NameThomas M Plantenberg
Retirement/Discharge DateApril 2007
Tour 1 DatesJuly 1970 - December 1971
Tour 1 Rank/RatePN2
Tour 1 DivisionX
NATO Mixed Manned CrewNo
CommentCVR was my first ship, and like a few others mentioned, on my first voyage we lost Chief Sutten. Nonetheless it was a tremendous experience that shaped my life. I had a deal with the CO to publish "The Ricketts Rag." Two exceptional artists - Steve Martish and Ed Crosby, made the "Rag" what it was. We did some fun stuff, like held a cockroach contest (Ensign Beasley is not a cockroach and no points will be awarded...) and a Chief Brunner Look Alike contast which Commodore Jex won (they really did look alike..) After I was discharged I got a degree in journalism and worked for the Milwaukee Journal. Rejoined the reserves and became a PAO. Ended my Navy career of 38 years in 2007

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The Crews of DDG-5
USS Biddle (5/5/62 - 7/28/64)
USS Claude V. Ricketts (7/28/64 - 10/31/89)

Below are the names of the men that, together, made up the crews of the USS Biddle and USS Claude V. Ricketts during her 27 year career.  The names below represent those who have registered on this site and do no comprise the whole of the men who served on board the DDG-5 during her career.  It is estimated that at least 4000 men served on board the DDG-5 during her lifetime.  If you were a crew member of either the Biddle or the Ricketts and you have not yet done so, you can register here.
(To edit your information or to email another shipmate, make sure you are logged in on The Big Nickel home page. Return here and click on your name to edit your informaiton or on the name of another shipmate to email him.  Note that some shipmate's email addresses are missing or not current and the email will "bounce" back to you with an indication that it was undeliverable.)