USS Bon Homme Richard CVA 31

Flight operations aboard the Bonnie Dick in 1962. AWAC, A4's, F8's, Cods. In that period of time -- the best of the best!! What a privilege it was to serve on that ship and be a part of the greatest Navy in the world....

[@johnwillett-br8sn]

I was aboard four Essex class carriers over 9 1/2 years in the Navy and the BHR was the best. I was with CAG 7 out of Quonset point during the Korean cruise in 1952. Great memories and at the time, “a good feeder.”

[@ronsebastian187]

Thanks John. I appreciate the comment. Always nice to hear from those who served.

[@ianmatthew2501]

AEC Harl L. Houghton - served on the USS BHR in its final year of service (Jan '70 - Jan '71). Ret. June 23,1975 Salute to All, Thank You!

[@exenrontexas]

OP division, 1970. Thanks for sharing. God bless the brave naval aviators who took their lives in hand in service.

[@ronsebastian187]

Thank you so much for viewing and commenting. The older I get the more proud I am of our military. No greater people than those who give to the service of our country.

[@olddog103]

69/70 my last days on the old girl, served as a helicopter rescue aircrewman with HC1.

[@monroejoplin947]

I served aboard the BHR 1961 to 1963. I was in OI divison, spent alot time on lookout watch. this vedio makes feel 20 years again. I rember the Cuban Missile Crisis very well, it cold as hell. The seas were so rough that we could refuel the destroyers. I was very proud to have served on the BHR. I had alot of good time with the shipmates of OI divison & look froward to seeing four of at the BHR ship reunion each year. We need more shipsmates at the reunion each year.

[@ronsebastian187]

Thanks for stopping by. If you wish, please post the info on the reunion here. Always good to hear from fellow shipmates. Thanks again. Sorry I am late in answering the posts.

[@monroejoplin947]

ron, Good to here from you, the next bhr shipmates reunion is Aug. 31 to Sept 4 in Nashville, TE. You can contact Jim Kosinsk at 805-650-9134 about the reunion. At the past 3 reuions 4 of my shipmates in OI Divison will be there. It makes for a better reunion when you can visit with shipmates you servied with for 2 years or more. If I can be of any more hepl, let know. monroe

[@AvengerII]

While they never routinely operated F-4 Phantoms from Essex-class carriers, they did experiments with the USS Intrepid in 1960. The Navy decided against using the F-4 on the Essex-class because the weight of the fighter would have required reinforcing the flight deck and the lighter F-8 Crusader was available to use for air defense of the Essex-class. The last active duty, frontline F-8 fighters were based on Essex-class ships after they were phased out of the larger carrier classes. USS Oriskany was the last US Navy carrier to deploy with F-8s; she retired in 1976 along with the F-8 after her final deployment. F-4 Phantoms went on to serve on every later carrier class from the Midway class to a brief career on the Nimitz class. The other issue ruling out adoption of the F-4 on the Essex-class was the planned phase out of the entire class beginning from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s. It just wasn't economical to refit Essex-class ships to operate a plane they'd probably have been only able to carry 20 or so max airframes of anyway. Also, the Essex-class ships were dealing with higher-than-average plane accidents and adding a larger fighter (which would have stressed both air operations AND the physical ship deck) to the mix would not have helped. On average, the Essex-class carriers had twice as many accidents as the supercarriers (Forrestal class and larger)! Oh, one more footnote. The Bonhomme Richard DID recover/trap an F-4 Phantom during the Vietnam War years. The F-4 was either low on fuel or made a mistake about the carrier it was approaching. After trapping the plane, the Bonnie Dick's crew spraypainted graffiti on the F-4 to mock its mother carrier, the Constellation! There's a photo of this online! I think the F-4 was probably transferred by crane back to the Constellation if if it wasn't catapulted off the Bonnie Dick. Bonnie Dick was equipped with steam catapults. The Intrepid was also a steam catapult Essex-class carrier and had proven the type could sling F-4s off their decks. The Essex-class ships stuck with hydraulic catapults would not have been able to handle F-4 Phantoms; hydraulic catapults have lower weight shot capacity.

[@ronsebastian187]

Thank you so much for the information. As ships crew I was not that familiar with the various aircraft aboard. Comments like yours are greatly appreciated and welcomed. Thanks again for posting.

[@garygrasma161]

What a great video. I made two cruises aboard the Bon Homme, one in 1958, lasted for nine months in the Pacific, and another cruise in 1959, six months after the first, and it lasted for six months. I was a plane captain, crew chief in the USAF. on the Demon. Mechanics were known as Demon Doctors. Lots of stories about the plane, not enough room here to tell them all. Just proud to view the film.

[@ronsebastian187]

Good to have you here. Thank you so much for the comments and if you want, do share some of the stories. Always interested in hearing about the times aboard. Thanks again.

[@briantaylor9285]

Iconic music

[@afrhspook]

I was aboard her then, as a Parachute Rigger and our squadron was VF-193, flying the McDonnell F3H Demon. In 1962 we deployed to just off the coast of Russia where we narrowly averted nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis.. We had two A-4 Skyhawks on the cats during that time, in a storm at sea, who were on the catapults, turning....ready to launch. Many years later, I was in Dallas Texas during the Larry Hagman memorial and met one of the pilots who was sitting on the cat. The Demons you see in this film were from our squadron under Cdr Jack Bent. Ahhh, those were

[@ronsebastian187]

+Jim “Wildspirit” Pankey Jim, thank you so much for the comment. We had the best view of the starboard cat. My station was the forward MK 37 gunfire control director above the bridge. Many hours spent watching the launches and admiring the folks that manned the cats as well as the pilots. Thanks again and stop by anytime.

[@233EC]

My name is Ed Pickett and I was an AN3 Ships company V6 , on this cruise. Hello everyone from Mesa, AZ I also volunteered for the Power Jeep, so saw lots of deck stuff.

[@ronsebastian187]

+Ed Pickett Thanks for stopping by Ed. I appreciate the comment. It's always a good thing to hear from shipmates and fellow sailors. Thanks again. Ron Sebastian

[@jimbarton3279]

Join us www.ussbhrshipmates.org Bart V5 68

[@briancooper2112]

Chandler,az

[@michaelsoto4203]

Michael SOTO I came onboard the "Bonnie Dick" in Feb 1962. Was assigned to No.2 Fireroom as a BT striker. Since I knew how to type, That was my ticket to work in the ENG LOG ROOM and switch to "Yeoman". Soon afterwards when I was promoted to YN3, I was assigned to COMNAVAIRPAC NASNORIS. I surely missed life onboard ship, especially after the 62-63 WESTPAC Cruise.

[@ronsebastian187]

Hi Michael. Sorry I'm a bit late in responding. Thanks for stopping by and posting. It's always a pleasure to hear from shipmates.

[@graceburrell8800]

K.L. Burrell onboard Oct.62 thru Oct.63 Westpac cruise.

[@michaelsoto4203]

@@graceburrell8800 Hi Grace, How is Burrell related? Where did he work onboard? I was assigned to the Engineering Department. I worked as a “yeoman” in the Logroom.

[@graceburrell8800]

@@michaelsoto4203 I found your photo in the cruise book. K.L Burrell was in Fox Division. R.J. Sebastion stands to my husband's left in the cruise book photo of Fox Division.

[@michaelsoto4203]

@@graceburrell8800 WOW! Ya found my picture…I was 19 years old then. Us peeps from Engineering didn’t have a chance to meet others from other divisions. I seldom went “top-side” to the hangar bay or flight deck while at sea or otherwise. I have attended like 5 reunions and maybe see/meet a very few whom I actually knew.

[@donaldking6195]

I was aboard 1970. Mustered out along side Bonnie Dick Nov 1970. ABH3. Worked as a Yellow Shirt then as a Red Shirt. Wildest thing I ever did.

[@jamesrichardson2342]

I too was on board for both the 69 and 70 cruise. Got out of the Navy Nov. 12, 1970...the day we returned to San Diego. I was with VF53. Became a Shellback on that cruise.

[@paulcampana]

Had the pleasure of having a guided tour just last Thursday 2 September in Melbourne awesome thanks to all involved

[@ronsebastian187]

Hi Paul, Thanks for stopping by and the comment. It's always good to hear from folks that visit this page.

[@tazmod7272]

My dad was stationed aboard the Carrier when it was at San Diego in the early sixties. I was in the 9th grade and got to go on it. Captain Morrison was captain, Jim Morrison, the singer, was his son.

[@ronsebastian9889]

Hi Taz, Thanks for stopping by. Perhaps some of the shipmates that knew your Dad will view your comment and reply as well.

[@jimbarton3279]

Join us www.ussbhrshipmates.org

[@sabgab]

My Dad Harold "Jim" Beers was on the Bonnie Dick 1960-1963. VF-191 F-8 Crusader's. Satan's Kittens.

[@ronsebastian187]

Thanks for the post. I remember the F-8 Crusaders. They were an impressive plane. I didn't meet your Dad personally but our paths may have crossed in the mess hall or anywhere else on the ship. Always nice to hear from a shipmate or their family.

[@fassstEddie]

Assigned to the 31 on Oct. 1958 while it was in Alameda NAS. Was sent to firefighting school in San Diego. Flew SFO to HNL for my first child born Kapiolani Hospital Oct. 29 '58. Re-joined the Bonnie Dick as we left Pearl for WestPac. Returned Pearl June '59, mustered out to the reserves July '59. Served on the flight deck as a lowly plane pusher. Pure boredom followed by sheer terror! Hated the AD3 for its props and the F8 for its loud jet prior to launch - it could rattle your bones! Played drums with the Bonnie Dick Roadrunners - we were awful! lol

[@Bob859]

I served aboard the Bonnie Dick 1968-70. Two WESTPAC cruises.

[@ronsebastian187]

Hi Bob, Thank you for stopping by. I always appreciate hearing from fellow mates that served aboard the Bonnie Dick.

[@edvincensi3895]

Made her last Wespac 1970 .Bonnie was decommissioned later 1971 port San Diego

[@ezpz2ez]

Served aboard in ships company, WG division, 1966 to 1968. A03 in the 3rd deck bomb build-up crew. We worked 12 hour days and we didn't have the hydraulic lift equipment they have now. We used "hernia bars". God I was glad to get off that ship. Which I finally did in July of '68 with only two weeks left of my contract. Flew off in a COD to Subic Bay and then to Clark AFB where I caught a MATS toTacoma, Washington where I was discharged. Got good travel pay, long ways from Tacoma to Kansas City, Mo. my point of enlistment.

[@masterjedi5510]

My Pop served on this Carrier, and was aboard during this filming. We lost him to terminal lung cancer this past May. I showed him this video about a month before he died, and his face lit up like a beacon, like he was there! When it showed the first plane at the beginning of the video, he said “we called that a Willy Fudd”, and went on to share more about the day to day life. Pop told me some amazing stories about his time in the Navy, and I feel truly blessed to have found this video so he could go back one more time!

[@ronsebastian187]

Master Jedi55, You post brought tears to my eyes. To know that this video brought back some good memories for your Dad and gave an opportunity for him to share some stories with you is so much more that I anticipated when I posted it. My deepest condolences to you and your family. Thank you very much for sharing. All who served aboard the Bon Homme are blessed to know that your Dad was a part of our lives even if we may not have known him personally. Everyone aboard was a brother sailor.

[@masterjedi5510]

@@ronsebastian187 Sir, it is rare that I’ve had the opportunity to speak with a person who produces content on KZbin. Since I was granted this fortune, I want to thank you with all of my heart for posting this! I am not trying to pour it on and draw more condolences, but to truly describe my Pop, and what I assume many of his shipmates were like, I must mention that my mother passed away only 62 days after Pop. She’d suffered from a rare liver disease for many years. As she was nearing the end, even though her body was failing her, she was of good cheer. When I asked her why she was so giddy, she said “because I’m going to see my sailor”. I smiled, because that’s where her heart had been since Pop died. It’s been a tough year for we that are left behind, but a true story of two people, who’s love was so strong and necessary, one simply could not live without the other, has lifted me and my family above the sadness of loss! I believe we all should love our partner in such a way! Again, thank you sir, for posting this video!

[@ronsebastian187]

@@masterjedi5510 Thank you for sharing. I am not asking for personal info but do you know if your Dad was ships company or attached to a squadron? We had around 2600 ships company so if he was among that number the chances of our paths crossing were probably slim except perhaps in the chow line. I was in the Fox Division which maintained and operated the radars and computers to control the guns aboard. My condolences for your Mom as well. It warms my heart to hear from those who served or from their family members. Those were the Good Ol Days.

[@masterjedi5510]

@@ronsebastian187 I’ll look through his paperwork and see what I can come up with. He said he was on the flight deck, and unless my memory is failing me, I believe he was one of the guys with the light wands directing aircraft into position for takeoff.

[@ronsebastian187]

@@masterjedi5510 How ironic would it be if your Dad happened to be in the video. If he was aboard in 1962 there is a possibility that may be the case. From your description he would have been an Aviation Boatswain Mate. Those guys had the most dangerous job on the ship. There was one instance where one of them got behind an F8 and the jet exhaust blew him over the side. I watched them for hours and was amazed how precise they were in handling the traffic on the deck. Night flight ops were by far most dangerous. So good to hear from you and I really enjoy the memories you shared from you Dad.

[@earlkehl7722]

I was in VF-193 and made 2 cruises on the Bonnie Dick in 1959 thru 1961. The first cruise I was TAD to the LSO platform. Talk about the best seat in the house! I loved this time and thanks to all who served. EGK, AME3

[@ronsebastian187]

Thanks for the post Earl. My apologies for being tardy in answering. But, I always appreciate the comments and hearing from fellow mates. And thank you for your service.

[@verncray2522]

Earl Kehl. Do you remember D Hall he was TAD from VA 192 same cruise

[@denises1062]

My dad was on the same cruises 60-61 as a missileman. He once talked about being in Hawaii and when they left they accidentally took the dock with them! Do you recall this incident?

[@andybrown8660]

My father was aboard in 62-63 he was a plane captain for VA-196 his name was Mike Brown. He always talks quite fondly of his time in, the only thing that really saddens him is that at the end of the tour he was getting ready to leave the ship and someone had taken all his roles of undeveloped film he had taken while aboard, quit unfortunately.

[@ronsebastian9889]

Hey Andy, good to have you here. I am sorry about your Father's videos. Sad that someone would stoop to that. For me the videos I did take serve to bring back fond memories of times aboard this ship and the destroyer I was on and sharing them with shipmates and their families is a blessing for me.

[@andybrown8660]

Ron Sebastian thanks for sharing them we really appreciate it. and yeah its crazy someone could do that it was all his photos everything. but thanks to people like yourself who have taken the time to put stuff up he has been able to see some of it . thanks again

[@jamessmith958]

I was on cva 31 air group 19 in 1962. Two WESPAC cruises and can identify air group NM as shown on the tail of the aircraft. I was in va-196 skyraiders AD-6's J. R. Smith

[@ronsebastian187]

Thanks for the info James. I was in Fox division (FT's) and had a great vantage point to watch flight ops for atop the forward Mk 37 Gun Fire Control director. The video upload messed up the background music so I will repost this with some narration and music track in the background. Thanks again for viewing and the info. Ron Sebastian.

[@breakitdown4346]

Hey Mr. Smith, My grandfather was in va-196 skyraiders AD-6/7s as well! I'm looking through an old 1962 CVA 31 book of his, and I was hoping to find you in one of the group pics under Smith, J.R. I'm having trouble locating you in the book, but it's still exciting to find someone in the same squadron as my grandpa!

[@andybrown8660]

My father was in VA-196 as well he was a plane captain his name was mike brown.

[@verncray2522]

Was aboard the bonny dick westpac cruise with cag 19. And VA 192 out of moffett field. We left alameda nov 1 1958 . was back in alameda june 1 1959. Worked the flight deck the whole cruise for the airframe dept . VA 192 flew F J 4 B Fury . CVA 31 at that time was a well run ship. We lost total of ten planes in crashes in our squadron. No pilots were lost. Total of ten ships crew members died in random accidents .I am still in contact with shipmates to this day. Some great guys put out a lot of sweat blood and tears doing their jobs. sweat blood

[@benjaminperez2326]

My father was on the Bonny Dick as a marine 24, going to Korea. I have all the letters he wrote my mother. He witnessed the truce between North and South Korea.

[@michaelclarey8168]

On board the Bonnie Dick for two Carrier Quals with VA-192 Golden Dragons ,,, those were memorable days. Left the ship in Hawaii in July 1962. It was on its way to another WestPac cruise and I was on my way back to the US mainland for Fire Control school. Really wanted to go on the cruise but duty called otherwise. Thanks for the posting of flight operations ... F3H Demons and all.

[@ronsebastian187]

Michael Clarey Thanks for the comment Michael. The Bonnie Dick was a grand ole ship. I can't count the number of hours spent on top of the forward Mk 37 Gun Fire Control director watching flight ops. It never ceased to amaze me how, from that vantage point, one might think it was every man for himself on the flight deck yet everything was according to plan. Thanks again for the comment.

[@jimw5227]

I also served in VA-192 65-66 aboard the Bonnie Dick.

[@helmitpeak]

Thanks for sharing, I was a corpsman on board while you were filming, probably up there filming at the same time as you.

[@ronsebastian187]

Thank you for the comment. Do you have any of your videos posted? Always great to hear from shipmates.

[@helmitpeak]

@@ronsebastian187 No, I had an 8mm color camera and all the films were lost during a move.

[@ronsebastian187]

@@helmitpeak So Sorry to hear that. The film more than likely had some fond memories for you. But I'm glad you were here and hopefully this has brought back memories.

[@breakitdown4346]

My grandpa was aboard the Bon Homme Richard in 1962 in attack squadron VA-196! They flew the AD-6/7.

[@ronsebastian187]

Welcome. It is always great to hear from family of shipmates. Stop by again.

[@ifitsnotbrokenfixit1193]

I want to thank you for this video. my dad was afloat on her for some time. then was transferred to Hancock. or the other way around. can't remember. my dad was hurt when I went Army.

[@ronsebastian187]

Hi Dave, Thanks for the comment. I do appreciate it when I hear from shipmates or their families. I get the feelings your Dad had for I was the youngest of four brothers of which the three older ones served in the Army and I veered away from that tradition to serve in the Navy. Took a long time for that to be accepted by them. Ron Sebastian

[@ifitsnotbrokenfixit1193]

Ron Sebastian ron he was in from 63-69 and he was the middle of 3 boys one went to army and the other airforce.

[@ronsebastian187]

Dave, your family was well represented by serving in three branches. When it comes to defending our country it matters not which branch is the one chosen. I am proud to have folks like your family as fellow members of our services. If they are still with us please thank them for their service for me. Have a great day!

[@60viking]

I as on here in 67/68 and Ranger before that. Worked hard and waited for liberty. ;)

[@ronsebastian187]

I would like to take an opportunity to thank all that have viewed this. As we all know there was always some competition between various divisions onboard these ships but as with the comparable competition between the branches of service when it comes down to standing next to one another to protect that which we all love there is no greater bond then that. My sincere thanks to all that continue to serve in all branches of service for this country. For those that would like to perhaps find former mates - regardless of where you served - I would recommend a web site that is one of the best. The link is as follows: www.togetherweserved.com Locate your branch of service on the home page and if you wish, sign up for the free access and then you can decide if it is worth a small annual fee to continue.

[@olddog103]

I think she still had a partial wooden deck in these photos

[@tazmod7272]

I forgot to say he was a pilot but his job was in CIC 1962 cruise.

[@yes_head]

Great footage -- thanks! How long were the F3Hs and F-8s used concurrently? I'm guessing the F-8 was mainly a pure interceptor and the Demon used more as a fighter-bomber? This must have been just before the Demons were replaced by F-4s. Also it's very interesting to see that the S-2s didn't always use catapults, but could just fly off on their own power like in the old days. I'm guessing that was only when deck space allowed, or when they weren't heavily loaded.

[@ronsebastian187]

Thanks for stopping by and posting. As part of ships company in Fox Division I was an FT Gunnery. I'm not familiar enough with the aircraft to answer your questions. There have been a number of visitors that were attached to the air wings we had aboard and perhaps they might answer. I would be interested in the answers as well. Thanks again for the post.

[@ciscokid6605]

AO3 G-division. I worked on the flight deck served with AO1 Hollingshead, AO2 Koralwicz, and others. RR Rich AO2 we had special duty flying the S2F with a target banner. for DD AAC practice. Any one out there contact .

[@ronsebastian187]

Thank you for the post Carlos. I wonder if our paths crossed in a passageway or the mess hall at some time or other. I was aboard from 1961 to 1964 in Fox division. Also I wonder if you may have been towing the sleeve when we hit it with the first round out of the forward - starboard 5" gun mount?

[@ciscokid6605]

***** No doubt, gr8 to hear from you. It's a small world. Who knows maybe you did. I don't recall. When we operated out of Fukaoka AB we may have left a shreaded banner out there. But it's good to hear from a shipmate.. I recently lost a couple of old shipmates so it rewarding to hear from you. My other ship, the Lex CVA16 is 3 hrs from hear in Corpus so if your ships a museum that means your getting old. all the best to you hope to hear back.

[@ronsebastian187]

Carlos Lopez I hear the getting old. Both ships I served on are either razor blades or at the bottom creating a reef. I know that while on the Bonnie Dick I met a mate about a year or so after I checked aboard and after a short conversation we determined he was on QD watch the day I boarded. Hadn't seen him again since that day. Small world on a big ship. I am curious if you have heard of or been to the Together We Served site. I will include a link. It is a pretty neat site for all military to create a page of their military service. The basic page is free but you can also pay a minimum annual fee to have more access to other members. I've been on it for about two years using the free access and have made contact with a number of mates I served with. The link is to the home page and it will have button links to all of the services. So good to hear from you. togetherweserved.com/

[@ciscokid6605]

***** I will ck it out the site you suggested. The military life does get to you and it sticks. I got out of the Navy in 63 a few days after that far east cruise of 62-63. I was always curious where exactly did they send us that famous Oct. when we hauled tail out of the Philippine sea north to the coast of Siberia? We had nukes loaded, Pilots on the cats ready for launch. This was in anticipation of WWIII per Cuban Crisis. It would be interesting to read the ships log. anyway let's stay in touch. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours.

[@jimbarton3279]

Join us www.ussbhrshipmates.org

[@chuckguerin8141]

I would love footage of my Father Lloyd Roger Guerin , If anyone has any.PS, he broke his leg and lost his knee cap while boxing while on tour. Thank you all so much !

[@ronsebastian187]

Hi Chuck, Thanks for stopping by. I do hope that someone will have the info you're looking for on your Father. If I hear anything related to him I will let you know. Have a Blessed Day.

[@michaelsharp970]

I was in va195 plane captain in65 west package vietnam nam

[@ronsebastian187]

Thanks for the comment, Michael. It's always great to hear from shipmates from the Bon Homme.