Copyright The Big Nickel 2008 - 2024
This site is a work in progress. Comments about content, or the lack thereof, are appreciated and encouraged. If you have ideas or thoughts about things you'd like to or would rather not see here, please let me know.
The DDG-5 Crew Members Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and all donations are tax deductible
Kirk "VJ" Neuman, Site Webmaster/Owner
This site is a work in progress. Comments about content, or the lack thereof, are appreciated and encouraged. If you have ideas or thoughts about things you'd like to or would rather not see here, please let me know.
The DDG-5 Crew Members Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and all donations are tax deductible
Kirk "VJ" Neuman, Site Webmaster/Owner
Welcome to The Big Nickel. This site is dedicated to all those who served on the USS Biddle DDG-5 and, after she was re-commissioned July 28, 1964, the USS Claude V. Ricketts DDG-5. I call the site The Big Nickel simply because a few of us used to call her that when I was on board (July 1964 to March 1968) and the name stuck with me. Besides what else should we call a ship with two names, painted haze gray, and hull number 5?
If you served on board when she was either the USS Biddle (May 5, 1962 - July 28, 1964) or the USS Claude V. Ricketts (July 28, 1964 - October 31, 1989) please take time to register. After you register you'll be able to sign in to the The Big Nickel Forums where you can reminisce with other shipmates, spin sea stories, and post any pictures you may have of your time on board. A list of all registered shipmates is maintained in the Crew Roster and a special tribute to the crew who participated in the NATO Mixed Manned Demonstration between June, 1964 and December, 1965.
