-Subject: DAYS OF OUR LIVES #98
Date: Fri, 3 Jan 2003 06:23:52 -0600

MAIL-call - PRESERVING FORGOTTEN MEMORIES

I welcome articles, BIO's, stories, etc and certainly hope that all ASA Turkey Vet's will contribute and make the newsletter worthwhile. You can write whatever message you would like, and it will show up right here for you to share with the ASA Turkey group! I will respond to all e-mails and will assist whenever needed, but reserve the right to edit for content and clarity and welcome any errors that may appear herein. Thank you, Elder RC Green aka gH, ercgreen@yourinter.net.

THE 2003 REUNION

THE 2003 ASA TURKEY REUNION WILL BE HELD AT SEVEN SPRINGS, PENNSYLVANIA ON LABOR DAY WEEK-END, 29-31 AUGUST 2003. THE DETAILS WILL BE FORTHCOMING NEXT WEEK. FOR INFORMATION ABOUT 7 SPRINGS GO TO: www.7springs.com <http://www.7springs.com>

NEWLY FOUND VETERAN'S

GRACE, Jack Det 4, @69, 2973 Bay St., Gulf Breeze, FL 32563 850-932-5085

JOBE, Michael G., (Gene) DOB: 29AU48, E3-E4, MP, Det 4, JA69-JA70, (Gale), Hwy 72E, Walnut, MS 38683, jobeg3@yahoo.com Contacted 27 December 2002. Enjoyed his Tour of Duty at Sinop and would like to visit Turkey in the near future. Participated in the sports programs at Det 4. Will never forget the Det 4 MASCOT that everyone called ROLAND. Roland got 'promoted' to 1st Lt, but got busted often, then promoted and demoted to Private for misconduct. The Turks hated Roland and Roland hated them too. The Turks called him choke billie peach or something like that. Several times he went AWOL to downtown Sinop and the Turks would lock him up until the MP's came for Roland. During visits by dignataries Roland would be standing in formation with his blanket on his back. Roland, like the DONKEY at Det 27, liked BEER and got into trouble once too often and was ordered discharged from the post at Det 4. A houseboy named Sammy was given Roland and Gene Jobe never again heard about Roland. Also, Gene is curious if anyone remembers the song 'going home' or something similar being played on KBOX. If so, please share that information with us. He remembers Jack Grace, a 5'10" strong as a BULL from Altoona, PA. Also an MP named LeCompte and a friend from Harrisburg, PA named Harder. Gene Jobe graduated from Mississippi State University and has been a school teacher for 30 years.

JOHNSON, Charles R (Dick), DOB: 6FE46, E3-E4, 73B, Det 4, MY65-AP66, (Donna), 789 Musago Run, Lake Mary, FL 32746 407-323-1738, seray@cfl.rr.com (cable). Contacted 27 December 2002. Enjoyed his Tour of Duty at Sinop. His father was stationed at Samsun at the same time and was able to visit. Remembers ROLAND, the MASCOT donkey at Det 4

LONG, Kenneth M., DOB: 28OC46, E3-E4, 059, Det 4, 64-65, (Arlene), 3554 Ashling Dr., Lakeland, FL 33803 863 619 9823, res18svv@verizon.net Contacted 27 December 2002. Ken enjoyed his TOUR at Sinop. He remembers the Post Commander who was a 'little guy' who had to carry 2 ammo cans filled with cement whenever he walked up the WINDY hill to operations. Remembers Captain Cody, the Opns Officer, SDM Germaine and his 059 Trick Chief was SSG Guerin. Also remembers the daughter of the Turk PX manager. After Sinop, Ken went to NSA - to Pleiku - to TRRS - to Pensacola - to Devens - to NSA - to Hakata, Japan - then was discharged. Re-enlisted in the Artillery as a Fire Support MOS and retired in 1988 as a E7 with 24 years active duty.

WOOD, Eddie Vaughn, E4, 982, Det 4, AP61-AP61, (Mary), 403 Knodishall Dr., Warner Robins, GA 31093 478-929-1754. no-email. I talked to Eddie and his wife Mary. Eddie was the OJT-MP at Det 4 who was severely beaten by a Turk soldier at the Front Gate to Diogenes Station in early June 1961. He told me that he remembers very little about the riot but that it was a horrifying time for him and his emotions were filled with horror, fear and anxiety. He recalls that he stumbled inexplicably when exiting the jeep and only that one of the Turk soldiers was trying to stab him and very little else about the incident. The severe head wounds that he received that day resulted in him getting a medical discharge. In 1966 he was saved and since then has been a Church of God minister in the Warner Robins, Georgia area. Mary, his wife, is in poor health and is confined to a wheelchair. They have 3 sons and a daughter. One of the sons is a LtCol in the US Army presently attending one of the War Colleges. Eddie will try his damnest to attend the 2003 ASA Turkey reunion at 7 Springs and would like for the others who were there that fateful day to also be in attendance.

MAIL CALL

ERERHARD, Chas L., (Charlie), DOB: 27AU42, RA16671146, E3-E5, 059.10, Det 4, MY61-JN61, Det 27, JN61-MY63, ETS 28JN63 DEROS 1AP63 BPED 29JN60, (never married), 6906 Elzey Lot#10, Ft Wayne, IN 46809, 260-747-6379, chauncy46809@yahoo.com

WELL, here's the SINOP RIOT story as related to me by Charley Eberhard who was THERE and remembers the incident like it was yesterday. I will do my best to decipher my rough notes that I scribbled during my chat with Charley. Charley Eberhard graduated from Non-Morse Intercept School (059) at the USASA Training Center and School (USASATC&S) in April 1961 and flew from McGuire AFB New Jersey to Turkey for assignment at Det 4. During the in-processing orientation he was told that he would have to wait 2 to 3 weeks until he could work as a 059 and in the interim he would be a security guard.

I contacted Charles Eberhard on 20 December 2002 from Det 27 Special Orders that Art Ellis sent to me and then I found on switchboard.com. Earlier Ira Jones had mentioned Charley Eberhard in one of his emails. I must have talked to Charlie for an enjoyable hour. He remembered names and events like it was yesterday and FINALLY was able to fill in the missing puzzle parts regarding the RIOT incident at the Det 4 front gate where a Turk soldier was killed by another Turk soldier. Prior to finding Charles Eberhard - little was reported regarding the 1961 'near' RIOT at the Det 4 Main entrance gate. I reported what PFC MP Roy DesRuisseaux remembered about the SINOP INCIDENT: A short time after DesRuisseaux arrival at Det. 27 (he arrived in June 1961) there was an incident at Sinop that required immediate MP support. This is the story as he heard and remembered it. "There was a disturbance near the main gate of Sinop. A group of Turks were fighting and one of them was shot. When the police came to investigate, they asked what happened. One of the Turks pointed to a GI and said, "He shot the Turk." Something close to a riot erupted and the entire post went on alert. Two MPs from Det 27 flew up to Sinop to try to help out. By sending these MP’s up to Sinop we were shorthanded and went on 12-hour shifts: noon to midnight and midnight to noon. We would work four days on with two days off, so it wasn't too bad. After a couple of months the MPs returned with the accused GI. I have not a clue what the Sinop guy's name was. Someone mentioned "Moose" a few Days of our Lives back. That may have been his nick name. I knew this guy fairly well but damned if I can remember his name. As things were still a little uncertain we put "Moose" in the OPs building, the most secure place on the Manzarali post. He had a bunk there and we brought him his meals. After a few months he was released to the general population of the post and I believe he was shipped out without further incident.

Here's the way the RIOT took place according to Charles Eberhard who was at the Front Gate shortly after the incident started. [edited] It is impossible for me to remember the details, but my personal exposure left an indelible mark to my memory. In remembering the incident, I do so often having spent 41 years thinking about that day and "what if", had happened.

My short OJT-MP experience at Det 4

When the group of newks that I was in arrived at Sinop in late May of 1961 our positions in the operations building were not open yet so we were put on temporary MP duty without any training until our positions opened up. I was a young lad of 19 and found myself fascinated with the conditions at Det 4. At this point, I should explain that the incident to which I am writing about, hardened me from a strutting teenager to the real meaning of life. It was also the most helpless I have ever felt in my life. On that fateful day Eddie Wood, then 24 and a 982, and I were assigned a jeep and carbines and were told to patrol the base for anything unusual, etc. We were instructed to insert the loaded clip into the carbines, but not to chamber a round. The old jeep had no commo gear, but do remember that I was the driver for that day. Also, Bruce Mondale of Blue Earth, Minnesota was assigned to another jeep with another newk and Robert (Biff) O'hara, from Cincinnati, Ohio was assigned to the front entrance gate with a trained MP whose name, I believe, was Churchward.

WE RECEIVED NO MP OR JEEP TRAINING WHATSOEVER

I do not know the degree of diligence exercised in assigning us newks to MP duties, but do remember that someone took us newks to the back part of the base with the carbines and gave us three rounds each to fire into a target less hill and were told that we were now qualified with the M1 carbine. I do not recall getting any 45 training whatsoever. This was our first experience with either weapon. Also, I had NEVER operated an army jeep and that fact played a key role in what subsequently happened to Eddie Wood when I couldn't get it started. They issued us newks a driver's license without any driver's training!! Eddie Wood was a 982 who had recently been transferred to Det 4 from Herzo, Germany.

THE RIOT

The morning of the riot the Turkish workers were coming up the hill to go to work. When they arrived at the main gate the Turk MP waved them through without checking their badges. Biff O'hara being very security conscious, insisted that their badges be checked before allowing them inside the post. The Turk MP and Biff started to argue about it, and for some reason the Turk MP picked up a rock and was threatening to strike Biff with it. Biff, right or wrong, but in self defense pulled out his 45 and let the Turk know he would not hit him with the rock. When the Turkish workers saw this they jumped out of the trucks and began storming the guard shack throwing rocks as that was all they had. All the commotion had alerted the Turk soldiers, maybe a Company size unit, about 100 yards from the gate. About 20 Turk soldiers from that unit then joined the fray without weapons.

Eddie Wood and I were patrolling the base in the jeep and were coming down the hill toward the front gate and observed the ugly scene at the front gate. It was a sight I shall never forget. Our immediate conclusion after stopping and parking the jeep, was that we could not break up the riot or be of any help in solving the problem and immediately went back to the jeep and go for the OD's help at the Hqs building. We didn't know how or what we should do to break up the riot.

I COULDN'T GET THE JEEP STARTED

I regret to admit it, but I could not get the jeep started and then we heard Churchward yell for us to get into the main gate building. As I hurriedly exited the jeep - without the carbine, - I sensed that Eddie Wood was having trouble. By now the Turk's (soldiers and some of the workers) were beside themselves in anger and one of them had wrestled the carbine from Eddie and when I looked back I saw that a Turk soldier was repeatedly beating him on the head with the carbine. The assulting Turk then turned his attention away from Eddie Wood and started shooting randomingly. (I later learned that Eddie was hit so hard by the blows that the impact cracked the stock of the carbine). One of the other Turk soldiers tried to take the carbine away from him and in the process was shot and died later that day.

AN ELITE TURK UNIT FROM SINOP CAME TO OUR RESCUE

The next thing I remember was seeing a Turk Army Unit from Sinop come marching up the hill. Their Officer started yelling for the Turks to break it up, but they paid no heed to his orders, as they were still in a livid rage, so he waded into them knocking them on the head with his revolver and he single handedly stopped the riot. Of course this did not make him popular with the rioting Turks. I was deeply impressed with his coolheadedness and daring and at a great personal risk (or so I thought) to himself.

THE TURKS BLAMED BRUCE MONDALE FOR KILLING THE TURK

Bruce Mondale was the biggest American in our group and the Turks all said he was the one that killed the Turk soldier. I honestly cannot remember Bruce Mondale being at the front gate. We Americans involved in the incident were taken into protective custody and kept in the operations building until we were transferred to TUSLOG Det 27. Shortly after the incident we were taken to the USAF Security Base at Samsun for the court martial of Bruce Mondale. We all testified at the trial and, of course, it was a mere formality and Bruce was found innocent. The Turkish courts found the Turk soldier guilty as charged and I never heard what became of him. The Turk soldier that died was sent home to his farmer family. Det 4 took up a collection of money to help his family out. Senator Hubert Humphrey of Minnosota helped get Bruce Mondale sent back to the states and I believe Eddie Woods was medically discharged because of his injuries.

[[CAN ANYONE ELSE ADD TO THIS INCIDENT? IF SO, PLEASE SEND THOSE DETAILS TO ME AND I'LL INCORPORATE IT WITH EBERHARD'S EXCELLENT REPORT. ALSO, DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THE MP NAMED CHURCHWARD? IF SO, PLEASE TELL ME WHAT HIS FIRST NAME WAS SO THAT I CAN CONTACT HIM FOR HIS VERSION. I'VE TRIED TO LOCATE BRUCE MONDALE WITHOUT SUCCESS IN MINNESOTA AND WOULD APPRECIATE ASSISTANCE IN LOCATING HIM FOR HIS REMEMBRANCE. THERE ARE ONLY 10 MONDALE'S LISTED ON THE SWITCHBOARD WEBSITE AND ALL ARE FROM MINNESOTA AND MUST BE RELATED TO WALTER (FRITZ) MONDALE, THE FORMER VP OF THE UNITED STATES.- - -gh]]


ASPINWALL, Paul C DOB: 3OC42 01 9620 OIC-various, Det 4, 12JA65-22DE65, 14 Quail Ridge Dr, Madison, WI 53717, 608-831-0670, asp@us.ibm.com . Noting Pete Erber's name in earlier DOOL. When Pete left Sinop, one of my various duties became Bankhead Project Officer (since Corps of Engineers sent no replacement). Best part was watching the Tumpane workers have a loaf of bread for the day -- no drink -- and the day that Art Kahuananui (Corps of Engineers civilian), PFC Cadwallader, and I drove around the countryside hills looking for two benchmarks -- concrete in the ground, well before the days of GPS. When I left Sinop (home in time for Christmas, another story in the officers club), I promised Art I would call his wife in Hawaii when I passed thru on the way to Bangkok (5th RRU). Unfortunately, plane was a World Airlines 707 charter and the 165 enlisted folks and I were "allowed" to sit on the tarmac during refueling -- well before the days of cell phones, so no phone call. After Sinop, I was at 5th RRU in Bangkok FE66-AU66 and then 77th USASASOU at Clark AFB in PI Au66-Au67, when I got out as a Captain (30 month wonder period). 35 years in IBM and counting. Elder, thanks for your efforts keeping the grist milling. regards, Paul C Aspinwall, Process Architect, IPD BPE Staff Route 100, Som2 4J-15, 8-826-2505 (914-766), Fax 914-766-8250, MD 2426
Paul Aspinwall/Somers or
asp@us.ibm.com

BELL, Preston L E2-E5 98C Det 27, MY65-DE66, 25445 Jasper Rd., Barstow, CA 92311, bolo1942@hotmail.co,
I have removed Bill Schultz
(schulznotee@yahoo.com) from my relay list based upon this message I just got from him. I reminded him of Bill Simons site at: http://dool-1.tripod.com if he ever wants to check the DOOL out. Preston of the Mojave

BENDER, Bill Det 4-4 JA70-JL71, 101 Glennbrook Ct. Chalfont PA 18914, wddcbender@comcast.net , 1-800-877-3367, bbender@tobiasinc.com - January 1, 2003 Dear Elder: I'm getting to that point in my life where I don't recognize the face staring back at me in the mirror sometimes! I'm afraid I don't know any of their names! By the way, I've been corresponding with Ed Burdick (old Det 4-4 and Ft. Meade NSA alumnus) and he's still living up in Meadeville, PA. We may even see his smiling face at our next get together! Dawn & I wish all of our fellow Turkey Trotters good health, plenty of wealth, and of course happiness for the new year! Best Regards,

GLUBKA, Roger A E1-E3-E1 72B Det 27, FE64-JL65, (CW3 Michelle), PSC 303, BX 25 APO AP 96204-0025 (Korea), glubkar@kornet.net - Elder, I'm going to try and make the 2003 reunion at 7 Springs, PA. We're not sure of the exact date that we will be flying out of Korea. Between visiting friends and family in Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota, looking for a house and picking the car up in Dallas there'll be a lot of running around in August. I'm sure the Det 27 and 4-4 patches will sell. I'll keep you posted. Haven't downloaded the memory book yet! Roger

HARGUS, Julian D (Zip) 711 & 05K E3-E4 Det 27 DE60-SE62, active duty 60-66. Ret in 99 fm MO State Gov't-31y, (Linda), 400 Acorn Dr., Jefferson City, MO 65109, 573-893-4267, ziphargus@yahoo.com - Hey Elder, a few of the names really hit home this time. Lou Brunner and his wife Joyce were our best friends at Two Rock Ranch in the mid 60s. I am going to call him tomorrow and rehash old times. Don was actually called Chrome Dome and was the only person I ever knew that could smoke a cigarette without losing the ashes. His wife's name was Peggy and a really outgoing type. The second name was Lyle Garitty (Post Adjutant). I worked for him (and Forest Clark prior to that) and Dempster Epperson (Post Commander) while I was in Hq Co. I bought a 30-06 Springfield rifle from Major Garitty and used it for boar hunting. It has been a long time but I think I sold it back to him when I came back to the states. If any of these three read this, I hope they respond. Julian Hargus (ziphargus@yahoo.com

SCHULZ, Bill E5 S2 USAINTC "Spook S/A", Det 27, JL63-DE64, (Maureen), 6314 Highland Lakes Blvd., Leesburg, FL 34748, 352-787-9526, schulznotee@yahoo.com - Kindly remove me from your mailing list. I have been in contact with the very few whom I knew. Thanks. Bill Schulz

SIMONS, Bill, E3-E4 058 Det 4, DE59-DE60, billsimons@tuslogdet4.com
[edited] - Hello Elder, Thanks for the 2001 85 page Memory Book CD and the picture of the NAVDET patch. Both are fantastic. It would have been even better had you included Det 4 in 2001, but am pleased that all the ASA Turkey Detachments will be in your 2002-03 version. Using ACROBAT to produce and view the Memory Book-2001 was a great idea of Chuck Bergmann, who I understand relays most of the weekly DOOL's for you. The presentation has inspired me to look into using the program myself to record some of my own files that contain pictures. I've set up the memory book to be down-loadable at: "
http://membook-1.tripod.com/membook.htm "
Happy Holidays and wishing you and yours a Peaceful and Prosperous New year. Bill Simons

STEPHENS, Howard C., (Steve), E4, Det 27, DE60-SE62, (Judy), 3149 Tamarron Dr., Rochester Hills, MI 48309, 248-375-0081, howardstephenssr@prodigy.net - Happy New Year, Elder, Congratulations on the rich contents and great edition of DOOL #97. Even nicer congratulations on the arrival of your new Grandson, Tyler Austin Green! I have found grandchildren to me the real jewels/rewards of "later life". Without them, these years would be empty and the passing of a lifetime left far less meaningful. One of my favorite quotes is to the effect: "Our grandchildren are the messengers of our future ... and the reminders of our own mortality (or words to that effect). Speaking of "family', I am having a little problem forwarding DOOL's to one of our ASA brothers. Wishing you and yours a very Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year. Thanks. Howard "Steve" Stephens