Author Archives: Chris Funck

USS Calvert historical details, mid-1966 to 1990

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After many years of delay, I have finally compiled details on the Calvert’s history following her decommissioning in late June of 1966. The information below is also available permanently at this page.

An eight-page document containing additional detailed research notes is available for download via the link/button here:

USS Calvert Historical Details – June 30, 1966 – 1990 – v2020.10.02Download

After decommissioning on June 30, 1966 at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, the Calvert was moved the Naval Supply Center, Oakland, Traffic Management School for use as a training hulk until 1976.

Supply Corps Takes Command of USS Calvert. Navy Supply Corps Newsletter. November, 1966. p27 Photographs and full article online at: https://books.google.com/books?id=xK14fJTDXB4C&pg=RA10-PA27&dq=%22uss+calvert%22&hl=en&ppis=_c&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjmnbu98cDnAhX1kHIEHaCvCToQ6AEwAnoECAMQAg#v=onepage&q=%22uss%20calvert%22&f=false

The ex-USS Calvert was sold to Levin Metals Corp (LMC), Richmand, CA on February 14, 1977 (contract # MA-8617) and physically delivered to LMC on March 11, 1977.

Source: Calversion-Vol-No-33-1995 – provided by Tom Glickman

In the summer of 1990 the Levin Metals Corp contacted John L. Cole for purposes of safely delivering the Calvert’s brass and wood name board, thus being saved from disposal.

USS Calvert name board – Saved
“It is now 1991 … Back in 1978 the Levin Metals Co. of Richmond, Ca. scrapped out the Calvert, they sent me parts of the ship. Last summer (1990) I received a call from them again. They wanted to know if I was interested in the ship’s nameboard that hung on either side of the bridge. I said I was interested and they said that they would ship it to me. Well it came, and I am happy. The board is seven feet long and nine inches high. The words U.S.S. Calvert APA 32, are made of brass and are six inches high. It seems that Levin kept these boards from all the ships that they scrapped and since someone had just bought them out, they wanted to clean house. Since I had been sending them a newsletter since day one, they thought I might want it. Levin, thank you very much.”
John L. Cole – Calversion V24, p1

The living history of the USS Calvert, and her crew, continues.

With the Calvert Marine Museum’s commitment to preserve and share the Calvert’s story, former crew members and their families willingness to keep the Calvert’s story alive, and this website, the Calvert will not soon be forgotten. She was a respected and capable ship, celebrated by her crew, and she continues to earn respect for those who learn of her and her crews’ story.

Identified! (help requested for these items, circa 1950-1954)

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I was having trouble identifying the purpose and behind the flag and linen item shown below. These are in the collection of Robert Hile, son of Robert B. Hile, BM3, 1950 – 1954. Full details on BM3 Hile’s time aboard the Calvert was previously published here.

Thank you for everyone’s help in identifying these artifacts!

Per W. Calvert, 2002-10-15: “WW2 era USN Ships Jack. Flown forward on the Bow. 48 stars flew from 1912 to 1953” From Robert B. Hile’s Navy and USS Calvert memorabilia collection.
Per W. Calvert, 2002-10-15: “This item is not a flag, it’s got no lanyard holes, is wrong shape for the size to be a flag or pennant. I’ve checked with navy buddies and searched the net. We believe it to be officer / chiefs mess table cloth. The blue pipping is too decorative for general mess based on experience.” From Robert B. Hile’s Navy and USS Calvert memorabilia collection.
Answered: “Not of The Line Vice Admiral Flag” and was likely used aboard BM3 Hile’s boat, and not the Calvert itself. Further explanation regarding Not of the Line for us non-Navy folks: “Those not eligible for command at sea include officers of the staff corps (medical, supply, chaplain, civil engineer, judge advocate general, dental, medical service, and nurse corps) as well as line officers restricted to engineering or special duties are not of the line officers. These flags are never flown aboard ship, but may be flown in boats and are used ashore to designate the headquarters of such entities.”

1965 Westpac & 1966 WestPac Video Footage

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Provided by the family of James Chernak, RM3/2 – 1964 -1966.

Running 22 minutes, here are some highlights:

Part 1: 1965 Westpac Cruise – February 5th to April 28th Including:

  • Yokosuka Japan
  • Calvert at Sea
  • USS Paul Revere, APA-248 and other ships at sea
  • Pearl Harbor
  • Rough Seas
  • High Wire Personnel Transfer from USS Paul Revere
  • Hawaii & Diamondhead from the sea
  • At Sea: Top-side church service, Top-side chow, choppy seas
  • Welcome home to San Diego!

Part 2: Westpac Cruise ’65 – ’66 – August 23rd, 1965 to February 26, 1966

  • Hong Kong (?) from sea
  • At sea:
    • At the 16 minute, 5 seconds to 15 seconds: Jorge de la Rossa (left), Skip Steedsman (middle), Jack Hancock (right), as the camera pans to the left and then back right.
    • Gunnery practice, flag & signal deck
  • Danang harbor

Photographs:

James is pictured here in the 1964 WestPac cruise book, second bottom row, left most picture.

Also from James’ daughter, Shelia, is this photograph. Possibly taken at the start or end of the ’65 or ’66 WestPac cruise:

Marcel Jacob, S1c – 1944 – ?

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Marcel Jacob, from Reserve Louisiana, enlisted in the Navy on June 22nd, 1943 and joined the crew of the Calvert on July 27th, 1944 as a Seaman 2nd class. He was promoted to Seaman 1st class on Oct 1st, 1944. At this time I am unable to find the muster roll record that indicates when he left the crew of the Calvert.