All posts by Jim

A Fitting Reply

Sea Stories

Back when Navy ships were steam powered and a new concept in engineering plants had just begun, i was the Weapons Officer aboard the helicopter carrier USS Okinawa (LPH  3) homeported in San Diego.

The new program established the Propulsion Examining Board (PEB) to drastically improve the engineering plants of the fleet. The Navy appointed the most experienced and knowledgeable officers and enlisted in engineering to the board and subsequently those personnel conducted the much feared Operational Propulsion Plant Examinations (OPPE’s). If a ship underwent an OPPE and failed, it was more than likely the commanding officer, executive officer, and chief engineer would be “relieved for cause,” a career ending punishment.

i had experience with the OPPE’s on two ships although i was not directly involved. Neither was pleasant. i also had a tour as Chief Engineer aboard the USS Hollister (DD 788), and it was undoubtedly one of my toughest tours. So i was alert to all of the happenings on the waterfront when it came to engineering plant readiness.

One ship, a cruiser also homeported in San Diego, which will remain unnamed here, had undergone an OPPE. The ship failed, and as predicted, the CO, XO, and CHENG were relieved. The bureau of personnel picked a commanding officer to take over who had the reputation of being a superb engineer and unrelenting in driving ship’s force to prepare the ship’s plant for the next round of the inspection.

This CO drove everyone aboard to focus on preparations. His deck, weapons, operations, and administrative people were put into the fire rooms and engine rooms to properly prepare and then paint all of the spaces. They also provided support in administration and training to the engineers who worked harder than the rest of the ship with 16 hour days being the norm while they trained and brought all of the equipment up to expected standards. It was grueling work hours and the new CO was unrelenting in driving his crew toward the goal.

There was one machinist mate who was the leading grouser about what he was going through. He had been called on the carpet several times for his resistance and even had mouthed off to the commanding officer.

As was his habit, the CO had come in one morning at 0400 to inspect some of the work that was being accomplished. After checking out the progress, he had a cup of coffee and returned to his car to retrieve something he had forgotten to bring on board. When he approached  his parking spot, reserved for the CO, he discovered his car had been riddled with bullets.

He was sure he knew who did it, the resistant machinist mate. The CO marched back to the ship and went directly to main control where he knew the second class petty officer was working on a piece of gear.

“Did you shoot up my car?” he angrily confronted the sailor.

“No, sir,” the sailor replied.

“If i had done it, you would have been in it”

“Murphy’s Law”

Murphy's Law desk calendar

From my “Murphy’s Law” desk calendar archives thanks to Aunt Evelyn, Uncle Pipey, and cousin Nancy:

Meyer’s Law: In a social situation, that which is the most difficult thing to do is usually the right thing to do.
Goofy guy’s extension of Meyer’s Law: This applies to all situations, not just social ones…and although it may be the most difficult, it is always the right thing to do. Right, Peter Thomas.

“Murphy’s Law”

Murphy's Law desk calendar

From my “Murphy’s Law” desk calendar archives thanks to Aunt Evelyn, Uncle Pipey, and cousin Nancy:

Grelb’s Reminder: Eighty percent of all people consider themselves to be above average drivers.
Goofy guy’s modification of Grelb’s Reminder: Of the other twenty percent, 15 percent don’t drive, and of those drivers who consider themselves above average, the ones ahead of me drive too slow, and the ones behind me drive too fast: It’s a good thing i am an above average driver. 

Golf Memory

A Pocket of Resistance

A thousand years ago it seems, Maureen and i got into the habit on Sundays of asking Ray Boggs, her father, to join us for golf at Sea ‘n Air, the 18-hole layout on Naval Air Station, North Island.

Maureen was a beginner but enjoyed the rounds with her father. We would arrive about a half-hour before twilight rates and go off as anyone not already on the course would wait for the cheaper green fees. It was a whopping six bucks each for active duty and his guests and a dozen dollars for a cart. The rates under the watchful eye of Morale, Welfare, and Recreation are now more than triple. But that’s another rant.

i took this photo long before they had phone cameras. It has been in a frame on our kitchen counter ever since and remains one of my favorite photos of two of my favorite people of all time.

1988: Great times.

Rod, Marty, and Pete: Look at the trees lining what is now the first fairway.

The Schoultz’s Trip

A Pocket of Resistance

Bob posted this on the second of July. i knew it would take me a while to study and therefore put it off until today.

i met Bob and Mary Anne through our mutual friends, Pete and Nancy Toennies. The two boys are retired Navy SEAL captains. Bob has joined our FMG (Friday Morning Golf) group, and we are glad to have him.

i could go on and on about both of the Schoultz’s. They are an impressive, congenial, and very intelligent twosome. i enjoy their company.

This is Bob’s comments on the impressive trip he and Mary Anne took for the 75th D-Day anniversary. He added Mary Anne’s comments, which add a great deal to the post. Both of them so well capture their trip and the sacrifice and heroism of our heroes. It remains an incredible feat which turned the tide of history.

https://bobscorner.wordpress.com/2019/07/02/d-day-my-visit-to-normandy/

Thanks, Bob and Mary Anne.