U.S.S. YANCEY AKA-93

Ken Grooms's Navy

A story for the USS Yancey

Looking for "L" in all the Wrong Places

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This story is not the popular song, but the title seems to fit.

During the Korean War The Yancey had a couple of Bosun mates that were buddies. They were much the same except one was a leader and made First Class. Therefore he was responsible, in some ways, for his buddy who seem to bounce from seaman to Third Class on regular intervals. They both had their share of tattoos, the usual ones, except Bosun "L" had two ship propellers about the size of a quarter - one on each cheek (not that cheek). Bosun "L" knew his marlinspike trade and could flake a line, whip a hawser, weave Turks heads, form short and long splices and pipe the bosun's pipe like it was a fine violin. He even added his own rhymes to the standard Bosun calls. But that is another story.

We were operating much the same as a cargo ship at that time. They even called us The Dixie Cup Kids because of the type of cargo we carried to Japan and back. You know, the essentials such as toilet paper, dixie cups, tires and powdered milk and eggs. When we were fully loaded with cargo and ready for another trip, liberty was announced, but everybody had to be back the next morning for 8:00 am muster. The ship was going to leave from Oakland Naval Supply at 12:00 noon sharp.

If you missed muster it was serious, but if you "jump ship" and missed the ship sailing it was your disaster. They put your baggage and records on the dock for them to be shipped back to some storage in Utah. When your records are gone, you don't get pay except for enough for essentials, you have to take your chances on clothes from the "Lucky Bag" and you get no leave or liberty. This was what was facing Bosun "L".

So 8:00 am arrives, no Bosun "L". His First Class buddy (here after known as Bosun "R") goes up to the Executive Officer and announces the bad news. But he has the brilliant idea to tell the XO that "he knows every bar in San Francisco where Bosun "L" frequents". On the strength of that, the XO gives Bosun "R" liberty until 11:00 am. About an hour after muster, here comes Bosun "L" who apparently goes below deck unnoticed to change clothes. Then 11:00 am approa9hes and a dim figure appears down the dock. He seems to be a bit unsteady, weaving around and continually looking for his footing. It is Bosun "R". An anxious crowd is waiting the news that he carries with him. As he comes up the gangplank he tells the XO, "I looked in every bar in San Francisco and I couldn't find Bosun "L".

Like General MacArther said: "A simple soldier (sailor) trying to do his duty as he thought God wanted him to do it. Duty, Honor and Country.

Submitted 2/10/07
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