Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 62 Alumni Group

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Submitted by: VernonB King CM2

From: Denton Texas

Email: vertab4236@msn.com

Added: 09/01/2013

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I joined 62 Oct 1986 Have lot of great memories with the guys on airdet and all the homeport training. Went to Rota on the advance party.Had some serious problems with my x got into some serious trouble got it straightened out she caused me to get an early out. Worst thing I ever did.Regret it to this day.met some great guys we had great times.recognie some names but would like to hear from those that remeber me.Keep up the great work ya'll or doing with site.

Submitted by: Paul Journey

From: Nutley, N.J.

Email: ce1pj62@gmail.com

Added: 08/14/2013

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I was with 62 77 - 81 Co. B, had a great time with the machine

Submitted by: Fred Cirksena

From: Iowa

Email: fcirksena@mchsi.com

Added: 08/11/2013

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I was assigned to NMCB-62 in the fall of 1973. After A school in Gulfport, MS ( first place I ever saw pop machines stocked with beer ), I aws shipped to Guam for the end of the tour. Went on to Oki, Rota Spain, and then Diego. I left Diego early as my time was up. Overall, my experience was a love/hate one where I loved the work but hated the military environment. I guess that's why after I got out, I enlisted in the Army Reserves for a year and then on to the Iowa National Guard for 6 more - did not get enough time in to retire with pay but learned that I could learn to enjoy the environment.

Submitted by: Keith Fields

From: Linton , Indiana

Email: spankykf727@yahoo.com

Added: 08/07/2013

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Served in 62 from Sept.80 - 85 ,back to back Diego Garcia, Crane In., Okinawa. Greatest time of my life ! Long live the SCREW !

Submitted by: Dennis E. Doherty

From: Charlestown, Mass.

Email: D.Doherty304@comcast.net

Added: 08/07/2013

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Was an SK3 at Dong Ha in 69 and & Freedom Hill & Red Beach in 70 under JPJ. He had a great group of Officers and Men to work with and he always got the best out of all of us. Reflecting back to those days you just knew he would make Admiral. Many a day we worked 18 to 20 hours a day and to the men of 62 we could do it again under John Paul Jones. You helped make real men out of us. May you rest in peace Sir9

Submitted by: Norm Hahn

From: Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Email: normhahnjr@yahoo.com

Added: 08/05/2013

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Admiral John Paul Jones Jr.

August 7, 1932 - August 2, 2013

John Paul Jones, Jr., retired Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy, of Fernandina Beach, passed away on Friday afternoon, August 2, 2013 at the Baptist Medical Center Nassau. Admiral Jones was 80 years old. Born in Brunswick, Glynn County, GA, he was the only child of the late U.S. Naval Captain John Paul Jones, Sr. and Sophie Lachlan Atwood Jones. After spending his formative years in Brunswick, his father's career as a Navy dentist moved the family to TX and CA before returning to GA. At that time and as a teenager, he enrolled at Georgia Military Academy in Milledgeville, GA where he graduated at the age of 16. He would later be admitted to the Naval Academy in Annapolis where he graduated in 1954 and received his commission as an Ensign. He met his future wife, Wynelle "Winkie" Fender, also of Brunswick, on St. Simons Island in 1949; they would marry on the day of his graduation from Annapolis. His career moved the newlyweds to San Diego, CA where their first child, John Paul III, was born in 1955. They then moved to Troy, NY, where he graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a degree in engineering. John Paul would later attend Stanford University and obtain his Masters degree in civil engineering. The Navy also sent him to study at the Naval War College in Newport, RI, and at Harvard Business School. While serving in Port Isabel, TX, a daughter, Julie Marsha, was born in 1960. Their third child, Karen Alison, was born in 1962 in Stanford, CA. Admiral Jones' career would take him to many other assignments in the U.S. and abroad, including Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Davisville, RI; the Presidential Retreat of Camp David, outside Thurmont, MD; Gulfport, MS; Da Nang, Vietnam; Charleston, SC; Alexandria and Norfolk, VA; and San Bruno, CA. While serving as the Commanding Officer at Camp David, John Paul and his family became personal friends with President Lyndon Johnson and his wife, Lady Bird Johnson. His service in Vietnam included award winning leadership of Mobile Construction Battalion 62 of the Navy's Seabees. As Rear Admiral, John Paul achieved the highest rank in the Navy's Civil Engineer Corps. The Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay (GA) was developed under his leadership. He retired from active duty in Washington, DC in 1987 after 33 years of service. The year following his retirement John Paul and Winkie moved to Fernandina Beach, FL where they built a home on Little Piney Island. In 2005 they moved to their home on Ameila Island. John Paul was an avid reader, enjoying international intrigue and espionage books as well as detective novels. He was an accomplished writer and enjoyed the game of golf. After settling in Fernandina Beach, he and his wife became active members of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, where he served on the Vestry and as church Treasurer. He was the loving husband of Wynelle "Winkie" Fender Jones, for 59 years. He was a devoted father to John Paul Jones, III (Sallie Ann Marston), Tucson, AZ, two daughters, Karen Alison MacNair (Timothy John), Fernandina Beach, FL, and Julie Marsha Penton-McGurn (Edward McGurn), Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He also leaves behind a daughter-in-law, Eren Lynn McGinnis, seven grandchildren, Sophia "Sophie" Anaïs McGinnis Jones, Desmond Maxwell "Max" McGinnis Jones, Robert Paul Penton, Christine Alison Penton, Timothy John MacNair, Jr., Alison Nicole MacNair, Michael Lachlan MacNair, and a great grandson, Roberto Ivan Penton. John Paul also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and good friends whose lives he has touched. Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Fernandina Beach, with the Reverend Rector Stephen Mazingo, officiating. Admiral John Paul Jones, Jr. will be laid to rest with Full Military Honors in St. Peter's Episcopal Cemetery. His family will receive friends on Tuesday from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at Oxley Heard Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the Jones Family requests that donations be made to either of the following: St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 801 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 or to CEC/Seabee Historical Foundation, P.O. Box 667, Gulfport, MS 39502

Submitted by: Norm Hahn

From: Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Email: normhahnjr@yahoo.com

Added: 08/03/2013

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From: Paul Wollenhaupt To: Norman Hahn
Norman,

Just wanted to alert you to the passing of RADM John Paul Jones. He crossed over yesterday, 2 August 2013.

He was a Great Captain and an Honorable Man.

May he have fair winds.

Submitted by: Paul Wollenhaupt

From: north carolina

Email: pwollenhaupt@yahoo.com

Added: 08/03/2013

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Just learned of the passing of our Captain ...RADM John Paul Jones...may he have fair winds

Submitted by: Hugh 'Bo' Burgess

From: NW Georgia

Email: hughbo@aol.com

Added: 07/31/2013

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Joined NMCB62 in Gulfport around 6/74 and stayed till 1/78.
Toured Rota, Spain, Okinawa and the worst possible place in the world - Diego Garcia (10 months). Yuk! When we were there the mess hall was being completed. Finally got to use it.

Submitted by: Norris J.Miller,Jr.

From: Westlake, La.

Email: redbrush1@isp.com

Added: 07/21/2013

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PC-3,H company, served Dec.1966 to 1967 in Phu-bia Vietnam. Then back again 1967 to May of 1968 to Red beach,Danang in RVN. (its really been a long time)Thanks for creating this site.