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The Brough was in Key West, FL, supporting the Fleet Sonar School, along with the other DE's of "Cortron 14" which consisted of USS Huse 145, Peterson 152, Sturtevant 239, Strickland 333, & Snowden 246. The captain was LCDR G.E. Lockee, a "by the book" skipper.

I had taken the exam for Engineman 3/c MotorMac to you SENIOR SAILORS) and during Quarters one morning LTjg McKenna, our Engineering Officer, told me I had been successful in obtaining the rate.

The next few years on the Brough consisted mainly of training, until Captain Lockee announced we had been assigned to Task Force 43, Operation DeepFreeze II as a support ship. We departed on DF II in the fall of 1956 under a change of command, our new skipper being LCDR W.P. Duhon, and arrived Dunedin, New Zealand about 30 days later. We traversed the Panama Canal, crossed the Great Pacific Ocean & Equator, the 180th Meridian (International Date Line) and later the 60th parallel south, which entitled us to be called "Shellbacks, Golden Dragons and Bluenoses."

After spending many long days "on station" and being welcomed with open arms by the wonderful people of New Zealand (they told us we were the first US Warship into the port since World War II, and the feelings of these people toward the US Military, with the resultant welcome we received, is largely due to the behavior of you sailors who preceded us in that great crusade. We are forever grateful.) Throughout the course of about 5 months of support, DeepFreeze II ended and Brough returned to Newport in April 1957, from where I was separated from active service in May.

All in all, there are many fine memories in the seabag of my life. Those of once in a lifetime experiences and fine friends made during those times. I wouldn't trade these friends and memories for anything, for to have once gained them, they can never be taken away, and as we all know, Shipmates are forever!....... Would I do it gain?.......... IN LESS THAN A HEARTBEAT!

I should stop complaining because when we got through the re-commissioning Is when I started to enjoy the Navy. I spent almost 4 years on Brough and each one was better than the last. Compared to what you WW2 sailors went through, I guess we could call our time the "Recreational Navy".

After a year or so in the deck gang I struck for Radar and eventually reached 2nd class. I was discharged in Boston in March '55 after much soul searching on whether to ship over. ( My future wife wouldn't hear of it! )

It was a great experience and a great ship to serve on. Many good friends, stories, and memories.

HOW THE BROUGH CHANGED MY LIFE
My father served as a Lieutenant in the Navy during World War II. He left his history teaching job and enlisted shortly after the Pearl Harbor raid. Upon his discharge, he resumed his teaching career which culminated in his being named principal of the largest junior high school in New Jersey. He encouraged me to join the Naval Reserve while I was in high school. I completed boot camp at Bainbridge, Maryland and Reserve cruises aboard USS Heyliger DE-510 to Nova Scotia and later a month's sea journey to Spain and Portugal.

I Had the great fortune to be assigned to the USS Brough late in August, 1956 and shortly embarked on Operation Deepfreeze II. The trip through the Panama Canal, the equatorial crossing (was converted to a Shellback) and riding the mighty Pacific waves to New Zealand was exciting. The Kiwis took us to their hearts and showed us their beautiful country.

During my time aboard, I learned how difficult it was to manage a diverse group of men and make the ship a smooth running operation. Leaders among officers and enlisted personnel achieved a unity of command which got all tasks completed with a minimum of stress. Green and untested sailors like myself became a part of this team. Learning aboard the Brough was by example, regular training sessions and by developing one's own skills. We executed our responsibilities and did not ever want to let our shipmates down.

My service aboard the Brough allowed me to mature, develop personal goals and to meet many extraordinary individuals that served as my role models. Long days at sea enabled me to read numerous books that my father suggested - and many he suggested I not read! I have thought of my shipmates many times in the past forty-three years and continue to thank them for the lessons they've taught me. (Frank W. Kirkleski, Jr. -SKG2)

I was assigned to the Brough DE-148 in July 1951, at Green Cove Springs Florida to be Recommissioned From Boot Camp Company 448, She was recommissioned on Sept 7th 1951, and reported to the Atlantic Fleet, December 1st 1951. Junotomo@aol.com

Great Lakes Training Center was a real experience for an 18 year old. I got pneumonia, the measles, learned how to march and how to stand s-hole to bellybutton in the mess line. I then became Seaman Apprentice Weiss. Fleet Sonar school in Key West was good duty. We hitch hiked to Miami a lot and then got a rusty old Chevy that we could look down and see the road go by right thru the floor (I don't remember who actually owned it). For a duty assignment I requested Key West, and since it was a place almost no one requested I got it.

I said "Request Permission to Come Aboard" on Feb. 2nd, 1960 and The USS Brough DE-148 became my new home. At the time I was young and doing whatever had to be done, seeing things I had never seen and, not realizing it at the time, experiencing things I would remember and treasure the rest of my life. The good friends I made, ships parties, visiting places I'll never see again, watching dolphins (and listening to them on the Sonar), seeing the Northern Lights, being 19 and sailing into New York harbour and suddenly seeing the Statue of Liberty thru the morning mist. There was also Sea Time', being sea sick, sometimes for days, sea time', missing your family, sea time' and a couple of hangovers.

Three years later, Jan 31, 1963, I was discharged as 3rd class Sonarman Weiss, went home to Pittsburgh, got married to Judy (the best thing I ever did), raised two great boys, retired after 30 years at Westinghouse and went to a Brough reunion in Albany.

One last thing I wanted to say. 'Brough' really does rhyme with WoW'. That's what I think. Yours Truly - Fred Fweissj@cs.com

Hi, my name is Justin Strohman I am 16 years old, my grandpa was on the USS Brough in World War 2, just before his unfortunate death about six years ago His name was Howard D. Strohman. I was just wondering if anybody remembered who he was.I was just looking through his oldscrap book of the war and all of your guys pictures. Please get back to me, thank you for your guys time. If anybody knows anything about my grandpa if you could tell me thanks Sincerley Howards grandson... strohman@povn.com

I was the assistant engineering officer on the Brough from June 13, 1944 until she was almost completely mothballed on February 25, 1946. I have noticed several names familiar to me from this web page. I have taught school for 35 years and been retired for 17 years. Time sure does fly, but the times on the Brough during WW 2 are unforgettable. I will keep up with the reunions, and perhaps maybe I can attend one before too long. I live in San Angelo, Texas and my e-mail is dtarter5@gte.net

I am the granddaughter on Arthur Leroy Gilmore who served on the Uss Brough I believe from 1942 until he was discharge in 1943 due an accident. He was a 1st class gunners mate (I think that is the correct name) I am trying to find any information anyone has on my granddad. My granddad died in 1978 I was close to him, but to young to ask the questions that at this time as I am working on the family history. I am proud of my granddaddy for fighting to ensure that I would be able to live in a Free Country.

So any information that you could pass my way would be very gratefully accepted.

Also I read about reunions, I know that I would like to attend and I am sure my father would also.

I went onboard the Brough in Jan 1953--she was still in the Philly ship yard for overhaul--I went into the radio gang under Murphy RM1 and was there till discharge in May 1956---made the rate of RM2---K D Myhre---Richard Herring--Paul J Palmasano were some of the other radio men--��I often wonder if any of them are still alive---Leon Tillery was a quartermaster at the time also---Cornelus Schultz was an E T that I remember real well---at present I am retired and live back in old South Dakota again---my e-mail�� mom-popkrause@santel.net�� would like to hear from somebody that remembers us---

Introductions