ABOUT ME
BM 2 (SW) DAVID F. HENRY, I'm a plank Owner, I was part of the original PRE-Commissioning crew of the USS IOWA BB-61, On APRIL 28 1984, that also was my Birthday!
SN DAVID HENRY, worked in the Officers Wardroom, 1984 Sea-Trials. Below is me in my Uniform.
My First Duty station was 2nd. Division, as SN David Henry, After learning the ropes, I transferred to 5th Division (Boat Crew) and became a Boat Coxswain of Liberty Boats (UTB) And Whale boats Off of Cartagena Colombia 1984-1985.
Soon I was promoted as a BMSN, and Worked on the Captains Gig, and XO’S Gig. It was a pleasure taking Captain Gerald E. Gneckow, to and from the ship, in his Gig**.
**The captain’s gig, the motorboat set aside to ferry commanding officers to shore when their ships are anchored away from land.
I also maintained the XO’s Gig for Captain JJ Chernesky 1985.
Serving as a member of the USS IOWA BB-61 Pre-Com Crew & Commissioning Crew, In Deck Department, 2nd. & 5th Division, was one
of the best
experiences, you could ask for!
My General Quarters Station was Turret Two, Left gun, Primer man.
"The best Education is to see the world", and I sure did on The Big Stick.
The USS IOWA BB-61 was the cleanest Ship in the US NAVY, while I was
aboard her.
As a member of Deck Division, keeping the teak decks clean by holly stoning* them, all 57,000 square feet,While bare foot, using salt water. Also keeping the topsides and decks coated with paint, before each port visit.
*Holy Stone
The last Navy ships with teak decks were the battleships, now since decommissioned. Teak, and other wooden decks, were scrubbed with a piece of sandstone, or boiler brick. Forty strokes per plank, using a broom handle, on top of a brick.
USS Iowa BB-61 being escorted thru the Panama Canal August 06, 1984.
When I saw my first a PBR in 1984, Picture above, I said that someday,
I will
be stationed on those (Patrol Boats Riverine).
I went from Haze Grey & Underway, with 17" of Armored Steel.
To 1/4" fiberglass & a Flak Jacket.
In The Brown Water Navy; See Special Boat Unit XI Below.
July 1st 1985, I transferred to the USS NEW JERSEY BB-62,
“The Bells Rang"
BMSN DAVID F. HENRY, PLANKOWNER DEPARTING,
from the Quarterdeck, on
the USS Iowa BB-61.
Soon I was Aboard the USS NEW JERSEY BB-62, In Long Beach,
California. I was quickly assigned to 5th Division. July 1985
I was a Boat Coxwain on 40 foot Utility Boats (UTB) Taking the crew to
shore,for Liberty and R & R. And bringing them back to the ship,
During WESPAC 1985-1986.
I studied Hard and was promoted to BM 3 DAVID F. HENRY,
I Became one of first Third class Petty officers,
to become Certified as:
Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist,
Aboard the USS NEW JERSEY BB-62,
27 JULY 1986
