THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 17, 1996 TAG: 9607160257
SECTION: MILITARY NEWS PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MELISSA GUNDEL STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 48 lines
Q. Where can I obtain a discharge form for a member of the Merchant Marines?
A. You need to submit Form DD2168, an application for discharge, to the National Maritime Center (NMC-4A), U.S. Coast Guard, 4200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 510, Arlington, Va. 22203-1804.
Q. I served on the destroyer Nicholson during World War II. What is the ship's status today?
A. According to the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, the Nicholson was decommissioned Feb. 26, 1946, and assigned as a Naval Reserve Training ship in the Third Naval District on Nov. 30, 1948. Recommissioned July 17, 1950, it was decommissioned once more and transferred to the Italian government in 1951, which renamed it the Aviere.
Q. I'd like to know the military bases around Pensacola, Fla., and whether you have any of their phone numbers.
A. There are four bases in or near Pensacola. Pensacola Naval Air Station is the main base. The number is (904) 452-0111.
Corry Station is located three miles from Pensacola Naval Air Station. The main phone number is (904) 452-2000.
Whiting Field Naval Air Station is located in Milton, Fla., which is 30 miles northeast of Pensacola. The number is (904) 623-7437.
And for information about Saufley Field in Pensacola, call (904) 452-1628.
Q. How many LSTs were built during and after World War II, and when was the first one built?
A. The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships says there were 1,051 tank landing ships built during World War II. The first scale model was built by January, 1942, and the keel of the first LST was laid down at what is now Newport News Shipbuilding that June.
In the early 1950s, 15 LSTs - the Terrebonne Parish class - were constructed. These were 56 feet longer than the originals, equipped with four, not two, diesel engines. In the late 1950s, seven more were constructed, members of the the De Soto County class. These improved versions were capable of 17 1/2 knots. The Newport (LST-1179), commissioned in 1969, introduced another new design: It was the first of a class of 20 LSTs capable of steaming at 20 knots. MEMO: To submit your questions, see the INFOLINE box at left. by CNB