June 29, 2000
Joe,

No I didn't serve on Vance, but truly enjoy her history. One of my shipmates let me borrow the book "The Arnheiter Affair", which I thought was a very interesting page in Vance's history.

On the personal front, I spent 23 years (1972-1995) in the U.S. Navy as a Surface Line Officer and was in command of USS Copeland (FFG-25). Spent a career going to sea with some of the best young men our country could provide, so it's in my blood. I'm a Massachusetts Maritime Academy Graduate, so Cape Cod was just across the canal from us. But am settled in Escondido Ca., just north of San Diego.

During my Command tour I had the considerable honor of hosting the "Samuel B. Roberts Survivors Association". A remarkable group of WW-2 Officers and crew of the "Sammy -B" which was sunk at the Battle of Samar. So my passion for my more senior shipmates and their history is deep. Great bunch of guys who were able to get the current USS Samuel B. Roberts, USS Copeland, USS Carr & USS Leyte Gulf, all named after the sinking of Roberts, since the WW-2 Captain of Roberts was CDR Copeland, the gunner who posthumously won the Medal of Honor during the battle, while aboard was GMG-2 Carr and it happened in Leyte Gulf.

There were so many ships and crew who gave their all, so I could enjoy my life and career in the USN. I am in your debt.