In the middle of this process, I heard a strange, soft, slapping sound at the rear of the bridge. Busy with analyzing the contacts, I couldn’t place it for a moment, then it sank in: bedroom slippers. The Captain had come out of the cabin, moved across the bridge and into his big chair—in his bathrobe and slippers. I could see him sitting there in profile, looking out at the lights. I mentally prepared myself to give him a quick summary of what had happened and what we were doing to get the situation back under control. But, he did not look my way and did not ask.
I continued in heavy conversation with the watch team and with CIC, classifying and evaluating contacts. The status board filled up again, this time with “AA,” “AB,” and “AC,” designations. We had gone completely through the alphabet and were starting over.
Finally, after about twenty minutes, we had reestablished the surface picture. The CPA’s (closest point of approach) were comfortable. We were passing ships right and left, but no one was going to give us any trouble. At that point, I heard the slapping sound again, this time fading away behind me. The Captain had left the bridge and was returning to his Sea Cabin.
The grey steel door closed behind him.
Several minutes later, I lifted the cover to the voice tube carefully and put my ear to it again. Soft snores. The Captain was again fast asleep.
The entire episode had taken no more than thirty minutes. In that period, this Lieutenant Junior Grade had aged thirty years. And the Captain had never said a word. I had never felt so honored and so respected. That half hour of angst and uncertainty had become a highlight of my Naval career.
© Copyright 2018-2022 BelleAire Press
Other works by Dr. Connors…
Baited Trap, the Ambush of Mission 1890
Now Available As E-Pub
Baited Trap, The Ambush of Mission 1890 is the story of helicopter rescue Mission 1890, one of the most heroic—and costly—air rescues of the Korean War. This harrowing Air Force-Navy mission is explained in compelling detail, creating a detailed personal account of what five incredibly brave and determined Air Force and Navy airmen achieved on June 25, 1952 in the infamous “Iron Triangle.”
The Korean War’s Greatest Love Story
Baited Trap is much more than a heroic war story from the “forgotten war.” It is also the Korean War’s greatest love story, following Wayne and Della Lear, Bobby Holloway, Ron Eaton and Dolly Sharp, and Frankie and Archie Connors as they tried to put their lives and families together even as the Korean War was reaching out to engulf them.
Truckbusters From Dogpatch: the Combat Diary of the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing in the Korean War, 1950-1953
Truckbusters from Dogpatch is the most comprehensive Korean War unit history yet prepared–over 700 pages summarizing squadron histories and first person accounts—and includes over 1,000 never before published photographs and images, highlighted by the 8 ½ x 11-inch format.
Arguably, Truckbusters From Dogpatch is the most authoritative unit history ever prepared on the Korean War. In addition to consulting formerly classified squadron histories filed monthly throughout the conflict, the author was in touch with hundreds of veterans of the 18th—pilots and ground crew—whose personal recollections add vivid detail and emotion to the facts recounted in the official documents.
Recent Log Entries by CAPT Connors…
Carrier Captain’s Night Orders: “Call Me…”
After reading these Night Orders you can better appreciate what training, attention to duty, and vigilance was required by underway watchstanders in those days. What has changed since then that has resulted in the recent tragic collisions between U.S. Navy ships and other vessels?
“We do it all!” (USS Saipan LHA-2 motto)
Saipan CO, CAPT Jack Renard, was not exaggerating when he noted that “without exception, SAIPAN is the most versatile instrument of peace or war on the seas today.” Like its motto pointed out, SAIPAN could do it all.