Dedication Of The Hats

At each reunion, we spend a moment remembering Tidewater Sailors who have passed away. We call it The Dedication Of The Hats. If you would like to dedicate your Tidewater Hat in memory of a shipmate at the upcoming reunion, click here, fill out the form and send it to us. During the ceremony, you or someone you designate may came to the microphone and perform the dedication. At the St. Augustine reunion, three hats were dedicated by AD31 sailors. Their words and dedications appear below:

"To The Memory of Fred Smith:

I would like to dedicate my USS Tidewater hat to the memory of Fred Smith, who passed away on January 15, 2006. Fred was a good friend of mine during the 1956-58 years that I served on board the USS Tidewater. He will be missed by me and all his shipmates from the Tidewater Association.

Roger Nash"

Chief Frederick R. Smith - Member No. 0097 - was a founding member of the Association. Fred reported aboard the Tidewater in January 1957 as a Seaman Apprentice and worked in R-5 Division's Torpedo Shop. He departed the Tide in November 1960 as a TM2 and went on for a career in the Navy, retiring as TMC. Fred signed on with the AD31 Association as a LIFE MEMBER. He passed away after a brief illness on January 15, 2006.

"To The Memory of John "Jack" McCadden:

Jack was aboard the USS Tidewater from August 1951 to April 1955 and worked in the 5th Division Pattern Shop as a PM2. He was a longtime friend and shipmate who we had been in touch with after all the years after being aboard the Tidewater.

Jack was so happy to know of the reunion that was coming up in October 2004, but he took sick in August 2004 and passed away on September 2, 2004. He will always be missed.

Shipmates Jesse L. Gorden and George Malloch"

"To The Memory of Ralph C. Jones:

I got to meet Ralph after he joined the USS Tidewater Association and experienced a close newfound friendship like so many I have made with former shipmates. Ralph later passed away after a short illness, but not before I would meet his family and find out how much his memories of the Tidewater and its crew meant to him. For his family and his shipmates I want to dedicate my Tidewater hat to the memory of this new friend and Tidewater Sailor.

Bill Cook"

Ralph C. Jones - Member No. 0035 - Ralph came aboard AD31 in January 1953 . In applying for his LIFE MEMBERSHIP, he said, "I have waited a long time for this!" Ralph made two Med Cruises (1954 & 1956) and worked in 5th Division and in R1 Division Hull Repair. Ralph was a founding member of the Association and departed the Tidewater in November 1956 as an ME3. He passed away on May 17, 2004 in Fort Wayne, IN.