Copy of GL_LIP_1.jpg (501213 bytes)

 This is an official U.S. Navy Photo taken while underway to Enewietok for Operation Redwing in 1956. Gary says, "We worked our butts off painting the entire exterior to get it done on time for the photo and we painted over rust and everything, which made the Boatswainmates very happy."

 

Ed Note: I was a Boatswainmate.  We were always happy!
To the right is the USS Ranger CVA 61 and the year was 1959.  She was brand spanking new. Photo taken from Lipan and she was out-to-sea because the lifeline (used only for lengthy out to sea trips) is visible in the foreground. Copy of GL_LIP_4.jpg (48701 bytes)
launch2.jpg (32642 bytes) Crew swinging the launch over the side to assist an injured crewman aboard the SS Ocean Seaman.  His leg injury had become gangrene and they had no medic aboard.
Basso BM1 with his hand on the lanyard to the Pelican Hook as he directs the operation. Basso.jpg (45355 bytes)

Launch1.jpg (35460 bytes)

 The launch is over the side and being lowered.
Whaleboat tied-off at the gunwhale and preparing to make trip to the merchant vessel. prepunderway1.jpg (33855 bytes)

Prepunderway2.jpg (31153 bytes)

 Merritt Gonzalez ready to release the Pelican Hook.
The motor whaleboat in the water with the Ocean Seaman awaiting in the background. Launch3.jpg (28115 bytes)

OceanSeaman.jpg (25408 bytes)

 The crew reaches the Ocean Seaman and the injured sailor is lowered over the side to them.
Closeup of Lipan's motor whaleboat alongside the SS Ocean Seaman, showing the stretcher being lowered.
recovery.jpg (35005 bytes) The whaleboat is hauled up with the injured seaman aboard.  Gary notes that the corpsman checked him out and the guy was placed in the Mess Decks until he was moved to the fantail under a tarp.
Crew photo Attu Island in the Aleutians circa 1957. LARGEGP.jpg (23313 bytes)
Copy of GL_LIP_7.jpg (88004 bytes) On the left is Gary (supposedly standing watch as Messenger of the Watch). To his rear is a Quartermaster Striker , Bennett, who is standing Petty Officer of the Watch. He's also pointing a .45 at Gary's head. Standing watch was stressful. In the rear is possibly the ATF Tawakoni or Ute.  Looks like Alpha Piers in Pearl Harbor.
Here's a nice shot of Lipan's Bridge. Gary has his hand on the helm and to his left is the EOT (Engine Order Telegraph) that was used to send throttle and direction commands to the Motor Room Control Board where the "bell" was answered. Copy of GL_LIP_B.jpg (381247 bytes)
Copy of GL_LIP_2.jpg (46032 bytes) Here's another nice shot of Lipan tied up at Alpha Piers at the entrance to Pearl Harbor in 1956 or 1957
Gary as a Phone-Talker. He's standing on the fantail under the tarp roof and he believes this was for a Damage Control Drill. The phones were sound powered and the large "Darth Vader" helmet made room for the headset.

 

 Copy of GL_LIP_8.jpg (52344 bytes)
Copy of GL_LIP_3.jpg (73632 bytes) To the left is ARD29 which is being towed by Lipan from someplace up the Columbia River to the Alaskan Aleutian Islands.  The date was 1959.
Gary on the fantail again with the sound-powered phones on. No helmet this time and he's sitting on the fluke of the  8,000 lb. Eels Anchor that was used as part of the Beach Gear to haul stranded ships from the shore. Copy of GL_LIP_9.jpg (62859 bytes)
Copy of GL_LIP_A.jpg (62477 bytes) Gary told me this is a photo of Lipan's Mess Hall.  I told him that's Army-Talk (he retired from Army in 76). He  then wrote back that it was the Galley. I told him the Galley was the kitchen.  This was the Mess decks! Gary says the guy on the right is named Chulin. Yeah, Chulin of the Mess Hall.
Copy of GL_LIP_C.jpg (73479 bytes) Early 1959 just before Gary left Lipan. "The Old Gang" on the Forecastle. 1st row is Hicks & Stafford. 2nd row is Hendrix & Gonzalez. 3rd row is Gary & Farkas.

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