I don’t know if you remember me or not but i served under you on the Kawishiwi. I have recently reconnected with some of my old shipmates and even visited a few while on the mainland (i still live in Hawaii where i earned a BA in journalism and have worked as a broadcast journalist and freelance writer). I would love to hear from you. I hope you are well.
Dear sir I served under your command 1973 1976. We served off the Vietnam Coast. I remember the time we got a little too close to the Hancock. I was a machinist mate. The time that I served will never be forgotten. God bless you,God bless by Shipmates and God bless America.
Hey John – I served on the Kawishiwi and was on the outrigger team in 73-74, starting out in “A” division on the deck, and then moving into Sick Bay as a striker. Did 22 years in the Navy and another 20 as a contractor, and am now an author and business guy in PA and Florida.
Had mentioned CAPT John in one of my books for his leadership skills, and am adding him again (short blurb) in my next book, and did a quick search, where I came across this fantastic page of yours. THANKS!!! Though I don’t have any reason at this point to add pics in my book, would I be allowed to use any of these if the op came up? Maybe share a little of your story?
I served on the Kawishii from 74 to 77 did few westpacs and went through shellback initation I am looking for john Campbell and anyone who served during this timeframe
To Captain John L. Nicholson,
It was a proud and memorable time while serving with you on Kawishiwi ( 1971-1975 period). “Pressing on” was the order of the day and we did our best to fulfill our obligations. Your leadership was inspirational and very proud to serve with your distinction. Thank you.
Dave Kanitz HTC(sw) ret.
Hello Captain! One of my favorite memories of you aboard the Kawishiwi was this… A couple of us sailors heard that if you knocked the valve off a five foot tall oxygen bottle, it would fly like a rocket. So… we went into the ships woodshop, made three fins and a rudimentary nosecone and attached them to a full oxygen bottle. We then propped the bottle up at the port side rail. As we were preparing to use a sledge hammer to knock off the valve, you happened to see us. After we explained what we were up to, you put an immediate end to our experiment and ‘accused’ us of “trying to sink your ship”! We dismantled our rocket and the matter ended there! It was an honor to serve under you! Tom Miller Commissaryman and a Corpsman Kawishiwi Jan 72 – Aug 75
Hello Captain Nicholson,
It was an honor to serve under your command. I remember the 73-74 westpac cruise with a lot of fond memories. Spent a lot of time on the helm during long hours of unreps and sea and anchor details. I think I was on the helm for over 4 hours when we first went through Singapore. The chief actually went to the mess deck and brought me eggs and pancakes. I ate them right there as I steered the ship! Also remember the trips to the South Pacific and American Samoa. Became a Shellback on that trip. Hope all is well with you Captain. Have great memories.
.
Thanks
Greetings Captain Nicholson,
I stumbled upon your website and wanted to take the opportunity to let you know you were easily the best commanding officer that a new ensign could want. I remember as CIC Officer coming to your stateroom after a heated argument with the XO and telling you that if you didn’t tell the XO to keep out of CIC you would need to find a new CIC Officer. Surprisingly you didn’t seem at all ruffled or upset, you had me sit down, explained to me your plans for the ship and sent me back to CIC. I also remember standing watch as JOOD while watching carrier landings in the distance. You came up to me and asked if I had ever seen carrier landings up close, to which I responded that I hadn’t. Shortly thereafter I was hoisted up into a hoovering helicopter from the carrier and spent the afternoon with the carrier LSO as planes landed very up close.
I served from 73-75. What a place to grow up. Capt Nic was a great person to work for and with. I’m sure, as a ship we would have followed him anywhere. The world will miss one of the best!
I don’t know if you remember me or not but i served under you on the Kawishiwi. I have recently reconnected with some of my old shipmates and even visited a few while on the mainland (i still live in Hawaii where i earned a BA in journalism and have worked as a broadcast journalist and freelance writer). I would love to hear from you. I hope you are well.
Aloha,
Jim Gardner
Hey jim its karl ,doing fine had five kids,great life,thanks to Jesus!!!
Dear sir I served under your command 1973 1976. We served off the Vietnam Coast. I remember the time we got a little too close to the Hancock. I was a machinist mate. The time that I served will never be forgotten. God bless you,God bless by Shipmates and God bless America.
Hey John – I served on the Kawishiwi and was on the outrigger team in 73-74, starting out in “A” division on the deck, and then moving into Sick Bay as a striker. Did 22 years in the Navy and another 20 as a contractor, and am now an author and business guy in PA and Florida.
Had mentioned CAPT John in one of my books for his leadership skills, and am adding him again (short blurb) in my next book, and did a quick search, where I came across this fantastic page of yours. THANKS!!! Though I don’t have any reason at this point to add pics in my book, would I be allowed to use any of these if the op came up? Maybe share a little of your story?
I served on the Kawishii from 74 to 77 did few westpacs and went through shellback initation I am looking for john Campbell and anyone who served during this timeframe
WAS KAWISHIWI AO-146 WITHIN 12 MILES OF VIETNAM ?
Not on this deployment, Gary.
To Captain John L. Nicholson,
It was a proud and memorable time while serving with you on Kawishiwi ( 1971-1975 period). “Pressing on” was the order of the day and we did our best to fulfill our obligations. Your leadership was inspirational and very proud to serve with your distinction. Thank you.
Dave Kanitz HTC(sw) ret.
Hello Captain! One of my favorite memories of you aboard the Kawishiwi was this… A couple of us sailors heard that if you knocked the valve off a five foot tall oxygen bottle, it would fly like a rocket. So… we went into the ships woodshop, made three fins and a rudimentary nosecone and attached them to a full oxygen bottle. We then propped the bottle up at the port side rail. As we were preparing to use a sledge hammer to knock off the valve, you happened to see us. After we explained what we were up to, you put an immediate end to our experiment and ‘accused’ us of “trying to sink your ship”! We dismantled our rocket and the matter ended there! It was an honor to serve under you! Tom Miller Commissaryman and a Corpsman Kawishiwi Jan 72 – Aug 75
Hello Captain Nicholson,
It was an honor to serve under your command. I remember the 73-74 westpac cruise with a lot of fond memories. Spent a lot of time on the helm during long hours of unreps and sea and anchor details. I think I was on the helm for over 4 hours when we first went through Singapore. The chief actually went to the mess deck and brought me eggs and pancakes. I ate them right there as I steered the ship! Also remember the trips to the South Pacific and American Samoa. Became a Shellback on that trip. Hope all is well with you Captain. Have great memories.
.
Thanks
QM2 Daryll Tush
looking for coordinates lat an lon for the 75 west pac off of Vietnam was on special K from sep 74 to feb 78 a BM
I served from 73-77 i renenber you great guy i too am from montana was good to see you on here
Greetings Captain Nicholson,
I stumbled upon your website and wanted to take the opportunity to let you know you were easily the best commanding officer that a new ensign could want. I remember as CIC Officer coming to your stateroom after a heated argument with the XO and telling you that if you didn’t tell the XO to keep out of CIC you would need to find a new CIC Officer. Surprisingly you didn’t seem at all ruffled or upset, you had me sit down, explained to me your plans for the ship and sent me back to CIC. I also remember standing watch as JOOD while watching carrier landings in the distance. You came up to me and asked if I had ever seen carrier landings up close, to which I responded that I hadn’t. Shortly thereafter I was hoisted up into a hoovering helicopter from the carrier and spent the afternoon with the carrier LSO as planes landed very up close.
Thanks for the great memories,
ENS JC Lamar
I served from 73-75. What a place to grow up. Capt Nic was a great person to work for and with. I’m sure, as a ship we would have followed him anywhere. The world will miss one of the best!