Memorial Page to Shipmates

Wanted Bio for our shipmates that died during as a result of Boiler explosion on 4 Sept. 1969

I will try my best to put a temporary tribute to the shipmates I served and worked with daily but this is with 30+ years of cobwebs and CRS setting in.. If any of my fellow shipmates want to help add please submit your input. I welcome your input to make if more proper to family and friends viewing site:

Gone But not forgotten

Shipmates still serving

BT1 William A Smoak:Portsmouth, Va. I looked to see if I could find more info on Smoke and a picture. I know he came on board from the USS Laffey DD??? I can remember being on Liberty in several ports. To the best of my Memory he was married and had children (a boy and girl I think). We lifted our glasses a few times in Naples and Portugal. To his family my deepest sympathy, I just see it as gods will as he must of needed another Top Watch above to monitor the Fires below.

BT2 Ralph Kessie, from Brunswick, Georgia. Probably the person I knew the most as we came aboard Dewey at approx the same time. Ralph would have reported aboard approx July 66 . He reported on board after attending A school as a BT3. He made BT2 in late 68 or early 1969. He was single when Gods hand reach down for him. It my understanding that Ralph was in the control booth on the upper level when the explosion happened.  He left the control booth to assist on upper level securing the Boiler. Ralph was the console operator for the morning lite off watch. It seems to me there was someone special besides family in Savanna. I think he had a girlfriend or fiancée. To his family, and friends my deepest sympathy.

I spent a lot of time both aboard ship and ashore with Ralph. Ralph was a pleasure to be with.

Cool, level headed type of a guy. There were several times I was to go to Savanna with him and something always seemed to come up. We were on the same watch section inport so we were off days were the same. 

 

Fireman William E.Yoakim, Youngstown, Ohio. He had been aboard for a couple of years. I think he came on board during the 67/68 cruise. Fireman Yoakim was the burnerman at the time of the explosion. Unsure as to his status married or single. I think he was married.

I don"t have a good picture to use here but have one ofBill and me on the burner front. I'll use it until someone makes contact that either has the 1969 cruise book, or someone that knew him can provide a better one. this picture was of me and him setting at the burner fronf on boirer 1B. he is the one on the right. Again To his family, and friends my deepest sympathy.

 

 I would like to include and build more and more memorials to shipmates that died on active duty at the top of the page, and those who have passed on after departing Dewey. I you wish to submit a past shipmate to the page and a cruise book photo. And a short bio the share with shipmates.

 

Born 11/29/1920    Died 1/2/2000

 

Memorial to shipmates passing

Know of the passing of a fellow shipmate. Let shipmate's know too by submitting e-mail to be added. submit in format; Name, rank or rate while assigned to Dewey, served on board from month/year to month/year.

 

Officers:

 

Chief Petty-Officers

 

 

E-6 and Below