Richard 'Rick' Bari               

                                                        1963                        1964               1972

I was ordered to the USS Manatee after flunking out of ET 'A' school  at Treasure Island in San Francisco Harbor in early 1962.   I'll never forget ETCM Niese in his dismissal of me.  "We're sending you to sea as a deck ape and you'll regret not passing the course for becoming an ET."

Well, that did come back to haunt me but not for a good while.  I still remember the nervousness that I experienced when reporting aboard and wonder how stupid I looked trying to salute the flag and Quarterdeck Watch Officer at the same time.

I was immediately assigned to first division under the watchful eyes of BM3 Curtis Betts.  My first work station was the forecastle and I gained great knowledge in the removal of old paint from the anchor wench.  I also became somewhat of an expert in the application of various paints and protective coatings.  I believe neither of these skills helped me in professional life but they were there just in case I needed them.

I was very happy to be aboard Manatee and enjoyed the cruises of 1963 and 1964 greatly.  How else was a poor boy from Arkansas going to see the world.  I also made some great friends while there and would love to see them again.

My next command was Subic Bay PI where I became experienced in the operation of various harbor boats and landing craft.  As far as enjoying my stay there I can sum that up in one word, wonderful.

I was discharged in December '64 and got married to my long time sweetheart just before Christmas.  As all the civilian jobs for paint chippers and anchor painters along with 'mike' boat operators were all taken I took the step of re-entering the Navy in February 1965.

I was then assigned to the USS Independence CVA-62 where I served as coxswain on one of the officer motorboats.  Well with all this experience I was achieving in the care and feeding of naval small craft and the Vietnam build up I decided this would be a great time to try to change my rate to ET.  River boat operators didn't last long in those days, contrary to what Mr. Kerry says.  I was finally accepted to ET 'A' school and departed the "Indy" in December '65 right after a 9 month west-pac cruise.

Recent photo with my wife Ruth

I packed the wife and ,oh! I forgot to tell you, our infant son and off we went for 54 weeks of ET school in Great Lakes.  This time I had a lot of incentive to study hard and make the grade.  I was promoted to ETN2 in August of '66 and never looked back on my boatswains mate life although the knowledge I had acquired stayed with me throughout my life.

My next command was USS assurance MSO-521 which was anything but fun at sea.  No showers when underway and it bobbed like a cork in a bathtub.   I became a much better ET from the experiences there because there was only me and a seaman striker to keep all the electronics running smoothly.  Son number 2 was born during this period.   I remained on board until March or April 1969, made ET1 and I was transferred to Nav Comm Sta Italy where I remained until August of 1972.

My next command was a real hoot, USS Bigelow DD-942.  For all those who have never experienced 40 foot seas while tied to your bunk on a tin can, let me say it was no fun at all.  Our daughter was born during this tour.   I stayed aboard and finally got orders to Naval Air Station Key West in 1976.

Key West was a fisherman's heaven and I remained there until my first available retirement date in 1980.  All these years making chief had eluded me and with regrets I went on 2 months terminal leave in late June 1980. 

We had saved a little money so the family and I took off on a 2 month tour of the US and it was really nice to not have to be anywhere for a while.  This newfound freedom was about to come to an abrupt halt though.  My old division officer tracked me down and informed me that I was number 2 on the chief's list and he had already pulled strings to get me back in the navy for a 2 year hitch so I could experience the 'hat'.  Thanks to 'Chris'  Cristophersen CWO4.

My next command was USS Elmer Montgomery FF-1082, which was about as fun as the larger destroyer in the Atlantic.   After making chief, I had this great desire to stay for 30 but after 2  med cruises and a shipyard during these 2 years I had had enough so I eased back into retirement.

I was interviewed  and accepted a position at South Texas Nuclear Project near Bay City, Texas in October 1982.  This place was kind of like the navy because that's where nuclear power plant operators come from.   I remained at STP for 17 years and then lo and behold a 'package' was offered and I leaped at the chance to be completely retired.  That was 5 years ago and I have not yet gotten bored.

Now my days are passed piddling with things that interest me.  I love woodworking, play a little golf, do computer work for many friends and neighbors and have bought me an old anchor that I chip and paint from time to time just to keep up my job skills...

Shipmates this is my life and you guys are a part of it.  I salute you and all those that have passed.  God bless and keep you.

Rick Bari