Richard "Dick" Curtis

Electronics Technician Chief Petty Officer Dave Andre was a great guy. Quiet, smart and a really good sailor. Dave sat right behind me in Mr. Welches class in our senior year. We became pretty good friends during that time in school even though we didn't hang out much together.  The last time I saw Dave was in the navy at Treasure Island. His shipmates  including his Commanding Officer were having a party before their deployment to Vietnam on the PCF 94 Pinole. The party was small since the manning of a PCF, more commonly called a Swift Boat was six. Dave's CO asked me to join them which I did.  That was the last time I saw Dave. Dave was the only electronic tedhnician on board so he had to maintain, repair and operate all the communications equipment, radar, fathometer and navigation equipment onboard.  That is one hell of lot of responsibility under normal conditions. In a war zone with limited access to parts and a whole lot of people trying to kill you it is a monsterous task, but Dave pulled it off. God rest you soul Dave. I hope to see you in Fiddler's Green some day when we can be together and make merry as we did that afternoon on Treasure Island.