FCM Stories - Pg 1
Snipe Schnapps???...I was stationed aboard the Intrepid (CVA-11) between '58 & '61, M Division, forward engine room. On one of the Med. cruises, I can't remember which one...but I believe we were in Naples on New Years Eve...most of us good meaning Snipes had always tried to sneak our favorite beverage back aboard ship to help with the long days at sea. Many of us considered Canadian Club whiskey a good beverage! There were many ways to try to get this aboard without getting caught. The most popular was taping pints of this wonderful nectar to our ankles or upper thighs. I had taped two pints to my upper thighs while my buddy, Gerry G., taped his to his ankles.
While we were on the launch going back to the ship, some inconsiderate 'Airdale' dropped a bottle in the launch, and the officer in charge of the launch heard the noise, and ordered a body search of all personnel onboard when we got back to the ship.
As we boarded Intrepid, all sailors were searched by the SPs, who were called for this purpose. I was searched but got through without my prizes being discovered. I quickly went to the hatch, but stayed with my head out watching for my buddy. When they got to inspect him, they found the bottle taped to his right ankle, and a call went out, "I GOT ONE!". Putting him aside they also caught about five more sailors, including the Airdale guy who dropped his bottle.
The funny part of this true story is, when after the inspection was over, and the booty was to be collected by the SPs, they went to my buddy and took the bottle off his left ankle, forgot about the one they discovered on his right ankle, and sent him on his way. He went before a court martial, but I believe he only got a slap on the wrist and some restriction time aboard. Needless to say, we did enjoy our favorite beverage for the rest of the cruise back to the states...Canadian Club and Coca Cola was a favorite. - Story by FCM Dan Radeka, MM3, 'M' Division
Arrrgh!...The USS Kidd!!...Right after high school, I had a lond discussion with my dad about what I was going to do and decided on the Navy. After boot camp it was the USS Tarawa (CVS-40) out of Quonset Point, RI...in 2 years a BT-3. I then received orders to the Intrepid, in Brooklyn, NY. I was assigned to the #1 fire room, a year later to the oil shack...End of my enlistment...however...during my tour aboard the Intrepid ('57-'58) we did a lot of time at sea. I saw a lot of tin cans come along side to refuel; take on water, supplies and sometimes personnel. What I noticed about them was the total attention to duty! Nobody seemed to be fooling around, all were in clean uniforms, and nobody was topside unless on station. I watched how their ship would pull up so easy and hold that position until done...and then just pull out and ahead! I decided I was in the wrong Navy!
I belonged on a tin can! One old chief told me I was flagged as a carrer sailor in my records and would always be going from one CV to another...unless...I got out of the Navy and went home for 2 months...which I did. I then went to my home town recruiter and asked for a specific set of orders. Before I would sign any paperwork, I asked for a 'tin can' out of San Diego, and after a lot of laughing and threats...I got my 'can' in SD. That 'can' was the USS Kidd (DD-661) and YES...we did fly the skull and crossbones!
We were the last of the Fletcher class destroyers squadron to deply...after that they had a mix of the 700s & 800s. I served aboard the Kidd for 4 years, also DD-470; DD-860; DD-849 & DD-846. DD-661 now sits in Baton Rough, LA, as a museum, as does the Intrepid in NYC. I've made a trip to Baton Rough for DD-661's Tin Can Sailor 'Field Day' in October, ever year...missing one year because of a hurricane. I am truly greatful to that chief and his advice before I left the Intrepid. - Story by FCM Richard E. Ammon, BT-1, USN (Ret).
Those who manned the Island...WWII...During WWII, we were launching a 4 plane C.A.P., and shortly thereafter a pilot stated he was having trouble with his power. The Air Officer told him to make an emergency landing and got on the bullhorn..."All pilots man your planes"...the order was made...Emergency Landing! Admiral Marc Mitscher was in his chair as the pilots manned the planes and taxied forwad. Just in front of the Air Officer was an enlisted man moving a plane!
A Plane Captain can work on his aircraft, but NOT taxi it! Admiral Mitscher noticed the enlisted man moving the aircraft and pointed it out to the Air Officer. This truly made the officer angry (especially when an Admiral showed him the error!). Fortunately the fighter landed successfully, and all was well. The Air Officer grabbed the bullhorn and hurriedly made the following announcement..."HEREAFTER...NO PLANE WILL TAKE OFF WITHOUT A PILOT!"
The Assistant Air Officer told him of his 'second' mistake, and he again grabbed the horn and said "belay that last transmission!" - Story by FCM Leslie Clemmer, LT, Intrepid's Signal Officer, K-2 Division
"I put the Intrepid in commission in August of 1943...served under 5 Captains...Sprague; Sample; Bolger (Gaines...when in port) and Short. I got off the Intrepid in September of '45. Myself and four other officers were in the Junior Officers bunk room. The 5 original officers...Murphy; McCloud; O'Leary; H.P. Frank (KIA) and I...all spent our entire Navy service aboard the Intrepid." - Lt Leslie Clemmer
Men of War and Captain Outlaw...I was onboard when Captain Outlaw assumed command in September '59. While I am now impressed with his WWII record, I was not so impressed with him on an evening during a Med Cruise in '60. What occured follows...We were all lying about in our compartment just below the fantail when the speaker came on...it was the Captain and these were his exact words as well as I can recall...the quote may not be exact, but it is pretty close..."Men of the Intrepid, it is my duty to inform you that the United States of America and the Soviet Union are in a state of war!"
We all looked at one another in disbelief for about 10 or 15 seconds, completely dumbfounded. At the end of that time span, the Captain continued..."A cold war, but nevertheless a war!".
I don't recall the rest of his speech, but we were all cursing him for giving us the biggest scare of our lives. We all thought (and not to just to ourselves)...how could he do such a thing?...and..."I'm sure there are a few other sailors that shared my experience and will corroborate the event." - FCM Westley Tatman, V-6 Division, Power Crew
FCM Stories - Pg 1