Dedicated To Our Fallen Shipmates

"As Long As Their Names Are Spoken They Shall Not Be Forgotten"
May They Forever Rest In Peace

USS Newport News CA-148
Memorial To Our Fallen

On May 25, 2002, the City of Norfolk, Virginia and the US Navy Memorial Foundation dedicated the Wisconsin Square in honor of Norfolk Based ships that suffered an event, since World War II, that resulted in a significant loss of life, including the October 1, 1972 explosion on the USS Newport News.

Memorial

On this date Oct. 1, 1972, at about 01:00 while on a support mission off the coast of Vietnam, an explosion that tore through the center barrel of Gun Turret #2, killed 20 of our shipmates. Some died in the explosion, others died of smoke inhalation. An eight inch projectile prematurley detonated inside the center barrel as it was being fired due to a faulty fuse. The powder casing behind the projectile fired inside the barrel, causing an explosion which had no place to go but into the gunner's compartment. The remaining powder cases inside the powder hoists also exploded.  Smoke quickly spread throughout the ship putting many of us at risk. Most of the ships company survived but at least 20 did not.

Below are the photos of our shipmates who were killed in the explosion inside of Turret 2. "May they forever rest in peace" You are not forgotten.

Our Fallen Oct. 1, 1972
You Are Not Forgotten

website image 194

Herman Carol Acker

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Reserve, Louisiana
Date of birth: Thursday, November 19, 1953
MILITARY DATA
Service: Navy (Regular)
Grade at loss: E2
Rank: SA
MOS: SA Seaman Aprentice
LenSvc: **
Unit: USS NEWPORT NEWS, 7TH FLEET
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: **
Cas Date: Sunday, October 01, 1972
Age at Loss: 18
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Offshore, Nort Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Misadventure - Sea Casualty
ON THE WALL Panel 01W - Row 076

website image 195

Jack Stephen Bergman Jr

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Baltimore, Maryland
Date of birth: Monday, August 25, 1952
MILITARY DATA
Service: Navy (Reserve)
Grade at loss: E3
Rank: SN
MOS: SN Seaman
LenSvc: **
Unit: USS NEWPORT NEWS, 7TH FLEET
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: **
Cas Date: Sunday, October 01, 1972
Age at Loss: 20
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Offshore, Nort Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Misadventure - Sea Casualty
ON THE WALL Panel 01W - Row 076

website image 196

William Clark Jr

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Vienna, Georgia
Date of birth: Thursday, January 26, 1950
MILITARY DATA
Service: Navy (Regular)
Grade at loss: E4
Rank: BM3
MOS: BM3 Boatswain's Mate Third Class
LenSvc: 03
Unit: USS NEWPORT NEWS, 7TH FLEET
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: **
Cas Date: Sunday, October 01, 1972
Age at Loss: 22
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Offshore, Nort Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Misadventure - Sea Casualty
ON THE WALL Panel 01W - Row 076

Charles Wayne Clinard

Charles Wayne Clinard

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Maysfield, Texas
Date of birth: Tuesday, July 03, 1951
MILITARY DATA
Service: Navy (Regular)
Grade at loss: E4
Rank: GMG3
MOS: GMG3 Guner's Mate Third Class
LenSvc: **
Unit: USS NEWPORT NEWS, 7TH FLEET
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: **
Cas Date: Sunday, October 01, 1972
Age at Loss: 21
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Offshore, Nort Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Misadventure - Sea Casualty
ON THE WALL Panel 01W - Row 077

Ronald Paul Daley

Ronald Paul Daley

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Marshfield, Massachusetts
Date of birth: Monday, February 04, 1952
MILITARY DATA
Service: Navy (Regular)
Grade at loss: E2
Rank: SA
MOS: SA Seaman Aprentice
LenSvc: **
Unit: USS NEWPORT NEWS, 7TH FLEET
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: **
Cas Date: Sunday, October 01, 1972
Age at Loss: 20
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Offshore, Nort Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Misadventure - Sea Casualty
ON THE WALL Panel 01W - Row 077

Raymond Rance Davis

Raymond Rance Davis

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Shreveport, Louisiana
Date of birth: Sunday, September 06, 1953
MILITARY DATA
Service: Navy (Regular)
Grade at loss: E1
Rank: SR
MOS: SR Seaman Recruit
LenSvc: **
Unit: USS NEWPORT NEWS, 7TH FLEET
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: **
Cas Date: Sunday, October 01, 1972
Age at Loss: 19
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Offshore, Nort Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Misadventure - Sea Casualty
ON THE WALL Panel 01W - Row 077

Terry Wayne Deal

Terry Wayne Deal

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Taylorsville, North Carolina
Date of birth: Friday, January 26, 1951
MILITARY DATA
Service: Navy (Reserve)
Grade at loss: E3
Rank: SN
MOS: SN Seaman
LenSvc: 02
Unit: USS NEWPORT NEWS, 7TH FLEET
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: **
Cas Date: Sunday, October 01, 1972
Age at Loss: 21
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Offshore, Nort Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Misadventure - Sea Casualty
ON THE WALL Panel 01W - Row 077

Joseph Grisafi

Joseph Grisafi

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Springfield, Pennsylvania
Date of birth: Wednesday, October 18, 1950
MILITARY DATA
Service: Navy (Reserve)
Grade at loss: E3
Rank: SN
MOS: SN Seaman
LenSvc: 02
Unit: USS NEWPORT NEWS, 7TH FLEET
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: **
Cas Date: Sunday, October 01, 1972
Age at Loss: 21
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Offshore, Nort Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Misadventure - Sea Casualty
ON THE WALL Panel 01W - Row 080

William Harrison III

William Harrison III

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Clifton Forge, Virginia
Date of birth: Tuesday, August 11, 1953
MILITARY DATA
Service: Navy (Regular)
Grade at loss: E2
Rank: SA
MOS: SA Seaman Aprentice
LenSvc: 01
Unit: USS NEWPORT NEWS, 7TH FLEET
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: **
Cas Date: Sunday, October 01, 1972
Age at Loss: 19
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Offshore, Nort Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Misadventure - Sea Casualty
ON THE WALL Panel 01W - Row 077

Tommy Melvin Hawker

Tommy Melvin Hawker

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Sutherlin, Virginia
Date of birth: Sunday, December 17, 1944
MILITARY DATA
Service: Navy (Regular)
Grade at loss: E5
Rank: GMG
MOS: GMG2 Gunners Mate Second Class
LenSvc: 08
Unit: USS NEWPORT NEWS, 7TH FLEET
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: **
Cas Date: Sunday, October 01, 1972
Age at Loss: 27
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Offshore, Nort Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Misadventure - Sea Casualty
ON THE WALL Panel 01W - Row 078

Robert Merril Kikkert

Robert Merril Kikkert

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Munster, Indiana
Date of birth: Friday, January 22, 1954
MILITARY DATA
Service: Navy (Regular)
Grade at loss: E2
Rank: SA
MOS: SA Seaman Apprentice
LenSvc: 01
Unit: USS NEWPORT NEWS, 7TH FLEET
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: **
Cas Date: Sunday, October 01, 1972
Age at Loss: 18
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Offshore, Nort Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Misadventure - Sea Casualty
ON THE WALL Panel 01W - Row 078

Edward Ralph McEleney Jr

Edward Ralph McEleney Jr

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Medford, Massachusetts
Date of birth: Monday, December 01, 1952
MILITARY DATA
Service: Navy (Regular)
Grade at loss: E3
Rank: SN
MOS: SN Seaman
LenSvc: 02
Unit: USS NEWPORT NEWS, 7TH FLEET
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: **
Cas Date: Sunday, October 01, 1972
Age at Loss: 19
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Offshore, Nort Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Misadventure - Sea Casualty
ON THE WALL Panel 01W - Row 078

Robert Thomas Moore

Robert Thomas Moore

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Date of birth: Wednesday, July 23, 1952
MILITARY DATA
Service: Navy (Regular)
Grade at loss: E2
Rank: SA
MOS: SA Seaman Apprentice
LenSvc: **
Unit: USS NEWPORT NEWS, 7TH FLEET
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: **
Cas Date: Sunday, October 01, 1972
Age at Loss: 20
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Offshore, Nort Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Misadventure - Sea Casualty
ON THE WALL Panel 01W - Row 078

Stanley George Pilot Jr

Stanley George Pilot Jr

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Salisbury, North Carolina
Date of birth: Sunday, October 11, 1953
MILITARY DATA
Service: Navy (Regular)
Grade at loss: E2
Rank: SA
MOS: SA Seaman Apprentice
LenSvc: **
Unit: USS NEWPORT NEWS, 7TH FLEET
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: **
Cas Date: Sunday, October 01, 1972
Age at Loss: 18
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Offshore, Nort Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Misadventure - Sea Casualty
ON THE WALL Panel 01W - Row 078

Ralph Lewis Robinson

Ralph Lewis Robinson

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Baltimore, Maryland
Date of birth: Sunday, May 11, 1952
MILITARY DATA
Service: Navy (Regular)
Grade at loss: E3
Rank: SN
MOS: SN Seaman
LenSvc: **
Unit: USS NEWPORT NEWS, 7TH FLEET
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: **
Cas Date: Sunday, October 01, 1972
Age at Loss: 20
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Offshore, Nort Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Misadventure - Sea Casualty
ON THE WALL Panel 01W - Row 079

Wesley Harold Rose

Wesley Harold Rose

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Indianapolis, Indiana
Date of birth: Friday, January 04, 1935
MILITARY DATA
Service: Navy (Regular)
Grade at loss: E6
Rank: GMG1
MOS: GMG1 Gunner's Mate First Class
LenSvc: 16
Unit: USS NEWPORT NEWS, 7TH FLEET
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: **
Cas Date: Sunday, October 01, 1972
Age at Loss: 37
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Offshore, Nort Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Misadventure - Sea Casualty
ON THE WALL Panel 01W - Row 079

Ricky Lee Rucker

Ricky Lee Rucker

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Baltimore, Maryland
Date of birth: Thursday, December 17, 1953
MILITARY DATA
Service: Navy (Regular)
Grade at loss: E2
Rank: SA
MOS: SA Seaman Apprentice
LenSvc: 01
Unit: USS NEWPORT NEWS, 7TH FLEET
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: **
Cas Date: Sunday, October 01, 1972
Age at Loss: 18
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Offshore, Nort Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Misadventure - Sea Casualty
ON THE WALL Panel 01W - Row 079

Jeffrey Lynn Scheller

Jeffrey Lynn Scheller

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Rahway, New Jersey
Date of birth: Saturday, July 31, 1954
MILITARY DATA
Service: Navy (Regular)
Grade at loss: E2
Rank: SA
MOS: SA Seaman Apprentice
LenSvc: 01
Unit: USS NEWPORT NEWS, 7TH FLEET
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: **
Cas Date: Sunday, October 01, 1972
Age at Loss: 18
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Offshore, Nort Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Misadventure - Sea Casualty
ON THE WALL Panel 01W - Row 079

David Lee Scott

David Lee Scott

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Seymour, Missouri
Date of birth: Tuesday, October 23, 1951
MILITARY DATA
Service: Navy (Regular)
Grade at loss: E3
Rank: SN
MOS: SN Seaman
LenSvc: 01
Unit: USS NEWPORT NEWS, 7TH FLEET
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: **
Cas Date: Sunday, October 01, 1972
Age at Loss: 18
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Offshore, Nort Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Misadventure - Sea Casualty
ON THE WALL Panel 01W - Row 079

Richard Carl Tessman

Richard Carl Tessman

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Seymour, Missouri
Date of birth: Tuesday, October 23, 1951
MILITARY DATA
Service: Navy (Regular)
Grade at loss: E3
Rank: SN
MOS: SN Seaman
LenSvc: 01
Unit: USS NEWPORT NEWS, 7TH FLEET
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: **
Cas Date: Sunday, October 01, 1972
Age at Loss: 18
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Offshore, Nort Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Misadventure - Sea Casualty
ON THE WALL Panel 01W - Row 079

memorial

USS Newport News CA-148

On May 25, 2002, the City of Norfolk, Virginia and the US Navy Memorial Foundation dedicated the Wisconsin Square in honor of Norfolk Based ships that suffered an event, since World War II, that resulted in a significant loss of life, including the October 1, 1972 explosion on the USS Newport News.

Below are the Actual rubbings of our fallen from the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, DC - click on image to enlarge

Shipboard Casualties

Balzano

Joseph V. Balzano

December 19,1953. Joseph V. Balzano died as a result of an accident on board the NN.

McGee

Terrence F. McGee

March 12, 1960. Seaman Terrence F. McGee drowned in an overboard incident in the Mediterranean sea.

Brumfield

Stephen Michael Brumfield

July 4, 1972. Stephen Michael Brumfield was killed in a Forklift accident while the ship was loading supplies off the Vietnam coast.

Sansone

James J. Sansone

September 10, 1972. James J. Sansone fell overboard and was never seen again. We want to remember you Jim.

Turret 2 In Action

This photo shows Turret 2 in action off the coast of Vietnam in 1972. Click the button below to see the photos taken of the damage to Turret 2 due to the explosion in the center gun Oct. 1, 1972


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