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USS Caron (DD 970) Crew List
The table below contains the names of sailors who served aboard the USS Caron (DD 970). Please keep in mind that this list does only include records of people who submitted their information for publication on this website. If you also served aboard and you remember one of the people below you can click on the name to send an email to the respective sailor. Would you like to have such a crew list on your website?
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There are 600 crew members registered for the USS Caron (DD 970).
Select the period (starting by the reporting year): precomm – 1977 | 1978 – 1980 | 1981 – 1982 | 1983 – 1984 | 1985 – 1986 | 1987 – 1988 | 1989 – 1990 | 1991 – 1992 | 1993 – 1995 | 1996 – 1998 | 1999 – now
| Name | Rank/Rate | Period | Division | Remarks/Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nichols, Chris | STG2 NOW STGC | 0000 – Oct 1, 1997 | CSA | FIRST SHIP, LEARNED THE HARD. WHAT DOES NOT KILL YOU MAKES YOU STRONGER. CAN-DO. |
| Swift, Clyde | PH3 | 1968 – Jul 28, 1968 | I graduated from High School with Wayne Caron, Middleboro, Ma 1966. He was one hell of a person. I am so proud to read your comments. If you knew the man you would be even more impressed. Wayne was a hero, he was my friend. | |
| Carlson, Bruce | GM3 | 1975 – 1980 | Weapons | Plankowner |
| Lancaster, Steve | GSCM (SW) RET | 1975 – 1981 | MP | I made Cheif on her on the first Med cruise in 79. Great ship, greater shipmates. |
| Pendley, Mike (Gunner) | GMG-2 | 1975 – 1979 | Weapons | The crew made the Caron the best in the Navy. I was proud to have had the opportunity to serve aboard this fine ship. It was a great feeling to shift colors and get underway. Man was she fast and quite well-armed. |
| Goss, Stephen | FTG2 | Feb 1, 1975 – Sep 8, 1980 | Fox | Still proudly working for the US Navy |
Klimzak, KeIIth  | GSE3 | Mar 1, 1975 – Aug 19, 1979 | E | Plank owner...... Had a great time with some great people on a great ship. |
| Hayden, Michael | STG-1 | Aug 1975 – Sep 1981 | 2nd | PLANKOWNER Best ship in the Navy. Lots of good people and some of the biggest assholes I have ever met. |
| Galway, Kirk Howard/Debra | GSM-2 | 1976 – Jun 1979 | Engineering | SHe was alot of work, but alot of fun. I'll never forget the long hours tracing and learning systems for commissioning and the things learned in the main engineering spaces. |
| Spiegel, Charlie | STG-2 | 1976 – 1980 | CA | PLANKOWNER An excellant ship an crew. We had some great times and hard times too. I still support the Navy in the USWCS arena. |
| Klahn, William (Clint) | operations specialist third class | 1976 – 1979 | operations | I often think about my old crew mates. We had some great times. |
| Teebo, Norman | HTI | 1976 – 1979 | R DIV | |
| Shearon, Kevin | OS2 | 1976 – 1978 | Operations | |
| Pritchard, Jim | PN3 | Mar 1976 – Feb 28, 1978 | Ships Office Navigation | I was the first Person to report aboard the The Pre-com Unit and I interviewed Wayne Caron's Wife Loraine for our Ship's Newspaper "The Remedy". Every new Member reported to me when coming aboard. I am a PLANK OWNER. |
| Hayes, Tony | OS2 | Apr 1976 – Sep 1979 | OI | Great experience on Caron. I was a 17 year old did when I was assigned to the pre-commissioning crew and a 21 year old man when I left her on her first Med Cruise. Some of my best memories were those years. |
| Takala, Alan "tack" | OS2 - OSC | Apr 1976 – 1983 | OI | |
| Zipfel, Thomas | IC3 | Apr 15, 1976 – Jan 25, 1980 | E | Plankowner zipfelt@yahoo.com |
| Connor, Mark | SM3 | May 1976 – Feb 1980 | OC | Plankowner. |
| Baumgarner, Frank | GSE1 | May 1976 – Jan 1980 | E/MP | Plankowner. Outstanding ship and shipmates! |
| Oppenhuizen, Ron "Oppie" | GSM2 | Jun 1976 – Jan 1980 | Engineering | I was part of the pre-com crew and a plankowner and served aboard the Caron from her commission in 1976,until 1980.I worked in MER#2. Worked with a bunch of "wild and crazy guys !!!!" We all worked hard and played hard ! |
| Walton, Robert E. | GMT1 | Jun 1976 – Mar 1981 | CA | Plankowner. Good ship,Good crew. We could do anything. The best ship of my 27 year Naval career. I would gladly trade my eagles to do it again. |
| Gibbs, Fred | SM1-SMC RETIRED | Jun 1976 – Feb 1978 | OI | Great ship and great crew. Was asst CMAA and leading SM. Reenlisted and went ashore to Navy Recruiting. Retired in 1988. |
| Leach, Rick | GMCM | Jun 1976 – | I was on her when they comissioned her. | |
| Walton, Robert E | GMT1 | Jun 1976 – Mar 1981 | CA | Plank Owner. Sad to watch the video of "Can Do" Caron sinking. Fine ship. She was "Clean, Mean and Regular Navy". |
| Padulchick, Marcus | OS3 | Jun 1, 1976 – Nov 19, 1978 | Ops | I was part of the pre commissioning crew and was a plank owner. I served on board as an Operations Specialist. Great Ship, fantastic crew. Sad to see her go |
| Martel, Ronald | YN1 | Jun 14, 1976 – Jul 18, 1977 | Nav | My 2nd precom but by far the best |
| Pattengale, David | DS 2 | Jun 15, 1976 – Mar 1, 1979 | Plank owner | |
| Fite, Russell (Fido) | EN3 | Sep 1976 – Mar 1980 | A-Gang | Plankowner - one of the old heads |
| Krueger, Bernie | EN2 | Sep 7, 1976 – Nov 12, 1979 | A Gang | Had to re-register since changing email address. Best Spruance Class in the fleet! Crew kept me laughing every moment. Shared the fun and sweated the tough times and long hours. Visted the ship when in port several times and my kids were impressed. |
| Bratton, Stephen | SK3 | Sep 11, 1976 – Oct 13, 1978 | Supply | |
| Salinas, Pedro | GMG2 | Sep 19, 1976 – Sep 19, 1979 | WEAPONS | PLANKOWNER |
| Anderson, Kenny | SN | Sep 22, 1976 – Sep 23, 1979 | Deck 1st | Plankowner |
| Incze, Daniel (Alias "Z") | DS2 | Oct 30, 1976 – Sep 25, 1978 | OPS | I don't remember the exact date of reporting, but it was before commissioning. I remember her dearly. Would enjoy reunions with plankowners, especially those I worked with. |
| Henderson, Danny/taz | ENFN | Nov 1976 – 1978 | Engineering Department | Hey Lancaster, glad you are still around; you were a good teacher, and I am proud to have served with you. Say hi to Thome. The USS Caron DD-970 was my favorite ship to have served on..MER 1- Taz |
| Bratton, Stephen (Steve) | SK3 | Nov 8, 1976 – Oct 10, 1978 | Supply | Original Plank Owner and Commissioned the Caron. I feel proud to have served on such a fine vessel. Was sorry to see her go. |
| Ward, Robert | BM3 | Dec 29, 1976 – Aug 15, 1980 | Deck Department | I had an experience of a lifetime during my 4 years assigned to the ship. |
| Lairson, Robert [pedro] | HT3 | Jan 1977 – Aug 1980 | Plankowner Had great time on the Caron with alot of good friends sad to see her gone. | |
| Benton, Andrew "Drew" | GMG3 | Jan 2, 1977 – Sep 16, 1980 | weapon's | Plankowner |
| Burns, Charles | E-3 | Jan 3, 1977 – Aug 24, 1979 | A-Gang | Plankowner ... Left her in the med. Still making water . |
| Krueger, Bernie | EN2 | Jan 5, 1977 – Nov 12, 1979 | A Gang | Plankowner A-Gang, Cool quarters, hot showers, and kept the toilets flushing....most of the time. |
| Dufrene, Dick | TMSN/ TMC RET | Jan 7, 1977 – Jun 1, 1978 | Weapons | Plankowner, Went on board back in 1998 before I retired almost looked the same. |
| Gerdes, William (Bill) | BM 3rd class | Jan 10, 1977 – Mar 10, 1981 | Boswain Mate | drove captians boat plank owner |
| Berg, Larry | E3 | Jan 15, 1977 – Feb 8, 1978 | E DIV | Not onboard all that long but am Plankowner. Commissioned her in Pascagoula and transferred about a year later. |
| Sanders, Colbert | Feb 1977 – Feb 1980 | My Father | Hello Sirs, Im the son of BM1 Colbert Sanders, my father served with you and was a plank owner. He was killed this Mem Day 5/26/08. If any of you have any memories or photos email me @ deioslux@yahoo.com. Service will be held 6/2/08 thank u | |
| Bowerman, David | FTG1 | Mar 1977 – Sep 1979 | Fox | My first tour with her as a Plankowner. Return 1982 thru 1984 as FTGC. Retired 1991 and live in Orlando. |
| Vasquez, John | FTG1 | Mar 1977 – Jan 1979 | Fox | Plankowner |
| Shinn, Randy | SN | Mar 1977 – Dec 1980 | WEP/DECK | Yep Can Do Caron one of four ships that I was on and also the BEST! Hey SMITTY Remember me? Had some great times at some nice Beaches with SWISH, Brad, and of course Murray. SORRY to see her get Retired! rshinn01@hotmail.com |
| Franklin, Floyd | Mar 1, 1977 – Mar 1, 1982 | OE | Plankowner Made Chief aboard her First Med cruise with Classic outboard North Atlantic cruise was exhausting Sad that so many of our sister ships have joined Caron at Bottom | |
| Brown, James | E2 | Mar 1, 1977 – Oct 15, 1979 | #2 engine room | Plank owner. Beautiful Ship, Very Fast Ship and new equipment for the times. A lot of great people. Spent a lot of time doing sea trials Enjoyed the first Med Cruse and first American ship to enter the black sea. |
| Lester, John | BM3 | Mar 3, 1977 – Sep 3, 1980 | First divsion | I had a lot of good times and met a iot of good people |
| Emery, Richard | HTC | Apr 5, 1977 – Mar 28, 1979 | R- | PLANKOWNER The Best of the fleet in her days. Great ship. Had some real good Spruance Class PreCom training. Great crew. Retired off her in 1979 |
| Zimmerman, Chuck | OS2 | Apr 23, 1977 – Sep 15, 1979 | Operations-CIC | Plankowner-was there for the decommissioning Oct 2001; sad day. Greatest crew; after 6 years in the Navy, I spent 6 years in the Army-just isn't the same. The sea gets into your blood. Tony Hayes, Paddlefoot, Buck Wilkinson, Bobby Burkhardt, Eddie |
| Carney, Frank | GSM2 | Jun 1977 – Sep 1981 | MP MER2 | Plank owner on the Caron,worked in MER2 with oppie , Sasser, Herman, Kenny Sperlock and the rest of the guys, great ship, great crew, |
| McAdams, Tom | ET3 | Jun 1977 – Jun 9, 1980 | OE | Great times and friends! Miss you all! |
| Lay, Michael | OS1 | Aug 1, 1977 – Feb 1, 1982 | OPS | The best duty I ever had while serving in the Navy |
| Smith, Terry | BM3 /GSEE | Aug 29, 1977 – Jul 2, 1982 | Desk / E | Plankowner, started in E div and finished in deck. Retired from USN in 2001, BMCS. Best ship and crew in my 25 yrs. Check out YAHOO groups for more shipmate info. Later, Smitty |
| Mapes, Glen | QM2 | Sep 1977 – Dec 1980 | Navigation | |
| Volpone, Stephen (Pony) | ET5 | Sep 11, 1977 – Jan 25, 1980 | Operations | Joined just before commissioning. Great crew, great friends, great adventures. |
| Pittinger, Rick | FTGC | Oct 1977 – Apr 1980 | FOX | I came aboard just after the ship was commissioned. The times were very good on the Caron. It was an honor to be on a ship named after an enlisted man and the ultimate sacrifice he made. |
| Michael, Tim ("radiomichael's) | RM2 | Oct 1977 – Oct 1980 | ops | Plankowner. Would like to hear from other ops personel. Great ship, sorry to hear of her demise |
| Summerall, Garland | ENC | Oct 1, 1977 – Nov 28, 1977 | X | Was on precom for over a year. I was the first 3m coordinator. A great ship and crew. Glad to be a plankowner and a TINCAN sailor. |
| Kite, Mitchell (Mike) | GSCS | Oct 1, 1977 – | I was part of the commissioning crew of the USS Caron. | |
| Michael, Tim ("radiomichael's) | RM5 | Oct 1, 1977 – Oct 22, 1980 | Ops | Plank owner..saw half the world with her. 2 Black Sea, 1 med, 2 north atlantic, many caribbean. Was very sorry to see her final moments |
| McQueen, Robert | EN-3 | Oct 15, 1977 – Sep 1, 1980 | A-Gang | A new ship when I arrived and still cruizing when I left. Enjoyed memorable moments with many from engineering and others. Still working for the Navy, but as a civilian. Love to hear from fellow mates if you have the time. |
| Sanders, Colbert C. | BM 1 | Oct 17, 1977 – Aug 1, 1981 | 1 st | Commisioned with the ship and plank owner, 1st division with chief Watts and with damagge control. Was killed on memorial day of 08. Looking to do a memorial book on the ship, contact me if your interested. |
| McDonald, John "mac" | DD970 | Oct 25, 1977 – Aug 10, 1981 | Navgation and First | Met her just before sea trails, spent alot of the first months in the cleanest AFT Steering I ever saw. Still keep in touch with a couple of the plankowners. And enjoyed layin alot of tracks on her, God speed to all her crewsmembers. |
| Townsend, Terry | GSM3 | Nov 1977 – Feb 1980 | MP MER#2 | Worked with a bunch of great guys and still talk to some from time to time. E-Mail me |
| Edenfield, Wilton | SR. CHIEF | Nov 1977 – Jun 1979 | G | |
| Phillips, Rich (Flip) | GSM 2 | Dec 1977 – Jun 1982 | Main Propulsion | HAZE GREY ....and underway! Served in both enginerooms MAIN 1 and MAIN 2. Strong , powerful and FAST. Jaws dropped in shock when we pulled away from UNREP @ Flank 3 speed... CO always did like to show off.Was FUEL KING! |
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Select the period (starting by the reporting year): precomm – 1977 | 1978 – 1980 | 1981 – 1982 | 1983 – 1984 | 1985 – 1986 | 1987 – 1988 | 1989 – 1990 | 1991 – 1992 | 1993 – 1995 | 1996 – 1998 | 1999 – now
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Reunions
There are currently no planned reunions.