USS Spangler DE-696

2013 Henderson, NV

The USS Spangler's 2013 Reunion was held September 3, 4 & 5 at the Green valley Ranch and Resort Casino in Henderson, NV, a suburb of Las Vegas. Dave and Elana Norris served as this years host and did a wonderful job of making sure the facilities were excellent for our needs. Thirty-nine spanglermates, wives and guest were present. a list of attendees is given at the bottom of this page. The Ranch and Resort Casino with it's Mediterranean-themed decor offered everything one could want: eight award-winning restaurants, a food court, a beautiful exterior pool setting ideal for rest and relaxation, a very large casino, and an up-scale mall next door.

The welcoming breakfast on Monday morning began with Merlin Carr giving the opening prayer, followed by Pledge Allegiance, introductions and concluded with an excellent breakfast. The two-hour buffet, providing ample time to conduct business and reflect on the Spangler's beginnings 70-years earlier.

Don Cooper, one of the two plank owners present, told of how he came to be assigned in 1943 from the Gloria Vanderbilt Troop Convoy Ship to the USS Spangler undergoing construction at the DeFoe Shipbuilding yard in Bay City, MI. He was one of the initial 12-man, 3-officer crew assigned to the ship and said that on arriving and tapping a welder on the shoulder to ask for directions, he discovered to his surprise that the welder was a lady. He also explained how the ship was launched (rolled onto it's side), brought around through the Great Lakes to Chicago to participate in the Treasury-Navy Tribune Exhibition on Sept. 24, 1943, then equipped with large drums to aid in floating down the Mississippi River to New Orleans.

Ken Nolan, the second plank owner, spoke on what it was like aboard ship listening to Tokyo Rose during the war and of how she would be trying to discourage sailors, soldiers and marines by telling them that they shouldn't be there, that they should be home with their wives and sweethearts who were in bed with someone else. He said she grew up in California, went to the University of California, was a pro, had a good voice and told the same baloney story over and over. The radioman, he said, heard her enough that when they dialed into her they would turn her off. One of the ship's bakers, however, would come up to the radio shack in the evening while bread, rolls and pastries were in the oven, put on a head set in search of American music, but many times picked Tokyo Rose instead and would sit there until the bakery goods were finished listening to her nonsense.

On a different subject Ken told of being at a night club in Las Angeles one evening when a young lady came up carrying a napkin and asked if he would ask Lana Turner for her autograph. Lana Turner happened to be sitting at one of the tables nearby. He did and soon came back with her signature on the napkin. When he went back to get an autograph for himself, one of Lana's body guards said, "That's enough sailor!"

David Norris briefed everyone on the Silent Auction planned for the third day, including auction rules. He also asked for recommendations on where to hold future auctions, mentioning that James Sims had offered to sponsor a reunion in Charleston, SC. Another sight offered for considerations was a return to Branson, MO. Charleston appeared to be the group favorite.

Given that the reunion was taking place in the entertainment capitol of the U.S., the decision was made during the planning stage to forgo the usual evening banquet and instead permit everyone the freedom to enjoy evening entertainment in the Las Vegas community.

Dave & Elana Norris spent an enjoyable evening on the town celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary, thanks to some pre-planning from their daughter and three sons: Rachel Hughes, Matt, Mark and Dave, including Dave's wife Barbara and Rachel's husband Richard Hughes -- all in attendance at the reunion.

The reunion concluded with another successful Silent Auction, paving the financial way for next years 2013 Reunion, likely in Charleston, SC.

Pictues from the reunion can be viewed here. Enjoy!