRUHQ as a civilian for 10 years. I actually met Steve Harris while working there and worked with ADM Bowen on a special committee. Now that I am older, all of this is more interesting to me. My father has been dead for quite awhile, so I can't talk to him about any of the things he might remember.

I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Gwen Denson

Date: Fri, 4 May 2007 21:09:11 -0500

I may as well toss in my 2 cents worth regarding the pirating / capture of the Pueblo. I noticed fellow sailors from the both the carrier Enterprise and the destroyer Herbert J. Thomas claim to have been the first ships to arrive off the coast of North Korea after the Pueblo and crew were taken. To the best of my knowledge the carrier Yorktown (CVS 10) and its destroyer screen were first on the scene. It has been far too long ago to remember some details but I do recall being woke up for the mid-watch in CIC and when my bare feet hit the deck I could feel the ship vibrate because we were doing over 30 knots (I think our top speed back then was 34 ½ knots and we were close to it that night). Before I continue I should mention we had left Pearl Harbor a few days before and were enroute to either Japan or the Tonkin Gulf (I think it was Japan); anyway we were northeast of Japan thus we were the nearest ships to the northern entrance to the Sea of Japan (or as the Japanese refer to it, the Japan Sea). The Yorktown’s mission in 1967 was anti-submarine warfare (no jets except for the 4 we ferried to Hawaii), but it was important for the US to get a naval presence there ASAP. The Yorktown and each of our 6 destroyers were at complete darken ship including masthead and running lights with all hanger bay doors closed. When I reached CIC I was told about the capture; some time during the night one of our destroyers had engine problems and had to drop out for repairs. -----I don’t think I actually learned about that ship’s problems until years later when reading at account of the capture written by the Yorktown’s Captain Bill Bennett. At the time I think someone in CIC told me the destroyer in question pulled out for some other reason. ---IF I recall correctly we also had our radars on standby most of the night and we were not transmitting via radio; at least not from CIC. A few hours before daylight our radars were switched on and I was told to do radio checks with the remaining 5 destroyers and to exchange range and bearing information in order to make certain everyone was where they were supposed to be. Perhaps an hour before dawn I saw a radar contact approaching from our starboard quarter; thinking it was our 6th destroyer I “confirmed” that it was via call sign, and by exchanged range and bearings. The contact confirmed that it was the destroyer and its range and bearing to the Yorktown then took up its normal screening station…….when the sun came up the lookouts reported it was a Russian trawler. Whoever I talked with spoke perfect English. The trawler’s name was Gridalog or something close to that. It shadowed us most of the time we were in the Sea of Japan and generally made a nuisance of itself by cutting across our bow during flight operations, steaming in between the Yorktown and an oiler during a replenishment, etc. I was told they also steamed by one day and used their loudspeaker to wish Captain Bennett “Happy Birthday”, again in perfect English and on the correct day. At any rate I had egg on my face thinking it was our destroyer returning to the screen; thankfully no one ever said anything to me. This is getting longer than I meant it to be so I’ll just mention a few brief items: As I said I believe we were first on station; the Enterprise arrived later that day or the day after. At some point in time I know one of my ships was near the Herbert J. Thomas (after the Yorktown I served on the Lloyd Thomas DD 764 and I remember the Herbert J. Thomas----but I am not certain if it was when I was on the Yorktown or the “LT”. I recall ships more by their call-sign than their hull numbers and was half convinced the Herbert J. was part of the Yorktown’s destroyer screen but after checking its call sign I’m not certain). Within hours of our arrival we were treated to a fly over of several Russian bombers (Bears if I recall) and things were very dicey----naturally we were at General Quarters and our side scrabbled fighters out of Japan to chase them off after a few rounds of playing chicken. Our lookouts reported the Russians were flying very low etc. (the *#&$ height finder radar in CIC never worked right when I was on board) and the US fighters got the Russian’s attention by flying very close….several near collisions. Naturally ‘rumor central’ was in full operation----including the one that had Yorktown tagged to enter Wonson harbor to tow the Pueblo out……I DON’T think so! IF the North Koreans released the Pueblo I’m certain one of our destroyers would have been sent in. That rumor floated for a few days until other, more suitable, ships arrived in the area. I would suggest anyone interested should contact the USS Yorktown Association and ask for a copy of Captain Bennett’s article which appeared in the association’s newsletter about two years ago. Captain Bennett provided a very factual report of the Yorktown’s roll and indicated the world did not realize how close we came to World War Three. I’m not certain about WWIII, but the Captain would have been in a good position to know a lot that the crew did not. One could just imagine the communication that must have been going on between Washington and Moscow we will never be privy to. Was Russia involved? I tend to think so since their trawler arrived at the same time we did, followed shortly thereafter by their bombers. I assume they purposely waited until daylight to send their bombers so they couldn’t be accused of provoking a greater incident and possibly war. They moved the Yorktown CIC lookouts to the 011 level where we peered out two inch Plexiglas slits; hell we could barely make out the “10” painted on the front of the flight deck using binoculars! It snowed and sleeted for days and all the guys on the flight deck were continually chipping ice off the deck----we had planes in the air most of the time (weather be damned) and in its wisdom I remember the Navy had those poor SOB pilots had to do “touch and goes” one night; another lookout and myself were making bets as to which plane would come closest to sliding off the icy flight deck after it hooked the arresting gear. I know, morbid as hell but back then when you had to stand outside in worn-out foul weather gear in temperatures well below zero and 30+ mph wind you needed something to keep your mind occupied……I can’t imagine what life was like for the Airedales down on the flight deck or the pilots and their crews. Closing comments: I often wonder if I had met Ronald Berens before the capture; he is originally from Russell, KS just 24 miles from my hometown and one night before I joined the Navy I met a guy from Russell who was on leave. The Sea of Japan has to be one of the coldest places on earth from January to March (the time the Yorktown was there); I have no idea how you gentlemen survived that climate while in captivity much less the beatings and torture you endured. I also know its no great comfort to you now or then, and it makes no difference which ship arrived on the scene first, but know this…..I believe every sailor in the Sea of Japan (and elsewhere) was ready to do whatever it took to get you back. My hat is off to you guys.

Hand Salute! Chuck Yunker

PS: The Yorktown’s deck logs for that period have recently been declassified and I plan to get a copy which will provide some limited information; if you are interested in viewing them let me know.

Date: Tue, 8 May 2007 12:50:26 -0400 }

I am a reporter on deadline with story about USS Pueblo and possible exchange of Korean flag. Would you please call me or send me your number so that we can talk today.

Regards, Earl Kelly, Reporter The Capital Newspaper Annapolis, MD

Date: Wed, 30 May 2007 12:40:16 -0400

I would like to know more about the communications efforts, and communications failures, of the Pueblo. On your site I saw the Pueblo tried to communicate with Japan -- and had problems with that communications. I was assigned to the Strategic Communications Relay Center in Nha Trang, Vietnam in early January 1968, as a 2nd Lt. night dury officer. I was sleeping alone downtown in a hotel that I was assigned to -- with one elderly South Vietnamese guard --- when the Tet offensive started on my street in Nha Trang in late January -- a day earlier than many cities because of a mix-up in the lunar calendar by the Viet Cong in my area. Almost all in my area were caught off-guard and killed. We had no warning about the planned enemy envasion, that I later learned intelligence did have information on. (CBS -60 Minutes -"The Uncounted Enemy") The next month I was assigned to day-duty and was given the responsibility for the communications center operations. Problems we uncovered included a lack of proper maintenance of the communications equipment, a lack of ordering needed spare parts, and a large number of messages each day being garbled by bad equipment resulting in many messages being thrown away. The lack of equipment maintenance resulted in the inability of the relay center to keep up with the incoming and outgoing messages. The result was many untransmitted messages at this site -- with some actually being thrown away due to the inability to keep up with the amount received -- and the inability to retransmit on the bad equipment. This was the result of negligance and incompetance on the part of the prior officer and non-commissioned officer in charge at this site. I was a replacement for the officer and I busted the non-commissioned officer. I asked the men assigned to volunteer to help me correct the problems -- or get out of the way and fill sandbags. One half the men chose to correct the problems and 1/2 chose to fill sandbags. In about 30 to 60 days, or so, I was able to use about 1/2 the men (most drafted with college degrees) assigned to this relay station to correct all the problems. That 1/2 was promoted upon completion of all corrections. The other 1/2 was assigned to fill sand bags and they got a sun-tan but were not promoted. I have always wondered if the Pueblo might have tried to send a message through Vietnam -- and perhaps through this Nha Trang Strategic Communications Relay Station -- before these problems were corrected. I was in the army, but the Strategic Communications Relay Center handled communications for all branches of the service. Subsequent to correcting the problems at this Nha Trang site I was assigned to an I.G. team and visited several other Vietnam communications sites in other cities -- of all service branches -- to advise them on how to correct similar communications problems at those sites. Please let me know what you might know about the Pueblo attempts to communicate -- and if the Pueblo attempted to communicate through any Vietnam Communications Relay centers. Phillip Scanlan

Date: Sat, 2 Jun 2007 19:00:25 -0700 (PDT)

Just a quick note - I was the young Yeoman assigned to assist the Officers of the USS Pueblo after their return to the US. Our office (five of us) were just off the barracks area of the crew at North Island. The other Navy Personnel worked with the crew members. It was an honor to briefly work with Captain Bucher and the crew. His office was through the door behind my desk and just down the stairs. It was difficult to completely put together the Officer's Shipboard Records because the North Koreans kept them. I was eventually honorably discharged from Pearl Harbor. It still bothers me that the ship is still in North Korea waters. Robert E. Clerisse YN3

Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:36:37 -0400

In response to your request for material on the Pueblo incident, our organization, the National Veteran’s Historical Archive, interviewed Larry Marshall on May 28, 2004 while he was still in Seymour, Indiana. Here is the link to his story on our website: http://www.angelfire.com/in4/nat_vet_hist_arch/imagefpPueblo.htm You may link to this or use it in any way you might find beneficial. I can also send you a DVD copy of the entire interview if you wish The NVHA is a small non-profit project dedicated to recording the life histories of our Veterans. These interviews are whole life histories including family and hometown history as well as the service years. They are first for the families and then for anyone interested in research of genealogy or service history. There is no charge to the Veteran for this service and we give them a DVD copy when we are finished. We normally do these interviews once per week within a two hour radius of our home base in Anderson, Indiana. Throughout the year my friend Hershel McCorkle and I save back to go on an extended trip for two weeks each summer. This year we are going through the New England states. Next year we will travel the Great Plains States from Oklahoma to North Dakota and back to Indiana through the connecting states. In 2009 we plan to do the Southwest and Pacific coast region. We would very much like to interview any USS Pueblo Veterans anywhere in the country, and would appreciate any help you would chose to give us in this regard.

With deepest appreciation for your service, Don Don McAllister National Veteran’s Historical Archive 618 Phillips Dr. Anderson, IN 46012 Website www.nvharchive.org

Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2007 12:49:09 -0400

Years and years ago, around the 1970 timeframe, I think it was Hallmark that presented a made for TV move entitled “The U.S.S. Pueblo”. I remember seeing it on TV and it was the true account of the trial of Commander Bucher and it showed flashbacks to the incarceration of the entire U.S.S. Pueblo crew and how they were beaten and tortured by their North Korean captors. Is this movie still available and can a person purchase it in DVD or VHS format? Where on the internet could I order this movie from? Please advise. Thank you! Have a fantastic day! John R. Blaesel

Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007 12:04:26 -0400

My name is Alyson Greenwood and I’m contacting you about a controversial and compelling new book called Scorpion Down: Sunk by the Soviets, Buried by the Pentagon: The Untold Story of the USS Scorpion by Ed Offley (Basic Books, 2007). The sinking of the submarine, the U.S.S. Scorpion and its crew of 99 men on May 22, 1968, was an act of war. In this major work of historical reporting, Ed Offley reveals that the sinking of the U.S.S. Scorpion has never been a mystery, but rather a secret buried by the U.S. government in a frantic attempt to keep the Cold War from turning into a hot war. The Soviets had torpedoed the Scorpion in reprisal for the destruction of the Soviet missile sub K-129, which the Americans had sunk in the Pacific just ten weeks earlier. But why does the U.S. Navy continue to hide the real story of what happened on that fateful day in 1968? In Scorpion Down, military reporter Ed Offley tells the true story of the U.S.S. Scorpion for the first time and conclusively demonstrates that the Navy’s official account of the Scorpion incident - from the frantic open-ocean hunt for the wreckage to a court of inquiry’s final conclusions - is nothing more than a well constructed cover-up. I would like to send you a complimentary copy so you may consider recommending this title to the visitors of your website. For more information, please visit: http://www.scorpiondown.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you, Alyson Greenwood

Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2007 11:20:40 -0500

I was only 12 when it happened and I can’t remember the crew member’s name. He was a young kid out of H.S. and I remember when he visited our school, E.B. Jones, after he returned home. I would like to correspond with him if you can provide an email address. I grew up near the Smelter; where we all went to school. When I hear the TJ Brass and ‘The Lonely Bull’ I am always reminded of the plight of the Pueblo.

Thank you for your consideration, David O. Garcia Hampton, VA P.S. I have a family member by marriage who was on the Liberty.

Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2007 13:08:02 -0400

I don’t know what information you might like, but I thought I would write to tell you that I was in Korea at the DMZ when you where captured. As a result of your capture and the many infiltrations during that period of time, I was extended by an additional 30 days in country. I can remember that time as if it were yesterday. I thought for sure we were going to get to come and get you guys out, but it never happened. For that I am very sorry. Vietnam was what interfered with that, in my opinion. Korea never was recognized. I served with the 1st Battalion 79th Field Artillery in the 7th Infantry Division. We were attached and in direct support of the 2nd Infantry Division. We were located right outside of two villages. One was named Paju-ri and the one that you guys most likely came through on your way home from the North was named Munsan-ni. If so, I am sure you went through or at least came very close to Paju-ri, as well. Munsan-ni was located right on the other side (south) of the Imjim River, right near the Liberty Bridge, which took you across to the northern side. I left Korea in March of 1968 (almost extended), several months before you guys got released. If you care to know anything else that I may still remember, feel free to email me. I would like to know how the health of all you guys are since Korea. I know mine has been getting worse. I also want to wish you guys the very best and welcome you home to a country that sure did not show you guys the respect that you deserve.

God Bless you all! Mike Milo

Date: Fri, 22 Jun 2007 22:14:28 -0500

I don't really have much to offer. But I thought I might mention what I did see. I was the registered publication custodian at Bremerton Naval Shipyard when the Pueblo and Palm Beach were being outfitted. I met with and supplied some of the crew members with the publications and equipment they needed for their elint work. I was on duty when the incident started. I read the flash messages as they came across my desk. I was truly shocked at this outcome. In a few days I began burning all the publications we had that had been compromised by the capture of the Pueblo. Michael

Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2007 13:38:35 -0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)

Thank you for putting together such a wonderful site about the incident concerning the Pueblo. My father was on board one of the other ships and in radio contact with the Pueblo. The incident upset him so much because he could not help, they were told to keep silent. He doesn't talk much about it other than to share bits and pieces of it with me. He cries when he tells how they could see that the Pueblo was going to be attacked or boarded and then that they could hear them being attacked and boarded. The cries of the captured soldiers still haunt my father. He did not re-sign with the Navy when his time was up because he felt the Navy failed the Pueblo. He would show me articles and magazines he still has in a trunk of the incident. He told me all about the "Hawaiian Good Luck Sign" and showed me the photos of them doing that. It's hard to get my dad talking about this, I am the only one he has ever shared this with, not even with my mom. I am a Army National Guard Wife and very into military history and was thrilled to come across your site to learn more, I hope to be able to find several of the books that were published. I know it is almost 40 years later and I am only 31 but my heart goes out to ALL the men involved. God Bless ALL of you! Sincerely Yours, Kathy Laprade My husband and myself SSG Leon D. Laprade & Mary Kathryn Laprade!

Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2007 02:09:45 -0700

I met a gentleman names Tony Lamantia, probably in 1974 in San Diego, while working for Beneficial Finance , he had been transferred from somewhere back east..Jersey, Md, not sure..we became good friends, I later divorced and moved away and lost touch..but I have tried to locate him in the past...I remember walking past a book store with him once on Broadway in San Diego, and he pulled an old magazine to show me that he was on the USS Pueblo...He was a great friend, and I would like to see if someone has his email address...My Name is Joe Toscano and live in San Diego...thanks joe

Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2007 17:11:00 -0400

I have some pictures of the USS Pueblo that were taken in North Korea. I don't know who took them or who they might belong to. If you would like I can e-mail them to you, I don't like to send attachments to e-mail without permission.

Regards, George MacLauchlan, ex Navy ET1-SS (submarines)