davidcooper
Registered: 07/19/09
Posts: 6
|
|
|
Reply with quote | #1 |
I am looking to find anyone who may have known or served with my father. His name is; Grover Thomas Cooper, he more than likely was called "Tom" or "Coop". He served on the ship from approximately 1963-1967, and was a Boatswains Mate. I may be a little bit off on the years, it may have been 1964-1967. Thanks to Mr. Tilley, I now know that my Dad was aboard the 1964-65 cruise and was in the 1st Division.
If anyone knew him, or may have a photo of him, or a story or two, I would love to hear from you.
My Dad passed away earlier this year and is deeply missed. I am putting together as much info as I can on him while he was in the Navy, which is kinda difficult as he had lost his photos some years back. He was always proud to talk about his time in the Navy and would sometimes tell us a story or two. He was always proud to talk about the USS Little Rock!
Well if anyone can help please email me at: steinerino@comcast.net
Thank you!
David Cooper
|
| |
Artillery
Moderator
Registered: 01/25/07
Posts: 126
|
|
|
Reply with quote | #2 |
David,
Thanks for writing regarding the passing of your father Grover Thomas Cooper. Hopefully you will hear soon from one or more shipmates who knew him while he was aboard the USS Little Rock.
I have reviewed the ship's Cruise Books published from 1963 through 1968 to see if I could locate him in one of the group photos, but I was unable to. I looked in all of the "usual places" where a Boatswain's Mate would be expected to be assigned. These are typically 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Divisions, and sometimes in 1st LT's Division. It may be possible that he was assigned to some another division, but it is unlikely.
For some reason the group photos in the 1964-1965 Cruise Book did not have the names of the sailors! (Go figure.) I have attached the 4 group photos from that book so you can see if your father was in any of the photos. Let us know if he is.
Our rather incomplete database has no info on your Dad but that is not surprising in that it contains probably no more than 10-15% of the guys who were stationed on the ship. The Navy doesn't maintain a "master list" of crew members assigned to any particular ship, so there isn't really any good source for that kind of data.
We'd like to include your father in our deceased Shipmates Roster and also to remember him at our next Reunion in July 2010. If you could e-mail me with his place and date of death it would be appreciated.
Please accept our condolences.
All the Best,
Art Tilley MT-2
1962-1963
Attached Images:
__________________
Art Tilley MT2
1962-1963 |
| |
davidcooper
Registered: 07/19/09
Posts: 6
|
|
|
Reply with quote | #3 |
Mr. Tilley,
What a blessing you are, as I looked at the first picture (the one on the left corner, 1st Division) I found my Dad on the front row, right corner, at the edge of the picture. I can make him out very well and I can even see his wedding band on his left hand, which means he had come home and married my mother and then returned to the ship.
You don't have any idea how much you made my day, no year. This is great. Is it ok if I download the picture and print it. Also can I purchase a copy of the book you are speaking of.
I am leaving tomorrow to go to Northern Ohio to visit my brother and I think we are going to go to the ship on Mon or Tues for the tour. I am very excited. Please email and I will give you my phone # I would love to ask you a couple of questions. steinerino@comcast.net
Thnk you so much!
David Cooper
|
| |
davidcooper
Registered: 07/19/09
Posts: 6
|
|
|
Reply with quote | #4 |
I am looking for anyone who may have known my father; BM3 Grover Thomas Cooper, he was more than likely called "Tom" or "Coop". He served in the 1st Division on the 1964-1965 cruise. He is in the top picture, front row all the way to the right (kneeling). I believe that he was on the 1963 cruise as well as 1966-1967. Please contact me at steinerino@comcast.net if you have any information. My father passed away earlier this year and I am trying to get as much info and pictures of him as possible.
My Brother and I, along with our kids, went to Buffalo a few weeks ago and toured the ship. It was an awesome and humbling experience. I appreciate all of you who served not only on this ship but others as well. It had to be tough to be confined to such little space and not having much to do.
My hat is off to all of you!
David Cooper
|
| |
