Photo of the USS Southerland (DD-743) taken from the Carpenter. This may have been taken during the filming of Raise the Titanic, but I’m not certain, and I haven’t found anything saying the Southerland was part of that event.
Stephen (Steve) A. Wilhite, LT, USNR (now inactive)
Surface Warfare
I served on the Carpenter under CDRs Robert Denis and Frederick G. Kleyn, III from 1977 until she was decommissioned in 1981, serving as the Gunnery Assistant Officer, the Communications Officer, and finally, during the last few months in port, the Operations Officer. I stood watches as Officer of the Deck both in port and underway, and also served during the latter part of my career as the Command Duty Officer. Collateral duties included Education Services Officer, Legal Services Officer, Cryptosecurity Officer, and Top Secret Control Officer.
Stephen Wilhite
Stephen Wilhite
Taken on decommissioning day:1980
Taken on decommissioning day: MA1 Krys and me. As Master-at-Arms and Legal Services Officer we had worked together quite a bit, which I thoroughly enjoyed. He was an excellent Petty Officer.
