Ed O'Keefe is the name, most people in the Navy just called me "Shorty", I guess anyone under 5'5" was given that name. Just as "Ski" was given to guys who were Polish. It was Indian summer in New England that October 1956,when I enlisted into the United States Navy. I departed by train to the Naval Training Center Bainbridge, Maryland Company 167 2nd Regiment where I began my basic training.  

Training commenced 2 Nov 56. Graduated 21Jan 57. Upon completion of my basic training I was assigned aboard the USS Saufley DD/EDDE 465. I recall, passing through the gates of the old Key West Annex around 0530, and how humid it was, especially dressed in a class A uniform, blues. As I walked down the pier towards the ship it seemed very menacing silhouetted against the sunrise as it broke over the horizon. Little did I realize at the time that the next twenty feet across the gangplank and entering onto the Quarter Deck was going to change my life forever?

I started out as a deckhand, chipping perfectly good paint off the deck of the ship so that we could just paint right over it again. Soon after became Jack O' the Dust working in the Supply Division as a cook, CSSN already moving up in Rank. An opening came up in the Ship Laundry and I applied for and got (volunteering???) the position, worked for a great guy named Moore SH2, now really moving up SHSN . About this time I met a BT1 named Dick "George" Voorhees he convinced the LT. E. N. Smellow Supply Officer that it would be in the best interest of the ship that I work for him, he agreed, now I was a snipe. That lead to further moving up, BT3, never saw the crow, month earlier got drunk and raised a little HELL, lost stripe and BT3. I was Honorably Discharged 22 Oct 60.   

Some forty years later, 1997 to be exact, I got involved with the technology of the day, Personal Computers.  As I found myself navigating the net I said to myself I sure would like to be able to build a website of my own. Few months later the realization came true, and with no knowledge of what to do I asked questions and by trial and error I began a family home page. While setting a timeline I came across a point in my life, which involved my time in the Navy.
 So I proceeded to search for info on the USS Saufley. None was available and what little there was, was technical. So now began the need I felt for a website about the ship I served four years of my life on. After a few months I succeeded in putting together a website. And it’s ironic because through my research I found out more about the ship than when I served on board her.

The USS Saufley  was commissioned 2 Aug 1942.She served in the Pacific Theater and did the Navy proud by obtaining 16 Battle Stars for her help in bringing an end to war and preserving a way of life known by the crew, during that struggle. I communicate with a few remaining crew members and members of their families, through email and Instant messenger, who served during WW2 .I SALUTE YOU BRAVE MEN of that era. “ HAND SALUTE”.

The ship was stationed in Key West, FL for the remainder of her usefulness to the Navy and preserving that same freedom we share today. I also salute the crews who served during a trying period that made men out of boys a thing called the “COLD WAR” and the readiness we also had to insure to keep alert for any instance that may arrive so another incident like Pearl Harbor would not happen again. “HAND SALUTE”.

A fitting end came to the USS Saufley on 6 Sept 1966 when she was sunk to the bottom of the sea off the island of, Key West, where she was home ported and turned into reef.

May of 1999 we had the opportunity to attend a reunion of the ship held in St. Augustine, FL. This was our first reunion and not sure what to expect after forty years .We were greeted with a warm hello and smiling faces, although I only served with two of the people who were there, we felt like a family. It was a great experience for us and we plan to attend this year too. The thing I felt most of all, was the camaraderie between us, and the one constant that we all shared…The USS Saufley, so I dedicate this website to those, Officers, Chief Warrants, Chief Petty Officers and all crew members who served her well. I have fond memories of the ship, the crew and my time in the service only to end up where I had started, a civilian.