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The following was copied from the USS
Barbel website, where I found shipmate Jim Goodwin's comments. I
have posted them here-in, in memory of Jim to his shipmates and to his
family.
EM1(SS) Jim Goodwin
Served on the BARBEL
from 1970 to 1974.
"Just got a look
at the web site; good job for a QM."
I reported aboard Barbel in June of 1971 after
decom the USS Diodon SS-349; as luck would have it we went straight
to westpac. I was a hard charging EM3-SS. I qualified as Jr.
Controller; was advanced to EM2 in 72. Qualified as EWS as
a 2nd class EM. Made EM1 in 73. I made three westpac trips,
one yard trip to remove the main engines and the main motors.
Made the sea trials after we welded the hull back together.
I served with George Sureth and Thomas Ackerman; he was only an
EM2 when I knew him. I talked to Lawrence Pospisil TM1 last year
in Florida and he told me that "Lurch" (Tom Ackerman) had made
E9 and was COB on a boat in Pearl.
I did a stint at FMAG in SF as well as a stint in
recruiting duty in Eureka Ca. I got out of the Navy in July 7,
1977; they started making us cut our hair and shine our shoes;
the war was over and they offered me a bird farm for my next duty; I had
to go after 8 years 3 months and 21 days; but who was counting!
I was in Portland three years ago and joined the
Blueback base. I attended the National Submarine Convention last
year in Mobile. I currently live in Shelby Alabama (south of
Birmingham approx. 25 miles) I own a construction company that
specializes in construction management and design build. Currently we
are building 37 new Amoco stations in Atlanta and have just started a
130 acre subdivision here at Lay lake. Yes I have to be near the water!
I enjoyed my time on the Barbel, made friends
that I will never forget as long as I live. Let me know if I can
do anything to assist in putting together a reunion. I noticed two
names on your mail list that served with me; Glen Eckles and
Daniel Cronnister. Cronnister got married in the engine room when
we were in the yards in Pearl. We lowered him down with preacher
and bride to be in a skip box. All engines were removed. Of
course I shipped over in the battery well; I spent so much time
their it was my second home. I have many more stories; I will send
more. I also have a lot of memorabilia that some of the
"Younger" sailors might find interesting.
Keep up the good work.
Jim Goodwin
#12 Third Avenue
Shelby, Alabama 35051
The following back
button takes you to the Barbel website
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