Columbus (CA 74) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 145 text:

CWO Fladebo Have to send that trophy back in style Chief Arnold and a band of handsome Romeos L 1lp i - l VHHHI W Al H ' f J tr ft ' CWO J.E. Stalker

Page 144 text:

f ' « f i-i ?x f • it??? t - ■ j v w V ,. ' V FRONT ROW : Stewart. K.I... Carrano, J.A.. Lee. D.L., Arnold. H.M., MEC, LTJG R.T. Shanstrom, ENS K.F. Read. Haller, O.P., FPC, MeCarty, G.F., Crisman, C, Hocker, R.G., Bennett, C.K. SECOND ROW: Weiss, C, Alexander. R.E., Meeks, C.H., Kundert, R.E., Turley, T.J., Bandeko, D.L., Elliott, N.L., Newport, R.W., Bowen, G.E., Byrnes, E.J., Lee, W.J. THIRD ROW: Riley, J. W., Cooper, C. R., Sims, F. M., Campsmith, R., Brown, A. G., Szymkowicz, D. E., Brennan, L.F., Reeves, J.D., Grover, S., Skidgell, M.F. LTJG Shanstrom ENS Read On 1 March 1956, Roger division had its name changed to Romeo division, and that phonetic shift suited the men to a T . Although the division is the backbone of damage control and fire fighting aboard ship, these men consider themselves far better lovers than fighters, though they claim to be good at both. This division maintains five shops: Metalsmith, Pipefitter, Repair IV (or Damage Control Shop), Carpentry, and the C02 Locker, and includes three rating groups: Metalsmiths, Pipefitters, and Damage Controlmen. The Romeos have a wealth of talent and varied abilities, everything from Chief Arnold, the original Do It Yourselfer to Salty Sam Upton, who can out sea story any sailor in the fleet, or Man Mountian Cooper, who can ' t be beat when the ship needs list or trim corrections. The snapper of the metalsmiths is Big George MeCarty, MK1, who is all Navy from reveille to taps. His famous quotations are, Heave up and trice out , and, Hit ' er a lick for the Navy. Mac and his tin benders take any kind of metal working job in stride, be it welding, cutting, sheet metal fabrication, or you name it. An easy going Georgia boy, Charlie Meeks, and his pipeshop gang, or fitter pipes as they are commonly called, maintain the drainage systems, showers and heads, plus the gasoline stowage and pumping system. Their work is hard and dirty, but you can count on their turning out a 4.0 job. Lee, DC1, and his damage controlmen have the heaviest responsibility, that of maintaining the watertight integrity and the damage control systems of the ship. Included in their many jobs are: air testing, woodworking, and maintenance of doors and hatches, firefighting equipment and Atomic, Biological, and Chemical W arfare Defense equipment. They work hard at important jobs all the time, but they ' re only noticed when emergency casualties occur. Their action in coping with collision damage on this cruise proved to all that these men know their rate and are valuable people to have on board. This is a division with diverse skills, but nevertheless, a smooth working team that keeps the Columbus lit and ready.

Page 146 text:

LCDR J.C. Herron, SC, Supply Officer supply . . • Who put those dirty socks in there ? It takes a lotta paper to keep a store afloat