Al (Blackie) Getchell, TM3:

Al (Blackie) Getchell P.O. Bxo 619 Granbury, TX 76048 phone: 817-579-5587 cell: 817-798-5662 e-mail:

TM3 - Al Getchell - circa 1960

My name is Dick Getchell AKA IC1(SS) 64-76 and my dad is Al "pappy or blackie" Getchell TM1 USN Retired. Dad was a plank owner on the 1035 and brought her around to the Pacific and made the first West Pac with her. Dad retired in 72 after completing a 2 year advisory tour in South Korea. Dad is now 79 years young and lives in Granbury Texas near myself and his grand children. Dad attends two reunions annually with the USS St Louis and the USS Richmond, both cruisers from WWII. I have some memories of the ship and I know dad has plenty. I believe dad may have one of the first West Pac books in his stacks of stuff. I know that one of my son's has a shell with a picture of the Chares Berry on it from that trip. I will speak with dad tomorrow and request all information I can get in addition of letting him know that the crew is planning a reunion next summer. Please forward any information or questions to me at my email and I will forward to dad until he can give you his mailing address and information. He is not on the web so I will try and scan what ever I can get from him and forward to you. Dad was on board when the ship rescued the fisherman and I am not sure, but I think he may have been on the wheel, since he was formerly a Boats during WWII and seemed to know his way around that sort of thing. At any rate I am sure he would be glad to hear from all. My best regards and wishes for a blessed holiday season. God Bless, dick PS: He played a lot of baseball while in the Navy all over the world.