2. The Crew

Gary Whitcutt, 37 years after serving aboard Albatross (1967-69)

2009-02-17T05:09:27Z

Albatross
Gary Whitcutt, 37 years after serving aboard Albatross (1967-69)

On the fantail at sea detail as Albatross approaches Hiroshima, Japan.

2009-02-17T04:54:52Z

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On the fantail at sea detail as Albatross approaches Hiroshima, Japan.

3 Northwest boys -- Bob Benson from Oregon, Ron Filger from Idaho and Gary Whitcutt from Washington -- on the quarterdeck before steaming to Okinawa for minesweeping exercises September 1968

2009-02-17T16:04:11Z

Albatross
3 Northwest boys -- Bob Benson from Oregon, Ron Filger from Idaho and Gary Whitcutt from Washington -- on the quarterdeck before steaming to Okinawa for minesweeping exercises September 1968

Our loyal mascot "Casrep" at Christmas 1968 -- the only female in our crew of 45. And, by far, the smartest dog I ever knew.

2009-02-17T16:06:07Z

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Our loyal mascot "Casrep" at Christmas 1968 -- the only female in our crew of 45. And, by far, the smartest dog I ever knew.

Standing on the faintail with our Operations Officer, Ensign Charles Birchmier in February 1968

2009-02-17T10:40:03Z

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Standing on the faintail with our Operations Officer, Ensign Charles Birchmier in February 1968

EMC Curtis Mitchell -- a real southern character with a great sense of humor

2009-02-17T16:06:30Z

Albatross
EMC Curtis Mitchell -- a real southern character with a great sense of humor

Newspaper article from home

2009-02-17T15:20:17Z

Albatross
Newspaper article from home

Ship's officers and about two thirds of the enlisted crewmen in September 1968

2009-02-17T16:06:05Z

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Ship's officers and about two thirds of the enlisted crewmen in September 1968

Ron Filger and Dale Fournier on the foc'sle at our moorage at India 9 in Sasebo

2009-02-17T16:04:19Z

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Ron Filger and Dale Fournier on the foc'sle at our moorage at India 9 in Sasebo

Ensign Dillon takes a bearing as we leave Vung Tau.

2009-06-15T08:10:45Z

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Ensign Dillon takes a bearing as we leave Vung Tau.

With Idahoan, Ron Filger

2009-02-17T10:34:42Z

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With Idahoan, Ron Filger

RM3 Dale Fournier of Wyoming.

2009-02-17T04:54:52Z

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RM3 Dale Fournier of Wyoming.

Writing a letter home in the mess deck

2009-06-10T20:27:18Z

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Writing a letter home in the mess deck

I spent a LOT of time in the wheelhouse

2009-06-15T02:00:45Z

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I spent a LOT of time in the wheelhouse

Our C.O., Lt. Edward Cole Jr., stands on the open bridge with Lookout Dale Fournier as Albatross leaves Kao Hsiung, Taiwan for Vietnam 1968.

2009-02-15T08:42:40Z

Albatross
Our C.O., Lt. Edward Cole Jr., stands on the open bridge with Lookout Dale Fournier as Albatross leaves Kao Hsiung, Taiwan for Vietnam 1968.

Gary Whitcutt at sea detail as Albatross enters Sasebo.

2009-02-15T08:42:00Z

Albatross
Gary Whitcutt at sea detail as Albatross enters Sasebo.

EM2 Clifford Boyd and QM2 Gary Bloomquist discuss our refit in July 1969.

2009-02-15T08:43:23Z

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EM2 Clifford Boyd and QM2 Gary Bloomquist discuss our refit in July 1969.

The ever-vigilent Casrep watches everything going on at India 9.

2009-02-15T08:41:27Z

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The ever-vigilent Casrep watches everything going on at India 9.

BM1 Keller was from Florida. He lied about his age near the end of WWII and thus was a veteran of that war, the Korean Conflict and Vietnam.

2009-02-15T08:43:57Z

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BM1 Keller was from Florida. He lied about his age near the end of WWII and thus was a veteran of that war, the Korean Conflict and Vietnam.

Standing with Steve Purdy during the 1969 refit in Sasebo.

2009-02-15T08:42:39Z

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Standing with Steve Purdy during the 1969 refit in Sasebo.

Our new Deck Officer, LtJG McGinnis, reports aboard Albatross.

2009-02-14T11:04:38Z

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Our new Deck Officer, LtJG McGinnis, reports aboard Albatross.

Our CPOs, Curtis Mitchell and Ulysess Lee, standing behind Operations Officer LtJG Charles Birchmier, Executive Officer Lt. Robert Ewing, Commanding Officer Edward F. Cole Jr., Deck Officer ...

2009-02-14T11:06:29Z

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Our CPOs, Curtis Mitchell and Ulysess Lee, standing behind Operations Officer LtJG Charles Birchmier, Executive Officer Lt. Robert Ewing, Commanding Officer Edward F. Cole Jr., Deck Officer ...

CS2 Richard Segal is awarded the Navy Commendation Medal by Captain Cole for heroic action in Vietnam.

2009-02-14T11:05:22Z

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CS2 Richard Segal is awarded the Navy Commendation Medal by Captain Cole for heroic action in Vietnam.

Gary Whitcutt and James Dillon at the mid day watch -- Hong Kong Dec. 1968.

2009-02-14T04:05:20Z

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Gary Whitcutt and James Dillon at the mid day watch -- Hong Kong Dec. 1968.

Our gunner's mate, GMG3 Bruce Degrand Gagnage, takes a break on the foc'sle while moored at Hong Kong's Victoria Pier in Dec. 1968.

2009-02-14T04:01:45Z

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Our gunner's mate, GMG3 Bruce Degrand Gagnage, takes a break on the foc'sle while moored at Hong Kong's Victoria Pier in Dec. 1968.

Renaldo Espinoza, probably in Sasebo, Japan 1966 -- about a year before I reported Albatross. Espinoza was one of the most well-liked crewman on our ship.

2009-02-13T03:20:43Z

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Renaldo Espinoza, probably in Sasebo, Japan 1966 -- about a year before I reported Albatross. Espinoza was one of the most well-liked crewman on our ship.