WE HAD ROOMS NEXT TO EACH OTHER IN THE ARGENTIA BEQ.VAN SHOWED ME THE SIGHTS OF LOCAL TOWNS PLACENTIA,JERSEYSIDE.THE NEWFOUNDLANDERS LIKED HIM.HE WAS ONE OF THE GOOD "YANKS".
I served with Van in Brawdy as his LPO in QA when he was an OTCS. He helped form the "soft and fuzzy" leadership style I developed. I have always been thankful for that year with him. RIP Shipmate! ✝️🇺🇸🔱🦅❤️
Van and I went through the Green Door and then Grand Turk or Nantucket or both in 1956-1957. That was a long time ago, but he was someone you could never forget.
OTCM Robert VanAlstine was my first watch supervisor when I reported for duty at NAVFACKEF fresh out of Fleet Sonar School in August 1969. He was STG1 VanAlstine at the time and he got me off to a great start as a Reader during an era of busy operations at Keflavik. He was my mentor and set an exemplary military standard for me to follow. Our paths met again when he arrived at COSL (CINCLANTFLT Base) in 1972 where I served 1970-72. I will always hold "Van" in the highest respect as it was a true honor to serve with him. May he rest in eternal peace.
Bill Turner former OT2
