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Welcome Aboard Shipmate!

INTRODUCTION

HISTORY of the “namesake” ESSEX...

In June of 1798, Congress passed several acts to establish a Naval Force. In response to this action the citizens of Salem Massachusetts opened a “Patriotic Subscription” to build a vessel of war for the United States. “TAKE NOTICE” And so it came to pass…a legend was born. The Frigate “ESSEX” was built and launched on 30 September 1799.

The Second “ESSEX” was an ironclad steamer was built in 1856 and was used in action against Confederate forces. She participated in battle on the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers and involved in the capture of Fort Henry. The second ESSEX was decommissioned on 20 July 1865.

The Third “ESSEX” was a wooden-screw steamer. Commissioned at the Boston Navy Yard on 03 October 1876. She saw action in the North and South Atlantic Squadrons as well as the Pacific and Asiatic Squadrons. Essex was again decommissioned in May 1889 but designated a training ship and spent 14 years at Annapolis. Finally stricken from the record in 1930.

The fourth ship, an aircraft carrier (CV-9) carried the name “ESSEX” into Fleet Duty as the lead ship in a class of World War II aircraft carriers. She was commissioned in December 1942 and reported to the Pacific Fleet. She went on to earn 14 Battle Stars in various war campaign victories that would take her to Tokyo Bay. USS ESSEX was decommissioned in 1947, then modernized and recommissioned in 1951.

USS ESSEX (CV-9) participated in the support of UN troops in Korea. USS ESSEX was reclassified as (CVA-9) on October 1952. Following Korean action where she earned another 4 Battle stars, she was again modernized with an “angled flight deck” and saw duty in both the Atlantic and Pacific fleets. In 1960, the USS ESSEX was converted to an ASW support carrier and reclassified (CVS-9). USS ESSEX CVS-9 participated in many NATO exercises and deployments, most noteworthy was the recovery of APOLLO 7 astronauts in October 1968. Finally the USS ESSEX (CVS-9) was decommissioned on July 30, 1969.

The fifth ship to be named “ESSEX” the mulitipurpose amphibious assault ship (LHD) was the second ship of the WASP CLASS assault ships. The principle mission was to conduct prompt, sustained operations at sea, primarily as the Command ship of a Naval Amphibious Group. The USS ESSEX was commissioned on October 17 1992 in San Diego California. The USS ESSEX (LHD-2), the “IRON GATOR” remains in commission today.

THE USS ESSEX ASSOCIATION

“YOUR DUTY ABOARD THIS SHIP CALLS FOR SPECIAL SERVICE AND DEDICATION AS YOU CARRY ON THE SPIRIT OF ESSEX- THAT OF SERVICE TO COUNTRY, TO NAVY, TO FELLOW CITIZENS AND TO FREEDOM AND PEACE. WE WISH YOU GODSPEED, AND ASK YOU TO ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE OF EXCELLENCE AND PROUD SERVICE, WHICH HAS BEEN THE HALLMARK OF THE PREVIOUS ESSEX SHIPS AND CREWS.”

OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION

CHAIRMAN: Thomas C. Ferelli – tferelli@gmail.com – (602) 882-0375

VICE CHAIRMAN: Norm Thompson – norm21@frontier.com – (260) 341-5734

Secretary: Open position, contact the Chairman

Treasurer: Open position, contact the Chairman

Storekeeper: Thomas C. Ferelli – tferelli@gmail.com – (602) 882-0375

Membership: Thomas C. Ferelli - open position, contact the Chairman

Historian: Richard Scales – r94hd50@aol.com – (812) 305-1289

Chaplin: Bob Nause – bbbobn@ptd.net – (571) 788-3157

Master at Arms: Jim Wadford – (706)-342-1522

Buccaneer Editor: Chuck Fiedler – chuck.fiedler@gmail.com – (757) 971-0480

MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY

The Membership is comprised of all shipmates, Navy and Marine, Ships Company and Air Groups past and present who served aboard the USS ESSEX CV/CVA/CVS-9 or LHD-2. Sons or Daughters are eligible to become full members. Associate memberships are available but do not have voting rights.

DUES

The annual Membership dues are $25.00 for all members. The exception is for those who are still serving on active duty which pay only $10.00 as long as they remain on active duty. Annual renewal period is January 1st of each year. No renewal notices are sent, but your expiration date is on your ID card, plus, a form and reminder is published in the Newsletter.

(NOTE: ONLY CURRENT Dues paying or life members have access and VOTING rights at the Business/Membership meetings and are eligible to receive a copy of the Association Roster)

IDENTIFICATION CARDS

Identification Cards are issued by the Membership Chairman and the Secretary. They are Valid for the year(s) that the dues are paid up for. ID CARDS are MANDATORY for access to the Business/Membership meetings at the Reunion. NO ACCESS WILL BE GRANTED WITHOUT ID.

REUNIONS

The USS Essex Association holds an annual reunion each year. The year 2019 will be the 50th time our Shipmates are able to get together. Times and locations are promulgated in the APRIL edition of the Buccaneer, available at www.ussessexassociation.com and on Facebook as the details are published.

SHIP’S STORE

The Ship’s Store is the ONLY authorized vendor of USS ESSEX ASSOCIATION clothing and memorabilia. These items are available online through the Association website, www.ussessexassociation.com and as published in the Buccaneer. Storekeeper: Thomas C. Ferelli – tferelli@gmail.com – (602) 882-0375

BUCCANEER MAGAZINE

The Buccaneer is published three times a year in March, July, and November and has many useful topics of information. The Association Chairman and others communicate to the membership through the Buccaneer. The Buccaneer is available to each member via the email listing. Email availability saves printing and postage costs to the Association and is available in color, much sooner than a mailed copy. If you have no computer access and require a paper copy, simply contact the Digital Secretary and he will put you on a mailing list.

Digital Secretary: Thomas C. Ferelli – tferelli@gmail.com – (602) 882-0375

The Ship’s Store operator maintains an e-mail database and sends out a notice when the new Buccaneer is available and transmit any other general information as necessary. Please try to keep him posted on any changes to your e-mail address. Thomas C. Ferelli, tferelli@gmail.com or call (602) 882-0375

CHAPLAIN'S CORNER

The Essex Association point of contact is the Chaplain regarding information about the sickness or the passing of Shipmates or their family members. The Chaplain will communicate this to the Association and its membership and then place this information in the Buccaneer publication if time permits. Please include all necessary contact information especially a phone/cell number or email so that the Chaplain can respond to these notifications. Thank you or condolence card response inquiries must include a full address and zip code. Contact the Chaplain Robert (Bob) Nause at bbbobn@ptd.net or call (570) 436-4000 (EDT).

SOCIAL MEDIA

The USS Essex Association is now on Facebook and Twitter. It is easily accessible from the USS Essex Association website by clicking on the “Facebook” icon in the upper right hand corner of any page.

NOTE: By clicking that icon and joining the Association there does not mean that you are a DUES PAYING Member, it just lets you access the information on the Facebook pages and lets you communicate with those folks that are on that site page.

Any questions concerning the content contained herein, please contact the Chairman of the USS Essex Association or any of the Officers of the Association.


 

If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact us



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