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Founder Edward C. Reese, NCCS, USN, Retired
Currently serving as a
Master Chief
New York Naval Guard
NAVETSUSA

David A Barker
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Plank Owner
Member in good standing
NAVetsUSA
David A Barker
BM3, NAVet
2633 Sunrise Ave
Portsmouth OH 45662
dave.barker@med.VA.gov

I served in the Navy and Navy Reserves from 1958 until 1968. I went abaord the USS Cony DD 508 in November 1959, as a member of the Deck Force. In April 1961 We went to the Bay of Pigs Cuba. At the time I was a leading seaman and in charge of the side cleaners. We were instructed to go over the side and paint off the five of our hull number. We became the 08 rather than 508. We then painted off the name Cony on the stern. Then our Commission ennant and U.S. Flag were removed; there was no longer any question of what we were   going to do. We still didn't know where or why. We had unknown (to us) civilians come board, VIA our motor whaleboat. Although I was a member of the boat crew, we were not to speak to them at any time, for any reason. Soon after the failed invasion was over, we returned to port, we were advised my our skipper Frank Dunham not to speak of the week long adventure to anyone. As documented by author Peter Wyden in his book THE BAY OF PIGS, THE UNTOLD STORY (Simon & Schuster 1978), our ships did meet some resistance. It is further documented in the VFW Magazine (September 1993), "a whaleboat carrying sailors heavily armed with Browning automatic rifles, from the Cony, was beached at one stage. Actual small arms fire struck the Cony." A round from a Cuban artillery piece was fired over the bow of at least one of the destroyers. We went to GQ. It seemed as if GQ lasted for the entire five days. All Navy duty after those days seemed extremely tame. I finished my Navy service at USNR Center South Charleston W Va.
 


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