James Danko went aboard the Calvert right out of boot camp in October of 1960, joining the 3rd Deck Division. He participated in WEST-PAC shortly after for a 9 month tour. When James left the Calvert in 1962 he went to A School to become a Sonar Tech.
Captain Strong was CO of the Calvert for only a short time, early Sept ’44 to Oct 1st, 1944.
Here’s the start of a page dedicated to Captain Edward J. Sweeney.
Captain Sweeney was a well-liked officer aboard the Calvert well before he took command in August of 1943. He first came aboard the Calvert in late October ’42 when he and much of the Harry Lee’s crew were transferred to the Calvert when the Lee broke down just prior to steaming for North Africa. More information on Captain Sweeney’s Naval career was published by Russ Padden at the USS Neshoba web site.
Here are my grandfather’s fond memories of Captain Sweeney:
More to be added soon.
My wife, youngest son, and I were excited to attend the 2014 USS Calvert Associates reunion, held this year in Dallas-Ft. Worth from October 1st to October 4th. Saretta Rowland (wife of Gerald Rowland, ’51-’54) did a wonderful job organizing the reunion in her home town area.
The Dallas News, Irving Blog posted a brief article highlighting the Irving Mayor’s visit with the group on Thursday evening.
Here are photographs highlighting the events and attendees.
The welcoming sign at the Hilton Garden Inn DFW Airport South
Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne presenting dedication and Texas flag flown on July 4th 2014 to the USS Calvert Associates.
Texas State Flag Certificate Presented to the USS Calvert Associates
City of Irving Proclamation: Thursday, October 2, 2014 is USS Calvert (APA-32) Reunion Day
Day 1, Stop 1: Texas School Book Depository Building.
Day 1, Stop 1: Grassy Knoll, Texas School Book Depository Building (left).
Day 1, Stop 1: Grassy Knoll
Day 1, Stop 1: View from corner, 7th floor, Texas School Book Depository Building
Day 1, Lunch: Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse
Day 1, Lunch: Ready to chow down.
Day 1, Lunch: Tasty!
Day 1, Stop 2: George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Dallas
Day 1, Stop 2: George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Dallas
Day 1, Dinner: Candlelight dinner at the hotel tonight (cold-cut sandwiches) due to no power at the hotel tonight. An exact repeat of events from last year’s reunion in Des Moines, IA: The first full day of the reunion (Thursday), same approximate time (4pm).
Day 2, Ft. Worth Stockyards
Day 2, Ft. Worth Stockyards
Day 2, Lunch: Joe T Garcia’s Tex Mex
Day 2, Lunch: Joe T Garcia’s Tex Mex
Day 2, Lunch: Joe T Garcia’s Tex Mex
Day 2, Lunch: Joe T Garcia’s Tex Mex
Day 3, Dallas Cowboys / AT&T Stadium
Day 3, Dallas Cowboys / AT&T Stadium – Cheerleaders’ Locker Room
Day 3, Dallas Cowboys / AT&T Stadium – Cheerleaders’ Locker Room
Day 3, Memorial Service
Day 3, Memorial Service
Day 3, Memorial Service
Day 3, Memorial Service
Day 3, Memorial Service
Day 3, Memorial Service
Day 3, Banquet
Day 3, John Regan (left) and Bill “Hunky” Habrat (right) – WWII-era Calvert crew members and Veterans Challenge Coin recipients.
Day 3, ’50s and ’60s Veterans Challenge Coin recipients. I am pictured with these fine men, representing my grandfather (Sterling Funck, ’41-’45).
Challenge Coins presented to the USS Calvert Associates’ 2014 Reunion attendees by Saretta Rowland.
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