Entry 422
Date: Friday, November 14, 2003 Time: 10:25 PM EST
Email=
Name= Arthur Wright
Served=
Ship / Unit= Civilian
Age= 53
City= Dunedin
State=
Zip= 9063
Country= New Zealand
Phone= 0064-3-4657528
A URL to share= No
How did you find this site?= Followed link from another page
Reasons for reading about the Vance= For a Friend who served in Vance
Comments= USS Vance Operation "Deep Freeze 1961-1962"
Dear Sir, I have been searching for a crew member who Served on the USS Vance during its Weather pickett operations, that were carried out from the New Zealand City Of Dunedin during 1961 -1962.
The name of the Navalman that was on board during this period (and befriended me , a young 11 yr old boy, while in port and was eventual considered a member of my family) is "Gerry" Stumpf.
We were living at 605 Castle St Dunedin Otago NZ At the time.
Gerry Stumpf was due to return for a futher tour of Duty on the USS Falgout but missed the departure due to being hospitalised due to a leg injury he sustained while playing Baseball in Haiwai and never made it out.
I have been trying to find Gerry so I could once again be in touch with him after all these years. So if you could please advise as to where I might find out where he might be or could put me in touch with Family members or any one else that could help me in my search I would be very greatfull.

Contacts can find me at the below address and E-Mail Address.
5 Palmer St Seacliff, No 1 R.D. Waikouaiti, Otago 9063, New Zealand
mortda@paradise.net.nz
Your's Sincerely
Arthur Wright

Hi! Joe, Thank you very much for prompt an kind reply.
I find the website for the Vance, absolutely great and seeing some of the photos (especially the one of the "bottle opener on Bob Heselburg's website) has certainly brought back a lot of fond memories of the days when I, along with a friend, sneaked out of the house, much to my recently widowed mothers chariden,to go down to the wharf and board the Vance and watched the movies that were showing, while drinking "Root Beer" (A drink unknown to NZ's at the time) and having the occassional "Camel" Cigarette

I still have ,after 40+ years, the Sailors hat and a "Pirate Headed" Toby Jug that Gerry Gave me .
Arthur
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