History of Our Association


The USS Charles H Roan (DD-853) Association was founded in 1990 by three former crew members who found each other after registering with the Tin Can Sailors Association www.tincansailors.org. Richard F. Souza (SMC 58-66), Ed Semcheski (RM2 61-64), and Carl Wishart (QM2 57-60).

After advertising in various military publications, reunion papers, and related magazines, we held our first reunion in 1991 in Fall River, MA. Since then, we have held reunions in Newport, RI in 1993;  in Alexandria, VA (Washington, DC) in 1995; in Buffalo, NY in 1997; in St. Augustine, FL in 1999; in Charleston, SC in 2000; in Norfolk, VA in 2002; in Warwick ( Providence), RI in 2004; in Branson, MO in 2006; in Charleston, SC in 2008; and most recently in Warwick (Providence), RI in August 2010. Our next reunion will be held in 2012, location to be determined.
Roan Board - 2008


All of our reunions are well attended, and probably have more shipmates and guests attend than any other destroyer listed with the Tin Can Sailors Association.  Our reunions regularly bring together between 150 - 200 shipmates and guests.

We now have over 850 shipmates who are members of our Association, and our roster is one of the most complete for ship’s associations. We continually and actively search for former shipmates.

Board of Directors:


  • President: Richard F. Souza SMC 58-66
  • Treasurer: Carl Wishart QM2 57-60
  • Chaplain: Frank Manasseri RM2 61-64
  • Editor: Joe Lambert EM2 62-64

Board Members:


  • Gordon Anthony YN3 61-64
  • John Betchie FN 46-47
  • Bob Boorom YN1 56-59
  • Paul Dabbs FTG2 70-72
  • Sal Genova QM3 52-53
  • Bob Hansen TE3 57-59
  • David Hawkins STGSN 72-73
  • Tony Hudalla LTJG 59-62
  • Frank Locastro YN3 53-57
  • Ron (Richardson) Lucchesi FTG3 66-68 (Webmanager)
  • Bob Marshall LT 59-61
  • Henry Rossi SK2 57-60
  • Tom VanPetten LTJG 58-61
  • Ray Ward CO/Capt. 66-67
  • Bob Willet BT2 63-66

If you are a former crew member who served aboard the USS Charles H. Roan, and you would like to join our Association, please complete and submit a membership form. You may also use this form to let us know of any changes such as address or email updates.

There is no obligation, and we do not charge dues! We never share your information with anyone! Through our Association you will be able to connect with old shipmates, and catch up on old times.