Ascension : ASCENSION REBEL & OTHER MEMORIES 1961 - 1963
Submitted by The Islander (Nathan Prince) 25.09.2003 (Article Archived on 19.10.2003)

I was a research engineer with AVCO Everett Research Labs. based on Ascension in the early 60s. I was a crew member on a JC121K Superconstellation that gathered re-entry data on missiles launched out of Cape Canaveral (now Kennedy).

At the time I was on the island, there were representatives from Western Electric, Bell Labs., Bell Aerospace and Douglas Aircraft who provided the flight and ground crew for our aircraft. Having a drink at the Volcano Club or watching a movie was never complete without Rebel stopping by to bum a drink.

We used to collect all the unfinished drinks / beer and pour them in a bucket that Rebel would drink from at the side door. I too, use to stay at Cora's, nice lady as were her sons. The HOS brings back a lot of memories, Recife was a fun place. Ascension beach parties, trips to Green Mountain, parties at the Exile Club, using the J-Boat for deep sea fishing, riding turtles at midnight as they made their way back to the ocean, visiting the mail boat and attending the marriage of John and Mary Ford. I have great memories of Ascension.

Avocrew