My name is Gregory A. Freeman and I am an author specializing in military nonfiction. I have been researching the incident that occurred on the USS Kitty Hawk in October 1972, and I am writing to request contact with any Kitty Hawk veteran who was aboard at that time.

Marland W. Townsend, Captain of the Kitty Hawk at the time and a life member of the veterans association, supports my project and already has granted me extensive interviews to recount his experience and his perspective. He suggested that I contact others who were aboard to hear their stories also.

This book will tell the story of the Kitty Hawk in a fashion similar to that of my best selling book Sailors to the End: The Fire on the USS Forrestal and the Heroes Who Fought It, published by William Morrow and now in development for a major motion picture with the studio Fox 2000. My current book is The Forgotten 500: The Untold Story of the Men Who Risked All for the Greatest Rescue Mission of World War II. (For more on my work, see the web site www.GregoryAFreeman.com.)

My books are scrupulously researched, entirely factual, but written in an engaging, readable way. My preliminary research suggests that there is much more to the Kitty Hawk story than just the disurbance that occurrred that day, especially regarding some of the country’s social changes and military enrollment policies. I’m interested in telling the deeper story about what led some of the men to their actions, how the situation was defused, and some of the improvements that came about as a result.

I would like to hear from anyone who was there, regardless of rank, as well as family members or others who have any insights. Don't worry about passing on a lot of information right away (unless you want to); if you just let me know you're interested and generally what your involvement was, I'll set up a time to talk with you.

Thank you very much for your consideration and thank you for serving.

Gregory A. Freeman

Update: I've recently spoken with former XO Benjamin Cloud, who also expresses support for the book project. Like Townsend, Cloud suggests that I speak with 1972 Kitty Hawk veterans from all ranks and departments to hear differing perspectives.

Please contact me at Author@Gregoryafreeman.com with any questions or suggestions. Thank you.

Gregory A. Freeman
www.gregoryafreeman.com

Dear Gregory; I was a launcher captain in the starboard Terrier Battery on the night of the the riot. I was awakened by the sound of the XO's voice on the 1MC stating that "The marines will use no weapons" and "for all black crew members to report to the mess decks." This was promptly countered by the CO. Not knowing what was going on I went out to the guard post and found the Marine on duty was being protected by two other Marines in full battle gear and was told what was taking place and to remain inside. Respectfull Ro44bert Englebert

I was on the Hawk at that time. I was working in 1Main when the word was spread to dog our hatches and guard our spaces. A friend of mine was unlucky and was caught in the passageway and was beaten. My dad compiled a scrap book for me of all stories published about the riot.

I SERVED ON THE KITTY HAWK FROM SEPT 1971 TILL FEB 1975. I WAS ON BOARD DURING THE RIOT, I WAS A THIRD CLASS BT ,P3 DIV. WORKING IN THE OIL LAB AT THE TIME.LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO HELP.

Thanks for getting in touch. I'll e-mail you about how we can talk more.

Greg

I remember you. Remember Dutch. Remember Frisco and the fuel change out.

I was on the Hawk during the riots, worked in the AIMD Navy Oil Analysis Program Laboratory

I was and electrician on board. I would be happy to give you my perspective, and repeat the rumor and speculations I recall. I was escorted from my work space to my sleeping quarters, through the after galley where the African-American crowd was gathered with the XO.

Thanks for getting in touch, Mark. I'll e-mail you directly.

Gregory A. Freeman

Are yoiu aware of the research the Navy has conducted - I did an extensive telephone interview with a pentagon historian in 2000........

Drop me a line and let me know what you are looking for.

br

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Replying to:

Thanks for getting in touch, Mark. I'll e-mail you directly.

Gregory A. Freeman

I was on the Kitty Hawk back then. I was working in CIC when it all went down. If you want more info pls. e-mail .......Rob

Thanks to everyone who has gotten in touch already. I've replied by e-mail to everyone, so please let me know if you didn't get a response from me. I haven't intentionally failed to reply to anyone.

Still interested in hearing from all who have stories to tell about the 1972 incident. Thanks, and happy holidays to everyone.

Gregory A. Freeman

I Reported aboar shortly after the riot . in 73 how long were you on board

Greg,

I Joined the Axcssociation in Nov and was surfing when I saw your e-mail

I was also on the Kitty Hawk then, July 70 to Nov 73.

The details are a little hazy. I was a GMT2 and assigned to W Division. We worked with the Marines daily as they guarded our spaces. I was really good friends with SGT Larry Joe Parker from Ohio, so I got some detail from him.. I was pulled as a responder and was assigned to a two man team with a Marine. The Marine had a M-14 and I had a half dozen pairs of shackles. The teams were set to go up on the Hangar deck and "take down " any rioters. As I understood it we would put one shackle end on the rioter and the other to an immovable object.

Before we deployed the teams (it was confusing) the XO Ben Clouds passed an order for "all blacks" to go to, as I recall the foscle. Rumor had it that during this time in the bearthing compartments forward in thon the 01-02 level when the blacks rampaged through there that a number of guys were drug from their racks and beat.

We stood down, at least I and my partner and a few other teams. and we were moved to patroling the ship (2nd deck that night.)

I also remember our Division Officer, LT Catfish Hoover slept in ourt berthing. (or sat half asleep at the Acey Ducy board table)in our space.

I remember small things like no tool that could be used as a weapon could be hand carried . It had to be put into a tool box and carried that way... I also remember that there wasn't a dogging wrench ( lenght of pipe) to be found anywhere. they all seemed to disappear.

We had one black division member who was really scared he felt what was going on was wrong but didn't dare stand up against the action. (he said it didn't serve him well, to be seen by some of his race, standing in the chow line with a bunch of white guys). A Filipino from W division told us that the blacks had gone to the Stewarts or Ship Servicemens berthing a and attempted to recruit them into the action as fellow minorities.

When one of our division mates was going to fly home early from Hawaii he later told us he was told, " say one thing to a reporter about anything and you'll be court marshalled".

Last, Time Issue dated Dec 13, 1972, page 30 has a good article "ARMED FORCES" with a pix of the C.O on the bridge and above him on the signal bridge is a black sailor giving the "Black power sign"

Feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance.

VR/ Ed Reiger
sereiger@san.rr.com

I was below the aft mess decks in the #4 elevator machinery space. Hatches dogged down tight. I remember the tension building up at the Subic EM club before we pulled out. Scary time. Please feel free to contact me. Would like to share.

S. Konze EN2 A Div. Hydraulics.

yn3 x div. worked in Captains office mail room and had the late duty that night. I slept beneath the aft mess deck and when I arrived all Hell was going on and hatch to berthing area was dogged down. Barely made it in. Have pondered situation for years and would be willing to share my insight.

The project continues. I'm still interested in hearing from those involved in the incident. Thanks to all who have participated so far.

Gregory A. Freeman

I was LT/AIMD and stood watches on bridge. Believe word from Captain was to be careful. Seem to remember getting up to bridge after dark was a little scarry. Long time ago. A blemish on an otherwise impeccable career for the Hawk. Think I may have been called to testify at the courts-martial at NAVSTA, San Diego, in about '73, but was not needed.

I was on board the Kitty Hawk when the riot took place. I was in the gally when it started and spent the night in IOIC on security alert. I would be happy to talk to you about it.

I was on the Kitty Hawk from 1971 -1974. I worked in the ships Machine Shop. We actually were pretty self sufficient and had no real problems.

The book project concerning the 1972 riot aboard the Kitty Hawk is proceeding well. I have spoken with a number of veterans who were there and am wrapping up the research.
If I have spoken with you in the past, I will contact you soon to touch base and ask any follow-up questions that may have come up. Also, I will be asking the interview subjects to provide photos of themselves, if possible, from that era. (I'm also posting another message on this board requesting photos.) Feel free to contact me any time, no need to wait for me to call.
The book will be a respectful, accurate account of what happened in 1972. Expect it in book stores in mid-2009.
Many thanks to all who have contributed to the project.
-- Gregory A. Freeman

i was on board during the riot. some of my black friends told me to stay in my bunk area that night because something was going to happen.

Do you remember my dad "Michael C. Calhoun" worked on planes.

serving on the kitty 1974 thru1977 after the riot a sailor under my supervision was discharged due to a confertation with a african american I always felt his dismissal was due to the previous riot he was given a general discharge with his benefits I belief this was due to his high elvaluations. this was the quickest discharge I seen while serving.

I wish I had seen this before posting a similar request for information. Now it looks like I'm a bit too late to be of any assistance. I too was trying to compile these events or at least clear up some of the cobwebs.

I was on the ship's master at arms force at the time and was also part of the detail ordered to the ship's armory to draw weapons. The CMAA's goal was to proceed too and protect the bridge, but the detail was blocked at the armory by the XO and confined to the MAA office. The MAA force wasn't even allowed to carry night sticks for self protection.

It was probably the worst 3 days of my naval service. I still get the shakes whenever I think of these events, and they have been in my thoughts a lot of late. Maybe the book will clear up some details.

I know this lends little help at this point,and am looking forward to reading your book.I and three other shipmates out of #4MMR were attacted on the morning of Oct 12th coming back to our berthing comp.in P-1 Div.which was home for #1MMR.They numbered between 12 and 15.It changed our lives forever.Id be curious to know if your book includes the ships being stationed at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard,San Francisco(Dark at Noon!)if you know what I mean.Some of us were shot at leaving the main gate,from up on the hill,and there were incidents of rocks being thrown at several cars going in and out of the base.I mean,if it werent bad enough being involved back in oct,we went,for all intents and purposes,from the frying pan into the fire!Gangs of blacks in the street a 1/4mi.outside the gate trying to get white sailors to stop,would have been shear suicide!Yeah,Im real curious.m_mcwold@yahoo.com/520-247-9724.Thank you for letting me share.