Pawcatuck (AO 108) - Naval Cruise Book

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l'I CD nh I-I O DIVISION pg M T xg x 1 9 F Q S 1 'Q ,Y 'ai ' Il' bv- 1 W V , ef :ef . 'ge vi. J ' G- JY . fy e f 4' f ,D Lil ,SQ Q N QQ 1 f Q Left to right- 1st row: K. M. Billington, SN, J. F. Lombardo, YNT1, H. E. Norris, QM1, ENS W. E. McHugh, LT F. F. Guertin, LT P- S- Stuart, JI'-3 ENS F- C- Dencers J' A- Sorrenf-ino. QM2: J. D. Bean, RD3, W. Nush, PNSN. 2nd row: D. T. Rakes, Jr. SN, F. R. Pitlik, SN, G. G. Yaw, RD3, R. E. Knoch. YN3, A. E. Lara, RMC, R. N. Parker, RM3, R. H. Little, PN3, R. F. Penney, QMQ1, H. I. Quamme, QM2. Last row: J. P. McCrohan. QMQSN, T. J. Schimoler, TESN, D. Benike. RMB: J. G. Grimsley, SN' W. J. Neil, SN, O. L. Compton, QM3, D. L. Pruch, SN: E. Swancigar, PN1: A. Kajouras, RDSN, C. W. Stark, RM2, D. L. Bone ' ' ' G. J. W'l.lett, Jr., RMN2, J. H. Huchla, SN. SN, O. N. Sallee, RD2, R. T. Booker, SN, N. L. Hendncks, RMSN, 1

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As the Pawcatuck left Old Pint Comfort abeam to port on our way to the Mediterranean a quick census of the Quartermaster Gang would have revealed the following composition: five wheels and five strikers. The five wheels wereg Ralph Penney QM1, who had just recently had the duties of division P. O. thrust upon him after Chief Jamison departed for California and shore duty. Then there was Howard Norris QM1, a new comer to the Paw who was adjusting himself to the vigorous duties involved in being assistant to the Navigator, Lt. Guertin. Joe Sorrentino and Harlan Quamme both QM2's were pilot and copilot respectively of the flying bridge receiving messages from all sides and running the legs off their strikers James McCronan and Don Dinneen. Compton QM3, with his two assistants Richard Booker and John Huchla were the real Flags of the gang. At flag hoist exercises Compton was the ace bender oner and Booker and Hutch were the ace up and down haulers . Last but not forgotten was Dewy Rakes who justly deserved the honorary rate of Machinist Mate since most of his time was spent in after steering. This Q.M. gang began to click like well oiled machinery as soon as we joined up with the convoy and is still clicking. In order to say the crossing of the Atlantic was un- eventful we would have to overlook the tragic occurrences involving the Hobson. However for the most part routine fueling operations during the day, followed by short nights when we pushed the clocks 1 hour ahead, were the general rule. Then one morning we sighted land and further along the coast-Gibraltar. After passing through the straits we began refueling the fleet, under the inquisitive but friendly eyes of the British Air Force. Our Mediterranean duty had begun. We had good liberty in the various ports visited. But, we also remember the times we worked hard and long on operations especially the long drawn out G.Q. during the joint man- uevers with our European Allies in Operation Beehive II . E351