Comments on: An interview with Captain Frederick A Olds

By: Robert Srodulski

Robert Srodulski — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 22:13:24 +0000

In reply to Mark Pace GMG3 USS Sumter LST 1181. I was TAD on board Sumter for that Spec Op providing weather support. One of my best most memorable tours. I will never forget Captain Olds on the 1MC calling "vorticity to the bridge"! I made it up there from Aux Radio in about 5 seconds. He wanted a weather update. Another memory is his slowing to a crawl and fishing off of the stern, and his expert parallel parking Sumter in front of a Russian cruise ship at Copenhagen. One of a kind he was.

By: PBR721 Admin

PBR721 Admin — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 22:43:28 +0000

In reply to Robert Crawford.

Robert, my name is Frank Ambruso, Dennis’s younger brother.

You may have heard Dennis passed away.

I’m in the process of helping reach out to everyone who may be interested in his legacy, or his vast pbr related info, books, parts, boat/trailer, etc.

My other brother Daniel is busy working etc so feel free to contact me and or spread the word around im trying to coordinate with his contacts much information.

Thank you for your patience.
Frank Ambruso
phoboga@att.net
Star, Idaho.

By: PBR721 Admin

PBR721 Admin — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 22:41:00 +0000

In reply to Mark Pace GMG3 USS Sumter LST 1181.

Mark,my name is Frank Ambruso, Dennis’s younger brother.

You may have heard Dennis passed away.

I’m in the process of helping reach out to everyone who may be interested in his legacy, or his vast pbr related info, books, parts, boat/trailer, etc.

My other brother Daniel is busy working etc so feel free to contact me and or spread the word around im trying to coordinate with his contacts much information.

Thank you for your patience.
Frank Ambruso
phoboga@att.net
Star, Idaho.

By: PBR721 Admin

PBR721 Admin — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 22:39:40 +0000

In reply to J Frank Cole.

J,my name is Frank Ambruso, Dennis’s younger brother.

You may have heard Dennis passed away.

I’m in the process of helping reach out to everyone who may be interested in his legacy, or his vast pbr related info, books, parts, boat/trailer, etc.

My other brother Daniel is busy working etc so feel free to contact me and or spread the word around im trying to coordinate with his contacts much information.

Thank you for your patience.
Frank Ambruso
phoboga@att.net
Star, Idaho.

By: PBR721 Admin

PBR721 Admin — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 22:39:14 +0000

In reply to James Azevedo, SMCM(SW), USN (ret).

James,my name is Frank Ambruso, Dennis’s younger brother.

You may have heard Dennis passed away.

I’m in the process of helping reach out to everyone who may be interested in his legacy, or his vast pbr related info, books, parts, boat/trailer, etc.

My other brother Daniel is busy working etc so feel free to contact me and or spread the word around im trying to coordinate with his contacts much information.

Thank you for your patience.
Frank Ambruso
phoboga@att.net
Star, Idaho.

By: PBR721 Admin

PBR721 Admin — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 19:44:37 +0000

In reply to Manny.

Ralf, my name is Frank Ambruso, Dennis’s younger brother.

You may have heard Dennis passed away.

I’m in the process of helping reach out to everyone who may be interested in his legacy, or his vast pbr related info, books, parts, boat/trailer, etc.

My other brother Daniel is busy working etc so feel free to contact me and or spread the word around im trying to coordinate with his contacts much information.

Thank you for your patience.
Frank Ambruso
Star, Idaho.

By: Manny

Manny — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 16:14:19 +0000

Who can forget captain Olds. Those that’d served under him ( remember smoke watch russians submarines trying to capture us ) captain Olds showed guts and great intellectual compass. I hope the chain of command rewarded him.

By: J Stephens

J Stephens — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 13:51:32 +0000

I was a troop on the USS Austin LPD 4 in the 80s with Captain Olds as CO. Whoever caught the largest fish dined with him. That Med float was fun.

By: James Azevedo, SMCM(SW), USN (ret)

James Azevedo, SMCM(SW), USN (ret) — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 07:54:45 +0000

When he was Commander, Amphibious Squadron 5, there was no one who knew more about amphibious warfare than Captain Olds! Many of his innovative ideas have since been adopted such as the use of PWCs by special warfare operators. I served on Captain Olds’ staff back then and I remember his love for fishing! The day I checked onboard he was tying flies and gave me a quick tutorial. One evening when I was Staff Duty Officer, he called me up to his stateroom to show me a huge lobster he had caught ring-netting from the pier. He asked me to hold the lobster while he retrieved his camera. I had never held one before and it scared the crap out of me when it started flapping its tale. Just before I transferred our Senior Chief Radioman and I decided to re-enlist together so Captain Olds declared that the entire staff would make a day of it at his favorite fishing hole for the ceremony, picnic, and some fishing. Shortly after we finished eating, the RMCS and I, along with Captain Olds, climbed into a boat, raised our right hands, said our “I do’s” and got to fishing. We had a great time!!

By: J Frank Cole

J Frank Cole — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 23:02:35 +0000

In reply to Mark Pace GMG3 USS Sumter LST 1181. Man, what a story! He seems like a great man!