USS GOLDSBOROUGH DDG-20 1963-1993

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ORIGINAL EMAIL FROM BILL CATELL:

Dear Mr. Taylor,

As you are aware, the USS Goldsborough was sold to the Royal Australian Navy as a "spares hulk." As well as being stripped for parts, the ship provided the RAN with a number of working electronic systems which were installed at a new shore facility called the Combat Systems Maintenance School (CSMS) which is a school for navy technicians at Garden Island Dockyard, Sydney. These installations occurred in the 1994-95 period.

Many parts of the USS Goldsborough are preserved at CSMS, and it may surprise you to learn that a couple of her systems are still working units.

I would like to send you a series of photographs which include some of the last taken of the ship as she was stripped, the movement of some of her major systems to the shore facility, and some of her items as they appear today. The theme of these photographs concentrates on her electronic and radar equipment, and may be of interest to some technical sailors who served aboard her over the years, particularly in the 1980s and '90s.

A couple of us who have worked at the Combat Systems Maintenance School for many years, and who have worked and taught extensively using USS Goldsborough's equipment, feel a definite affinity with the ship, as we are ex-sailors ourselves. This may seem especially strange as I, myself, never saw her whole. Nevertheless, there is an unusual fondness for a ship which has provided me with a significant and enjoyable part of my working life.

Because of size restrictions on our email system, I will send the pictures in multiple messages. I hope they are in some way satisfactory to you and other members of the USS Goldsborough Association.

Thank you for the USS Goldsborough Association website and for the opportunity of sharing these pictures. Also, it is with a certain amount of privilege and satisfaction that I feel I have been able to share, in some strange way, in the career of USS Goldsborough.

Kind regards,
Bill Cattell

2010 U.S.S. GOLDSBOROUGH DDG-20 ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Purpose: The USSGA scholarship program provides financial support to individuals who served in Goldsborough and their direct descendents for their pursuit of educational training as a means of career and personal advancement.

Eligibility: Applicant must:

• have served in Goldsborough or have direct next-of-kin who served in Goldsborough
• have completed two semesters (or equivalent e.g. quarters/classes or sessions) of academic work in the last 18 months. Grades for these classes must be available to the Scholarship Committee by interview time or by arrangement with co-chairs.
• not have received more than two USSGA scholarships toward the same degree, and
• be a current member of the USS GOLDSBOROUGH ASSOCIATION (form for USSGA membership can be filed with the scholarship application).

Note: This award is offered in addition to any other educational support. 

The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has provided the following website for veterans to gain access to their DD-214s online: http://vetrecs.archives.gov/

This may be particularly helpful when a veteran needs a copy of his DD-214 for employment purposes. NPRC is working to make it easier for veterans with computers and Internet access to obtain copies of documents from their military files.

Military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military members may now use a new online military personnel records system to request documents.

As some of you know, our friend Zelt Dunbar passed away recently. His funeral was attended by Jack and Dee Maguire, Roy and Betty Hoffman, Judy Artis and Morgan Taylor-Quinn. He was layed to rest in Erin, Tennessee. Zelt retired as an E-9 and the final rendering of honor to him was provided by 11 members of the Navy led by a full Commander. Jack and Roy, representing the Goldsborough Association, performed the "Bell Ceremony". The highest praise that I can give to Zelt is to say "he was a true shipmate" He will be missed by us all.

John R.(Jack) Maguire

Shipmates,

Although the Associaiton overwhelmingly approved the $2,500 donation, our second in as many years, to sponsor a hull plate for the refurbishing efforts of the USS Adams DDG 2 and the related DDG museum to be houses on board, I felt it was prudent to make the presentation in person. With the approval of the other officers for the trip, I purchased my plane ticket and hotel room with my own personal funds as I felt I needed to make sure that the Association's money was being wisely invested.

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What I found in Jacksonville was a well organized event attended by no less than twenty five retired Admirals and Captains many of whom had been either the CO or XO onboard one of the twenty two United States DDGs. There were many other high ranking naval personnel on hand along with a few of us real sailors. Each DDG had a table designated with a framed photo of the ship. I will attached some photos so everyone can see what was on display at the banquet.