Tributes From Shipmates
CDR Robert Schoeckert, USN (Ret)
I served with Bill aboard Kennebec from January 1967 to July 1968. Bill was the ship's Bos'n and I was XO. Successful completion of any ship's mission is a team effort, and Bill was an important part of that team. When we were operating in the South China Sea, we were called upon to supply more than fuel to the ships operating off the coast of Vietnam. In addition to fuel, we supplied ammunition and a variety of stores. Bos'n Greenfield played a large and very important role in our ability to successfully carry out these additional tasks as well as our normal mission of providing fuel. Bill frequently talked about how great a place North Idaho was to live, and it was largely through Bill's enthusiasm for that area that resulted in my moving there after I retired from the Navy in 1980. Bill and I enjoyed fishing together. Also through Bill I was able to participate in various activities at the Navy's test facility in Bayview, Idaho on beautiful Lake Pend Oreille. Bill had served as Officer in Charge of that facility twice, and retired from active duty from that duty station. Bill was a wonderful person who never lost his enthusiasm for the Naval Service and all that it stands for. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him.Gary D. Schlagel, BM3
Sorry to hear about the tragic circumstances surrounding Bos'n's passing. I believe he was the officer that checked me aboard the USS Kennebec 2 days before Thanksgiving in 1966. At different stages of our lives there is always a person that made a difference. In my 3 yrs and 9 months of Naval service that person was Bos'n Greenfield. I was in deck force, 2nd Div. It was the summer of 1968, shortly before the August test for advancements. My good friend Richard Labin was standing an evening watch on the bridge with Bos'n. The conversation eventually got around to family. Rick stated it, "Sure would be nice to make 3rd with a baby on the way." Bos'n was surprised to learn that Rick and I hadn't been recommended by our Div. PO to take the 3rd class test for boatswain's mate. Only in a way that Bos'n could do it we were recommended for 3rd class. It seems it was pointed out that our recommendations for 3rd would greatly enchance the gentleman's chances to be recommended for 1st class. Rick and I both made the first increment in Oct of 1968. At the reunion I was able to thank Bos'n for my "crow". I would like to think that he hasn't really left us, He just transferred to the Great Oiler in The Sky, to be Officer in Charge of Underway Replenishment. Sail on Bos'n. See you at the Big Unrep In The Sky.Robert F. Hunt
Captain, U. S. Navy (Retired)
Formerly Commanding Officer, USS Kennebec (AO-36)
Herewith a contribution to the Memorial Service:
For Inclusion in William Greenfield's Memorial Service:
Mister Greenfield, Chief Warrant Boatswain's Mate William Greenfield, as one of those men who come to stand for an entire ship in our memories. For us, who served with him, Bill Greenfield will always be the essence, the personification, of our ship the USS Kennebec (AO-36).
Of course there are many incidents that come rushing back to mind when we think of him. Among so many recollections and contributions, which to choose? How can we convey to you the affection and respect with which we view this man, this real sailor? Let me set a scene for you; we were in the very last hours of a very successful deployment of our underway replenishment oiler in the Western Pacific and South China Sea during the early years of the war in Viet Nam. While underway in the open ocean, at all hours of the day and night and in all weathers, we had pumped fuel some five hundred times to carriers, cruisers, destroyers, hospital ships, and mine sweepers. Bos'n Greenfield had contributed greatly to accomplishing this huge amount of dangerous work without injuring a single man. Mr. Greenfield
"looked after his men". Well, as I said, we were on our last few miles and minutes of the deployment; the steep shoreline of the west coast of California and the San Francisco Bay bridge rose up ahead of us out of the early morning fog and what do we hear? On the speaker system that could be heard, loud and clear, throughout the ship, a jazzy trumpet blasting out the music of, "San Francisco, here I come." Bill surprised us all. I didn't know when or where he had managed to practice, or how he had
managed to get to the 1MC speaker system on the bridge without my
knowing it, but there he was, speaking for all of us. In a really
memorable way, he made homecoming music for all of us that morning.
There is an old story that there is a section of Heaven that is set
apart for good sailors. It is called Fiddler's Green. Even so, I am sure that they have given Bill Greenfield a trumpet. Fair winds and smooth sailing, Bill.
Rex Livengood, New York City
Here is my contribution for the memorial service honoring Bos'n Bill Greenfield. I met the Bos'n when I came aboard the Kennebec in early 1967, like Earl Rupp, I was a newly minted Ensign! I recall that you could always rely upon the Bos'n for sound advise. As a Warrant Officer, A CWO4 at that, he was in a unique position to be a go between between the officers and enlisted men of the ship. As he used to say, he was on a first name basis with people from Seaman to Admiral. And it was really true! One of my duties was "liquid cargo officer" which had to do with ensuring the ship's fuel tanks were properly loaded, etc. I remember the Bos'n had seen the USS Ashtabula (AO-51) shortly after she exploded in Sasebo, Japan in November of 1952 killing one sailor and injuring others. Acetylene torches had ignited the forward fuel takn causing a huge explosion. The Bos'n kept that piece of history as fresh in my mind as if I had witnessed the explosion. I like to think I did my job better thanks to the Bosn's experience. I never ceased to be amazed at how much Bos'n Greenfield knew about everything having to do with Navy ships. He really was a wonderful mentor for us green junior officers. There was one area where we did not always see eye to eye--his choice of movies were always heavy on Doris Day and the big bands!Terry T. Butkus, QM3
I was aboard the U.S.S. Kennebec (AO-36) from Feb.1963 to Aug.1966 and remember Bill Greenfield as if it was yesterday. Probably the one item that will always stand out, is when I was just about ready to be discharged from active duty. Bill was retention officer at that time, and he tried is best to get me to " ship - over " for another four years. He just laughed and wished me well in the future. I always admired and respected Bill for being a great guy and sailor. The only regret I have is not being able to make the reunion in Las Vegas and see him again. I'm sure we could have shared some good stories about the Kennebec. It was indeed and honor and a prviledge to know Bill.Earl W. Rupp, AO-36 Co-Historian
I first met the Bos'n in late 1966 when I went aboard the Kennebec in San Francisco as a newly minted Ensign. I always thought the world of him and believed he, more than anyone else, personified the heart and soul of the Kennebec. Over the past 35 years my wife and I continued to stay in touch with him. I was able to speak with him the day before his operation. His voice was weak and he seemed resigned to his fate, rather than strong and gravely as I remember. I assured him that Dave Satterfield, Rex Livengood and I would cover his Bridge Watches until he was out of Sick Bay. I'm certain Captain Hunt would concur. According to BeBe, his companion for the past 15 years, he spoke continually of the Kennebec Reunion in the last few weeks of his life.David Goldstein
I have one remembrance of the Bos'n that is most vivid. He once explained when we were deployed to WESTPAC why his behavior on shore reflected shall we say a certain lack of memory of the fact that he was married. He stated that a man could not possibly be married to a woman who lived in a different day.Walt Norkus
Just a quick note on the Bosun'. As a snipe we didn't have a lot of contact with him but on one occasion I went golfing with him in Japan have no idea how it came about or even who went with us. It probably was on the 67 or 68 cruise, and the course was on the ocean because we could see the girls diving in the pearl beds just off shore. It was my first time and he was very patient with me. Did he also go out on the "High Line" and ship over Alcorn? That's about all I have. Take care,USS Kennebec (AO-36)
Thanks to Bebe Fletcher, longtime special friend of the Bos'n, for contributions to this tribute as well as all who are mentioned above.