- Dale Pollard - admirala.v@live.com - X Division - There is a problem with your PRECOMM dates.  I am a plank owner that served on the PRECOMM unit.  I reported in July 1974 and we commissioned in May 1976.  I played short stop and 2nd base on our softball team the Chit Kickers.  Captain George A. Church relieved Admiral James H. Morris as CO of TARAWA and our XO Captain Fred W. Johnston Jr. left to be CO of USS SAIPAN (LHA 2).  I reported to TARAWA a YNSN and left a YN2.  We took her through the Panama Canal and it was the biggest ship at that time to have ever been through it.  The scuppers of the ship were torn off as a result of dragging it through the locks.  When you hear someone call TARAWA "The Eagle of the Sea" you can bet on it.  This was the finest ship the Navy had to offer upon commissioning.

- James "JJ" Barondeau - tracyroesch@gmail.com - OI Division - If you remember the sonar detector I was assigned to, it was a pile of junk. I don't remember them ever getting it working all the time I was ever assigned to it on my GQ station. That is probably why I was always getting written up for being asleep on watch. It was so boring. It would of been different if the damned thing would of ever worked. And then there was Lt. Golisch that thought I would make a better cook than an OS (Operations Specialist) and after I did my three months of mandatory mess cooking duties, he still hesitated about bringing me back, the _______ _____. Anyway, I still plan on seeing you in August. I must be suffering from Alzheimer's as I can still remember a lot more stuff from thirty years ago then I can remember yesterday. So if you dare tax my memory, just look forward to seeing me again. As I remember probably a lot of shit that most of you boys would think an old idiot like me would have forgotten.

- Keith Barry - keith@nwcricket.com - OI Division - While on PRECOMM I was befriended by a local family that was known by another family member, I had looked them up. Well, their two sons and I, for fun went around with 12 gauge shotguns and used them to blow up these huge ant hills. When we ran out of ammo the kids had firecrackers, we then planted a bunch in the ant hill and blew them up. Only problem was when they exploded the ants went everywhere, a few landed on us. And then one other time we had gone fishing and a gar came swimming down a canal and I had never seen one before. I couldn't get my pole out of the water fast enough and get away from the bank. They look like a cross between a fish and a crocodile, scary with a mouth full of teeth. I didn't hang around the ship much on time off or go to Biloxi like a lot of the guys did.

- David Carrasco - txdcarrasco@yahoo.com - OI Division - It's a long time ago since I was on board the USS Tarawa LHA-1. What I remember is that I got to choose my orders to the brand new construction from my A School in Great Lakes, Ill. That was the beginning of my great adventure in the U.S. Navy. I had a lot of good times in Pascagoula, Miss. I got to to see how the locals lived and partied, I celebrated our country's Bicentennial in New Orleans, the maiden cruise was fantastic, going thru the Panama canal and stopping in Acapulco, Mexico was great. My best time was when a group of us sailors boarded a Russian Troller that docked across the pier from the Tarawa on the Panama side of the canal. We boarded the ship on a dare, we got to talk with the Russians for about two hours but it seemed like an eternity. We exchanged coins and paper money and other items, like smokes and lighters, things like that. All I know is that when we returned to our ship we were in trouble for going over to the Russian ship. That was the best time I had in the Navy, meeting Russians and talking with them made my day! I appreciate the time I spent in the Navy, It gave me a perspective on life that I have come to cherish. I worked with a bunch of great guys, especially the group from my class A school. I enjoyed going to all the classes in San Diego, and the great times in Long Beach. Thanks Rick for allowing me to tag with you while we explored L.A., you were the only one with wheels while we were in dry dock. Movie nights were a blast! 

- Roy Colon - rcolon75@embarqmail.com - OI Division - I was all of 19 years old When I reported to the ship, obviously too young to partake of alcohol. However once we got to Pascagoula, Omar Marshall took me under his arm. We would start off at the Manor (where everyone was old enough) then go out on the town. We found this place called Suzy-Q's. There was an old drunk Indian at a table in the back. What I remember most though is the HUGE pistol that sat next to the cash register. PRECOMM was very educational.

- Charles Harris - uluhao@msn.com - US Marine Corps - Aloha! I do remember my time aboard Tarawa. I was an embarked Marine on her 1st West-Pac deployment in 1979. What a ship! A vast leap from the LSD's I had previously been on. She was only 5 years old then. Hard to believe she has been decommissioned. But then again it's been 30 years! Dewey Harris, SGT USMC

- Charlie Hill - hillsreels@bellsouth.net - Communications Signals - The Mississippi welcome I received when I arrived, but Don Cross had been on another ship as a shellback, after we pollywogs rebelled the crossing was canceled. When we crossed the line, it was a very special time for Rex and his court, I still feel the pain!!

- Sean M Hogan - shogan01@nycap.rr.com - V1 Division - I remember nights at the Manor in Biloxi, and a whole lot of good friends.

- Sean M Hogan - shogan01@nycap.rr.com - V1 Division - I would like to back up Mr. McNair, first in the thanks to Wilbur Martin. I was heartbroken when told he had passed. But I was very lucky to have met Lt. Jim Ponzo. The two of them meant a great deal to me and growing into a man (if in fact that has happened). Really looking forward to the next trip.

- Rick Holly - rickholly@rickholly.com - OI Division - Here is a little secret I have kept to myself for many years. During PRECOMM I was sent to the Tarawa before anyone else on the ship. At the shipyard, I went into the records room where they had the records of where the Operations Department was to sleep. I took out the paper when no one was looking, stuffed it in my pants, and took it to the ship. I found where they assigned the OSs to sleep. IT WAS RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE MAIN TWO DOORS AND ALL THE LOCKERS! I said to myself this is going to be bad. So, I erased the names of another Operations Department division sleeping in the back and switched EVERY OS to the back where it would be very quite and DARK! I then slipped back into the room that housed the records and replaced the sleeping assignment record for the Operations Department. Did you know I did that? I am sure I kept that a secret, even to the OSs when I left the USS Tarawa on February 23, 1979.

- Havis Jones - sincitycountryboy@yahoo.com - V1 Division - I remember being at flight quarters for 3 days. Fell asleep standing up on Spot 2. It was around 10:00PM, and Chief Murphy was calling me. I never heard him yelling. He kicked me in the ass and made me stand outside Fly1 for 12 hours.

- Havis Jones - sincitycountryboy@yahoo.com - V1 Division - I served from SEP 78 - AUG 81. I was lucky enough to have had my 19, 20, and 21 birthdays onboard. As you well know, you don't have them at sea in V-1 Division. The fellows would dog down the hatch in the fly and fun would began. On my 21st birthday I hid out in a vent shaft next to our supply locker in the Captain's space, bought food in the ship's store, and was ready for the day. The Chief made me clean the space outside the ready room for doing it, but I saved my tail from V-1's fun.

- Victor Lyte - vmlyte@gmail.com - OI Division - I remember the first night I came aboard the Tarawa. They put me in a temporary berth area. I was an E-4 and I had settled into the bottom bunk. Then some E-5 came aboard and I got bumped all the way up to the top bunk. Well you know how the racks were. You raise the bed and put all your gear in the bottom. The next morning I awoke to the sound of that E-5 raising all kinds of hell and the sound of water slashing about. It appears a water pipe had busted and spilled about a half a foot of water all over the deck. It flooded all his stuff out. I looked down from my nice warm and dry top bunk laughed my ass off and went back to sleep.

- Bill Mahoney - zonariverrock2003@yahoo.com - V-1 Flight Deck Crash and Salvage - I remember Mondays thru Fridays out to sea. (If you want to call it that, off the coast of San Clemente Island.) Where you could see the cars on I-5, and we played war games. ALSO... the Panama Canal, Acapulco, the West-Pac and ALL the Great Times and Friends I experienced in that time of my Life. Cant wait until I see you-all again.

- David McNair - Mcfire442000@yahoo.com - V1 Division - I was tasked with getting the Air boss' flight jacket, and this was a mission I accepted. Well, I got it, and then there was a big muster. It was brought out that if the jacket isn't returned there would be some big investigation. I got really scared, as I should of, and yes, I unboxed the jacket that I was going to send home and returned it to the back of the Air boss' chair in the Air office. I was more freaked-out on returning it that taking it. I can honestly say this put the fear in me on stealing, and I didn't think of taking anything after this. Except I was very hungry one night, and the chow hall was closed. I and well, I won't mention any names, but he knows who he is and I will let him reveal his name to clear is mind of this deed. Anyway I watched out for the Master-at-Arms right around the corner. About 1:00 AM he unscrewed the plexiglass guard that was around the grill and came out with roast beef, cheese, bologna, the works for a little mid-rats extra! I will tell you this guy was in my division and is as big as a house, maybe you guys can figure out who it is.

- David McNair - Mcfire442000@yahoo.com - V1 Division Blue, Red, and Yellow Shirts  - I have to give thanks to ABH-1 Martin (who is no longer with us) for lining me out on safety on the flight deck. I remember when I had to chain my first H-1 (Skid and Mr. Martin said look out for that tail rotor I wouldn't want to write home to your Momma and tell her you got chopped up for not listening to me. Let me tell you these words stuck in my head then and still do today. Wilbur, you are the man. I just wish I could thank you in person. I also give thanks to my friend, Gary Clatt, who kept me straight, or did I keep him straight? we both did our part, and thank you to Mr. Jim Ponzo for giving me that look with your eyes. You didn't have to say anything, but I knew you were saying don't do that or else! This look lined me out well. I am living proof a terd can shine up and look fairly well, and all V-1 division you were my friends. My support and you helped me make me what I am today. Bob and Sean you were a kick to be around. Bill, you are the cool ocean breeze. Kenny from V-4, I really admire you. You were fun to watch smack a softball nearly 400 feet or close to it. Dexter, so good to see you. You are the cool breeze of V-4. All the rest of you I saw at the reunion, it was nice to get to know you better, and now that Mr. Holly and Mary Lou have got this reunion rolling ,we all will get closer. Thank You Rick and Mary. I have stories that will last a life time. Sorry I was a little shy at our first reunion. Honestly, I was in a state of reflection and just couldn't believe seeing all of you shipmates. Sweepers, sweepers man you brooms, have to sweep out the kitchen. Yes, sweep out the kitchen. I do windows, too. V-1 taught me to clean very well. I remember in boot camp I rode a buffer and yes, I got caught. I got set back a week in training, I didn't have a good start, but ended up well. Mr. Ponzo, I thank you again for being who you are and helping me very much to be a good sailor. Well, I did 10 years, and got 2 1/2 good conducts. OK, I will explain the 1/2. If you can't figure it out, every 4 years if you don't get busted or don't get caught whatever way you look at it, you get a good conduct award. For no Captain's Masts, well, I got two good conduct awards and was half way too a third. Mr. Fitzgerald, I am sorry I took your flight jacket and was very wrong to do it, but I returned it because you had super people working for you, and they put the fear in me. That incident made me go in a straight line from here on. I love the Tarawa and the Crew of it then and now so proud to be part of this great Ship. That is all for now, Ill be back!

- Charles Petrach - dogbitten1@cox.net - OI Division - The first day I was to report to the Tarawa, I arrived to 32nd Street as Per my orders only to find that it just went to the yards in Long Beach. I had settled my family in San Diego. 11 month of weekend commuting we made it back to San Diego then the first deployment. I had some of the best people to work with in OI Division, I always felt like we were family. I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion.