Saluting Albert Sefcik MM2, who served his country proudly aboard the Mount McKinley AGC-7 during the period 60; 61; 62 in M Division.
Album Photo Caption
Commanding Officer, USS Mt McKinley 63-64
Capt. Russell F. Flynn, U.S. Navy retired, 88, a resident of St. Michaels since 1979, died Feb. 18, 2007, at his home due to complications of cancer. Capt. Flynn was born Aug. 15, 1918, in Leesville, Conn. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md., Class of 1942, with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. Following graduation, he served his country during World War II in the South Pacific, where he participated in notable battles such as the Leyte Gulf invasion, the Battle of Surigao Strait, the Linguyen Gulf (Philippines) invasion and the Okinawa invasion. He was also a veteran of the Korean War and served as operational communications and planning officer, CINCLANT/CINCLANTFLT, Norfolk, during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Capt. Flynn's naval career included service aboard the USS Mississippi (BB41), USS Pennsylvania (BB38), USS Iowa (BB61), USS Gainard (DD706) and the USS Watts (DD567). He commanded the USS Harold J. Ellison (DD864) and USS Mount McKinley (AGC7). Finally, he served as commanding officer, U.S. Naval Communications Station Norfolk until he retired from the Navy in July 1966. Russ commenced his civilian career, employed by Western Union Corp. in the government division in McLean, Va., until his retirement in August 1978. Russ was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Parish, St. Michaels Catholic Chapel, the Knights of Columbus, E.E. Streets Memorial Post 5118 VFW, American Legion Post 70, and since 1979 a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 04-05. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Belle, whom he married on April 11, 1942, and sister, Marge F. Banta.
Thanks Albert!
For the Month June in History ..
06/01/1813 - Capt John Lawrence utters Navy motto "Don't give up the ship"
06/02/1942 - Red Sox star Ted Williams enlists as a Navy aviator
06/03/1956 - USS Mt McKinley AGC-7 - After a yard overhaul in the summer of 1955, the navy amphibious flagship returned to WesPac in January 1956 for a 3 month period. In April, she was press observer ship for further nuclear tests.. On 3 June she returned to San Diego and was detached from the Pacific Fleet 1 September. She arrived Norfolk 20 September via Panama Canal.
06/06/1941 - 1st navy vessel constructed as mine layer Terror launched
06/06/1971 - Air West filght 706 collides with Navy Phantom jet over LA, 50 die
06/07/1951 - USS Mt McKinley AGC-7 - On 7 June 1951, Mount McKinley sailed from Yokosuka and entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard 3 August for an extensive overhaul. Mount McKinley departed for WesPac, 6 March 1952, returning to the States 30 January 1953. While in Mare Island Navy Shipyard, a helicopter deck was installed on the fantail.
06/08/1944 - USS Mt McKinley AGC-7 - After a brief shakedown cruise, she departed Norfolk on 8 June 1944 for Hawaii, arriving Pearl Harbor navy base 27 June. The new AGC got underway 20 July for the Palan Islands with ComPhibGru 5 embarked. She arrived off Peleliu 15 September with ComPhibGru 5 directing the landing of the lst Marine Division. She moved to nearby Ngesebus Island on 28 September to provide shore bombardment coordination.
06/12/1900 - German Navy Law calls for massive increase in sea power
06/18/1942 - Bernard W Robinson, becomes 1st black ensign in US Navy
06/19/1941 - US president Roosevelt signs Two Ocean Navy Expansion Act
06/19/1957 - USS Mt McKinley AGC-7 - January 9th 1957, AGC-7 deployed to the Mediterranean. While in the Eastern Mediterranean, the navy ship rescued the crew of a burning Greek fishing vessel, extinguished the fire, and towed the damaged vessel into port. After conducting NATO and fleet exercises in the Mediterranean, she returned to Norfolk 19 June. September and early October were spent in NATO exercises in the eastern Atlantic.
06/26/1950 - USS Mt McKinley AGC-7 - On 20 May 1950, Mount McKinley was underway for WesPac to conduct navy training operations with the 8th Army. On 26 June, when North Korea launched their aggression against the South, the ship proceeded from Japan to direct the landing of American reinforcements at Po Han. In early September 1950, General McArthur was on board, directing the brilliant amphibious assault at Inchon which forced the Communist to scurry north in headlong retreat. The next assault was against the heavily mined port of Wonsan.
06/27/1944 - USS Mt McKinley AGC-7 - After a brief shakedown cruise, she departed Norfolk on 8 June 1944 for Hawaii, arriving Pearl Harbor navy base 27 June. The new AGC got underway 20 July for the Palan Islands with ComPhibGru 5 embarked. She arrived off Peleliu 15 September with ComPhibGru 5 directing the landing of the lst Marine Division. She moved to nearby Ngesebus Island on 28 September to provide shore bombardment coordination.
06/27/1950 - North Koreans troop reach Seoul, UN asks members to aid South Korea, Truman orders Air Force & Navy into Korean conflict
Famous Birthdays June ..
06/08/1813 - David Dixon Porter, Rear Admiral (Union Navy), died in 1891
06/11/1807 - James Findlay Schenck, Commander (Union Navy), died in 1882
06/11/1808 - Charles Henry Poor, Commander (Union Navy), died in 1882
06/12/1795 - John Marston Jr, Comm (Union Navy), died in 1885
06/13/1821 - Navy Gustavus Vasa Fox, Asst Secy (Union), died in 1883
06/18/1809 - Sylvanus William Godon, Commander (Union Navy), died in 1879
06/24/1939 - Henry Lawrence Garett III, Miami Fla, Sect of Navy (1989-92)
06/25/1823 - James Dunwody Bulloch, Capt (Confederate Navy), died in 1901
Famous Deaths for June ..
There are no deaths matching "navy" in the archives for the month June
This is a message I received several years ago from one of our members concerning the fate of the McKinley.
"Subj: Re: Mt McKinley Date: 09/04/2002 7:13:43 PM Eastern Daylight Time From: (withheld) To: Bill Ellis Sent via email
Bill:
I'm sorry I took so long to get back to you. My point of contact was out of town on vacation. My friend referred me to Ken Alt of Naval Ships in Bremerton, Washington. Ken tells me the records reflect the USS Mt. McKinley AGC-7/LCC-7 was sold in 1977 to a Scrap Metal company in Terminal Island, California. Unfortunately the ship has long since been reclaimed for root metal products! Wish I could have been able to tell you she was still alive and kicking and provided a location to view her, but alas.....
Ernie"
Attention on Deck for the Captains - Hand Salute
Attention on Deck for the Captains! - Hand Salute!
01
CAPT.
Graham, William M. (NG)
1 May 1944 - 20 January 1945
02
CAPT.
Gamet, Wayne Neal :RADM
20 January 1945 - 9 August 1946
03
CAPT.
Riddle, Frederick Leavenworth
9 August1946 - 2 June 1947
04
CAPT.
Ware, William Lynch
2 June 1947 - 16 October 1948
05
CAPT.
Sugnet, Lee Ferrand
16 October 1948 - 17 December 1949
06
CAPT.
Printup, Carter Alston
17 December 1949 - 18 July 1951
07
CAPT.
Chappell, Lucius Henry
18 July 1951 - 26 January 1952
08
CAPT.
Beasley, Charles Black :RADM
26 January 1952 - 25 July 1952
09
CAPT.
Norgaard, Rollo Niel :RADM
25 July 1952 - 7 April 1953
10
CAPT.
Hardin, James Thomas
7 April 1953 - 1 April 1954
11
CAPT.
Adams, Scarritt
1 April 1954 - 25 November 1955
12
CAPT.
Renken, Henry Algernon :RADM
25 November 1955 - 28 September 1956
13
CAPT.
Fleck, Thomas Martin
28 September 1956 - 30 October 1957
14
CAPT.
Blouin, Francis Joseph :VADM
30 October 1957 - 30 December 1958
15
CAPT.
Pittard, George Franklin :RADM
30 December 1958 - 23 December 1959
16
CAPT.
Kelly Jr., Monroe
23 December 1959 - 17 November 1960
17
CAPT.
Lauerman, Henry Conrad
17 November 1960 - 18 January 1962
18
CAPT.
Schwab Jr., Ernest Louis
18 January 1962 - March 1963
19
CAPT.
Flynn, Russell Francis
1963 - March 1964
20
CAPT.
Tuttle Jr., Louis K.
March 1964 - June 1965
21
CAPT.
Thornhill Jr., Henry Ehrman (Tim)
June 1965 - 17 August 1966
22
CAPT.
Bowling, Roland Alfred
17 August 1966 - 31 January 1968
23
CAPT.
Poorman, Herbert R.
31 January 1968 - 1969
24
CAPT.
Grause, Jerome E.
1969 - 26 March 1970
Our Ship
United States Ship Mount McKinley AGC-7 was the design class of ship that all of the AGC's were designed after. All were named after mountains. To see a complete list of all of the AGC ships related and almost identical to the Mt McKinley, both in looks and mission, just use our drop down menu at the top right of the page and click on 'Links'. Many of the sailors from their crews are members of our association and brothers in that we have so much in common.
What was to become the USS Mount McKinley AGC-7 was laid down, 31 July 1943, as Cyclone, a Maritime Commission type (C2-S-AJ1) hull at North Carolina Shipbuilding Co. Wilmington, N.C.
Launched, 27 September 1943
Acquired by the Navy, 27 December 1943
Converted at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Philadelphia, PA., to an Amphibious Force Command Ship (AGC)
Commissioned, USS Mount McKinley (AGC-7), 1 May 1944, CAPT. W. M. Graham in command.
Decommissioned: March 26,1970
Struck: 30 July 1976
Fate: Sold for scrap in 1979
General characteristics
Displacement: 12,550 tons
Length: 459 ft 2 in
Beam: 63 ft
Draft: 25 ft
Speed: 15 knots
Complement: 664
Armament: 1 × 5 in (127 mm)/38 cal. gun
8 × 40mm guns (4×2)
Veteran's News
Presidential Memorial Certificate now available free
A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an engraved paper certificate, signed by The President of The United States, to honor the memory of honorably discharged deceased veterans.
WWII Vets living or deceased are also eligible to be listed in theWWII Registry
.
VA Adds Chat Feature to Online Application for Health Benefits
WASHINGTON – Veterans will find it easier and faster to apply for their health care benefits now that the Department of Veterans Affairs has enhanced and streamlined its online Form 10-10EZ, Application for Health Benefits.
This revised online application now features a chat function which will allow Veterans to receive live assistance while they are filling out the form. Additional enhancements to the process include simplification of questions relating to military service in Southeast Asia during the Gulf and in the Vietnam wars. Several additional minor enhancements make the application easier and faster for Veterans to complete.
Veterans may also contact VA at 1 (877) 222-8387 (VETS), visit the VA health eligibility Web site at https://www.va.gov/healtheligibility or apply for health care benefits at any VA medical center at https://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp with the help of a VA health care eligibility specialist.
USS Mt McKinley Association would like to introduce you to the Honor Flight Network. Honor Flight Network recognizes American veterans for their sacrifices and achievements by inviting you to fly to Washington, DC to see YOUR memorial at no cost. Top priority (for which we are currently accepting application only) is given to WW II and terminally ill veterans from all wars. Honor Flight will be expanded to include Korean and Vietnam veterans. For Honor Flight to achieve this goal, guardians fly with the veterans on every flight providing assistance and helping veterans have a safe, memorable and rewarding experience. For what you and your comrades have given to us, please consider this a small token of appreciation from all of us. For further information, please Download and mail the Honor Flight Veteran Application Here.
This site is automatically updated via database - 06/17/21 20:38:12 Mountain Time
Saluting Marines 
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