This page contains latest contributions from CVE-116 crew.
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Contributed by John Hagerman, May 31, 2006
"Very pleased to see a CVE116 site. I was in the S-1 div. the rate OD CS3. I still look through my 1950 cruise book. That was the year that we had a midshipmen group aboard heading to Hawaii and we had to turn around and go back to California and off-load the midshipmen and load up a air group of F4U's and head to Japan, and then to the Yellow Sea of Korea.
I have a scanner and if any one would like pictures out of the 1950 cruise book, I will send them.
My e-mail add. is jwhagerman@aol.com
My home add. is
John Hagerman
406 Inwood Rd
Azle, Texas 76020
Ph No. 817-444-9054
Contributed by Doug Miller, June 01, 2006
"I was assigned to the Badoeng Strait from the spring of 1951 to Aug of 1953, did two tours in Japan & Korea. I've done some research & took a lot of snapshots while aboard the CVE 116. My GQ station was on the 36 inch carbon arc search lights mounted on the mast above the bridge, so I had a birds-eye view of all the action. I am forwarding a few of my snap shots, if you want more, I will e-mail them too.
> The of
Regards, Doug Miller
AKA: Bob Gardner, EM-3, "E" Division
Email secondgems2@aol.com
Photos submitted June, 2006:
F4u's being armed, F4U Go signal, F4U upside down
Fantail 40mm, rescue helicopters
Anti-sub aircraft for training exercises out of Yokosuka, Japan
F4U taken from GQ station at search lights on ship's mast
Contributed by Ben Colkitt, June 02, 2006
"I was Air Ops on the Bing Ding during the Korean War. We operated out of Sasabo Japan and operated in the Yellow Sea. I am sending this picture which I think(?) was taken during the Korean War time frame.
It is a thrill for me to contact anyone concerning my Naval career. I am 85 and on home hospice care but very much interested in things Naval. I was a Hellcat pilot in TaskForce 38 toward the end of WW2 and flew strikes over Japan. After my tour on Bing Ding and shore duty, I was a Panther pilot on a carrier off the east coast of Korea.
I got the ship picture while on the Bing Ding but I don't remember the details. I suspect I got it at the end of my tour on Bing Ding. The ship operated off the west coast of Korea in the Yellow Sea. There was a Marine F4U squadron on board that flew strikes against targets in North Korea.
Ben Colkitt
Email Flyboy6591@aol.com
This photo submitted June 2, 2006:
Contributed by Donald Gentry, June 05, 2006
"My name is Donald Gentry. I served on the Badoeng Strait from November of 1955 through December of 1956. I was a Teleman 2nd Class when I left the Navy after 4 years. I along with a First Class named Otis Long ran the Post Office during that time. During that time we participated in Operation Redwing in the South Pacific. I have been trying, unsuccessfully, to locate Otis. I do remember he was from Texas. If anyone sees this message and can help me locate him I would very much appreciate it.
During the time I served aboard the Bing Ding I'm sure most of the crew either brought mail to the post office, purchased stamps, ( 3 cents at that time), bought money orders, or came to pick up mail. It which case we came into contact with most of the crew. The post office was located on the mess deck. Food was great as I recall. The cooks took very good care of the post office employees. Especially before mail call.
I live in Harrisonburg, Virginia now. My E-mail address is DONALDG585@aol.com.
If anyone remembers me please contact me through E-mail or 2824 Inglewood Drive Harrisonburg, Va. 22801
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