At Sea On The USS Orion (AS-18)

[@raumetro9932]

I was an ElectricianMate third class served from 76 thru 78 in USS Orion when was based in Charleston SC....great memories , remember faces but not names , but Cpt Henson was the Captain .

[@utoob1966]

Thanks for posting your video of the old USS Orion AS-18. My father was a plank-owner on the Orion; having proudly served on her from her launching and fit out in and off San Francisco in 1943 until her arrival in New York City in 1945 after VJ day. I have many fond memories of my father telling me of his time serving on this great old ship. Travelling in the convoys, the endless painting, the native women of the islands, the many fights with the Australians over the local women with a fondness for U.S. sailors in Fremantle, swimming out to the rafts full of beer in Saipan, the Japanese prisoners of war brought on board off of submarines, the men placed in straight-jackets after drinking torpedo juice during the celebration of VJ day, the trip through the Panama Canal, and the fear of being on a ship loaded with torpedoes and ammunition with little means of self-defense. Dad had enough service points to leave the Navy after the Orion's transfer to the Atlantic and her arrival in New York City. It was with a heavy heart that I followed the valiant attempts to save her for history and the unfortunate decision to scrap her and her subsequent breaking in Baltimore from 2006-2007. Dad passed away in 2000, but he spoke of his time on the Orion up until his very last day on earth. Thanks again.

[@TheOldbsa]

+utoob1966 My Father also served on this ship in that time period. He was a corpsman. I don't think thats what they were called back then. When the ship was at Saipan he had to land with the Marines.

[@xtbrady01x]

I served onboard the USS ORION from 1985 to 1988. In La Maddalena Italy. Great memories! Great to see this video to see the old ship once again. Thank you

[@davidsumrell1070]

Few years ahead of you. 81 82

[@RobertWhite-bs5in]

Brady I was on as 18 in 87 to 90

[@Blackman19498]

I served on this ship from 1988 until 1990, great memory’s !!🚢

[@TheSpearhead45]

My Grandpa (James "Pete" Goodnight) served on the USS Orion during WW2; he died in 1961. Thank You for posting about it; it meant alot? :) Thank you guys for serving aboard and your stories are always welcome to me! :)

[@carllove3705]

This was my first ship. I served on her for two years, from June of 1980 until July of 1982. I was in Deck Department and was onboard when we changed homeports to Sardinia Italy to replace the Howard W. Gilmore. Thank you so much for posting this video. It brings back many memories.

[@reginaldmassey3272]

Do you remember me? Bm3 Reginald Massey? Your name sounds familiar, I was on board from oct 77 to July 81, such memories of Charleston and Lamaddelena!

[@mala-koza6059]

Thank you for putting this up on YT. I was on the Orion as a nuc welder 86-88 in La Madd. Like a dream...

[@timsebastian5758]

I started out on the Hunley in Charleston after boot in 70. Ended up on Canopus later in the same year and was in Holy Loch 17 months. Best times of my life. Great video! Thank you

[@brucelytle1144]

I went aboard a newly minted MM2 in 1973, assigned to Shop 38a. Left in 76 as LPO of 38a. Best, most professional people I worked with in the Navy! Thanks MMCM McGregor!

[@1stpettyofficerHardeman]

This was my ship in LaMadalena, Sardinia. Loved every minute of this experience.

[@debbieliff4523]

my late husband Stanley liff was in the Navy and was on the ship the USS Orion AS 18 she was a great ship I remember he took me on a tour of the great ship love every thing about it

[@redceltic]

I was honored to have served on board her from July 1992 until her decommissioning on September 3rd 1993. Fair winds and following seas Shipmate!

[@wadebrown70]

I served aboard her from April 1992 through decommissioning in September 1993. She was my first duty station and I loved every minute of it. As Teacher Mikey said, she was a sound ship and served the country and crew well.

[@stevechase8571]

Thanks for the video, I remember the sights of cruising upriver well, under the bridge, past the DeGauss station, and to the pier. Used to go 4-wheeling where the floating museum is now located. It was just being planned and started when I transferred to active reserve and went home. I served on her 74-75. I moved over one pier from the Yellowstone (AD-27) when she de-commed. Worked in the Machine shop and made rate (MR3) aboard her. Good ship, good crew. Worked on quite a few fast attack boats there, and was home for dinner 6 out of seven nights a week. Sweet duty, but I never got the chance to make the west-pac tour that I wanted. Thanks for sharing the video.

[@wadebrown70]

I was a crew member of her from April 1992 to September 1993. It's good to see the old lady again.

[@TeacherMikey]

I served aboard her and was one of the very last to leave her when she was decomissioned. I rode her from Italy to Gibraltar, the Azores, across the Atlantic to Bermuda, and Norfolk. She was a sound ship.

[@celiaroth2787]

my dad served on the orion 1943-1945 in saipan,he was 18,his job was winding electric motors for subs .

[@bundeswehrvet]

My father arrived at Pier 22 in 1959 after a tour on BUSHNELL in Key West as 1C Shipfitter. Stayed aboard until making CPO in 66 then orders to LOS ALAMOS in Holy Loch. Year later, returned to Norfolk and spent his last year aboard before retiring in 1967. He went TAD a bunch of times to New London, but seems to me was always in the rear detachment when ORION went out for her yearly barnacle cruise. She seemed to spend 1/2 the year facing towards the base, then 1/2 year facing the river. But what donI know….he raised me to be an Army helicopter pilot!

[@glmasailor1]

Great video, my father was on this same years you were as a machinist mate. He sailed it to Italy and came home on the Gilmore.

[@rattletrap2007]

I served on board the USS Orion 1979 to 1980. I was in charge of I Division and checked in many of the crew members that went on to Italy. We went down to GITMO for refresher training and proceeded to Fort Lauderdale for some R & R during spring break. That was a party. Worked in Personnel Division for Master Chief Whipple and an Officer named Abshire. Wrote my own discharge papers....

[@reginaldmassey3272]

I was aboard from oct 77 to july 81.

[@reginaldmassey3272]

I arrived on board the night Reggie Jackson hit 3 homeruns against the Dodgers!

[@dougweaver5065]

Paul, I served on her from 77 to 79, then went to the USS Julius A Furer. Dry dock with the Orion, a few months later the furer went into dry dock. I played a lot of football and softball on both ships because i had very little sea time. But, had a great time and meet good people on both ships. I too am getting old, remember faces, but forget the names.

[@jec1ny]

USS Orion from 1986-88 X Division. Ship's postal clerk (PC)

[@RobertWhite-bs5in]

Don't get me twisted Orion was 1 st ship I worked in the forward engine room she was old but we held her together as as a team

[@Huskeybear76]

I was aboard from 77 to 82. I was HT1 Huskey then. Never went to Jacksonville while I was aboard.

[@reginaldmassey3272]

I remember you husky!

[@jameshudson6716]

I SERVED ON THE ORION 1957-58. THE CAPTAIN WAS CHESTER NIMITZ JR. SON OF THE GREAT WW2 HERO. JIM HUDSON YN2

[@ericpaccone4778]

i served on the Orion 85 - 88 while she was in La Maddelena, Italy. data processing tech, great ship...good times....Barcelona what i night...

[@TreeSawTTV]

in the print shop 86-88. r-o division

[@IgotHopsII]

I was on Orion from January 1969 to August of 1970. Played on the basketball team. We were good - only lost 3 games that I can remember but then I don't remember ever missing a shot either! Also played on the golf team. When I worked (and I did work, too) I was in R-5 Div and we worked long hours getting boats in and out when they had issues in the reactor compartment. When we went to sea, it was usually because our effluent tanks were full and we had to empty them to make room for more. I remember the severe storm we went through in 1969. I thought we were all going to Davey Jones' locker!

[@IgotHopsII]

I guess you know about this site: www.hullnumber.com/crew1.php?cm=AS-18 There is a USS Orion historical organization and I'll look for the link to it and post it here when I find it. A reunion is coming up in September in Norfolk.

[@IgotHopsII]

Some more information: tendertale.com/tenders/118/118.html

[@erniemelton9762]

Ernie Melton I was on the Orion from February 1969 to the end of July 1970. I played softball with the Navy team in Norfolk, VA. The Orion was docked at pier 22, D&S piers.

[@reginaldmassey3272]

I was on orion bball team from oct 77 to july 81, won Charleston base championships in 78 79.

[@EXOTICmohsty]

Wow thanks for the memories Paul. I remember the faces but can't recall the names. Damn I hate getting old.

[@blackNwhitetalkshow]

I served on the Orion 69-70, D&S pier 22 Norfolk Va. Thanks for the memories, I could see shit-birds in the film, we used to take rolls from the mess deck and poke a finger in them and fill them with hot sauce and toss it overboard, the seagulls would swoop down and swallow them whole and fly back up in the air then the hot sauce would hit them and we would laugh till we cried. I had a lot of fun on the USS Orion AS 18 Thanks again Sailor.

[@travisfadness1208]

Godspeed PO HaroldFadness from your grandson Fireman Travis Fadness, USS S.W Groves. FFG-29. I love you Gramps. Anchors aweigh shipmate.

[@twrecks4598]

Served about '89-'92 ... R-1 Division ... La Maddalena. Met my wife of 25 years (in June) from Palau.

[@martinshort9006]

I was a member of the USS Orion from 1982 to 1984, boarded as a PN3 left as a PN2 ready for the NC1 exam. I wonder how PNMC Patrick Pursel, PN2 William Wagner and PN2 David Cox are doing?

[@davidsumrell1070]

I was a Deck Ape

[@phill0329]

USS Orion Aug 1972-February 1975. W-3 Division. The best tour of duty ever. Usually, Fort Lauderdale. Also, Cuba and Jamaica.

[@timstokes6512]

I was on 85-88 lamad sardegna

[@rickywalker3154]

I served aboard from 1991 to the decommisioning in Norfolk, VA.

[@salaamakbar3630]

THE SHIP FROM HELL!!!

[@wadebrown70]

I was aboard from April 92 to Sep 93. Missed the decommissioning ceremony by a few days. Transferred to the Roosevelt. Good times on the Orion!

[@mirto5663]

USS Orion in La Maddalena, USS Gilmore (AS-16) prior to that, Tech in Weps DIv,. then SP in La Madd.

[@scotstclair9102]

My dad served on this ship from 75-79. He might have been on this cruise. Not sure exactly when in 79 he got out. He was in the engine room.

[@kennethlowery942]

I was on 84-85 in LaMad. Shipfitter shop. HTs.

[@truegritwayne]

We actually went to Fort Lauderdale, not Jacksonville. I was onboard from 77-80.

[@dougweaver5065]

Yes, I was on her also for the Fort Lauderdale trip.

[@buzzkill1964]

BZ BZ. BZ And thank you, shipmate!

[@Andi845]

Thank you! 62-66 FTG3

[@kaolafson1]

I agree that it was mostly boring, as far as going places-but I served on her from 76-80 also, and when we had to steam in-port it was often-times port and stbd duty. In 79 we actually went thru our major overhaul in Braswell Shipyards right there in Charleston, then the trip to the Caribbean was to do sea trials at GTMO-for 6 weeks, so all I knew was standing watches in the hole (engineroom) and sweating our butt's off.. the 1 day of liberty in GTMO was cool, I love the water, but beaches? LOL

[@rickakashockshockey9151]

My dad served on the Orion from '43-'45.

[@TheOldbsa]

+Rick aka Shock Shockey My dad also served on the Orion from 43-45.

[@heylar2]

Served on the Orion 1955-1958. Mostly boring except for the trips to the Caribbean.

[@steve11352]

Stationed on this ship from 1971 - 72 when it was in Guam. I "think" it was relieved by the Hunley? Hard to remember. LOL

[@manuelduran3740]

No it was relieved by the Proteus .

[@toddmcdonald1820]

My grandpa Robert McDonald was on this ship in ww2!

[@davidsumrell1070]

I served on the Orion. Italy

[@michaelmiller347]

Served 1976-78,ran drycleaning plant

[@jameswitt3295]

89 -91 40 ft. o.m.b.coxswain. ate at the shmo.