Below are a few details regarding Thanksgivings aboard the USS Calvert, from 1942 through 1966. A newspaper article from 1961 provides details on the Thanksgiving meal served aboard ship while she was undergoing an overhaul in Seattle, WA.
Please share a comment below if you have any Thanksgiving memories or additional details you are able to share from your time aboard the USS Calvert.
| Year | The location of the USS Calvert at each Thanksgiving, and related notes: |
| 1942 | Norfolk, VA. The Calvert and crew had returned to Norfolk two days earlier after completing the voyage home from participating in the invasion of North Africa, Operation Torch. |
| 1943 | At sea, the South Pacific, steaming to Pearl Harbor, following participation in the invasion of Makin Island (Gilberts) a few days earlier. “Crossed the International Date Line and had two Thanksgivings. We were fed well for the first one, but not for the second one.” – Lawrence D. Copeland, Calversion, Vol42, p3 |
| 1944 | At sea, the South Pacific, steaming from Leyte island, the Philippines, to Borgan Bay, Cape Gloucester, New Britain, Papua New Guinea. The Calvert and crew had recently completed combat landings at Leyte. |
| 1945 | San Francisco, CA. The Calvert had recently returned to the West Cost of the United States following participation in the initial stages of the Occupation of Japan. |
| 1946 | Norfolk, VA. The Calvert was undergoing preparation for decommissioning and readiness for placement in the reserve fleet. |
| 1950 | Norfolk, VA. The Calvert and crew spent the fall of 1950 in the Norfolk and Chesapeake Bay area preparing for deployment to the Pacific in support of the Korean conflict. |
| 1951 | San Diego, CA. Preparing for deployment to the Korean theatre for combat operations. |
| 1952 | Sasebo, Japan. Preparing for departure for Inchon, Korea for amphibious training exercises. |
| 1953 | Pier 64, San Francisco. Undergoing overhaul by the Triple “A” Machine Works. |
| 1954 | San Diego, CA. Having recently returned from participating in The Passage To Freedom in Vietnam. The Calvert made a first stop in San Francisco and had returned to San Diego by November 21. |
| 1955 | San Diego, CA. Having recently completed amphibious training exercises with Marines at Camp Pendleton, CA. |
| 1956 | Yokosuka, Japan. |
| 1957 | San Diego, CA. Having recently completed amphibious training exercises with Marines at Camp Pendleton, CA. |
| 1958 | At sea. Underway from Yokosuka, Japan to San Diego, CA. Returning from the ’58 Far East Cruise. |
| 1959 | San Diego, CA. Having recently completed amphibious training exercises at Coronado Roads, near San Diego. November 26: “Moored port side to pier 3, berth 32, US Naval Station, San Diego. The engineering plant is in cold iron status.” USS Calvert’s deck log book, National Archives online. |
| 1960 | At sea. Underway from San Diego to Pearl Harbor for the Calvert’s Far East Cruise. |
| 1961 | Todd Shipyard, Seattle, Washington for overhaul. Roast Turkey For 300 On Transport. Seattle Daily Times. Thursday, November 23, 1961. Seattle, WA. p16 by Don D. Wright “Put down that carving knife, Mother, there IS cause for thanksgiving today. Just be thankful you did not have to prepare: Three-hundred pounds of turkey, 140 pounds of ham, 100 pounds of Irish potatoes, 60 gallons of turkey-noodle soup, 120 pounds of celery, 75 pounds of candied yams, 60 pounds of lettuce, 40 pounds of corn, 40 pounds of peas, 30 pounds of shrimp cocktail, and 50 pies. That is only part of the victuals on the Thanksgiving Day menu aboard the Navy attack Transport Calvert berthed at the Todd Shipyards on Harbor Island. Trained to be able to make decisions instantly, the Calvert’s crew of 300 had to make several important choices today: Fruit cocktail or sea food. Turkey or ham. Potatoes or yams. Peas or corn. Pickles or olives (if olives, green or ripe). Pumpkin pie or mincemeat pie. Candy or nuts. Overseeing the dinner preparations was Thomas A. Sheldon, chief commissaryman, of San Diego, the Calvert’s home port. The transport is being overhauled here. The crew is not too unhappy about being in Seattle for hte holiday. Last year the transport was in Okinawa for both Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. With a little bit of luck the men will spend this Christmas in their home port. The ranking officer aboard the Calvert for Thanksgiving Day is Comdr. Arthur Major, executive officer, Capt. J. N. Renfro, is on leave.” |
| 1962 | At sea. Underway from Buckner Bay, Okinawa to San Diego for completion of the Calvert’s 1962 Far East Cruise. |
| 1963 | San Diego, CA. |
| 1964 | San Diego, CA. |
| 1965 | At sea. Underway from DaNang, Vietnam to Subic Bay, Island of Luzon, Philippines. “The Calvert and crew earned the Vietnam Service Medal for the period November 23rd to 26th for participation in Vietnam Defense support activities.” Navsource online: http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/03/03032.htm |
| 1966 to 1976 | Oakland Naval Supply Center, CA. |
Hi Chris, Just wanted to wish you & your family a very Happy & SAFE Thanksgiving
Paul Foott
Thank you Paul! Wishing you and your family the same.