Ron Ladd 1977/78 Photo Collection
1350 foot Transmission Tower 1963 - 08 APR 1986
The tower was demolished to make room for the 700ft replacement tower
The Engineering Department
Top Row, Left to Right: FN Jack Waits (died in an automobile accident in 1983. A very likable shipmate. Rest in peace, Jack) MK3 Bergeron, FN Steve Ward (from TX) FN Rick Ward (on watch and understandably not in dress uniform) MK3 Richard Fritz (his father was an active duty Colonel in the U.S.A.F. and his Dad tossed him out of a C-130, on a static line jump, when he was just a kid..it was all a surprise to Richard, and an unwelcome one at that as I recall his story <: )
Bottom Row, Left to Right: DC1 Tom Griffin (from MA) MK1 Ted McGlinch (from MI and sadly Ted left Marcus a few weeks early to see his Dad laid to rest...we were all so sorry for his loss and the loss of seeing him off the island with the happiness that he so certainly deserved not there) MK3 Kenny Mays (a wonderfully professionally minded MK with a happy spirit and an infectious laugh <: ) EM1 Ron Ladd (from ME) MKC Russel (Rick) Glendenning (from CA and a wonderfully dispositional Chief. Rick passed on in February of 2008. Rest in peace, shipmate...rest in peace) FN Mark Bessett (I believe Mark hailed from CO and certainly went to Boot Camp with Jack Waits. Mark went for a 20 year career and did yet another LORAN tour as the MKC on Iwo Jima. Semper Paratus Mark <: )
DC1 Tom Griffin with a sign he made in either 1977 or 1978. Tom was from MA and a great addition to Marcus Island. Wonderfully dispositional and a great shipmate on all accounts. Tom...if you ever see this, I hope it brings you a moment of unexpected joy!
ET1 Roger Watts and his RC aircraft
Jeff Boardman and Ron Ladd on Marcus Island in the early part of 1978
This is DC1 Tom Griffin and ET1 Roger Watts on their way to Yokota AFB for a "mid-tour" week of R&R in 1978
The next four photos are of the WWII concrete bunkers and remains
THE TANK
The Tank's home for over 20 years
Bunker Finds
Ron holding a Japanese type 99 gas mask canister and a U.S. M-1942 canteen cup in 1978
LT French on left and Captain Fontaine (COMFECSEC) c./1978
Everyone's desire to be...HM1 Sandy MacLeod
HM1 Sandy MacLeod, the #1 man on the "Short Timer's List", is shown 'Polaroid' photographed from above to portray his "shortness". Sandy gave this to me, I somehow asked for it I'm sure, and it lives on in one of the many Ladd family scrapbooks. I didn't know Sandy for long as his tour was over 2 weeks after I arrived on island. I did, however, know him long enough to see that he was a real decent sort, enjoyed a happy disposition and was appreciated by all. Rest on in peace, Sandy...rest on.
Thanks Ron!
