Video: 1960-Plane Crash in Park Slope & U.S.S. Constellation Navy Yard Fire

68jk09

68jk09

Joined
May 6, 2010
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16,236
At the Constellation Fire Lt Dick Hamilton R*2 was overcome on a lower deck he was carried up straight ladder's in a chimney like atmosphere over the shoulder of FF Hank Zuercher R*2 & revived on the deck....an exceptional feat by an exceptional FF....Hank was a FF in LAD*108 appt in the '50s then a FF in R*2 then a LT in SQ*3 (which at the time was in w/ENG*230 where his Brother Tom was also a LT) then Hank became the CPT of LAD*108.... then when some of the rubbers in command decided to bring in the mbo program (management by objective) in '77 Hank was unceremoniously lifted to ENG*240 ....also lifted then from 108 was Senior LT "Uncle Joe" Abruzzo & the CPT & Senior LT of 216 & they were replaced w/2 LTs & 2 Cpts who had just gotten promoted & never covered .....a lame brained scheme by 2 hat wearing j t ohagan ...the replacements were good guys but the way it went down sucked....Hank did not let that get him down & went on to be a Respected BC in BN*58 until his Retirement....Hank still lives in BKLYN & still boats in Jamaica Bay ....many things Hank did were things not many others could accomplish not from lack of desire but from not possessing his wiry strength & agility .....i had the pleasure of sitting alongside him in the cab during his tenure in 108 & he constantly amazed me w/his calmness & determination.


 
1261Truckie

1261Truckie

Joined
Mar 3, 2007
Messages
1,449
108 had a reputation of producing great firemen (firefighters). "Uncle Joe" was a long time Captain in 132 and was highly thought of. Thanks for sharing your stories, Chief.
 
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