TEXAS FIGHT The History of Naval ROTC at The University of Texas at Austin Volume II 1960 - 1980 Edwin W. Mergele, III, CDR USN (Ret) TEXAS FIGHT The History of Naval ROTC at The University of Texas at Austin Volume II 1960 - 1980 Edwin W. Mergele, III, CDR USN (Ret) Copyright © 2014. All rights reserved. DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin W. Mergele, Jr., who both majored in history at The University of Texas and inspired in me an appreciation for that subject. Dad served in the Coast Guard (under the Department of the Navy) during WWII, in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, and was recalled by the Navy for the Korean War. He instilled in me an appreciation for the sea services and, in general, service to my country. I especially recognize the WWII NROTC alumni at Texas, many of whom it’s been my privilege to become personally acquainted with, and many of whom helped me document the early years of the unit. Lastly, to all the other men and women who have stood the watch to preserve our liberty and freedom, I also dedicate this work. Foreword TEXAS FIGHT, The History of Naval ROTC at The University of Texas at Austin is an engrossing account of the Unit’s history, and we are indebted to Ed Mergele for the research, dedication and determination leading to publication. So to Ed we say Bravo Zulu, the signal flags for “WELL DONE.” He is to be especially commended for resurrecting the history of the classes 1947-50, a time of transition from wartime to peacetime. Almost overnight, uniforms changed to civilian clothing and the student goal was to finish one’s degree plan, graduate, get a job, start a family and lay the foundation for living happily ever after. The exceptions were those who had chosen the Navy as a career, very few in fact, and who were viewed by many as strange. Today they perhaps would have been identified as thinking outside the box! Our population then was about 130 million in the U.S. Ed’s book captures the spirit of the times, and one reads the book and is reminded of the marvelous experience of student life at the time. We had won the war, all the bad guys were being held accountable, the job market offered many opportunities, and the Nation was happy! Today our population is about 320 million, on its way to 500 million by the end of the century. Ed’s book is a time capsule and helps us to recall that Texas is a great state true to its pioneering heritage, and a beacon of independence and freedom. Kenneth G. Haynes, UT 1947 Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret) Table of Contents Preface ........................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 4 Chapter 6 – Vietnam Years (1960-1975) ...................................................................... 1 Navy – Team of the Decade ................................................................................................................. 1 Academic Year 1960 ................................................................................................................... 2 Statistics: .............................................................................................................................................. 2 Navy is Intramural Sports (IMS) Club Division Runner-Up ................................................................... 3 Chronometers Compared ..................................................................................................................... 5 Academic Year 1961 ................................................................................................................... 6 Statistics: .............................................................................................................................................. 6 Navy is IMS Club Division Champion ................................................................................................... 8 A Tale of Two Buddies.......................................................................................................................... 8 Bay of Pigs Invasion ............................................................................................................................. 9 First American in Space ....................................................................................................................... 9 Tensions Mount in Europe .................................................................................................................. 10 Academic Year 1962 ................................................................................................................. 10 Statistics: ............................................................................................................................................ 10 Buccaneers: Separate from the Battalion ........................................................................................... 11 Navy is IMS Club Division Champion ................................................................................................. 12 NESEPs on Campus – First Evidence ............................................................................................... 13 Sea and Anchor Details ...................................................................................................................... 13 Academic Year 1963 ................................................................................................................. 14 Statistics: ............................................................................................................................................ 14 Longhorn Log Debuts ......................................................................................................................... 14 Navy is IMS Club Division Champion ................................................................................................. 18 Navy Sponsor Program Becomes Sweetheart Competition ............................................................... 20 Cuban Missile Crisis ........................................................................................................................... 20 First Flag Officer Selected (Unit Staff) ................................................................................................ 21 Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Signed ............................................................................................ 21 Academic Year 1964 ................................................................................................................. 21 Statistics: ............................................................................................................................................ 21 Navy is IMS Club Division Champion ................................................................................................. 24 Navy Sweetheart Ascends to a “Queen and Her Court” ..................................................................... 25 A Tale of Two Buddies........................................................................................................................ 26 President Kennedy is Assassinated ................................................................................................... 26 UT Football is No. 1 ............................................................................................................................ 27 Segregation Ended on UT Campus .................................................................................................... 27 ROTC Rifle Range Designed ............................................................................................................. 27 Academic Year 1965 ................................................................................................................. 27 Statistics: ............................................................................................................................................ 27 Double-Hatted XO and MOI................................................................................................................ 28 Navy is IMS Club Division Champion ................................................................................................. 31 Sweetheart and her Court Become Navy Sweethearts ...................................................................... 31 Command History Reports Obtained .................................................................................................. 32 Academic Year 1966 ................................................................................................................. 32 Statistics: ............................................................................................................................................ 32 ROTC Rifle Range Opened ................................................................................................................ 34 Navy is IMS Club Division Champion ................................................................................................. 34 Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Dies ................................................................................................ 35 “Charlie” Returns to Austin ................................................................................................................. 36 Academic Year 1967 ................................................................................................................