Pegleg Chronicle a Publication of the University of Kansas Naval ROTC
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Pegleg Chronicle A Publication of the University of Kansas Naval ROTC 2015/2016 Battalion Newsletter CAPTAIN’S CORNER A Jayhawk Final Salute Greetings from the Jayhawk Navy! John “Buck” Newsom My first complete year as Commanding Officer at KU has KU NROTC Commanding Officer 1958-1961 been gratifying. The hard work and dedication that our midshipmen exhibit everyday shows that we are developing John “Buck” Newsom was a beloved husband, father and the newest and brightest Ensigns and Second Lieutenants. grandfather who passed away November 26, 2015, at the age of 96. Funeral services were held on December 4th at This year we had many positives within the command. We Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vermont St., received a grant for a new ship simulator Conning Officer Lawrence, KS. Virtual Environment (COVE). This simulator will benefit our future SWO’s as this is the same system that they will use in Buck was born in Durham, NC, the son of Gene and Annie the fleet. We have also added the Maritime Skills Simulator Laurie Newsom. He attended Duke University for one year which helps the midshipmen develop navigation skills. and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in February 1941. Upon graduation, he reported to the USS Hopkins as We are working to make this year’s Naval ROTC Alumni Chief Engineer and Gunnery Officer. The Hopkins entered Tailgate to be the largest one yet. The midshipmen staff are Pearl Harbor on December 9th, 1941, took over the anti- hosting it on homecoming at the Military Science Building. It submarine patrol and sank a Japanese submarine. The Hopkins would be great to share your stories with the midshipmen who participated in the Guadalcanal and Munda campaigns, are preparing to commission. Please email the unit at receiving three battle stars and the Navy Unit Citation. The [email protected] to let us know you are coming! Hopkins survived the Battle of Savo Island, the worst sea battle defeat the U.S. Navy ever suffered. Lastly I would like to introduce the new members of our staff. CDR Joe Cooper is the new Executive Officer. He is coming Buck went through lighter-than-air training (blimp pilot from U.S. Navy Support Facility, Diego Garcia. He is training) at Lakehurst, NJ and Moffett Field, CA. He returned replacing CDR Chris Higginbotham who is retiring after 24 to sea on the USS California participating in the Okinawa years of loyal and dedicated service. LT Alan McGinnis is our Third Fleet operation campaigns. As part of the invasion fleet new Nuclear Officer, he is replacing LT Jesse Schrader who of Japan, the California was the first American ship in the st transferred into the Navy Reserves. 1 LT Irma Mosqueda is Kobe/Osaka area. Buck served on the inspection team of the our new Marine Officer Instructor, she is replacing Capt Brian Japanese vessels. After assisting in placing the California in Collins who is retiring after 20 years of dedicated service. the reserve fleet, Buck then spent six months on the USS Saint Paul in China. Thank you for your continued support! He returned to aviation on the staff of Naval Operations and Rock Chalk and Go Navy! was Commanding Officer of the squadron ZP-2 in Brunswick, GA. He had additional flight training at Pensacola, FL, CAPT David J. Meron Hutchison, KS and Olathe, KS. Buck flew sea planes and carrier-based S2Fs. After a tour as Plans Officer on the staff of Commander Fleet Air Wings, Atlantic, he was assigned as Commanding Officer, Naval ROTC Unit and Professor of Naval Science at the University of Kansas. Buck ended his Navy career as Fleet Personnel Officer, Pacific Fleet in Hawaii. After assisting in setting up the Navy Support Unit in Saigon, he retired in September 1964 as a Captain in the U.S. Navy. time that was allotted, I spent many hours with the flight Buck is preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters. detachment learning about how they operate in coordination One brother, Ned Newsom, Durham, NC survives. Surviving with the ship and more about the aviation pipeline in general. Buck is his wife, Faye. They were married for 69 years. Also Onboard the Australian ship, we were able to meet their surviving are daughter Jennifer Rogozinski and husband Peter, wardroom and gain more insight on what other Navy Officers son John “Bo” Newsom, Jr., daughter Betty Amyx and jobs detail. They were all very nice and welcoming, and husband Ron, granddaughters Kaitlin Witthaus and husband complimented us on our “accents”! It was a great chance to Chris, Hayley Morris and many nieces and nephews. really experience something new in my life, and I will never forget it. -MIDN Dalton Prins AUSTRALIAN SUMMER CRUISE MIDN 1/C Marley Fisher, MIDN 2/C Dalton Prins, MIDN My Second Class cruise was spent onboard the USS Preble 2/C Ashley Shepherd (DDG-88), stationed out of Hawaii. During our cruise we performed a training exercise with the Australian Navy, called The purpose of my First Class cruise was to become exposed Talisman Saber. During this time, I was able to experience to the daily life and duties of an officer in the Surface Warfare interesting exercises that were executed, and got the chance to community. I was stationed aboard the USS Preble (DDG-88), talk to the Australian Navy. off the Australian coast from 26 JUN - 21 JUL 2015, where we were deployed to the 7th Fleet area of operations in The cruise started with us arriving in Freemantle, AU where support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific we were given liberty to explore both Freemantle and Perth. region. After three days of liberty, we kicked off our cruise with the USS Preble. While on the Preble, we experienced three RAS During my cruise, I shadowed an Ensign who was working on and VertReps, two 5-inch gun displays, many .50 cal. obtaining her SWO qualification. While onboard, I stood gunshots, and a steel beach picnic. The crew was exuberant to watch from 0600-0900 and 1800-2100 as the Conning Officer. have us, and extremely helpful in explaining what their job The role of the Conning Officer is important because it is the was and why they were first qualification that leads to becoming qualified as Officer doing it. The Preble had of the Deck. Standing the watch taught me how to properly many Junior Officer’s that relieve watch standers and give orders to the Helmsman. were trying to qualify to get their SWO pin and they I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity to see the “down were helpful in giving tips under”. An unforgettable experience, and the first of many to the midshipmen in how unique to balance doing the job, journeys to getting qualified, and come with running a division. We the Navy! held meetings every night - MIDN in the Wardroom, where Marley TRAINO would debrief Fisher the day, give us the opportunity to ask any As a Second questions we had, and give Class us the Plan of the Day for the following day. I enjoyed Midshipman meeting the crew and officers of the USS Preble, the , the goal of midshipmen who joined MIDN Fisher, Prins, and I on the a cruise is to Cruise, and the Australian Navy Officers who came aboard the obtain the greatest insight into the lives of the enlisted sailors. USS Preble. For the 4 weeks onboard I was assigned to shadow a Fire Controlman Second Class. He was in-charge of maintaining This cruise was a great experience! It was motivating to see the CIWS (close-in weapon system). Each day, we had a the how joint task forces work together, plus, the help that the designated amount of Preventative Maintenance (PMS) that crewmembers gave us was incredible. I am glad I got to had to be performed on the CIWS. FC2 taught me a great deal experience this cruise, and enjoy the small deck platform of about the everyday life aboard a ship. He showed me the ropes the Surface Warfare Community. of staying busy, completing your tasks in a timely and -MIDN Ashley Shepherd efficient manner, and keeping up with your qualifications in order to obtain the Surface Warfare pin. Another unforgettable experience during my second class cruise was the unique opportunity to fly over to an Australian Naval Ship in the flight detachments SH-60S. During the free OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL made a fool of myself while learning the Greek language, MIDN 1/C Ray Hower which led to a lot of laughs. Eventually I mastered the proper pronunciation of many Greek words and phrases, and earned As a Marine Option Midshipmen between your junior and the respect of the Greek sailors. I’ve made many great new senior year, you are required to attend OCS to earn a friends and created memories that will be cherished for a commission as Marine Corps Officers. The six-week course is lifetime! conducted at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Northern Virginia, also known as the crossroads of the Marine Corps. During my time onboard, I spent a lot on the bridge, As a member of Lima Company, First Platoon I completed the participated in drills, first increment of Officer Candidate School (OCS). worked with Greek Navy SEALS My fellow candidates and I were put under a lot of pressure. (OYK), and had a We moved very quickly from place to place in full camouflage personal lunch with uniforms while preparing for exams and physical fitness tests. the Commanding The time not spent outside conducting physical training was Officer.