Experienced Member
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quote: Originally posted by huskerfn:
RW, Sam was OIC of the CHENA when I reported aboard straight out of boot camp in 1980. He was the single greatest influence on my career and I was lucky enough to command 2 WLR's, the SCIOTO and GASCONADE during my career as a direct result of his inspiration.
However, he did retire. They wanted to send him to an ANT in North Carolina and he chose to retire instead. He had 37 years of service if I remember correctly. My family and I visted him and his wife in MS in 93 or 94. He passed away right before his wife was due to retire. I kept a picture of him on my desk in my stateroom until I retired to remind me what a WLR skipper was supposed to look like. He was a great man.
Thanks for clearing that up. I read in Commandants Bulletin years ago that he was working in D8 ATON branch in NOLA when he died. I was stationed with him right after he left the Chena and went north to Greenville. The OIC did not want to transfer or retire but D2 did not want to lose Capt Sam. I'm going to attempt to send you a story through military.com mail, if you don't get it contact me at my work email, raymond.lucas@dhs.gov |
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Basic Training
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You all must be talking about BMCM Sam Chavez. He was OinC of Chena (Natchez, MS) when I was (oan). GOOD!!!! man and sailor. Knew him well. When I needed input from the field, Sam was the first I called.
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Experienced Member
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Yep. He was always Capt Sam on the radio and the name stuck. Several times I'd be sitting on the chart table behind him when he'd be on the radio. Normal call to an approaching towboat would be something like "Arrrrrrr this here's Captain Sam on the Cutter Chena.." Me: Patoka! "errrr Cutter Patoka, calling the towboat [ ], that you Billy?"
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Basic Training
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Hey John how's it hanging? I'll hit you up on global.
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| Posts: 9 | Registered: Tue 12 December 2006 |  |
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Basic Training
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i am with husker fan, give me a 99' any day over the 130'.
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