First Radarman, Darrell Kibby, on Raton in early 1946

Since 01-02-05

From: <drlkibby@cox.net>
To: <bdecker@shentel.net> 
Sent: Saturday, January 01, 2005 3:06 PM
Subject: Raton influence

In December 1945 after 2 years in the Pacific I was given 30 days of rest & recuperation leave in Los Angeles. In early January 1946. I reported in at the New London sub base where I was assigned to the Raton. I was a radarman (RDM3c).

When I crossed the brow I was met by the CO Commander Janney. He looked at my rate patch and said good we need a radioman. I said I was a radarman and he said what's that. I worked with Harold Gressman RT1c and buddied with Dick Bondi Rm2c.

I left the Raton when it was at the Porstmouth Navy shipyard in mid August 1946 to go to college. As others have often said the 8 months on the Raton had a maturing effect on this 19/20 year old.

I retired as a LCDR in the Supply Corps in 1968. My only claim to fame was that I probably was the first radarman assigned to a submarine.

Shipmate Darrell Kibby