Bob Buehn – Fence-Line Diplomacy
Bob Buehn served at Guantanamo Bay from 2000 to 2003, characterizing it as a historic and beautiful location where he felt like a small-town mayor. The base primarily focused on operational continuity and had a civilian-heavy population. Following 9/11, it rapidly transformed into a detention facility for 300 individuals. Buehn cultivated a strong working relationship […]
Aaron “Gary” Newman – “Welcome to the Hachi Hachi Roku”
Gary Newman remembers the young sailors he encountered when he first arrived in Japan and checked on board the Orleck. Many spoke Japanese and were very ingrained in the local culture.
Edward M. Burns – Unfriendly Fire
Edward M. Burns remembers his time as the naval gunfire support coordinator on the Orleck and recounts an incident of friendly fire.
Serge Alexander Chernay – From Russian with Love
Serge Alexander Chernay was born in Lithuania in 1938 and immigrated to the United States in 1948 to escape communism. His brother was an aviation fan, and Chernay himself became a pilot in the US Air Force. He recounts his pilot training and his first assignment flying B-52s. In Vietnam, he flew as a forward […]
Serge Alexander Chernay – Above and Beyond
Serge Alexander Chernay recounts the time he and his fellow pilots helped build a new village for lepers in Vietnam and reflects on the experience as an important act of kindness during a brutal war.
Gene Haukoos – They Called Me “Doc”
Gene Haukoos describes his time as a junior hospital corpsman aboard the Orleck.
Rick Butler – The Navy “Snipe”
Rick Butler, a former machinist mate on the Orleck, explains where the term “Snipes” comes from.
Bruce Alford – Navy Coffee Crunch
Bruce Alford recounts how sailors from the boiler room used to take extra coffee during underway replenishments, leading to a shortage of coffee on the rest of the ship
Larry McConnell – Guns & Goodbyes
Retired Captain Larry McConnell recalls his time as a gunnery officer on the Orleck in Yokosuka, Japan.