58 years after Cogswell moored in Charleston for decommissioning, we returned there for the 11th reunion of the USS Cogswell (DD-651) Association, May 20 – 22, 2004.
74 members (including at least 6 new members) and 40 guests participated in the reunion which was a rousing success. Dick Kiel (AKA Biff Buffington) was local coordinator and is to be commended for his work with the hotel to make the reunion a success. The Clarion Hotel specializes in military reunions and it showed. The meeting room was large and ours exclusively for 3 days; the dinner was well done; and the highlight was the unveiling of a photo of Cogswell, signed by all attending crewmembers, which will hang in the hotel lobby.
Special thanks to Cheryl Williams who coordinated the raffle which raised over $800 for the association. George Overman and Orv Williams were instrumental in securing valuable prizes which increased interest in the raffle. Thanks, guys. We did not charge a registration fee this year and many members bought raffle tickets instead.
We enjoyed the presence of Alice Lincoln at the reunion. Alice has been the mainstay of the Don Miller Locator Service, personally contacting more than 100 crewmembers; several have joined the association.
We are now aware of 4 members who kept diaries during WW II. We have used these diaries to supplement the official ship’s history and to add spice to the reunion discussions (it was fun to compare notes on certain days to see the differences in interpretation due to individual location within the ship). All agreed that the picket patrol off Okinawa was very high risk and they agree that they were told that Cogswell was the first ship into Tokyo Bay following the end of the war.
After a long and spirited campaign, your slate of officers was reelected. No one was injured by the runaway locomotive.
The next reunion will be Oct 2005, in Las Vegas. George Overman has graciously agreed to handle arrangements and if you remember the San Diego reunion, you know it will be a roaring good time. George will advise the dates and hotel soon. Be prepared to answer a survey concerning the location of future reunions; we value you input.