U.S.S. Walton (DE-361)

The U.S. Navy….Then and Now!

Then – If you smoked, you had an ashtray on your desk.
Now – If you smoke, you get sent outside and treated like a leper,
if you’re lucky.
       
Then – Mail took weeks to come to the ship.
Now – Every time you get near land, there’s a mob topside to see if
their cell phones work.
       
Then – If you left the ship it was in Blues or Whites, even in home
port.
Now – The only time you wear Blues or Whites is for ceremonies.
       
Then – You wore bellbottoms everywhere on the ship.
Now – Bellbottoms are gone and 14 year-old girls wear them
everywhere.
       
Then – You wore a Dixie cup all day, with every uniform.
Now – It’s not required and you have a choice of different hats..
       
Then – If you said “damn,” people knew you were annoyed and avoided
you.
Now – If you say “damn” you’d better be talking about a
hydroelectric plant.
       
Then -The Ships Office yeoman had a typewriter on his desk for doing
daily reports.
Now – Everyone has a computer with Internet access and they wonder
why no work is getting done.
       
Then – We painted pictures of pretty girls on airplanes to remind us
of home.
Now – We put the real thing in the cockpit.
       
Then – Your girlfriend was at home, praying you would return alive.
Now – She is on the same ship, praying your condom worked.
       
Then – If you got drunk off duty, your buddies would take you back
to the ship so you could sleep it off.
Now – If you get drunk off duty, they slap you in rehab and ruin
your career.
       
Then – Canteens were made out of steel and you could heat coffee or
hot chocolate in them.
Now – Canteens are made of plastic, you can’t heat them because
they’ll melt, and anything inside always tastes like plastic.
       
Then – Our top officers were professional sailors first.  They
commanded respect.
Now – Our top officers are politicians first.  They beg not to be
given a wedgie.
       
Then – They collected enemy intelligence and analyzed it.
Now – They collect our pee and analyze it.
       
Then – If you didn’t act right, they’d put you on extra duty until
you straightened up.
Now – If you don’t act right, they start a paper trail that follows
you forever.
       
Then – Medals were awarded to heroes who saved lives at the risk of
their own.
Now – Medals are awarded to people who show up for work most of the
time.
       
Then – You slept in a barracks, like a soldier.
Now – You sleep in a dormitory, like a college kid.
       
Then – You ate in a Mess Hall or Galley.  It was free and you could
have all the food you wanted.
Now – You eat in a Dining Facility.  Every slice of bread or pat of
butter costs, and you can only have one.
       
Then – If you wanted to relax, you went to the Rec Center, played
pool, smoked and drank beer.
Now -You go to the Community Center and can still play pool, maybe.
       
Then – If you wanted a quarter beer and conversation, you could go
to the Chief’s or Officers’ Club.
Now – The beer will cost you three dollars and someone is watching
to see how much you drink.
       
Then – The Exchange had bargains for sailors who didn’t make much
money.
Now – You can get better merchandise and cheaper at Wal-Mart.
       
Then – If an Admiral wanted to make a presentation, he scribbled
down some notes and a YN spent an hour preparing a bunch of charts.
Now – The Admiral has his entire staff spending days preparing a
Power Point presentation.
       
Then – We called the enemy things like “Commie Bastards” and “Reds”
because we didn’t like them.
Now – We call the enemy things like “Opposing Forces” and
“Aggressors or Insurgents” so we won’t offend them.
       
Then – We declared victory when the enemy was dead and all his
things were broken.
Now – We declare victory when the enemy says he is sorry and won’t
do it again..
       
Then – A commander would put his butt on the line to protect his
people.
Now – A commander will put his people on the line to protect his
butt.

The Night Before Xmas….Navy Style

What I saw out there looked like those Mardi Gras floats,
T’was a Captain’s gig drawn by four white Navy goats.
In the boat was a man who seemed quiet and moody,
I knew in an instant St.  Nick had the duty.

As quickly as Monday his billy goats came,
 He whistled and shouted and called them by name.
“Now Perry, now Farragut, Dewey and Jones, What’s the matter John Paul, got lead in your bones?
A little to Starb’rd, now hold it up short, No fluffing off now, or you’ll go on report!”
 
He was wearing dress “Reds” that fit like a charm,
His hash marks they covered the length of his arm.
The gifts to be issued were all in his pack,
The gedunk was ready to leave on each rack.

His eyes they were watering, his nose caked with ice,
He wiped it with canvass, then sneezed once or twice.
He opened his mouth and started to yawn,
It looked like the Sun coming up with the dawn.
 
The stump of a pipe, he held tight in his teeth,
And took a small nip from a bottle beneath.
He wasn’t so big, but he must have been strong,
I figured he’d been in SEALs early and long.

 
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old Tar,
Who said “Evenin’ Matey, here have a cigar.
“He filled every seabag with presents galore,
And left us all leave papers, right by the door.
 
With “Anchors Aweigh” he climbed back into place,
A broad smile was creeping all over his face.
One look at his watch and he started to frown,
“This mid watch is certainly getting me down.

“Then out to the breakwater and into the night,
 The gig started fading, the landscape was bright.
 ”Merry Christmas” he said, as he drove on his way,
Now I’ll finish my rounds and sack in for the day.”
 
Submitted by J.W. Smith (RD3)

Robert McKinnon’s Pics: 1955 – 58, Part 2

Native men and women in New Guinea, circa: 1957

Native Bird

 Walton sailors relaxing and goofing off: circa 1957

Native of the Carolina Islands in Outrigger canoe

Walton sailors on liberty somewhere in Asia. circa: 1957

Rickshaws in New Guinea, circa: 1957

Walton sailors in black rubber raft: circa 1957

Walton Deck Log Entry: Jan. 1, 1953

There existed a tradition in the Navy, that on New Year’s Eve, the first entry into the Deck Log would be a poem.  The poem was often written by the Quartermaster but could also be done by the Officer of the Deck, should he wish to do so, which was then approved by the Executive Officer or Commanding Officer.   This was no easy task since the log entry had to have pertinent facts about the ship’s position, condition, etc.    

The following is an example of a New Year’s Deck Log entry from Thursday, January 1, 1953, 00-04 hours, for the USS Walton (DE 361) written by LT J.B. Keck.  I think you will agree that it is very well done.  Bravo Zulu LT Keck.

Moored like a mighty Destroyer
    At each spot is a standard line.
Standing port side to and outboard
    Of the FOSS, DE fifty-nine.
A brand new year has reported
    At this very hour and date;
And Father Time has been transferred,
    A retiring old bos’un’s mate.
At this berth, Mike-1, it is noisy
    Sirens all over the place,
At Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii,
    On the U.S. Naval Base.
Steaming on #1 boiler
    And generator to boot,
Used for auxiliary purposes
    And steam so the whistle can toot.
Many units of Pac Fleet are present
    As every man here will agree;
Most important of which is the WALTON,
    And second the PHILIPPINE SEA.
There are craft of the yard and district
    To make the picture complete.
They supply many shouting indulgees,
    And SOPA in CinCPacFlt.
We remember the staff of the  squadron
    In the D.E. McGINTY embarked
Is ComCortRon 11 at Sail-13
    And we bet that their office darke’d.
And from this sober old duty section,
    Who each prefers not to be here;
But since there’s no choice-in a lusty dry voice,
    We wish you a Happy New Year!

Reunion Pics: 2009 – New Orleans -Part 1

The River’s Edge, a beautiful corner building in the French Corner, New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans, a beautiful old city with some of the best food in the country!

 The Famous Cafe Du Monde in early morning, where they serve deep fried Benet’s and Chicory coffee.

Lou Bodiford and Ed Whitehead, We served together on the Walton 46 years ago

Don and Marilyn Conrod.  Don was aboard in the 1950’s

Clarence Weatherby & wife

Lou Bodiford (SN) & Bob Merrick (LT), Served aboard in 1963

 Don Conrad w/wife & Lou Bodiford at the French Market

 Most of the Reunion attendees the evening of a special train ride provided by Tony Gaspar (BT2) and his lovely wife  Carolyn.  Tony and Carolyn are 7th & 8th from the left.

“Prepare to Ram! by Frank Dragotta 1955 or 56

I served aboard the USS Walton from Sept. 1955 till  August 1956 (not sure of dates).  During that time we made a far east cruise, crossing the equator and international dateline.

While underway in the Formosan Straits we came upon an unidentified submarine.  Our Captain was Cdr. A.T. Emerson, the Exec. was Lt. F.X. Kern, (two fine gentlemen and officers). I was a radioman.  The Capt. entered the radio shack and ordered us to send “AA de NXXX (our call sign) identify yourself“.  “AA” stood for unknown ship”  The quartermasters were doing the same on the signal deck via flashing light.  The sub did not identify itself.  We sent the message repeatedly (my guess 4 or 5 times).  The sub still did not identify itself.  The Captain called General Quarters and announced “Prepare to ram“ .  As I recall, we increased the speed and  headed directly toward the sub (broadside).  I believe we had gotten within 100 yards when the sub identified itself as a Russian submarine.  The Captain changed course.

 That is the way I remember it. 

 By the way, Ed, a few months ago I read somewhere, probably in the DE or DD newspaper, that retired military personnel could obtain copies of their service records. I sent for mine and received them yesterday.  I was surprised of the contents.  There were evaluations of me, both performance of duty and conduct which I don’t think I knew were being recorded. The dates of the equator crossing and much more were in it.  If you need the address I’ll give it to you; you probably already know.

 The website is excellent.  Now that I have retired, at age 73, I have more time to look at these things. I might still take another job if the phone rings.  I retired as a school administrator and have been in 9 school districts since then plus 6 years with the NJDOE as a County Superintendent…not bad for a white hat!  Good health and happiness to you and your family.

By the way, the jeep is running just fine.