0 Saturday, 22 February 1958 Volume IX, No. 8 Luck & Quick Thinking Saves Ex-Navy Couple Makes Emergency Pilot's Life At Lwd. Point Fuel Stop On Way To L. A. Calif. by Don Griggs by Jim French Luck and expert handling of an emergency saved the life of a VF81 The Fleet Landing Docks, usually a refuge for fleet sailors returning 3 miles south pilot when his plane went down in the bay approximately to their ships, played a new role last Tuesday when a luxury yacht on last Monday. of Leeward Point the way to California via the Canal Zone, ran low on fuel and had to ENS K. M. Wright, pilot of a F9FH Panther Jet of Fighter Squadron tie up here in what was considered a pleasant experience by its two Florida, now stationed at Leeward Point, was saved from 81, Oceania, passengers, a retired Chief War- possible death when his Panther rant Officer with 30 years Naval into the bay and Jet crashed service, and his attractive wife, stayed afloat until the luckily Katherine, a Lieutenant Command- NAS Crash Boat arrived and r er in the Naval Reserves. rescued his unconscious body from i the floating aircraft. The ex-Navy couple, Walter & Y Y . An- St Katherine Meartins, of Los ENS Wright was rendered un- tt, t r travel over six conscious from the impact of his Ar, geles, Calif., who W plane striking the water and was months out of the year, left Miami unable to free himself from the with the owners of the yacht, Mr. aircraft. & Mrs. Jack B. Francisco of Los Angeles, and were ferrying the The unusal circumstance of the . jet plane staying afloat until the 04 newly purchased luxury cruiser NAS Crash boat arrived saved the home in a combined business- the pilot. B. R. Fox, BM2, coxswain pleasure trip. Unfortunately, of the crash boat said that it took owners had to depart Tuesday by about 15 minutes for the boat to plane for an emergency trip to r{ 'dt'N4 y t i'.:: meet arrive on station and about 40 California and will probably the yacht in Panama. seconds to rescue the unconscious -. n vtti ; sr pilot. Recalling one of the many ex- When the crashoat arrived the periences since the voyage began, plane was floating right side up 1 . Mrs. Maertins recounted an inci- with the pilot still in the plane dent in Matthews Town, the last and the canopy was closed. W. B. port in the Bahamas, when the Tucker, EM, jumped into the wa- ship was trying to make port and ter and released the emergency John501, obtain permission for passage. exit. D. P. Hanley, EM3, and R. J. "Anchorage was so rough that the Bartlett SN, went into the water ship couldn't make the dock," said and freed the pilot from the air- Mrs. Martins, "so my husband craft. They were aided by engi- lowered the skiff and began making neers J. E. Hatfield, FN, B. J. ' ,abogr to keep a/ive III jofwr his way towards the beach. The Collard, FA, and J. C. Sloan, FN. skiff overturned in the rough waves ENS Wright, who hails from and he swam the rest of the way." breast that little spark of breath Elkhart, d., was rushed to the Then, pausing to catch her hospital and was placed on the from laughing, she continued, "I Serious List and his condition was celestial/fire-m cohsceleecY sure wish I had a camera to get unchanged at press time. a photo of him standing before the Cause of the crash was not im- Comnithsioner, soaking wet, and mediately known but the aircraft with our identification papers was recovered and an investigation which were sealed in a wax-tight is underway. bag, and dripping water all over the place." Historians today question whether the incident of George Washington and the cherry tree ever took place, but they point to other examples Again in the Bahamas, Fate Talent Contest of the character of the boy who grew up to lead his country. stepped in and saved them from what could have been a serious Singers, dancers, comedians, and One example is a book, on display in the Library of Congress in delay in their journey, although persons now can all other talented Washington, D. C., in which 15-year-old George Washington copied down the Navy couple said they are in begin rehearsing their acts for the hurry to reach home. rules of behavior he thought important. In that book, he wrote: no particular 5th All-Navy Talent Contest, the It happened that a guide gave to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial Special Services Office says. "Labour the( the wrong direction and the Advance word suggests that the fire---conscience." ship almost ran aground. Making like the late Humphrey Bogart in contest will take place in March As we observe his birth-date today, we can keep in mind that, cherry the picture "The African Queen," or. April. history tree or no cherry tree, young George Washington is seen through had to wade knee- As soon as official notice is re- Mr. Maertins as one who carried a belief in conscience with him on his way to becoming water to push the cruiser ceived giving the place, time and deep in this nation's first military commander-in-chief, and later, our country's date of the contest, the same in- (Continued on Page Four) information will be reported. first president. (AFPS) Page Two THE INDIAN Saturday, 22 February 1958 d - The Chaplain's Corner Bonus For Minn. The INDIAN'S mission is to inform and Bonus claims totaling nearly 5 entertain all hands; to serve as a positive This first week in Lent is a good time to ask ourselves some basic million dollars have been approved factor in promoting the efficiency, welfare and contentment of personnel. questions about our relationship to God. for Minnesota men and women who The INDIAN is published weekly at the First, are we receptively in communion with Him? Many of us get served in the armed forces during Naval Base in accordance with NavExos to the point that God is taken for granted and pay no attention to His the Korean War. P35, Revised Nov. 1945, and financed with efforts to speak to us. He speaks through conscience, through the best non-appropriated funds. people we know, through the written word, through nature and through Eligible are those men and wom- THE COMMAND RADM Robert B. Ellis, USN other means. Some people can live a whole life in the presence of some en who served for at least 30 COMNAVBASE, GTMO BAY, CUBA wonderful marvel and never see it! Just so many can live with God consecutive days in the armed CAPT J. B. Williams and never hear Him because they are not receptive. forces between June 27, 1950, and Chief of Staff Again, is our relationship with God one of love and respect? Do we July 27, 1953, and who were resi- CAPT B. P. Field, Jr. take his name in vain? Is our relationship to others based on love dents of Minnesota for at least Commanding Officer for God and His creatures? Do we seek to manipulate God to get what six months prior to entering U. S. Naval Station service. GTMO BAY, CUBA we want? Do we try to put God in a position where He will have to get you out of a difficult situation? Rather we should seek God's will first. EDITORIAL STAFF Exclusive from eligibility is any- LCDR Kenneth S. Dick Finally, is our relationship with God one in which we recognize Him one on continuous active duty in Officer-Adviser as the source and foundation of all things. Our final and ultimate loyalty the armed forces for a period of EDITOR should be to God. From Him we receive life and all that supports life four years or more immediately Jim French and we will all return life to Him. What will it be that you return? prior to June 27, 1950. The Min- nesota Legislature classified such Staff Reporter CHAPLAIN PETER R. McPHEE, JR. Johnny DeJong persons, "professionals." Armed Forces Pres Service (AFPS) may not be reprinted without the written per- Veterans who received the Ko- mission of Armed Forces Press Service. rean Service Medal are eligible Material in the paper may not be reprinted Calendar Of Events NOTICE for bonus payments of up to $400. authorization is obtained from the unless Others who served during the editor. Saturday, February 22 Phillips Park will be the scene Movie-Teenage Club-1930 Korean conflict may receive up to The opinions or statements made in of the Jr. Rifle Club picnic, where articles published herein are those of the Sunday, February 23 $200. Survivors of veterans killed writers and are not in any case to be Movie-O Club-2000 awards are to be presented on in action are eligible for the full construed as official or as reflecting the Monday, February 24 Friday, February 28. Members & $400. views of the Commanding Officer or of Teenage Advisory Group-Teenage Club- the Navy Department. The INDIAN Phone 1930 Guests are invited to festivities is Officer's Christian 8468. Union-Open Air As- To make your sembly-1930 beginning at 1700. Caribbean Chapter #6, O.E.S.-Commu- reservations call 8379, 8808, or Gray Ladies Elect nity Hall-1930 Sunday, 23 February 1958 EM Toastmasters Club-CPO Club-1830 8152. Tuesday, February 25 New Officers CATHOLIC MASSES Knights of The Altar-Base Chapel-1830 Catholic Adult 0700, 0900 and 120-Naval Base Chapel Study Group-1930 THERE WILL BE A DISPLAY The Gtmo Bay Red Cross Gray Toastmasters Club-O Club-1830 0700-Lwd.