Korean War officers reunite at Ranch

Officers from the U.S.S. Philip hold a drawing of the Fletcher-class destroyer.

Front row, (left to right): Fr. Ned Kellogg (San Diego, CA), Bob McKitrick (Oxon Hill, MD), Jim Dunn (Corvallis, OR), Hap Gladstone (Lafayette, CA). Back row, (left to right): Roger Rowe (Rancho Santa Fe, CA), Dick Portwood (Sisters), Jan Wetzel (South Pasadena, CA), and Jack Arthur (Corvallis, OR).

Officers who served in the Korean War on board the destroyer U.S.S. Philip got together last week at Black Butte Ranch for a reunion of brothers in arms.

Dick Portwood, who lives at the Ranch, was the gracious host for 18 people who had traveled from all parts of the country.

"We served from 1952 to 1955. Our home port was Pearl Harbor, but we had two trips to the Far East. We were involved in shore bombardment of the east coast of Korea, and then we were on Formosa patrol between China and Taiwan," he explained.

"Perhaps our most interesting experience came after the war ended. We were sent to the Marshall Islands to keep intruders away during the first test explosion of the H-bomb.

"It was 750 times more powerful than the atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and it was 50 times more powerful than the scientists anticipated.

"Our ship was irradiated, but a Japanese trawler, The Lucky Dragon, wasn't so lucky. Several of their crewmen were burned and died because they were too close."

He continued, "These guys are warriors. We've all gone separate ways; some stayed in the military, and some did not. But whatever field of endeavor, they seemed to be high achievers."

"But," he added, "it's real special when guys care enough about each other to get together."

The officers have had about 10 such reunions in the 50 years since their stint on the Fletcher-class destroyer. Last week's gathering was the third one held at Black Butte.

"Everyone likes coming to Central Oregon. Uniquely, no one is a golfer, so we go on hikes and bike rides. Some have been to Smith Rock, and of course, people love to shop in Sisters. We've been keeping Deschutes County green by spending out-of-town money."

Part of the agenda for the reunion included a memorial service for John Langer.

"John had been instrumental in planning this reunion, but then he passed away in June. So, we thought we'd remember him and the others who have fallen," said Portwood.