Benner (DD 807) - Naval Cruise Book

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Happy to be relieved from the gun line, BEIMNER began her transit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 17, with a feeling of personal pride at a job well done. BENNER fired 83 different missions against the enemy and received excellent reports on each and every mission. During transit to Kuala Lumpur, BENNER dipped down and crossed the Equator to observe a time-honored Navy Tradition. Upon our crossing of the equator, the members of the crew that had not crossed previously, commonly known as Pollywogs, were transformed through a gentle hazing process known as Shellback Initiation, into grand and glorious exalted Shellbacks. The crew members were encouraged to grow beards. These beards were judged as to worthiness and all Pollywogs failed. During beard judging, pandemonium broke loose and the judging ceremony became a saturating holocaust when fire hoses were brought into play. At the hands of Pollywogs, the Shellbacks were promptly wetted down. To compensate for their unruly behavior, the Pollywogs were all ordered to shave the right sides of their faces. This order, given by our Captain (a Shellback) was quickly carried out and our Pollywogs were soon looking like Mr. Clean on one side and the Smith Brothers on the other. After a riotous night of Pollywogs fun they finally faced the wrathful Shellbacks on initiation day. When it was all over, BENNER with a Shellback crew was ready to pull into Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a five day rest and relaxation period.

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