Crash Course History

The USS Boston (CA-69/CAG-1), originally a heavy cruiser and later reclassified as a guided missile cruiser, was a stalwart in naval history. Commissioned in 1943, it played a pivotal role in Pacific assaults during World War II. Post-war, it transformed into a guided missile cruiser, undertaking significant alterations and rejoining service in 1955. Operating along the East Coast, Caribbean, and Mediterranean, it conducted missile evaluations, fleet exercises, and international missions. Engaged in the Palomares Incident recovery and the Vietnam War, it fired numerous shells in support of 7th Fleet operations. Decommissioned in 1970, it received multiple accolades for its distinguished service in WWII and Vietnam before being scrapped in 1975.

Clifford Joseph Emmich, born in 1936, was a versatile American actor with a diverse career in film, stage, and television. He began in theater, honing his craft and touring with the American Repertory Players. Emmich's film and TV career started in 1969, including roles in popular shows and the film "Payday." He maintained a focus on health and expressed his views on weight during a guest appearance on "Little House on the Prairie." On November 28, 2022, shortly before his 86th birthday, Emmich passed away at his Los Angeles home due to lung cancer, leaving behind a legacy of over 90 film and TV roles.

The USS Baltimore (CA-68), a prominent heavy cruiser in the United States Navy, marked its commission in 1943, renowned for its sheer size and a crew of 1,142. Post-fitting, it engaged in exercises off the U.S. West Coast and played a pivotal role in Pacific island invasions during WWII. It contributed to Operation Magic Carpet post-war and was part of the naval occupation force in Japan. Recommissioned in 1951 for Atlantic Fleet duties, it voyaged the Mediterranean and Far East but returned to reserve in 1956 and eventually scrapped in 1972. Despite North Korea's claim of its sinking during the Korean War, historical records refute this, with the ship operating in the Far East two years after the war's end.

USS Cape Gloucester (CVE-109), originally named Willapa Bay, was a Commencement Bay-class escort carrier in the U.S. Navy, serving from 1945 to 1946. After operational training, it joined the 3rd Fleet in the Philippines, where its aircraft played a key role in combat air patrol and air raids against Japanese kamikaze attacks and cargo ships. After Japan's surrender, it participated in the "Magic Carpet" operation, returning prisoners of war and servicemen to their homelands. Cape Gloucester was placed in reserve in 1946, underwent reclassifications, and was eventually scrapped in 1971. It earned one battle star for its World War II service.

The USS Gabilan (SS-252), a Gato-class submarine, was named after the gabilan eagle ray. Commissioned on December 28, 1943, she served during World War II. Gabilan conducted six war patrols, with notable actions including sinking a Japanese minesweeper and the cruiser Isuzu. Her missions ranged from scouting the Mariana Islands to lifeguard duties off Tokyo Bay, where she rescued 17 aviators. After Japan's surrender, Gabilan returned to the U.S. and was decommissioned in 1946. She earned four battle stars for her successful second, third, fifth, and sixth patrols.

USS Vella Gulf (CVE-111), initially Totem Bay, was a Commencement Bay-class escort carrier commissioned in 1945. After training and air strikes against Japanese-held islands, she played a role in the initial occupation of Japan's home islands. Providing support, food, and fuel to fleet units, she later transported personnel from Okinawa to the U.S. West Coast. Vella Gulf operated as a training ship until 1946, was placed out of commission, reclassified, and transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service. She was eventually sold for scrap in 1971, receiving one battle star for her World War II service.

Commissioned in August 1942, USS Gunnel (SS-253) served during World War II. Her patrols included supporting Operation Torch and successful sinkings in Japanese waters. Gunnel received four battle stars for her service and was decommissioned in 1946, ultimately sold for scrapping in 1959.

Barry Foster Newman, a versatile American actor, had a unique journey into acting, initially studying anthropology and serving in the Army before discovering his passion for the craft through Lee Strasberg's acting class. He had notable Broadway roles in plays like ""What Makes Sammy Run"" and ""Night Live, America Hurrah."" In film, he starred in the cult classic ""Vanishing Point"" and continued to build his career with movies like ""Salzburg Connection"" and ""Fear Is the Key."" Newman gained acclaim for his role as Petrocelli in the TV series ""Petrocelli,"" earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. His work included TV movies, miniseries, and films, such as ""Fatal Vision"" and ""The Mirror Cracked."" Barry Foster Newman's legacy in theater, television, and film left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry. He passed away on May 11, 2023, at the age of 92, survived by his widow, Angela.

USS Gurnard (SS-254), a Gato-class submarine, was commissioned in September 1942. She completed several patrols, sinking enemy vessels and receiving awards, including the Navy Unit Commendation. After the war, she was decommissioned, then recommissioned as a training facility, and finally sold for scrapping in 1961. Gurnard conducted successful patrols two through seven.

John ""Ian"" Bairnson, a renowned Scottish musician, was best known for his role in the Alan Parsons Project. A versatile multi-instrumentalist, he excelled in guitar playing and had a unique preference for a sixpence over a traditional plectrum. Born in Lerwick, Shetland, Bairnson began his musical journey at a young age, mastering the guitar by six. He gained fame as a session guitarist and became a member of the band Pilot. His collaboration with Alan Parsons led to the formation of the Alan Parsons Project, where he played a crucial role in all their albums. Bairnson's musical influence extended to Kate Bush's albums and other artists like Bucks Fizz. In 2018, his wife revealed his battle with a progressive neurological condition affecting his ability to communicate and perform in public. Bairnson passed away on April 7, 2023, after a prolonged battle with dementia, leaving a lasting legacy in the music industry."

USS Kula Gulf, was a Commencement Bay-class escort carrier. Commissioned in 1945, she served during World War II in the Western Pacific, patrolling the East China Sea, and participating in post-war "Magic-Carpet" operations. After the war, she made trips to the Far East transporting military personnel. Recommissioned in 1951 during the Korean War, she played a crucial role in training and antisubmarine warfare development. In 1955, she supported Marine exercises and was later decommissioned. During the Vietnam War, she served as an aircraft ferry before being decommissioned in 1969 and sold for scrap in 1971, earning several awards.

Betta St. John, born Betty Jean Striegler, was a versatile American actress, singer, and dancer. Her career included early roles in films like "Destry Rides Again" and "Jane Eyre." She later starred opposite Cary Grant in "Dream Wife" and appeared in British films and Broadway shows. St. John, married to English actor Peter Grant, retired from the entertainment industry in 1965. She was inducted into the Hawthorne Hall of Fame in 2019. Betta St. John passed away on June 23, 2023, at the age of 93 in Brighton, England, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the performing arts.

USS Haddo (SS-255), a Gato-class submarine commissioned in 1942, served during World War II in the Atlantic and Pacific. She conducted multiple war patrols, achieving notable successes, and received awards, including the Navy Unit Commendation. Haddo was decommissioned in 1946 and later scrapped. Her fifth, seventh, eighth, and ninth war patrols were considered successful.

USS Gilbert Islands (CVE-107), originally named St. Andrews Bay, was a Commencement Bay-class escort carrier. Launched on July 20, 1944, and commissioned on February 5, 1945, she played a significant role in World War II, supporting Pacific operations and conducting strikes on Japanese positions at Okinawa. After the war, she assisted in the liberation of Borneo and supported the occupation of Formosa. She was recommissioned in 1951, took part in various operations, including a Mediterranean cruise and experimental jet landings. In 1963, she was reclassified as USS Annapolis (AGMR-1) and played a crucial role in naval communications during the Vietnam War. Annapolis was decommissioned in 1969 and sold for scrap in 1979, earning seven campaign stars for her Vietnam War service.

Benjamin Masters, born in Corvallis, Oregon, was a renowned American actor known for his role as Julian Crane in the daytime drama ""Passions."" He had a diverse career spanning theater, Broadway, and TV series like ""Muggsy"" and ""Another World."" Masters passed away on January 11, 2023, due to COVID-19 complications.

Joy McKean, the "Queen of Australian country music," was a pioneering singer-songwriter born in 1930. She, along with her husband Slim Dusty, produced over 100 albums, sold eight million records, and won 45 Golden Guitar awards. Joy's most notable achievement was the first-ever Golden Guitar for "Lights on the Hill" in 1973. She also contracted polio as a child, treated by Sister Kenny. McKean received APRA Awards, was inducted into the Australian Roll of Renown, and awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her contributions to the entertainment industry. In 2014, a bronze statue of her and Slim Dusty was unveiled in Tamworth. McKean passed away on May 25, 2023, leaving an indelible legacy in Australian country music.

USS Commencement Bay (CVE-105), originally named St. Joseph Bay, was the lead ship of her class and served as an escort carrier and later a helicopter carrier in the U.S. Navy. Launched on May 9, 1944, she was commissioned on November 27, 1944, under Captain Roscoe Leroy Bowman's command. Commencement Bay primarily functioned as a training ship, training hundreds of officers and men for other escort carriers and qualifying numerous pilots in carrier takeoffs and landings. After her training mission, she was placed in reserve status in November 1946. She underwent reclassification, changing to CVHE-105 on June 12, 1955, and later to AKV-37 on May 7, 1959. The ship was struck from the Navy List on April 1, 1971, and sold for scrap on August 25, 1972.

The USS Dorado (SS-248), a Gato-class submarine, was the first U.S. Navy vessel named after the dorado fish. She was commissioned on August 28, 1943, after successful sea trials. However, while en route to the Panama Canal Zone, she mysteriously disappeared in October 1943. An aircraft mistakenly attacked Dorado, believing she was outside the restricted zone, and a subsequent encounter with another submarine led to Dorado's loss. Investigations suggested the involvement of U-boats, possibly U-518 and U-214, or a minefield laid near Colón. Dorado remains one of only two U.S. Navy submarines lost in the Atlantic during World War II. Her legacy is commemorated with a memorial in Wichita, Kansas, and a book titled "USS Dorado (SS-248): On Eternal Patrol." The artist Thomas Hart Benton drew inspiration from his experience aboard Dorado for his paintings.

Alan Wolf Arkin, an iconic American actor and filmmaker, made an enduring impact on the entertainment world. His career, spanning seven decades, began with success as a member of the folk group The Tarriers. Transitioning to acting, he achieved fame on Broadway, earning a Tony Award. Arkin's versatility was evident in films like "The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming," "Catch-22," and "Little Miss Sunshine," which won him an Academy Award. His career extended to television and directing, showcasing multifaceted talents. He had a deep connection to Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, and passed away at 89 in his San Marcos, California home, leaving behind a remarkable legacy.

Gary Robert Rossington, a founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, was a celebrated American guitarist. He played a crucial role in the band's Southern rock sound, using his iconic 1959 Gibson Les Paul guitar named "Berniece." Surviving a car accident and the 1977 plane crash, he battled drug addiction. Rossington co-founded other bands and continued with Lynyrd Skynyrd until his death at 71 in 2023. His health struggles included a heart attack in 2015 and heart surgery in 2021. He passed away at his Milton, Georgia home, with the exact cause of death undisclosed.

USS Dyer (DD-84) was a Wickes-class destroyer that served in the U.S. Navy during World War I. These destroyers had a standard displacement of around 1,202-1,208 long tons, a length of 314 feet 4 inches, and were powered by two steam turbines producing 27,000 shaft horsepower, allowing them to reach speeds of 35 knots. Dyer was armed with four 4-inch guns, two 1-pounder anti-aircraft guns, and a torpedo battery with a dozen 21-inch torpedo tubes. She served in patrol squadrons, escorting convoys and Army transports between Gibraltar and Marseilles, France during WWI. After the war, she engaged in relief activities and passenger transport in the Mediterranean before being decommissioned in 1922 and eventually sold in 1936.

USS Munda (CVE-104), the final member of the Casablanca-class escort carriers built during World War II, was named after the Battle of Munda Point. Launched in May 1944 and commissioned in July, she primarily served as an aircraft transport and replenishment escort carrier in the Pacific Theater. After the war, she participated in Operation Magic Carpet, repatriating U.S. forces. She was decommissioned in April 1946 and sold for scrapping in June 1960. With a prefabricated design for mass production, she measured 512 feet in length, had a maximum speed of 19 knots, and featured significant anti-aircraft armament. Munda received one battle star for her World War II service.

Anne Heche, born on May 25, 1969, in Aurora, Ohio, is an American actress, director, and screenwriter. Despite a challenging upbringing, she pursued her passion for acting and gained recognition on Broadway. Her film career included roles in "Donnie Brasco" and "Six Days, Seven Nights." Heche's high-profile relationship with Ellen DeGeneres brought both attention and personal struggles. She faced mental health and substance abuse issues but continued to excel in her career, appearing in movies and TV series. She also transitioned into directing and screenwriting. Anne Heche's life exemplifies resilience and artistic evolution.

George Otis Winston III, a celebrated American pianist, made his mark with solo piano recordings. His fame began in 1972, notably with his 1980 album "Autumn." Success followed with "Winter into Spring" and "December." Winston's versatile style embraced folk, stride, and New Orleans R&B piano. He released 16 albums, selling over 15 million records, and won a Grammy for "Forest." Health challenges, including cancer, were part of his life, but he continued to create music. He passed away in 2023 at 74, leaving a legacy of philanthropy and musical innovation.

USS Stevens (DD–86) was a Wickes-class destroyer in the U.S. Navy during World War I. Launched in January 1918 and commissioned in May 1918, she escorted convoys between the United States and Europe, primarily operating from Queenstown, Ireland. After the war, she supported transatlantic flight missions. Stevens was decommissioned in 1922, later scrapped in 1936.