SEA SERVICES SCUTTLEBUTT December 2018

Home , Cassin Young, USS California (BB-44), USS Nicholas (FFG-47), USS Vestal

MILITARY SEA SERVICES MUSEUM, INC.

A message from the President

Greetings,

The year 2018 is quickly coming to an end. Almost hate to see it go as it was a very good year for the Museum. Thanks to our Member's dues, some generous contributions from members, and donations from visitors, we were able to upgrade our internet service and computers, and make lighting and numerous other improvements to displays. We do have a costly project upcoming. As mentioned in the April 2018 Scuttlebutt, a severe wind and rain storm damaged the flat roof covering most of the Museum causing water damage to the library ceiling. The roof has been replaced. The damaged WW II era library ceiling will be removed and replaced with modern materials within the next John Cecil month or two. We will still end the year financially sound and

confident that we will be able to make any emergency repairs, continue to make improvements to the Museum, and hopefully save some funds towards our goal of a much needed addition to the building.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a New Year that is happy, healthy and prosperous.

On this Christmas day let's all say a prayer for our troops that can't be home with families and loved ones. They are doing a great job of preventing the spread of terrorism and protecting our freedoms. Please say a prayer for their safe return home. John

The Museum Needs Volunteers

The Museum lost two Board members in the past couple of months with the death of Bud Farmer and Millie Smith moving from the area. We need to replace those Board Members. Also, our Vice President and our Treasurer will be giving up those positions in the next month or two. We need volunteers for those positions. Additionally, we need volunteers to prepare our newsletter "Scuttlebutt," manage our web site "http://milseasvcmuseum.org/," and to keep track of our membership and their dues. To volunteer and/or to obtain information on these positions contact John Cecil, 863-385-2270, or Gene Kissner, 863-382-4047, or the Museum, 863-385-0992.

Military Sea Services Museum Hours of Operation 1402 Roseland Avenue, Sebring, Open: Wednesday through Saturday Florida, 33870 Phone: (863) 385-0992 Noon to 4:00 p.m. E-Mail: [email protected] Web site: http://milseasvcmuseum.org/

Welcome Aboard New Members

On 8 Nov 2018, Keith Braden and partner Lyn Latham became annual members of the Museum. Keith is a U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam Era Veteran and is experienced in the Culinary Arts, commercial construction and as a maintenance mechanic. Lyn was a Professor at South Florida Community College (now South Florida State College). Keith and Lyn are retired and live in Avon Park, FL.

On 9 Nov 2018, Steven and Suzanne Safford became annual members of the Museum. Steven served as a U.S. Navy Seabee during the Vietnam War era. Steven worked as a maintenance mechanic with the U.S. Border Patrol. Suzanne worked as a teacher and store manage. Steven and Suzanne are retired and live in Avon Park. . On 29 Nov 2018, William Porter became an annual member of the Museum. William is a 97 year young U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II (Pearl Harbor). William worked as a mechanic for General Motors. William lives with his son Mark in Avon Park, FL.

On 8 December 2018, Terry and Margaret Eccleston signed up for two year membership in the Museum. Terry is a retired U.S. Navy Chief Gunner's Mate and is self employed as a Pool Service Contractor. Margaret is a World Wide Reservationist for Hilton Hotels. Terry and Margaret live in Palm Harbor, FL. ( (Note: Our Curator Fred Carino and Terry met back in the day when Fred was a newly minted Naval Officer and Terry was a young Gunner in the gunboat USS Tacoma (PGM-92)).

A very hearty welcome aboard to our newest members! A sincere thank you to all our members for their continued support. Without member support, the Museum would not be able to pay its bills and would have to close the doors.

Mark Your Calendars--Important Observance

The Veterans Council of Highlands County will hold a ceremony to mark Memorial Day on May 27th at 2:00 PM at the Military Sea Services Museum, 1402 Roseland Avenue, one mile east of Sebring High School at the corner of Kenilworth Blvd and Roseland Ave. The ceremony will honor all who died while serving in the nation's armed forces. The guest speaker will be Medal of Honor recipient Major General James E. Livingston, U.S. Marine Corps, Retired. The Museum will offer guided tours immediately following the ceremony. The public is welcome. Call the Museum at 863-385-0992 for additional details.

Stories Wanted

We would like to publish in the Scuttlebutt short stories of Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard personal experiences, and/or short stories of sea services historical events. We are sure there are plenty of stories out there that would be of interest to Scuttlebutt readers. Please email your stories to [email protected] or mail to the Museum.

Veteran's Day at the Military Sea Services Museum

The Highlands County Veterans Council, representing all Col Mark Colbert and Cadets military veteran groups in the county, produced a highly successful ceremony incorporating special recognition for

Korea War veterans and the centennial of the Armistice which ended World War I. The 40-minute ceremony was Brigadier General Robert Lee conducted in warm but tolerable weather with sun shade provided by a tent from Taylor Rental of Sebring. More than 200 county residents attended the ceremony which featured remarks by council president Betsy Waddell, Chief Petty Officer, USN-Retired. Special recognition of the contributions of Korea War veterans was made by

Sergeant First Class Denise Williams, US Army Reserve, Col Mike Borders MC also the local County Veterans Service Officer. She had to Fred Arbelo rush back from reserve training in Orlando in time for this event. Retired Brigadier General Robert A. Lee, U.S. Army and Sebring native, delivered the keynote address which focused on not only the military service of all veterans, but especially on the contributions of Korea War and World War II veterans who constructed the peace and security of every American home after their wars had ended. Mr. Charles Wiggins, a former Seaman aboard the battleship USS Wisconsin during World War II recited his stirring poem, "What Old Glory Means to Me." The Mr. Charles Wiggins Reverend Ron Degenaro, St. John's Methodist Church and Father Scott Walker, St. Agnes Episcopal Church provided the invocation and benediction prayers. Mrs. Becky CPO Betsy Waddell McIntyre sang truly professional versions of the Star Spangled Banner and the very popular Lee Greenwood song, "God Bless the USA." The Sebring High School AFJROTC Color Guard presented the flags of our nation while additional cadets escorted guests and provided programs. Colonel Mike Borders, US Army-retired was Master of Ceremonies. Military Sea Services Museum members performed parking and traffic control while others conducted museum tours highlighting the World Mrs. Becky McIntyre Sebring High School Air Force JROTC War I special exhibit. Color Guard

Sebring Mayor Shoop, City Council Man Lenard Carlisle and Sebring City Manager Scott Noethlich attended as did Highlands County Property Appraiser Raymond McIntyre. Vietnam-era veteran Steven Safford, a Navy Seabee, expressed gratitude for the dignity and sincerity of the ceremony. The Military Sea Services Museum will be the focal point next Spring for Memorial Day services with Medal of Honor recipient Major General James Livingston, USMC, awarded for heroic actions in Vietnam, as keynote speaker.

Thank You CDR Fred Carino, USN (Red), Curator, for this informative article and photos.

Part of the 200 plus attendees

Sergeant First Class Denise Williams

Korea War Veterans stand for recognition Steve Safford, Bob Posthumus and Tim Cannon

Military Sea Services Museum WWI special exhibit

LITTLE KNOWN NAVY HISTORY by davisg022

REMEMBERING OUR HEROES! NAVY HERITAGE! Trivia: What ship during the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 had the most "Medal of Honor" recipients?! ANSWER: USS California BB-44.....four! On 7 December 1941, anchored a short distance behind the other battleships was the USS California, a ship considered to be behind not only in positioning at anchor but in its readiness for war. Other Sailors joked that the USS California couldn't pass an admiral's inspection. On a day full of the unexpected, more men aboard the USS California would earn Medals of Honor than any other ship. The big guns of the USS California were firing back at the enemy planes targeted her and continued to strafe her decks with bullets

MM1 ROBERT R. SCOTT: Machinist's Mate First Class Robert R. SCOTT was assigned to work in the compartment containing the air compressor. Suddenly he felt the

USS California tremble as an enemy torpedo ripped through her side. Water rushed into the gaping wound in the USS California's side, making

its way to the compartment where MM1 Scott worked. Above he could

hear that, despite the severe damage to the USS California, the big anti- aircraft guns were still firing.

The flooding in the compartment was swift and dangerous. The other

crew members turned to flee to safety, urging MM1 Scott to follow them.

He replied, "This is my station and I will stay and give them air (the men above) as long as the guns are going." The guns kept going, MM1 Scott kept supplying air, and the water continued to flood the ship.

Machinist's Mate Robert SCOTT died at his post.

CHIEF THOMAS REEVES: Chief Radio Electrician Thomas REEVES felt the tremor as the USS

California took its fatal hit. The damage destroyed the mechanized

hoists that moved ammunition from below deck to the huge guns that were now firing back at the invading Japanese. Quickly the 45-year-old career Navy Chief began passing ammunition by hand, up the corridor to the big guns. A fire erupted and smoke

filled the hot corridor, but Chief Reeves refused to give up his post and leave the anti-aircraft guns without a supply of ammunition. Sweating with exertion, fighting back any fear or concern for himself,

he continued to pass ammunition forward until the smoke and fire in the corridor stole the last signs of life from his body. He died, two days before his 46th birthday.

(Continued)

ENSIGN HERBERT C. JONES: Ensign Herbert Charpoit Jones had organized and led a crew of

Sailors in a similar ammunition supply effort for the anti-aircraft battery. Just six days earlier he had celebrated his 23rd birthday.

It would be his last.

As he directed the supply of ammunition towards the guns, another bomb exploded, seriously injuring the young Sailor. A fire erupted in the compartment where his broken body lay, deadly smoke quickly filling every airspace.

Two sailors bent to recover the body of the wounded officer. It was a valiant act, spawned by the desire to save their Ensign before seeking safety themselves.

Ensign Jones knew he was dying, knew their efforts might only cost them their own lives.

Gritting his teeth against the horrible pain, he ordered, "Leave me alone! I am done for. Get out of here before the magazines go off." LIEUTENANT JACKSON PHARRIS:

Lieutenant Jackson PHARRIS was leading an ordnance repair party on the third deck when the first torpedo hit the USS California. The explosion occurred directly below him, throwing his body into the air to crash hardback on the metal deck.

The Lieutenant was badly wounded but struggled to his feet to organize the passing of ammunition back to the guns. Water and oil continued to rush in where the port bulkhead had been torn apart by the explosion.

The heat of the fires was intense, and the acrid smoke quickly damaged lungs. Despite his pain and heedless of the dangers around him, he still directed the effort to maintain a hand supply train to the guns. It was evident that the USS California was sinking, but her crew refused to go down without a fight.

With the demise of the USS California beyond doubt and with nothing left to use to return fire, Lieutenant Pharris refused to leave behind any man that could be saved. Repeatedly he ran into flooded compartments to rescue unconscious Sailors and drag them to safety. Twice, he was overcome by smoke himself and fell unconscious.

Each time, upon regaining consciousness, he fought back the pain of his wounds to return for more injured Sailors. His example inspired panicky Sailors around him, encouraging them to not only try and get out themselves but to render life-saving assistance to their shipmates. When at last USS California sank into the mud of the harbor, her crew had given a grand account in her final moments of service.

Of fifteen Medals of Honor awarded for heroism at Pearl Harbor on that Day of Infamy, four went to Sailors of the USS California-more than any other ship in the harbor. davisg022 | November 17, 2018 6 Thank You CDR Eugene "Doc" Savage, USN (Ret) for this great piece of Navy history.

Two Cultures Collide and Heroes Emerge from the Sea

The United States in 1941 was tense and filled with anticipation about the war in Europe. But

nothing could prepare the nation for the events that were about to transpire. The nation and the

Japanese had long been on a collision course because of the nature of their two cultures. But the

population at large had no sense of the grotesque nature of that clash that would occur in the coming days. Or the cost for both nations over the next four years.

Washington Evening star. December 06, 1941...

“Silent Prayer Banned "

At Japanese Shrines silent prayers for the dead, which have been said at shrines and temples in Japan ever since the great earthquake of 1924, have been banned.

The Shrine Board in Tokyo has ruled that praying silently is a “Christian custom alien to traditions” and requests that, instead, people give two deep bows and two handclaps.”

On the night before December 7, there was only one reference to Japan in the paper which served the nation’s capital.

Negotiations between the American and Japanese governments were coming to a head but most of the country was focused on events in Europe and the coming of Christmas. There had been a sense that something was brewing in the Pacific but it was not something for the general public to be consumed with just yet.

History doesn’t record what Commander Cassin Young, Commanding officer of the USS Vestal was doing the night of December 6th. Commander Young had just recently reported on board the ship after doing an Executive Officer tour at the submarine base at New London CT. His family had moved to the west coast where they had previously been stationed and he was living on board as a geographical bachelor.

She had been launched on May 19, 1908, and was placed in service as a fleet collier. She served in World War I when she was deployed to Queenstown. There, she provided services for ships of the 1st Destroyer Flotilla – and stayed there for the duration of the war. The USS Vestal returned to the states in 1919, and 22 years later, found herself on the verge of another World War.

Commander Young had had a distinguished career up to that point. Submarine and Destroyer Commander, Squadron Commander, many important posts in Washington and the West Coast including Hawaii and finally the executive officer at the Navy’s premier submarine school. Graduating from the Naval Academy in 1916, he served a pr ogression of duties that was supposed to lead to a promising end. But fate and the Navy that struggled in the years between the wars had an impact on his path.

On the night before December 7, there was only one reference to Japan in the paper

which served the nation’s capital. (Continued)

According to family records, that career hit a rough spot in 1941 when a new base commanding officer arrived at New London. The pre-war years were challenging to the Navy since budgets were slim and money was tight. As the XO, Young had overseen the spending of large sums of money rebuilding the base which had been neglected. Repairs to the lower base where the submarines operated and upgrades to the rapidly growing training facility were put into place. Even the quarters where the officer’s families were housed had received some upgrades.

But the new base CO’s wife was not satisfied that her housing was up to her standards and insisted that money be spent to make their quarters even more acceptable. Young, as the man who controlled the budget, refused to spend another dollar on the quarters. The money that had been allocated would be better spent on things that would prepare the Navy for an as yet undefined conflict.

There are no official transcripts of what happened next, but refusing your boss’s orders and the conflict it must have created resulted in Commander Young receiving a less than expected follow- on set of orders. When his tour was completed, he found himself with orders to an old ship (launched before he was even a Midshipman) in a faraway place.

Young had been in the Navy since 1912 and he would not reach his retirement year until 1942. It is only speculation on my part, but he probably saw the handwriting on the wall. That explains why his faithful wife and family were living in California on the morning of December 7th and he was living on a very old ship tied up next to the USS Arizona.

The Arizona was not in her normal berth that morning and the Vestal was tied up in preparation for an overhaul that was going to occur. Normally, another battleship was tied up there but as fate would have it, the previous week’s maneuvers had resulted in a switch in berths.

The night before the morning of December 7th would have been a typical peacetime schedule. Social hours and dancing for many at the numerous clubs, calm weather with a smooth Hawaiian

breeze to keep the air from getting stale on the old ships. Taps on board the ships and lights out as

men came back to their bunks to enjoy a restful sleep prior to a Sunday in port. The fleet had been

very busy for months before then sailing in formation, practicing their gunnery and flexing the

powerful engines in broadly sculpted maneuvers around the Hawaiian Islands. The great grey hulks

made for a magnificent picture while carving through the seas where Captain Cook once sailed.

Commander Young may have had trouble sleeping. The move from Connecticut to Hawaii was fairly recent and his body clock was more than likely still set to east coast time. He may have even been thinking of his family on the West Coast and the work that lay ahead on the Arizona. The only facts we know are that at 7:55 when the Japanese attacked without warning, he went into action the only way he knew. As a man who had spent his whole lifetime preparing for this very moment, he went to work defending his ship.

The Vestal was a repair ship and not meant to slug it out with incoming Jap planes. But she did have guns and instinct told him to go to where the action was.

8 From the Vestal History:

“Sunday quickly took a turn as the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The ship sprung into action,

manning every gun from the 5-inch (130 mm) broadside battery to the .30-caliber Lewis machine guns

on the bridge wings. At about 08:05, her 3-inch (76 mm) gun commenced firing.

What ensued next was a fight for survival. Two bombs intended for more valuable battleships on Battleship Row hit the USS Vestal. One bomb struck the port side and penetrated through three decks. The bomb passed through a crew’s space and exploded in a stores hold. The explosion started fires that necessitated flooding the forward magazines. The second bomb struck the starboard side. This bomb passed through the carpenter shop and the shipfitter shop, and left an irregular hole about five feet in diameter in the bottom of the ship.

Survival became the primary focus of the USS Vestal crew, while anti-aircraft fire became secondary. A bomb hit the nearby USS Arizona. Almost as if in a volcanic eruption, the forward part of the battleship exploded, and the concussion from the explosion literally cleared Vestal’s deck – sending Vestal’s gunners and crew overboard.

Among the men blown off Vestal was her commanding officer, Commander Cassin Young. The captain swam back to the ship, however, and countermanded an abandon ship order that someone had given, coolly saying, “Lads, we’re getting this ship underway.”

With fires on board the Vestal and after two bombs had struck the repair ship, the Vestal crew cut the mooring lines with axes, freeing her from the Ariz ona, and she got underway, steering by engines alone. A tug, the captain of which had served aboard the Vestal just a few months before the attack, pulled Vestal’s bow away from the inferno engulfing Arizona and the repair ship, and the latter began to creep out of danger.”

The Vestal survived the attack and was completely restored. While she was being restored, her repair crews were used to try and save as many men and as many ships as she could from the wreckage in the harbor.

Think about what happened for a moment.

Young was blown from his ship by the force of the explosion. He found himself in the water with

many dead and wounded around him just trying to stay afloat and alive. The force of the explosion and

the resultant landing in the water must have been disorienting. Yet, this man, Cassin Young,

remembered that he was the Captain of the ship that had just been attacked. The attack was still going

on. Bombs, torpedoes and bullets were flying and landing all around the harbor. Yet he CHOSE to go

back to his ship and climbed back on board. He is soaking wet, probably covered with the oil and dirt form the debris of the water that he just crawled out of. He rallies his men.

The part of the story that is often left out was that once he was blown into the water, the order had been given by his next in command (or some senior officer) to abandon ship. But in the back of his mind, Young remembered that the battleship that was next to him still contained hundreds of thousands of gallons of fuel and many bombs. More explosions would doom the Vestal and cost the lives of his remaining crew. Young had served on battleships in his career and he was an engineer so he knew what could happen if they did not escape the death grasp of the dying Arizona. He reversed the order to abandon ship and ordered the engine room to bring the main engines on line. When they were unable to muster enough main steam, he hailed the nearby passing tug and ensured the Vestal could get out of harm’s way. 9

It was an action of heroic nature conducted by a men who had spent his entire life training for this moment.

For his action, Commander Cassin Young was awarded the Medal of Honor and advanced to Captain by Admiral Chester Nimitz (another submariner). The Vestal, with Captain Young in command would play a key role in many of the coming battles including supporting the coming naval battles of Guadalcanal. Operating in forward areas with threats on all sides, she served as a needed repair ship for the battered and bruised ships that fought in the “Slot”.

In November, Captain Young would receive new orders and finally get to join directly in the fight. Admiral Dan Callaghan needed a new Captain for his flagship, the USS San Francisco (a heavy cruiser) and his friend Cassin Young would be just the man for the task ahead. On one night in November, they would sail together into history in one of the wildest and lopsided surface fights in the history of modern naval warfare. Neither man would make it through the night.

Cassin Young had passed 30 years as a sailor (counting his midshipman years) on the day he joined the angels. He is an American hero and someone who exemplified what courage and service to his country mean.

I am nearly finished writing about his life and am anxious for the world to know just what a great man he was. But today, December 7th, I hope you will think about Cassin Young and all of those men and women who were able to overcome the disaster of Pearl Harbor and eventually lead the

country and the world back to freedom. Mister Mac

Thank You CDR Eugene (Doc) Savage, USN (Ret) for this little known piece of history.

Quotable Quotes

Yesterday, December 7, 1941 --- a date which will live in infamy --- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. ---President Franklin D. Roosevelt

To have the United States at our side was to me the greatest joy. Now at this very moment I knew the United States was in the war, up to the neck and in to the death. So we had won after all! ... Hitler's fate was sealed. Mussolini's fate was sealed. As for the Japanese, they would be ground to powder. ---Winston Churchill

The sea - like life itself - is a stern taskmaster.---Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz

There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer. ---General Jimmy Doolittle

We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always be free---Ronald Reagan

Anniversaries

21 Dec 1861. Congress created Navy Medal of Honor for Sailors and Marines.

13 Dec 1936. U.S. National Guard established.

07 Dec 1941. "A date which will live in infamy." 0748 Hawaii time, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor killing 2,403 U.S. citizens, prompting the U.S. to declare war against Japan the next day.

08 Dec 1941. The U.S. and Allied countries, except the USSR, declared war on Japan.

08 Dec 1941. The Japanese began the invasion of the Philippines by destroying U.S. aircraft at Clark Field.

11 Dec 1941. Germany and Italy announced they were at war with the United States. The United States immediately responded by declaring war on the two Axis powers.

18 Dec 1965. U.S. Navy River Patrol Force, Operation Game Warden, began in Vietnam.

08 Dec 1967. U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps established.

23 Dec 1968. Eighty- two USS PUEBLO crew members released after 11 month imprisonment and torture by the North Koreans.

20 Dec 1989. U.S. invaded Panama in Operation Just Cause.

15 Dec 2011. Iraq War ended.

06 Jan 1942. Eleven U.S. Navy nurses captured when Manila fell to the Japanese. Sixty-seven U.S. Army nurses were captured when Corregidor fell to the Japanese in May 1942. The Navy nurses were liberated on 23 Feb 1945. The Army nurses were liberated on 3 Feb 1945.

25 Jan 1943. The Pentagon is dedicated, becoming the world's largest office building at the time.

27 Jan 1943. American bombers mount the first all -American air raid against Germany when they bomb Wilhelmshaven.

23 Jan 1968. USS PUEBLO (AGER-2) captured by North Koreans in international waters in the Sea of Japan. One PUEBLO crew member was killed and seven others sustained shrapnel wounds. The 82 surviving crew members were imprisoned in North Korea.

Anniversaries (continued)

29 Jan 1980. USCG BLACKTHORN, following an overhaul, was leaving Tampa Bay for her homeport in Galveston, TX, when she collided with the tanker SS CAPRICOM near the Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway bridge. Shortly after the collision, BLACKTHORN capsized and sank killing 23 crew members. Twenty-seven crew members survived. BLACKTHORN was raised for investigation, but was scuttled after completion of the investigation. USCG BLACKTHORN now serves as an artificial reef for recreational fishing and diving in the Gulf of Mexico.

17 Jan 1991. Persian Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm) began.

18 Jan 1991. USS NICHOLAS (FFG-47) working with Kuwaiti fast attack craft ISTIQLAL found that nine of the 11 oil platforms in Kuwait's Dorrah oil field about 40 miles off Kuwait's coast were occupied by Iraqi soldiers. Army AHIP Helicopters and Navy SH-t 60 Helicopters from NICHOLAS, firing guided missiles, neutralized two of the platforms. Shipboard firing from NICHOLAS and ISTIQLAL neutralized the other seven platforms. Teams from NICHOLAS boarded the platforms and destroyed the Iraqi fortifications. Five Iraqi soldiers were killed and 23 were taken prisoner. No U.S. or Kuwait casualties.

Seaman Recruit Mathew James Walter White, Jr., father of Gordon White, Navy Vet, Museum Member, and Volunteer.

Photo taken 100 years ago probably at Norfolk, VA.