5 November 09 -- Added pictures provided by CDR Frank M. Klicar USNR Ret. taken during the 65 med cruise to page 23 of the 60's section of the Ship's Photo & Scrap Book. Added pictures provided by Eric Valencia the son of BM3 Joseph Valencia taken around 1957/58 to page 11 of the 50's section of the Ship's Photo & Scrap Book.

26 October 09 -- Added Earl Pinegar and UT1 Strunk USN Ret. to the 40's Roster. Added personal recollections of Linda Hilton the wife of deceased shipmate BM3 Richard Douglas Hilton to the Ship's History under the year 1969. Added Pictures provided by Sydney Williams to page 22 of the 60's section of the Ship's Photo & Scrap Book. Added pictures to the Phoenix 2009 reunion section. I need more reunion pictures!!! If you have some please email them to me.

11 October 09 -- Added Everette "Bud" Erickson and Artie Franklin Hampton to the 40's Roster. Added Joe Gugliemelli, Tony Tedesco, and SSgt W. L. Smith USMC Retired to the 50's Roster. Added Jim Weaver to the 60's Roster.

20 May 09 -- Added RM 2(c) John Martin's rememberance of Leyte during WWII in the History Page. Added SGT Pete Perez USMC to the 60's Roster.

11 March 09 -- Added RD2 Paul "Zeke" Crutchley to the 50's roster.

11 February 09 -- Added YN2 Robert G. Tischler and SM2 Danny Overton to the 60's roster.

4 February 09 -- Completed the St. Louis Reunion pictures. They can be seen in the Reunion Photo and Scrap book section of this page.

13 December 08 -- Added Henry F. Richards to the 40's roster. Added Elton Blair and RM2 Ted Stegura to the 50's roster. Added EN3 Joe L. Moran and YN3 Larry G. Johnson to the 60's roster. 25 June 08 -- Added Tony Honan USMC, and Bill Mondon USN to the 60's roster. Added a picture of Sydney Williams to page 22 of the 60's section of the Ship's Photo & Scrap Book.

*** Coming Attractions ***

If you ever want to re-live your experiences aboard an APA watch "Away All Boats!" starring Jeff Chandler, Richard Boone, George Nader, Julie Adams and Lex Barker. If you watch real close you may see Clint Eastwood. Clint had a one line bit part in the movie. This movie is based on the novel "Away all Boats" by Kenneth Dodson. The story was conceived during Mr. Dodson's wartime service aboard the Navy attack transport USS Pierce APA-50.

The movie's fictitious ship the USS Belinda APA-22 was played by the USS Randall APA-224. The USS Fremont played a minor roll in the making of this movie. The following are recollections of SM2 Kenneth Sapp and GM3 Joe Montgomery: SM2 Kenneth Sapp -- "I was on the Fremont when they made the movie "Away all Boats". I think the ship they used to film on was the USS Olmstead or one of her class. If you see the movie the Fremont can be seen in the background of several scenes. It was filmed off the island of Vieques". GM3 Joe Montgomery -- "We were operating with our "Sister Ship" at the time, the USS Randle APA-224. I was able to get a glimpse of the sail boat that was used in the movie. Also, I was one ot the coxswains that hit the beach with the Marines".

This movie serves as an excellent depiction of what it was like to serve aboard an attack transport. If you were a crew member aboard the USS Fremont you will not be disappointed with this movie for there are many scenes that will cause you to remember life aboard ship.

In the movie there was a Tennessee sailor who was in charge of the garbage grinder. With the exception of being a scrounge, I can relate to the character's job as I was placed in charge of the garbage grinder during my 90 days of mess duty. When in port and unable to use the grinder, empty boxes would be stacked in the grinder space. Myself and several marines who had also been assigned mess duty would hide behind the boxes and play poker.

The movie like most movies does not do the book justice, therefore it is my recommendation that you read Kenneth Dodson's book. Believe me, it is far better than the movie. I have read the book three times over the past 40 years. A year prior to his passing, Mr. Dodson informed me that the USS Pierce (Mr. Dodson's ship) and the USS Fremont sailed many a sea mile together during WWII. "Away all Boats" was re-published by the U.S. Naval Institute, Annapolis, Maryland as part of their "Classics of Naval Literature" series. In the re-published book's introduction, Capt. Robert Shenk USNR (Retired) states, "The Navy .... bought one thousand copies of the novel for officer training--perhaps the only time fiction has ever been used for such a purpose. Clearly, Dodson was successful at conveying the essence of the naval side of amphibious work to laymen and professionals alike." USS Fremont WWII veterans will find the parallels between the books fictitious USS Belinda's adventures and their own experiences very similar. A great addition to a book collector's library.

Kenneth Dodson passed away May 24, 1999 at his home in Stanwood, Washington after a long fight with Parkinsons. He was 91. Dodson was lucid and communicative right to the end. Like any good seaman, he had everything planned and all the details worked out. He even wrote his own obituary. Dodson was buried in the Fern Hill Cemetery, Anacortes, Washington with full military honors. He had just finished a book about his relationship with author Carl Sandburg and this book is soon to be published. Kenneth Dodson's passing was reported to me by his friend Jim Allen.

APA sailors have lost a good friend in Kenneth Dodson. Mr. Dodson in his book "Away all Boats" immortalized for all time our service aboard an APA. He will be missed by all of us who have heard the call "Away all Boats, All Boats Away".

Tony Yebba

In Memory of Our Deceased Shipmates

Ship's Specifications

Ship's History

Ship's Bell

War Diaries, Recollections,
Captain Bonnot's Story of the Battle for Saipan
and
Captain Conlan's WWII Action Reports

Commanding Officers

Ship's Photo Album & Scrap Book
and
The Cruise Books for 1957, 1961, 1964, and 1968-1969

USS Fremont Decommissioning Program

The USS Fremont was decommissioned 3 September 1969. A copy of the decommissioning program was provided by ENC Dennis Snyder. Click below to see the Decommissioning Program.

BUPERSINST 1430.16E

The USS Fremont was decommissioned in 1969. Probably forgotten by the U.S. Navy -- WRONG. Ship's name is still used in BUPERSINST 1430.16E. Click below to see the instruction.

I am searching for those who served (crew members and embarked troops) aboard USS Fremont APA-44. E-mail your name, final rank/rate while on board, branch of service, the month and year reported/departed, if a plank owner, and duties if USN. Optionally, you may want to provide a good sea story, where you live and what you are doing today. I will add this information to the ship's muster making it a permanent part of this site. If you have any facts, or pre-scanned pictures that you think would enhance this web site, please include them with your e-mail. If you have Fremont pictures or other scannable mementos, mail them to the following address:

Anthony R. Yebba
785 Briarwood Ct.
Orange City, FL 32763

Include your address so that I can return them to you.

"Click here to E-mail your information"

Below is a muster list directory of the crew members who have submitted entries to date. The Ship's Muster is listed by the decade in which they reported for duty aboard the USS Fremont. If you see a shipmate that you know and wish to contact, you may send e-mail by clicking on the last name in the actual roster (the full name in the quick list will only take you to the main roster entry).

9/23  Wednesday ....... Early Bird Day Welcome hospitality room open

9/24  Thursday ........ Hugs & Kisses Day and registration in hospitality room.

9/25  Friday .......... Scheduled Tour Day 

9/26  Saturday ........ On your Own Day, be back in time for a the 6PM Attitude Adjustment,
and the 7PM Banquet & Entertainment

9/27  Sunday .......... 7am - 11am Breakfast and Farewell Till We Meet Again

If you have pre-scanned pictures that you would like displayed for any reunion, please attach them to an e-mail message. If you have non-scanned reunion pictures, mail them to the following address:

Anthony R. Yebba
785 Briarwood Ct.
Orange City, FL 32763

Include your address and I will return them to you.
"Click here to E-mail your pictures"

USS Fremont Ship's Patch (Price $4.00) -- Press the button to the left for a larger picture.

Polo style shirt nicely done (Price $20.00) -- Press the button to the left for a larger picture.

T shirt (Price $8.00) -- Press the button to the left for a larger picture.

Light Jacket or Pull Over Jacket with USS Fremont logo (Price $30.00) -- Press the button to the left for a larger picture.

Regulation style Navy Command ball cap (Price $10.00) -- Press the button to the left for a larger picture.

Fremont Bag (Price $8.00) -- Press the button to the left for a larger picture.

E-mail Bos'n Bob at "BOSNBOB44@netzero.net" or write him at this address: Bob Allen; 819 Ackerman Ave.; Syracuse, NY 13210 to place an order for any of our Ship's Store items.

U. S. Navy Memorial

I strongly support the U. S. Navy Memorial Foundation and encourage all of my USS Fremont shipmates to enroll and be a part of our country's naval history. Click on the "Lone Sailor" below for further information.

Please take a moment to sign the USS Fremont Ship's Log.
I would enjoy hearing from you and your comments are always of great interest to those who visit this site.

Sign the USS Fremont Log View the USS Fremont Log

This page was developed

by

DPC Anthony R. Yebba USN (Retired)

Some of my fondest memories are of the time I served aboard the USS Fremont APA-44. When I first started searching the Web, I was surprised to find that information about the USS Fremont was not available on the Internet. I decided to solve that by creating a web site dedicated to this ship and her crew. It is my hope that this web site will feel like home to all those seeking the USS Fremont on the Internet. If you have time click on the chief's anchor below and visit Chief Yebba's Navy Web Site.

Thanks for visiting.

Tony ~o|--}

"Chief Yebba's Home Page"