In 1981 two shipmates from WWII, radarman Walter Shollmier and radioman C. W. (Steve) Stephenson, got together and planned the first reunion. It was held in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania with 30 shipmates attending. It was enjoyed so much they continued to search for ex-crew members and the numbers swelled. Two years later, in 1983, they had the second reunion in Memphis, Tennessee. This continued on a yearly basis with Walter Shollmier as President; Arnold "Arnie" Rothhaar, Coxswain WWII as Vice President; and "Steve" Stephenson as Secretary/Treasurer. The number of attendees contiued to increase as more men were located. At some reunions there were more than 200 in attendance.
In 1989 Walter passed away and Bill Lewis, ET-1 Korean War, was elected President in El Paso, Texas. Bill continued to serve in that role until 1999 when Robert "Red" Hayes was elected President in Charleston, South Carolina. At the Pittsburg reunion in 2001 Richard "Dick" Myers was elected President, the position he holds today. In 1993 Gerald "Jerry" Shollmier PO 1/C Aviation, son of Walter, was elected to Secretary/Treasure giving Steve Stephenson a much deserved rest after a terrific job well done.
The current officers of the Association are:
President ------------------Dick Myers
Vice President-------------Weldon Hunt
Secretary/Treasurer-------
Chaplain-------------------Bill Lewis
Historian-------------------Mike Urato
Sunshine Lady-------------Jean Killian
Newspaper-----------------John & Nancy Bielot
There are three catagories of membership:
REGULAR - Anyone who while a member of the United States Armed Forces served aboard the U.S.S. Cotten DD-669 for any period of time.
ASSOCIATE - Immediate relatives of Regular Members including those of deceased Regular Members.
HONORARY - Persons who have made a significant contribution, not necessarily monetary, to the Association.
PAST REUNIONS:
1981 Pittsburg, PA
1983 Memphis, TN
1984 Philadelphis, PA
1985 Nashville, TN
1986 St. Louis, MO
1987 Denver, CO
1988 Louisville, KY
1989 El Paso, TX
1990 Mobile, AL
1991 Norfolk, VA
1992 Merrimack, NH
1993 San Diego, CA
1994 Cincinnati, OH
1995 Savannah, GA
1996 Baton Rouge, LA
1997 Whidbey Island, WA
1998 Vestal/Binghamton, NY
1999 Charleston, SC
2000 San Diego, CA
2001 Pittsburg, PA
2002 Atlanta, GA
2003 San Antonio, TX
2004 Naperville, Illinois
2005 Branson, Missouri
2006 Norfolk, VA
2007 Colorado Springs, CO
2008 Jacksonville, FL
This web site is sponsored by the USS COTTEN Reunion Association.
Questions and comments about this web page should be addressed to William Lewis.
Back to the USS COTTEN Home Page