Jim "Moonshiner" Reed · 1966-68

BT3

July 13 at 8:56pm.

I was asked to put together a few words about Our ‘Ol Friend and Brother BT3 Jim “Moonshiner” Reed….Just a bunch of kids thrown together on the USS MAZAMA AE-9 an Old WWII Ammunition Ship that had seen better days before some of us were born…LOL, I can still remember Jimmy coming down the ladder to the lower Engineroom for a Cup of Joe, He always looked like Al Jolson, Covered head to toe in Soot! Crossed the 180th Meridian in Latitude 21 36’ N on 21 April, 1966, went through both the Panama & Suez Canals and Circled the Globe before our return home in Dec ’66. Jim Reed fought more Battles with the Illnesses bestowed upon us during those times and he did so with the Strength and Character of a Sailor of the United States Navy. Just a Good ‘Ol Country Boy, he did the Country he Loved, the US Navy, his Family and Shipmates Proud and he will be sorely missed. On Behalf of the Crew of the USS Mazama AE-9 it is with the Deepest Respect and Sympathy that we say Farewell to our Brother and wish Him Safe Travels, Fair Winds and Following Seas, you’ve Earned your Place in Heaven my Friend, Rest Well. Again, to Bobbi, Jim’s children. All his Family and Friends our Deepest Sympathy for your Loss.

Chuck Tabor · 1965-1968

OPS RM2

CPO Rice was my first RMC I served with, he was old salty dog “Chief”. He got your respect pretty quickly and was quick to help/support to make the radio shack run smoothly. I was on watch the evening he passed away! Fair winds “Chief”