The "Naughty Nick" stars in a movie
As told by Bill Halkes, USS Nicholson DD442.
Starboard side of the Nicholson DD422 in the Brooklyn Navy Yard
The girls are (Left to Right) Betty Garrett, Anne Miller, and Vera Ellen
| The crew are (Left to Right) Jerry Grossman from Philadelphia, Bill Halkes from Vineland, NJ, Cliff Evans (No white hat), Richard Grimaldi of Staten Island, NY, Leroy Hulse (partly hidden behind Anne Miller), Boatwains mate Turpac (behind Anne Miller and Vera Ellen),
Unknown, Unknown, George Tiller (upper left), Jennings (upper right corner).
I served aboard the Nicholson during 1949 & 1950. She was stationed in the Brooklyn Navy Yard during those years and was connected to the 3rd. Naval District. It was manned by "regular" navy and also "reserves". We had a crew of about 25, (called "Shipkeepers"), and took reserves on 2 week cruises, to Florida, and the Caribbean islands. I don't know if you know it or not but she was in a movie called "On The Town", starring Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, Vera Ellen, Ann Miller and Betty Garret. The ship was shown in the beginning of the movie and also in the last scene. The movie premiered during Christmas season 1949 at New York's Radio City Music Hall, and all hands were invited guests. Bill Halkes, SN Click a picture for a larger image:
 First Dinner Dance 28 October 1949 at Clove Lake Park Restaurant in Staten Island, NY Kneeling from left to right are Stross, John Powers, Chief Loflin, Hall, Bob Rinfret, Richard Grimaldi, Mike Ryan, Ed Wright, and Jerry Grossman.  From the Forecastle, Bill Halkes (left) and Donald Eunson from Boston, MA argue about the Yankees and the Red Sox. The Yanks nosed out the Red Sox on the last day of the 1949 season.
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