USS Fort Fisher (LSD 40)

USS Fort Fisher (LSD 40)

Many, many years ago I was stationed on this ship for a couple of months between "real" assignments. It's since been decommissioned so hey guys, you might have shaved with it this morning. Just kidding. But I do wonder how many razor blades you could make out of the thing. Anyway, we would play war games, sending the Marines off the back of this thing and onto the beach in mock landings. That seemed dangerous enough to me, even in the calm Pacific Ocean off the coast of Hawaii with nobody shooting at you. D-Day I couldn't imagine.

Comments

[J HUMISTON]

I commissioned the Fort Fizzel in Quincy '72 . I looked you up in my '74 Westpac cruise book . uhuh nothing there either . When & where did you come on ?

Jim H
Keizer, Or.

[Tom McMahon]

I was only there from April 73 to August 73, waiting to going into Nuclear Power School. just long enough to go on some drills with the Marines, and of course the Midshipman Cruise of 73.

So you're a Plank Owner, eh? It's been a while since I had any reason to use that term!

[Scott Koppenhofer]

I served on the super gator from 89' to 93'. Was in the tail end of Desert Storm on her.

[Scott Koppenhofer]

Oh by the way, the photo on this page was taken from Fleet Week in Frisco in I believe 1991. I was on board during this photo. Starboard side of the frocastle.

[karindunn]

hello,i was on the mckee for six months from 88-89 im trying to locate a guy by the name of michael cox he was on fort fisher sometime in 89 i cant remember what state he was from but we became really good friends i would love to hear whats becaome of his life.Do you think you can help me?

[A J Waters]

Hello,
I served on the Fort Fisher from Jan. 74 until Aug. 77. Worked in the forward fire room and was also Oil King.

[Herb Hoskins]

I to am a plank owner on the Fort but I never got a chance to go out to sea on her I got real sick when I came home for Christmas leave and ended up in Fort Monmouth army hospital for 21/2 months.

[HART]

ANY ONE REMEMBER CPT GAMBOA? (76'-79')

[Craig Phillips]

I was one of those crazy midshipman, that was on the summer cruise of '73. Loved those Sunday smokers in the well.

[Randy Cleghorn]

I remember Capt Frank Gamboa. I was on the Fort
from 77-81. She will be hauled out to sea for a sinkex
on April 28th coming up. The Fort will become an artificial
reef and I don't want to watch.

[Frank Patano]

I came on board in San Pedro in May '77 and stayed on till Sept. 79.

Who doesn't remember Gamboa. He "volunteered" us to back on West-Pac six months after our previous cruise because the other LSD blew a screw or something. As I recall, he was a Political Science Major.

Hey Randy!!! How are you doing? Any of you "plank owners" remember Dave Creswell (GMG) or Jim Hutchins (PN or YN)?

[Rusty Hopp]

The "FORT" was my first ship. Met the ship in Subic in FEB 76 and stayed onboard until FEB 80. Had a lot of Ups and Downs, but I only have fond memories of the people and events. This past OCT (2005) I finally retired from the Navy. Currently residing in rural Virginia and working the Dahlgren/Fredericksburg area.

Yes, I remember J. Frank Gamboa. A little history on him, his room mate at the USNA was a Man named John S. McCain ... interesting.

To all my brothers, thanks for the good times and the support ...

[Jerry Souza]

The USS Fort Fisher (LSD 40) was moored yesterday in Richmond, Ca to implement it's next voyage as a Navy Target ship. It will probably be at the Permanente Shipyard #3 for about four to six weeks.

Jerry Souza
SS Red Oak Victory(Ex-USS Red Oak Victory AK-235)
Yard #3, Richmond, Ca

[Bob Last]

Anyone know what ever happened to QM1/QMC Chapman? (servered aboard the Fort in the 1975-1976 timeframe). -- former QM2 Bob Last

[Rusty Hopp]

Was stationed on the Good Ship FORT FISHER from FEB76 to FEB80 ... Had 3 CO's and really loved the duty. It was my first tour in a 30 years Navy Career, yes I was a true lifer. 23.5 years at sea, I finished on OCT 1, 2005 ... the Navy was very good to me ... Cheers to my Brothers in Arms.

[Kyle Terran]

I remember Captain Gamboa like Randy and Rusty do. I was on board the Fort from about late 1978 through 1983. I was an IC-2 up in the IC shop. We were, I believe, suppose to go to Australia on that West Pac and Gamboa "Volunteered" us to take the Northern route so he could kiss butt and make Bird. It was either him or the next Captain. All I know is it was my second West Pac and I was looking forward to seeing Australia and never got to. If any of you remember me, drop me a line. I have been trying to find Dave Macias who was in the shop with me, but no luck so far. Cheers, Kyle Terran

[Michael Smith]

I was on the commissioning crew.

[BTFN BOBBY HILL]

A J Waters..Is that you scooter ? Do you ever hear from sloan,newcomb,jon,hutch,wimberly?

[Dave]

Interesting to hear the talk about Gamboa, especially since he's now being featured in a McCain ad for president...
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/07/new_mccain_swing_state_ad_atta.php#more

[Bill Effan]

FF was my first ship. I was there Nov. 72-Apr. 76. Is my sewing machine still onboard?

[btfn mark harris]

i was aboard fort fish from 89to92 btfn mark harris were is bt1 keith blunt or mm3 ron eldgride

[Ed Chesney MR-1 (usn-ret)]

I was on the fort from 77-79,I left in march just before westpac,to retire.I was LPO for "a" gang,under chief McCloud MMCS,and ran the machine shop.Iwas on the MMA Force for over a year,with HT-1 FORD,IC-1 Darnell,uncle dick HONDRICK RM-1,just to name a few of my old shipmates.

Yes I remember Capt.Gamboa,I was on the fligtdeck the day he gave his speach to the crew just before wespac77-78,when we didn't pass reftray,and also when he painted the dot on the hull when we passed it in Pearl harbor,and carried it all through wes pac that year LSD 4.0,How many old shipmates can remember that?

[Scott Koppenhofer]

It still has not been sunk. My wife went back to Martinez, CA. and saw it mooring in the ship graveyard. Just waiting to be used for something.

[dennis]

The ship left for the breakers the other day... However the tug broke down outside SFO bay and the ship is being towed back in as I type. She should be at Pier 96 over the weekend and then off to the breakers in TX again next week. So we will be shaving with her by the end of the year..

[Richard Arnold]

Anybody know who would like to own the welcome matt from the Fort Fisher? Somehow the volunteer crew aboard the Red Oak Victory Ship, Richmond, Calif. is in possession of the 5'x7' link-belt construction welcome matt with ship's emblem and Supergator nickname. We would like to see that it gets to a better home than our dumpster or Ebay. But I can't find an organization of FF veterans to donate it to. Any suggestions would be welcome. It weighs probably 60-70 lbs and just needs a cleaning.