Albert "Abe" G. Gricoski '47-'52
| Rick, My name is Albert G. Gricoski (ABE), Shamokin, PA. I was in Asmara in 1947 and there were very few men there when I arrived. I was one of the lucky ones to have their tour extended because of the Korean conflict. About one month or less before I was scheduled to return to America. I left in 52 and went to Ft. Devens and set up a school for ASA.. I went to re-enlist but they moved my time back for another overseas assignment and would not give me my assignment in Turkey, so I came home. I worked out on the desert somewhere..some very odd shift...I teamed up with some men and we had a vehicle to go hunting on our breaks. We shot most everything that moved...(animals that is)..We had some 'stuffed' and mounted at a club. (Nco??) I recall a halloween party there. Spent time in Dhahran with Navy personnel..Involved with Russian submarines...Friend John Haynes, Ohio killed on train by Shifta. Spoke with my mother by ham radio. Played on Basket-ball team Al Gricoski |
Don Taws '50-'52
| Dear Rick, I served with the ASA unit in Asmara from 1950-52. I forget the number of the unit, (9740?) but we were in the radio interception department. There were only about 100 personnel there at the time. I also served as chaplain's assistant for a time. I live in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Retired minister. Married with five children. I have been in Eritrea many times since my army service, and would like to contact others who have been there. Don Taws |
Edward G. Dubil, Sr. '70-'71
| Rick. Both my wife Donna and son Eddie, Jr. were there with me in 1970-71. We were newlyweds at the time (I just got out of Vietnam) and our son was 4 mos. old. Hard to believe he will be thirty this year and has a new wife of his own. Many people may remember me driving around a 1930 Chrysler Pick-Up aroud the base and in Asmara. Bought truck from SFC Charles Fornwalt, Headquarters Company. Brought it home with me and still have the truck. After I brought it back, I found out it was the only Chrysler truck ever made. I guess the old ASA brought me luck! Talk to you soon. Ed |
Charlie Roberts '61-'62
| Here are multiple notes from Charlie, Rick. I was stationed in Asmara for six months before my wife arrived and we had a son born in the Kagnew Station Hosp. aug62 . Andrew has recently contacted you and told me of the web site. We are Charlie (Robbie to some) and Louise Roberts . While I lived on base for the first six months, we lived in town once my wife arrived. We rented an apt on Via Santucci (later renamed Seyum Ketchenye -I believe) , also in that building we shared apts. a Sgt. Reynolds & family and also Carl & Gail Seaholme whom I worked with out at the site. Really great stories from those days, we also took the trip on the littorina train and traveled to Keren . Am enjoying the web site and we'll be in touch. We live in Owings Mills, Md. Just read the e-mail page and was really excited about all the stories there. So much comes to mind including "ASMARITIS" not long after arriving in feb 61 and Happy Hour at the Oasis Club and the luau party that summer with Ruffner, Mccreary, Bramlett, Tipton, to mention a few and ole buddy Wilbur Allen. Also trip to Massawa in Jeeps from special svcs. touring the flats and going over to North Beach and the island across from the CIAO hotel where we walked into a nest of sting-rays. Friends like the Reeds, Garrisons, Seaholmes, Hunters, Reynolds, the missionaries from Adawa and the Townsends ; (Bob later lost his life in Vietnam) made life great for my wife and I while stationed there. Just felt like saying thank-you for all this info Rick. My wife and I have had a ball reading up on a part of our past. What strikes me most is the sincerity of those that served in Asmara and the good times had by all (for the most part). Today I've dug up our Ethiopian Airlines tickets from our return flight to stateside in Oct62. Also a meal card from the mess hall and membership cards from the Oasis Club and The Top Five Graders Open Mess. Found also a Liberty pass issued to me on 9 Mar 61 and a qualification card for firing a Carbine which we had to do while over there. Of course we took many photos there including some ruins on the Flats near Massawa, a picnic at Asmara Farms and a luau at the Oasis Club. Also a picture taken at the Oasis Club of my wife and I New Years Eve 1961 when the newest dance craze was the Twist!!! I will make copies for you of the things mentioned and forward them soon. I can understand how busy you must be at this time....thanks again and keep up the good work Charlie & Louise Roberts (Operations Co. 61-62) |
Angela Kay (Wakefield) Bannister
| Just wanted to let you know you are doing a great job ! I love
everything i have seen so far. I was born in Asmara and my mom is getting
everything together to send to you. I just wanted to let you know that it means
alot to me to see pics and read up on the place i was born cause we went back
to the States when i was 6 weeks old . All i get are the pics to see what it
was like and is like . I hope i can get to visit where i was born someday. But
i don't have an idea when that will ever be. So i just wanted to let you know
what a great job you are doing on Kagnew Station's web page. On here i can show
my son and husband where i was born too. Well i am sure you are very busy. So i
will let you go now. Thanks for all your hard work. I do appreciate you !! Angela Kay (Wakefield) Bannister |
Jim Pounder '71-'72
| DEAR MR. RICK, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, IT HAS ONLY BEEN A FEW DAYS SINCE I GOT MY COMPUTOR AND I JUST COULD'NT LEAVE THE POSSIBILITY OF NOT, REPEAT, NOT SEARCHING IN THE ASMARA CATAGORY. MY UNIT WAS TRAC C, I WAS AN O5H20, MORSE INTERCEPT OPERATOR, MY MIND IS A LITTLE BLANK AFTER NEARLY THIRTY YEARS, BUT I CAN REMEMBER MANY NAMES............... EVEN STUFFED IN A POCKET OF MY OLD NAM FLIGHT JACKET, I HAVE A COPY OF ORDERS WITH ALL MY BUDDIES NAMES AND, REPEAT, AND ....SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS, WHICH AT THAT TIME WAS THE SERIAL NUMBERS, BUT MAY BE OF SOME HELP, WITH FREEDOM OF INFORMATION, TO FIND WHERE THEY MAY BE NOW. MY MOST FAVORITE BUDDY WAS A GUY NAMED AL MARTINEZ, FROM DENVER, CO, HE AND I WENT ON A SAFARI JEAP RIDE, JUST HE AND I IN THE JEAP, AND A COUPLE OF GUYS, ONE ON A YAMAHA 350 ENDURO, AND THE OTHER GUY ON A BRAND SPANKING NEW DUCATI 450, DIRT BIKE..........THE GUY ON THE DUCATI WAS A ROOKY, AND ON A GRAVEL ROAD, EVEN BEFORE WE GOT TO AXUM, HE STACKED UP THE BEAUTIFUL YELLOW BIKE ON A ROCK BLUFF........ ANYWAY, AL MARTINEZ HAD A BORROWED 8MM HOME MOVIE CAMERA AND TAPED, OR SHOULD I SAY FILMED, SOME OF THE TRIP........LAST TIME I SAW AL WAS IN OAKLAND, IN 1972, JULY, WE WERE BOTH ON OUR WAY TO NAM.....WITH RADIO RESEARCH...........KAGNEW HAD CLOSED. I HAD SOME GRAVEYARD DUTY AT TRAC C AS A GUARD, ALL NIGHT LONG, WITH ALL THE ROOMS EMPTIED OF THEIR EQUIPMENT......IT WAS VERY GHOSTLY.....EVERYONE WAS GONE.......... VIVA LA MOMMA K YOUR RESPECTFULLY, JIM POUNDER |
John Cocke '71-'72
| Please add me to your list of former Kagnew residents. My wife Robin and I were there from Dec. 71 till May 72. I was an ASA Arabic linguist. Hopefully your page will help me get in touch with some long lost friends. |
Ken Mahon '64-'67
| Hello Rick My name is Ken Mahon and I was at Kagnew Station from Aug. '64 to Jan. '67. I was in Co. B ASA and worked at Stonehouse in maintenance. I started as a PFC and ended up a SP5. I think it was Co. B - 32 years makes a dent in the memory. Your site is right up there with sliced bread! I've spent more time here than any place else. Thank you. On Friday afternoons there is a good watering hole here with great food and reasonable happy hour prices. I met a fellow a couple of years ago named Phil Argento. We didn't seem to have much in common, so the occasional conversation consisted of "Hi" or "How you doing?" About a month ago we were both in the place. Phil was talking with some mutual friends, I wasn't in the conversation. Later I overheard Karen Stevenson explain rather loudly "Kenny Mahon was stationed there!". Within about 2 seconds Phil was there with a single question "When were you there?". About that same time, I stumbled across your website and told Phil about it. Last night I saw Phil and he jumped my case for not signing up, so here I am. I might have some photos around to send along. The one I wanted to send was the one taken by Jerry Senter from the cherry picker. I see it has already been sent. Well, I've got to go, so talk to you later. Ken |
Lawrence "Larry" D. Hill '65-'68
| I arrived Ops Co - on 17 January 1965 as an E-3. Was on B Trick.
Ops Co split and was assigned to Co A on June 5, 1966. Made SSG in Sept. 1967
and was transfered to D Trick as T/C. Departed Kagnew Station for CY-155 at NSA
on 2 April 1968. Without a doubt - my 37 months at Kagnew were a slice of heaven on earth. A few more names to add or tell me where to find: -Stephen Lee Downs and wife Peggy. He was an 059(K)from New Mexico and his wife was a Texan. -John P. Ozzello and wife Mary - 98C or G or Z or all of them. Went to Ft. Devens as a 1SG and then retired to MI. -1SG Keener, CPT Michioto, SC (A Co Cdr) -Of course no one has listed CSM Fields or MSG Karge (redheaded Ops Sgt - 6 kids and a browbeaten wife) -MSG Robb was Ops Sgt before Karge. -SFC Daniel McLachlan and wife Sandy (05K watch NCO went to MI and became an agent.) He and wife were around Vint Hill after retirement. His wife worked in the Dental Clinic both at Kagnew and Vint Hill. -SP5 Miller (05H) a.k.a. "Skinny". Blonde and slim. There were so many more, but after 30+ years names and faces fade. My best to all attending the reunion and if one is ever held out west that would be wonderful. Thanks so much. Lawrence Hill |
Larry McGarr '71-'72
| I was amazed to find a webpage for Kagnew Station, and especially
to find one that is so impressively complete. My name is Larry McGarr. I was stationed at Kagnew from 1971-1972. Worked at Track C on rotating shifts. I'm embarrassed to admit it but I've never had a memory for names and can't think of but one or two guys I knew there. And the only reason that I remember them is that we all married Ethiopians. One was Harry C. Layne, HHC Supply Sergeant, and the other was Roger K. Shook, Mess Sergeant. I was one of only 9 classmates from my 05H class to be fortunate enough to come down on levy to Asmara. Everyone else went to Nam. I spent a lot of time at the Oasis Club and the putt-putt course next door. Tommy, the Ethiopian manager of the course, and I became good friends. |
Lawrence K. Edwards '69-'71
| Rick: I would first like to thank you for your tireless effort in composing the Kagnew Station web pages. My name is Larry (Lawrence) Edwards. I was in Company A from 1969 to 1971. I don't remember the month that I actually arrived in Asmara, however, I departed in December 1971. I worked at Stonehouse as a 98C (Electronic Warfare Operator) then as a 74E40 (Computer Operations Specialist). I ended my military service when I left Asmara. I was classified as a SP6. I played basketball and volleyball for Company A and made the base team in both sports. In volleyball not only did I make the base team, I also made the All Mediterranean Team, the USAFE (all European Air force Team) and played in the Air force Worldwide tournament in California. Needless to say during this stint of temporary duty I was away from Kagnew Station for quite a while. Following is a list of individuals who were stationed at Kagnew that I would like to locate:
Rick, somewhere in my possession I have some old base newspapers and some selected articles from some of them. When I get some time I will try to locate them and send copies or attempt to scan them and send them as email attachments. Keep up the good work. |
Marsha (Harris) Thrash '73-'74
| Rick, I have to tell you that since finally finding my buddy, Dan Carr, after 25 years away from Kagnew, we are going to get together in Las Vegas in three weeks. We've been in constant contact for the past month, which we are both thrilled about. He's now living in Las Vegas and my husband and I visit there fairly frequently so it's going to work out great. It's been a dream come true for us to find each other after all these years and I can't wait to see him. Kagnew's webpage has meant more to me than you could every possibly realize. I would be happy to contribute monetarily to its upkeep if that would be appropriate. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I CAN DO THAT OR ANYTHING ELSE. Best regards, Marsha (Harris) Thrash 73-74 (Muncie, Indiana) |
Murray Leonard '52-'53
| Hi: I was stationed in Asmara during the 1952-1953 period. Was active in radio marina. (present call W8MY, Asmara call ET2SM) Qth: lake Worth Florida I believe Col Breeding was the CO. when I was there. have many pictures and stories (Who doesnt???) used to get up in the morning and say "I hate this place". but in retrospect, memories of Asmara are pure gold... Dont know if my heart will let me go to the reuniom (I have two blood clots inside and my Dr sez I must be "extremely cautious" (Whatever that is supposed to mean) But I am anxious to get together and or communicate with buddies that were with me in Asmara. I was not ASA, but part of the US Army Signal Coprps that ran the receiver and transmitter sites. I worked at the receiver site on (then new) multiplex equipment. Several murders while I was in Asmara... Fun and games!! Active at Radio Marina ham station as well.. helped put up the beamn antenna. Lived in barracks close by. Thanks, and 73's Murray Leonard |
John Osborne '61-'63
| Rick, I saw your web site a few months ago, however, I neglected to send you any of my bio for the roster. I will do that now. Assigned to Operations Company 5 May 1961 to 24 May 1963, PFC to SP5. Address - 2843 Mandy Court, Jonesboro, GA 30236, phone: 770-603-8210 and currently working with First US Army, as a DA civilian, after 30 year retirement from the Army with address, etc., below. I am currently working at Fort Gillem, Forest Park, GA. It is on the southeast side of Atlanta. Also, I retired in 1990 as a Brigade CSM at Fort Meade, MD. From Kagnew Station I served at numerous installations and ASA/MI assignments. Also, I found where Bob Graler (you can mark that one as FOUND) was looking for me and I have corresponded with him and Don Tipton since. John E. Osborne 1A AT Scheduler (NE area) DSN 797-7342 COM (404) 362-7342 FAX x-3033 |
Tony Conwill '61-'63
| Hi Rick, Pete Bradley called and told me about the new homepage. Well this is from: Conwill, Anthony R. RA 18 600 289, Sp5, U.S. Army Security Agency Served at Kagnew Station as 058 from 1961 to 1963, under Captian James A. Bogle, Major R. C. Gardiner, First Sargent James Mitchel and MSGT Lester Carmen and, my old and good friend, SFC Bruce G. Smith. What are all you new guy joof-joof facejobs doing with a homepage for Asmara? The big boys must have told you it was good duty back in the old army. It was, new guys, it was, before all you scoonez new guys got there and paid all the bar girls $1000 a night! I am by the way alive. My congratulations to you guys for doing this. I definitely will participate. Tony Conwill |
Roy Douglas Vaughn '63-'65
| My name is Roy Douglas Vaughn, I married Silvana Zappi 35 years
ago who worked at the Provost Marshal and Engineering. We now reside in Torino,
Italy and I am working for an American Company, Boeing. I was at Kagnew Station
Jan. 4, 1963 to July 31, 1965, a member of guard company. My brother in law is
Leland Fields, who married Katerina Zappi, Civilian Personnel Office, they now
live in Port Orange Fla. retired. I spent two years working town patrol. members of Guard Company while I was there. Jim Merritt, Pete Powell, Gary Akin, Mike Piriano, Joe Tubbs |
Bob Purcell
| WHILE LOOKING OVER THE MAT WARD PEOPLE I GOT TO THINKING, MY PARENTS (MY FATHER WAS ALSO ASA BACK AT THE BEGINNING (48-56) AND I WERE STATIONED IN FRANKFURT IN THE MID 50'S AND WHEN I CAME DOWN ON ORDERS TO ASMARA MY MOTHERS FIRST QUESTION WAS 'SO WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BRING BACK, A BOY OR A GIRL'. MY WIFE AND I HAD JUST GOTTEN MARRIED AND WERE IN NO HURRY TO HAVE KIDS BUT MY MOTHER ASSURED US THAT 'THAT'S JUST ABOUT ALL THERE IS TO DO THERE, HAVE BABIES'. SHE SAID THAT BACK IN THE 50'S THE MOTHERS TO BE WERE AIRLIFTED TO THE 97TH GEN IN FRANKFURT A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THEIR DUE DATES. |
Bernie ?? '59-'63
| Hi, I was in Asmara from 59 to 63... Navy.... There are so many people I want to find..... I played bass and sang with numerous groups, the first was with "Rockey" Coffee, and on piano, was a guy named "Mervine"... That's all I know of him.. He was such a gentile man.... I have so many stories to tell from that time in my life..... There are only Reggie Young and I left from a band named the "HI Notes"...... A tear is in my eye, as I write this.......I shall never forget.... Lil Kline.... or "Tiny" Stoops... NEVER!!!!!!!! Can you help? Thanks........ Bernie |
Angela Kay (Wakefield) Bannister
| Just wanted to let you know you are doing a great job ! I love
everything i have seen so far. I was born in Asmara and my mom is getting
everything together to send to you. I just wanted to let you know that it means
alot to me to see pics and read up on the place I was born cause we went back
to the States when I was 6 weeks old . All I get are the pics to see what it
was like and is like. I hope I can get to visit where I was born someday. But I
don't have an idea when that will ever be. So I just wanted to let you know
what a great job you are doing on Kagnew Station's web page. On here I can show
my son and husband where I was born too. Well I am sure you are very busy. So I
will let you go now. Thanks for all your hard work. I do appreciate you!! Angela Kay (Wakefield) Bannister |