15 May 13 -- Added T/Sgt Lewis M. Johnson USAF Retired to the 50's roster. T/Sgt Johnson served on the USS Fremont as a Cpl USMC in 1956. Sadly, T/Sgt Johnson passed away in 2006.

30 August 12 -- Added the 4 December POD provided by Bernard W Byers to the first page of the 50's section of the Ship's Photo and Scrap Book.

17 July 12 -- Added an interesting war time story and photo provided by Philip D. Cronemiller Jr. the son of Capt. Philip D. Cronemiller Sr. who when a LT. was the ship's doctor during WWII. It is located on page 15 in the 40's section of the Ship's Photo and Scrap Book. *** NOTICE *** You may have realized that the the Fremont Guest Log book is no longer available. The company that hosted that portion of the web site has decided not to provide the service any longer. I am looking for a replacement log and if successful will reinstate it in the future. Unfortunately, all the old entries have been destroyed by the original company. Sorry for any inconvience.

16 July 12 -- Added Cpl Ronald Kleckner USMC to the 60's roster. Added some very interesting documents and pictures (in pdf format) of when the USS Fremont was at Iwo Jima during WWII. These documents were provided by Major Daniel Gregory USMCR. They are located on the top of page 14 in the 40's section of the Ship's Photo and Scrap Book.

14 February 12 -- Added pictures provided by Michael Dawson to Page 23 of the 60's section of the Ship's Photo and Scrap Book.

7 February 12 -- Added the Cocoa Beach Reunion to the USS Fremont Reunion Photo and Scrap Book.

19 December 11 -- Added BM3/C Burton Platero to the 40's roster. Added HM2 Jim Turner to the 50's Roster. Added Michael Dawson USN and Bill Garbarino USAF to the 60's roster. Added memories of Captain Charles Schmidt the Captain of the USS Fremont from Aug 64 until Aug 65 submitted by Jerry Wotherspoon to the 1964 section of the Ship's History. Added memories of the 1968 Republican Convention in Miami provided by Bill Garbarino USAF to the 1968 section of the Ship's History.

2 September 11 -- Added Calvin Darnell to the 40's roster. Added Jackie W. Skierski to the 60's roster. Added a picture provided by Tony Honan USMC of the USS Fremont at Eniwetok on page 14 of the 40's section of the Photo and Scrap Book. Added a story by EN2/c Vic Keranen to the History Section for 1954.

1 August 11 -- Added Bernard Byers to the 50's roster. Additional information is available about our tour day while attending the Cocoa Beach 31st reunion.

21 July 11 -- Added SK3 Marv Kastberg and CYNSN Dave Clark to the 60's roster. Added YN3/C Bob Bunsa to the 40's Roster. More information will be available shortly about our tour day while attending the Cocoa Beach 31st reunion.

22 January 11 -- The hotel information for the 31st reunion is now available in the Reunion Section. Added the 30th USS Fremont Reunion in Fredericksburg Texas to USS Fremont Reunion Photo and Scrap Book.

If you ever want to re-live your experiences aboard an APA watch "Away All Boats!" starring Jeff Chandler, Richard Boone, George Nader, Julie Adams and Lex Barker. If you watch real close you may see Clint Eastwood. Clint had a one line bit part in the movie. This movie is based on the novel "Away all Boats" by Kenneth Dodson. The story was conceived during Mr. Dodson's wartime service aboard the Navy attack transport USS Pierce APA-50.

The movie's fictitious ship the USS Belinda APA-22 was played by the USS Randall APA-224. The USS Fremont played a minor roll in the making of this movie. The following are recollections of SM2 Kenneth Sapp and GM3 Joe Montgomery: SM2 Kenneth Sapp -- "I was on the Fremont when they made the movie "Away all Boats". I think the ship they used to film on was the USS Olmstead or one of her class. If you see the movie the Fremont can be seen in the background of several scenes. It was filmed off the island of Vieques". GM3 Joe Montgomery -- "We were operating with our "Sister Ship" at the time, the USS Randle APA-224. I was able to get a glimpse of the sail boat that was used in the movie. Also, I was one ot the coxswains that hit the beach with the Marines".

This movie serves as an excellent depiction of what it was like to serve aboard an attack transport. If you were a crew member aboard the USS Fremont you will not be disappointed with this movie for there are many scenes that will cause you to remember life aboard ship.

In the movie there was a Tennessee sailor who was in charge of the garbage grinder. With the exception of being a scrounge, I can relate to the character's job as I was placed in charge of the garbage grinder during my 90 days of mess duty. When in port and unable to use the grinder, empty boxes would be stacked in the grinder space. Myself and several marines who had also been assigned mess duty would hide behind the boxes and play poker.

The movie like most movies does not do the book justice, therefore it is my recommendation that you read Kenneth Dodson's book. Believe me, it is far better than the movie. I have read the book three times over the past 40 years. A year prior to his passing, Mr. Dodson informed me that the USS Pierce (Mr. Dodson's ship) and the USS Fremont sailed many a sea mile together during WWII. "Away all Boats" was re-published by the U.S. Naval Institute, Annapolis, Maryland as part of their "Classics of Naval Literature" series. In the re-published book's introduction, Capt. Robert Shenk USNR (Retired) states, "The Navy .... bought one thousand copies of the novel for officer training--perhaps the only time fiction has ever been used for such a purpose. Clearly, Dodson was successful at conveying the essence of the naval side of amphibious work to laymen and professionals alike." USS Fremont WWII veterans will find the parallels between the books fictitious USS Belinda's adventures and their own experiences very similar. A great addition to a book collector's library.

Kenneth Dodson passed away May 24, 1999 at his home in Stanwood, Washington after a long fight with Parkinsons. He was 91. Dodson was lucid and communicative right to the end. Like any good seaman, he had everything planned and all the details worked out. He even wrote his own obituary. Dodson was buried in the Fern Hill Cemetery, Anacortes, Washington with full military honors. He had just finished a book about his relationship with author Carl Sandburg and this book is soon to be published. Kenneth Dodson's passing was reported to me by his friend Jim Allen.

APA sailors have lost a good friend in Kenneth Dodson. Mr. Dodson in his book "Away all Boats" immortalized for all time our service aboard an APA. He will be missed by all of us who have heard the call "Away all Boats, All Boats Away".

Tony Yebba

In Memory of Our Deceased Shipmates

Ship's Specifications

Ship's History

Ship's Bell

War Diaries, Recollections,
Captain Bonnot's Story of the Battle for Saipan
and
Captain Conlan's WWII Action Reports

Commanding Officers

Ship's Photo Album & Scrap Book
and
The Cruise Books for 1957, 1961, 1964, and 1968-1969

USS Fremont Decommissioning Program

The USS Fremont was decommissioned 3 September 1969. A copy of the decommissioning program was provided by ENC Dennis Snyder. Click below to see the Decommissioning Program.

BUPERSINST 1430.16E

The USS Fremont was decommissioned in 1969. Probably forgotten by the U.S. Navy -- WRONG. Ship's name is still used in BUPERSINST 1430.16E. Click below to see the instruction.

I am searching for those who served (crew members and embarked troops) aboard USS Fremont APA-44. E-mail your name, final rank/rate while on board, branch of service, the month and year reported/departed, if a plank owner, and duties if USN. Optionally, you may want to provide a good sea story, where you live and what you are doing today. I will add this information to the ship's muster making it a permanent part of this site. If you have any facts, or pre-scanned pictures that you think would enhance this web site, please include them with your e-mail. If you have Fremont pictures or other scannable mementos, mail them to the following address:

Anthony R. Yebba
785 Briarwood Ct.
Orange City, FL 32763

Include your address so that I can return them to you.

"Click here to E-mail your information"

Below is a muster list directory of the crew members who have submitted entries to date. The Ship's Muster is listed by the decade in which they reported for duty aboard the USS Fremont. If you see a shipmate that you know and wish to contact, you may send e-mail by clicking on the last name in the actual roster (the full name in the quick list will only take you to the main roster entry).

Ahoy, Shipmates & Ladies,

The 33rd USS Fremont reunion will be held in Kalamazoo, Michigan, September 4 - September 8, 2013. Our hosts are Jim and Loretta Speshock.

The hotel for the reunion is at the Best Western Kalamazoo Suites. Reservations to be received by 08/04/2013. After this date rooms will be released and group reservations will be accepted on a space and rate available basis. The address is 2575 South 11th St. Kalamazoo, MI 49009. The phone number is 269-350-5522. The cost of a room is $90.99 plus tax. This rate includes a complimentary deluxe breakfast. The hotel is pet friendly with a $25.00 onetime charge. You must mention the USS Fremont when making your reservation to get the correct room rate. The reunion activity fee is $125 per person. The activity fee includes all the snacks and drinks in the hospitality suite, the Friday tour, and the Saturday night banquet. If you plan on attending contact Jim at 586-463-1383 or email: "fremont44@comcast.net"

Reunion Agenda

If you have pre-scanned pictures that you would like displayed for any reunion, please attach them to an e-mail message. If you have non-scanned reunion pictures, mail them to the following address:

Anthony R. Yebba
785 Briarwood Ct.
Orange City, FL 32763

Include your address and I will return them to you.
"Click here to E-mail your pictures"

USS Fremont Ship's Patch (Price $5.00) -- Press the button to the left for a larger picture.

USS Fremont Insignia Patch (Price $5.00) -- Press the button to the left for a larger picture.

Polo style shirt nicely done (Price $22.00) -- Press the button to the left for a larger picture.

T shirt (Price $12.00) -- Press the button to the left for a larger picture.

Light Jacket or Pull Over Jacket with USS Fremont logo (Price $30.00) -- Press the button to the left for a larger picture.

Wind Shirt (has pockets on the sides) with USS Fremont logo (Price $33.00) -- Press the button to the left for a larger picture.

Regulation style Navy Command ball cap (Price $10.00) -- Press the button to the left for a larger picture.

E-mail Larry Risio at "swaby44@yahoo.com" or write him at this address: Larry Risio; 1287 94th St.; Niagara Falls, NY 14304-2610 to place an order for any of our Ship's Store items.

U. S. Navy Memorial

I strongly support the U. S. Navy Memorial Foundation and encourage all of my USS Fremont shipmates to enroll and be a part of our country's naval history. Click on the "Lone Sailor" below for further information.

This page was developed

by

DPC Anthony R. Yebba USN (Retired)

Some of my fondest memories are of the time I served aboard the USS Fremont APA-44. When I first started searching the Web, I was surprised to find that information about the USS Fremont was not available on the Internet. I decided to solve that by creating a web site dedicated to this ship and her crew. It is my hope that this web site will feel like home to all those seeking the USS Fremont on the Internet. If you have time click on the chief's anchor below and visit Chief Yebba's Navy Web Site.

Thanks for visiting.

Tony ~o|--}

"Chief Yebba's Home Page"