So, I next determined that indeed my USB stick had a hosed up "Disk Identifier".
I put it in another system, used expert options (x) in fdisk to write a new one with a (i) command.
ejected and placed back in my system with 2015.10-1 and....
it booted - without Ethernet....
So, I'm attempting to write the ethaddr to what it was and have high hopes that I will have a functioning system.
Thanks for all the help.