Interview of Vice-Admiral Christopher W. Grady (USN), U.S. Sixth Fleet Commander at that time, by Florent Plana. At Villefranche-sur-Mer (France) in January 2017, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Sixth Fleet's departure, Vice-Admiral Grady tells us the importance of this event, which represents the historical links between Villefranche and the Sixth Fleet, [...]
Interview of Philip A. Dur, Rear Admiral US Navy Ret., filmed by Florent Plana on an original music of Baptiste Leblanc. At Villefranche-sur-Mer (France) in January 2017, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Sixth Fleet's departure, Florent Plana interviewed Philip Dur who shared his recollection of his time in Villefranche between 1965 [...]
Moving video of Thomas G. Lilly, Rear Admiral US Navy Ret., filmed by Florent Plana on an original music of Baptiste Leblanc. At Villefranche-sur-Mer (France) in January 2017, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Sixth Fleet's departure, Florent Plana interviewed Thomas Lilly who shared his recollection of his time in Villefranche between [...]
Visit the quay and the streets of the Old Town of Villefranche-sur-Mer in the footsteps of the U.S. Sixth Fleet sailors thanks to our free audioguide. Download the free application IZITRAVEL on your smartphone or pad then search Villefranche-sur-Mer or scan the qr_code Choose your language then click on listen to the audio. During the whole [...]
My mother in 1935 My mother was Marie Bentaccordi. She met Tom Bradley at a dance, he was a sailor onboard the USS Omaha I believe; it could have been the USS Raleigh, I'm not sure. She was 23 years old. I've known of my mother's first boyfriend Tom in bits and pieces over [...]
Remembrances of Bloody Mary By Jerry Manriquez, Fox Division, USS Des Moines Web Master I served aboard the USS Des Moines CA-134 from December 24, 1958 until September 1960. The Ship was home ported in Villefranche, France. Not long after I arrived in France I was on liberty drinking with my shipmates in one of the [...]
Warmed by the morning sun, I sit on my deck overlooking a wooded canyon admiring the small deck garden my great granddaughter Iris and I finished yesterday. Splashes of red and white Cyclamens and purple African Daisies, red and pink Geraniums surround a sculptured cement bird bath. A pretty garden with plants set off by the [...]
Recalling memories of times spent in Villefranche in the mid-1950s is not hard to do. Each of the five visits I made there during 1955-57 was an adventure worth remembering. Villefranche was the gem of the Mediterranean, unknown to most of the world, and tourists, particularly American, were a novelty. Those in the Sixth Fleet, however, [...]
Memoirs written by Paul White Cliquez pour Version française I was on the Des Moines from Feb. 15, 1957 until Aug. 12, 1960. We came over across the Atlantic to Villefranche-sur-Mer in mid 1958 and I was home ported there until Aug. 1960. At the time these photos were taken I was a [...]
The USS Sumter LST-1181 - written by Gilles Perez The USS Sumter LST-1181 is one of 20 Newport-class ships. It is certain that these buildings must have taken people together with their particular and unique silhouette. What good is this boat with its two large "horns" at the front? Newport-class ships are responsible for transporting and [...]
