* On Board from Aug. 1955 to Sep. 1957 *

Going for Gold

When I stepped aboard the "Friendly Henley" I entered a whole new Navy for me a Navy of family and friendship a place where all hands looked out for each other and pulled together as a team and yet respected each others rank or rate....

Ashore was one thing but back aboard ship it was all business.

Captain Karcher ponders where he will put that other "E". He sure was a good skipper.

There are so many fond memories that it will take to much space to list them all, like the time we fouled other ships anchors when doing a "Flying Moor" because of not using the phone talker to give the orders.

The time we were off the Suez Canal ready for war when the Egyptians kicked the English out, we were the last ship thru the Canal before trouble started

The bottle of booze that was dropped on the quarter deck and the case of beer that made it to the Bos'n Locker.

All the hard work to earn those Battle Efficience "E"s.

The countries visited...Cuba..France..Spain..Pakistan..Italy..England...Nova Scotia..Greece..and more that I have forgotten. One must remember that all this took place during the "Cold War" when war could happen at any time

These are some of the photos that I have of crew-members

Lt(jg) Paul Buhler - Billy Ray Thomason,BM2 - Richard Le Blanc,BM1...Lt(jg) Buhler was the best Div. Officer I ever had in my naval career. He said he knew the book but he would learn from us.

Hatman,SN - Thomason,BM2 - Le Blanc BM1

Fred Carter,BM2 - Thomason,BM2

B.B.Hayles - Le Blanc - J.W.Crit

Karachi, Pakistan Sea Scouts aboard for a visit and lunch.

R.L.Le Blanc, BM1

Billy Ray Thomason, BM2

Leo the Lion at play.

Le Blanc having 4th Good Conduct Medal pinned on.

H.H.Haldeman, TMSN

D.L.Jones,TMSN - J.T.Evans,GMSN

J.A.Davis, SA

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"Friendly Henley was sold for scrapping in July 1973.