U.S.S. YANCEY AKA-93

Ken Grooms's Navy A story for the USS Yancey & Hancock

The Return of Bosun "L"

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Bosun Mates dream of the ideal shore duty, but are often disappointed with taking the shore duty assigned because of a shortage of billets to be filled in their rating. But, luck seemed to shine on Bosun "L" - he was transferred to Treasure Island, in San Francisco Bay. What better place to be - he knew the territory. Not only that, his duty was shore patrol on trains traveling from coast to coast keeping sailors in line and setting an example for younger sailors - he had the public image to protect.

In December, 1953, 1 volunteered for re-commissioning duly aboard the USS Hancock CVA-19 which was being re-commissioned in Bremerton, Washington. When I got there I found only a skeleton crew that included Yeomen, like myself, responsible for setting up ship records and getting ready for an influx of sailors and officers from shore stations and ships. I was discussing previous duty stations with other yeomen one day when I found out that two of the First Class yeomen had just transferred from the legal staff in Treasure Island. I casually mentioned that we had transferred a Bosun mate to Treasure Island. "What was his name", they asked.

I replied: " Bosun "L".

Then came a counter reply I almost mistaken for rolling thunder, "Bosun "L" !!!??? "That #%&@ gave us more trouble".

It seems his assignment to keep other sailors in line on trains had not worked too well. To say that this was not his area of expertise is a gross understatement since he was on grandpa's sauce too often. So they gave him the assignment to be the Admiral's coxswain on the Admiral's gig (launch). This would keep him away from the general public and utilize his expertise better.

That worked for a short time until the dock was in the way of the gig. From there I am not sure what happened to him. He may be on the street intersection with a sign reading "Help a vet"; I doubt if I will try to find out. Like my former associate used to say: "Let dying logs sleep." or something like that.

Ken Groom
Yancey Yeoman and now Hancock Yeoman

P.S. When I finished the above, I had a call from shipmate Jim Mosley, former mailman on the Yancey. He related to me that Bosun "L" had a plan to extend liberty by showing up just before the ship sailed. He had used this many times. Once they left the LCVP and Jim to send the final mail before sailing. The ship was leaving the harbor and the LCVP was to catch up. This time they actually loaded the LCVP on the ship underway - with an extra passenger - you guessed it - Bosun "L".

Ken Groom
8/13/1999

Submitted 2/10/07
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