OCTOBER 11, 2013 * VOL. 70 - NO. 36. NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO - FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA + PSC 1005 BOX 25 - FPO, AE 09593 - 011-5399-4090 Guantanamo Plays Critical Role in U.S. Naval History t Ships of the U.S. Fleet pictured at anchor at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during winter exercises in 1927. Visible amidst about 15 battleships at the top of the photograph is the aircraft carrier USS Langley (CV-1). Also visible are two Omaha- class cruisers, at least 17 destroyers, and two submarine tenders in the foreground with about 10 smaller and two large submarines. The peninsula in the right foreground is South Toro Cay, where the drydock is still visible that was begun in 1904, but cancelled two years later. The expedition was called off in November 1741, and the NAVSTA PUBLIC AFFAIRS troops began re-embarking, thus bringing to an end eight Pearl of the Antilles... months of British occupation of Guantanamo Bay. Christopher Columbus first viewed Cuba Oct., 12, 1492 Hospital Cay figured in another piece of early Guantanamo and declared it "the most beautiful land human eyes have Bay history. ever seen." Columbus entered Guantanamo Bay on April 30, More than 100 years later, in 1854, a British warship, HMS 1494. Failing to find gold or water he departed the following Buzzard, entered Guantanamo Bay with 10 or 12 yellow fever day. victims aboard. The skipper anchored near Hospital Cay and After Europeans began visiting the Caribbean Island, "La put his patients ashore for isolations and treatment. All the Bahia Guantanamo" (Guantanamo Bay) became a natural port victims of the fever recovered except one. That one person, for pirates, privateers and fishermen, it was also the scene of E.N. Harrison, RN, died Dec.1, 1854, and according to conflicts between the British and French during the 17th and 18th records, was buried on the Cay's south end. centuries. The land surrounding Guantanamo Bay is semi-arid. The The British West Indies Squadron first used Guantanamo Bay annual rainfall is 25 to 30 inches, with some years enjoying as a base of operations for an attack on Cartagena, Columbia, considerably less. in March 1741. Although the British were mightier militarily, At one time there was a spring, long since dry, in an area tropical diseases, so prevalent in the area, decided defeat before the now enclosed by the naval reservation. There was also a well first shot could be fired. near Cuzco Beach, which provided the only water for the By October 1741, more than 2,000 troops were down with otherwise dry countryside. The well dated back to the 1870's. fever. Legend has it that the British established a hospital on the It was used primarily for watering horses and cattle which largest islet of the bay, which later became known as Hospital Cay. grazed in the area in considerable numbers. Today, the well, Continued on pace 3 PAGE 2- THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE SAILOR OF THE WEEK VICE ADMIRAL JOHN D. BULKELEY, USN (RET) "AN OUTSTANDING LEADER OF MEN AND A GALLANT AND INTREPID SEAMAN" Retired Vice Admiral John Bulkeley, was the most renowned PT boat commander ' of World War II, and recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in that war. Born August 19, 1911 in New York City, Vice Admiral Bulkeley graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June of 1933. He retired from the Naval Service in 1974 as President of the Navy Board of Inspection and Survey but was then retained on active duty and continued in that position until 1988, serving 55 years in the Navy. Former Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton believes that VADM Bulkeley's World War II service in both the Pacific and Atlantic was legendary. "When I was a young Midshipman at the Naval Academy, I looked up to him as an inspiring leader and warrior; he was both fearless and tireless in his pursuit of freedom for our country. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family", said Dalton. "He was a great leader who loved his Navy and the people in it." said former Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mike Boorda. "VADM Bulkeley's many years of peacetime service, especially his duty as the President of the Board of Inspection and Survey, touched nearly every Navy person who went to sea during more than two decades. For a ship to have passed a 'John Bulkeley' inspection with Highmarks was truly the pinnacle of excellence at sea." He was known for the breakthrough of the Japanese lines during World War II for the transportation of General Douglas MacArthur and his Staff from Corregidor and Bataan, Philippine Islands, to Mindanao Island, where General MacArthur was flown to Australia to assume command of the Allies in the Southwest Pacific. For his service over a four month period in defense of the Philippine Islands, VADM Bulkeley was awarded the Medal of Honor. His other awards included the Navy Cross, two Army Distinguished Service Crosses, Distinguished Service Medal, two Silver Star Medals, two Legion of Merits with combat "Vs", and the Purple Heart, among others. He served his country in a number of assignments to include several commands at sea, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 12, Commander Naval Base Guantanamo Bay Cuba, Commander, Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla Eight, and ended his career as President, Navy Board of Inspection and Survey. He passed away at his home in Silver Spring Maryland. He was 84. * Medal of Honor citation of Lieutenant Commander John Duncan Bulkeley, USN. "For extraordinary heroism, distinguished service, and conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty as Commander of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron THREE, in Philippine Waters during the period 7 December 1941 to 10 April 1942. The remarkable achievement of Lieutenant Bulkeley's Command in damaging or destroying a notable number of Japanese enemy planes, surface combatant and merchant ships, and in dispersing landing parties and land-based enemy forces during the 4 months and 8 days of operation without benefit of re pairs, overhaul or maintenance facilities for his Squadron, is believed to be without precedent in this type of warfare. His dynamic forcefulness and daring in offensive action, his brilliantly planned and skillfully executed attacks, supplemented by a unique resourcefulness and ingenuity, characterize him as an outstanding leader of men and a gallant and intrepid seaman. These qualities coupled with a complete disregard for his own personal safety reflect great credit upon him and the Naval Service." VOL. 70 " NO.36 NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA COMMANDING OFFICER CAPT. JOHN NETTLETON PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER KELLY WIRFEL EXECUTIVE OFFICER CMDR. COLIN CASWELL GAZETTE EDITOR MCC(SW/AW) KEITH BRYSKA COMMAND MASTER CHIEF CMDCM (SW/EXW/AW) ROSS CRAMER PHOTOJOURNALIST MCSN JASON BAWGUS The Guantanamo Bay Gazette is an authorized publication for members of the military services and their families stationed at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Navy, and do not imply endorsement thereof. The editorial content is prepared, edited and provided by the Public Affairs Office of U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The Guantanamo Bay Gazette is printed by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Document Services with a circulation of 1,000. though still in existence, has slightly brackish water. Animals drink it, but it is unfit for human consumption. It can be deduced that lack of water was a strong factor in hindering the population growth near this excellent harbor. End of colonial rule... After nearly 400 years of Spanish domination, the 19th Century found ever-increasing demands for Cuban independence surfacing among the people - culminating in war with Spain in 1895. The ensuing conflict was not the speedy, decisive battle envisioned by Cuban writer, poet, and revolutionary hero Jose Marti. In 1898, following the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor, the Unites States entered into war with Spain. The ship blew up, killing 260 American Sailors. American press accused the Spanish of sinking the ship and demanded retribution. Later, William Randolph Hearst, soldiers clustered about the block house on the hill above of the Hearst newspaper empire, bragged that the Spanish- Fisherman's Point, which is today known as McCalla Hill. American War was his war. The blockhouse and the village were speedily cleared by fire Some even suggested that the U.S. deliberately destroyed from Marblehead's guns, and the first U.S. base overseas was the Maine to provide an excuse for declaring war. Later established. research indicates that the ship sank from an accidental The Marines which landed and set up the base were joined explosion from within. by Cuban allies under the command of Col. Enrique Thomas. Government propaganda inside Cuba maintains today that Together they defeated the superior Spanish force and Cuba was already at the point of victory over Spain when the captured the bay. Americans entered the war, and Americans are wrongfully This operation was credited with pinning down some 7,000 taking credit for winning independence for Cuba. Spanish troops at Guantanamo City - thereby preventing With the declaration of war came the U.S. Marines. They them from going to the aid of Spanish forces at Santiago. landed at Guantanamo's Fisherman's Point to establish a base Less than a week after the surrender of Santiago, the base at for naval operations for the campaign against Santiago de Guantanamo Bay was used to launch the invasion of Puerto Cuba, 40 miles to the west. Rico, 500 miles to the east.