Interesting exchange and set of circumstance...read the whole email chain.  I have edited it for clarity and brevity.

Russ

----- Original Message -----

From: John Morton
To: amphibs@rpadden.com
Sent: Sunday, August 22, 2004 2:21 PM
Subject: A Naval Trainee at Sampson.

Russ,
I'm not quite sure if you're the man to ask about this but here goes. In 1944-1945 my father entered the Naval branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, taking his basic training at The U.S. Naval Training Center, Sampson, N.Y..

I recently heard that there are Sampson Naval Training Center "baseball cap" hats available commemorating, in some way, the
WW II Vets that had taken their training there.

Are you or do you know of some one who might be aware of such an item? If so, I would appreciate a point toward that direction...I would like to acquire one of those hats for my father who served his country honorably during the end of WW II aboard the ships Destroyer Escort USS Douglas L. Howard and the Flagship USS H.C. Jones.

I thank you for your time and, as I gather from your website, thank you for your service to our Great Nation. It's evident that a lot of hard work and dedication went into this website...the type of dedication one pledges to serve his or her country in such a crucial time of war.

I've sent this site URL to my brother-in-law in Amityville, N.Y. to show Dad when he came over to visit...he lives in Farmingdale, N.Y., just down the road. Here is what my brother-in-law wrote: 
HEY JOHN DAD CAME OVER AND HE LOVED LOOKING AT ALL THE SAMPSON ARTICLES YOU SENT.HE FOUND IT VERY INTERESTING. I ALSO GAVE HIM THE SAMPSON POSTCARD.

Again, on behalf of the dedicated men & woman who trained at Sampson to go on to serve their country so courageously, Thank You.

John Morton Colorado Springs, CO.

----- 2nd Message -----
From: Amphibious Forces of WWII
To: John Morton
Cc: Irv__Messinger
Sent: Sunday, August 22, 2004 12:32 PM
Subject: Re: A Naval Trainee at Sampson-DE 138-Amityville, Long Island

Douglas E. Howard-DE 138, Sampson, Amityville, Long Island-too much of a coincidence...

Did he know Irving Messinger from Amityville-who also served on the DE 138, and also trained at Sampson?
Irv's page within the website is: http://www.rpadden.com/messinger/irv_messinger.htm 

Irv lives in North Babylon-I'm very good friends of his son Don, as well as the rest of the family. Don was my roommate in college and remains one of my best friends...decades later. Irv sends me a number of emails each week.

Are you also aware that there is a DE in Albany, NY? check this link: http://www.ussslater.org/ 

Russ Padden

Note: I also gave him information on ordering from the Sampson Vet's store, but have deleted that from this page because it no longer exists.

----- 3rd Message -----
From: John Morton
To: Amphibious Forces of WWII
Sent: Sunday, August 22, 2004 4:23 PM
Subject: Re: A Naval Trainee at Sampson-DE 138-Amityville, Long Island

Russ,

I got your information, thank you. I was on the phone with my Dad when I received your e-mail. Just before it arrived both my Dad & Mom talked of an 'Irving Messinger' who my Dad knew from Sampson. He told me that Irv's Dad owned a liquor store on Broadway in Amityville.

Dad met Irv on the train from Sampson to Camp Elliot in San Diego, CA. Dad said that an NCO put Irv in charge of the guys on the train. He was given a pad and pencil and had to keep track of the guys leaving and re-boarding the train when it stopped at various towns. No one wanted that job but it was dumped on Irv...he was the 'lucky' one. He said the other guys on the train razzed Irv...gave him hell because he was put in charge.

By-the-way, Dad told me all this before I opened your e-mail. When I did and read it to them (Mom & Dad) they thought it was a joke...that I was making it up. Yes...what a coincidence.

I went to Irv's website link and sent the URL to my brother-in-law so he can show Dad. Dad was in CO. 280, D-unit; OGU-G unit when he left Sampson.

Thanks a lot Russ. This was very helpful...after ALL these years.

John

Note from Russ: Irv also ran a liquor store in Amityville, NY for years...there was more to the chain after this, but it was more on details about Sampson items.