U.S.S. YANCEY AKA-93

Ken Grooms's Navy

A story for the USS Yancey

Green Eggs and Ham

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This story was told to me at the last reunion in Baton Rouge. I had heard about it before, but fresh details came from Jerry Goforth, Ray Wilson and J.W. Young. The circumstances have a lot to do with the events of this story. Therefore I am compelled to do a bit of explaining.

We were in Sasebo, Japan and on a 9 month tour of duty as Fleet issue ship tied up to Buoy 22. Japan Occupation was still on at the time, so we were restricted to Cinderella Liberty (back to the ship before 11PM). Also, we didn't get fresh eggs or milk. Powered milk and eggs became routine. For some reason, the eggs were green and prepared in 1/2 inch thick slabs about 3 inch by 3 inch squares. Our Captain at the time would review the crews menu and dip into it, with the exception of eggs and milk, from time to time -even though he had his own allowance for food.

So, one night a very hungry radioman striker (an apprentice) came back from Cinderella Liberty with thoughts of fresh eggs. The radio shack was close to the Captain's quarters (which included a pantry). Also, the radiomen were burdened with long and frequent duty; so they had a hot plate, on the flying bridge, to warm up coffee and prepare a snack to relieve the boredom. The radioman striker saw no reason why he couldn't cook up some real eggs and extras from what ever he found in the Captain's pantry. The event must have been similar to entering a candy store. Actually he may have thought he was just getting even - a sort of sense of duty to his shipmates or was so overwhelmed with hunger for fresh eggs

By coincidence, the laundry crew had midnight meals served when they were on the night shift.

Unfortunately, the next day the deed was discovered. Not only that, but he had left his hat (all hats had their names in them) in the vicinity. So, an investigation was launched. I don't know if the Captain read "Caine Mutiny", but the story parallels the "Strawberry" incident from that book. The investigation was thorough and even included the Laundry Room. The chief master-at-arms suspected that the night shift laundry crew was the ones who had made the raid. So they proceeded to confiscate the trash cans with the contents from the night before. But the scraps had no eggs & ham. Too bad they didn't have DNA at that time - then they would have known for sure.

I don't know the rest of the story or what happened to the striker, but a guard was put on the pantry for 24 hours a day after that. How long the guard lasted, I don't know. Maybe some of my shipmates can clarify this story of intrigue.

Ken Groom,
2/10/02

Submitted 2/10/07
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