Coral Sea (CVB 43) - Naval Cruise Book

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UNNERY OFFICER Ens. J. B. Sirickcr, Gunner Le- roy Pratt, Lt. F. NV. Clift, III, LCDR. R. A. Tllolnpson, Lt.fJGJ R. J. Fny, Ens. Rolnt. McGihon, Elms. R. J. Salomon, Dlorris Friedman, ClnBosn. Cleaning 5 gun mount

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FIR DI ISIO he First Division aboard the ULS.S. CORAL SEA has its spaces in the forecastle as is the custom of all large ships of the Navy. And in the forecastle is located the divisions greatest responsibility, the massive ground tackle consisting of two twenty ton anchors, the Wildcats, the windlasses and associated gear necessary to safely and securely anchor the ship. The upkeep, operation, and maintenance of this gear is done under the competent eyes of our petty officers and Chief Petty Officers. To see these men work to prepare the hugh anchors for letting go or to heave in is a pleasant sight, much like the teamwork one sees on a girdiron. Let go the Anchor , over the phone circuit from the bridge is like the snap of the quarter- back's signal for play-the chain stopper arm is unbound, the mallet drives the belaying pin out of its secured position, and the chain rumbles thru the hawse pipe to the harbour's bottom, leaving a trail of dust and sparks. For a few seconds the noise is tremendous, then it ceases, the chain once again is secured by the stoppers. Con- stant vigilence is maintained over the anchor chain, especially in rough weather when there is the possibility of dragging the anchor, causing the ship to move close to other ships or to shoal water. On the bow of the ship the First Division has two 3 f50 gun mounts, two more are located on the starboard side forward of the island structure. We are very proud of the condition of our guns, their outward appearance and their efficient operation under firing. The Admiral's veranda is the responsibility of First Division men and its appearance indicates the sincere efforts of these men who make it the cleanest spot in the -ship. The Captain's gig belongs to the First Division and the Crew is determined to keep it the best looking gig afloat. The Boatswain Stores Locker, under the ship's boatswain, is main- tained by the First Division-and it functions to issue general clean- ing supplies and heavy deck gear to the Gunnery Divisions. We endeavor to train ourselves to use the effective techniques we have been taught in order to improve our team . We agree that our division has a good democratic military spirit and that we live with two controlling motives, the hope of reward for a job well done and the observance of defects in order that they may be corrected. First row: D. P. Cllflill, G. A. McBri4l4!,' J. R. Hartley, A. Vvlnite, Ens. L. M. Sen-ille, Lt. J. KV. Davis, L. G. Frans, A. Erb, Jr., J. H. Boone, Jr.. Il. J. Wells. . . . Second r01v: NV. F. Cole, XV. R. H01-siield, T. C. Edwards, A. F. Piazza, A. Belcer, E. C. Grus- zeczku, R. E. I-Iighhouse, NV. E. Brzullny, J. Patrick, J. J. Borio, E. D. East. First row: C. E. Nichols, C. L. Minter, WV. Dedo, J. J. Reilly, D. E. Long, 0. J. llezulfurd. R. H. Arsenzlult, WV. D. XVehll, E. XVlnitl0ck. J. WV. Morlrzul, R. E. McCarthy .... Second row: R. Jones, A. K. Gzllbrzlitll, Jr., C. A. Mclicnzie, R. 0. Mzlrsev. J. F. Little, F. Vnnlnitllllcswortll. J. E. Gihlin, G. D. Sllullulnronk, Fl. D. Nielson. J. S. 0'lh-ion, K. C. xvllflllllllflll. R. I.. Hawkins. L. D. Cult.

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ECO ll DIVISIO HE DAY starts for the ZND Division at 0450 with LEE, GM2, supervising the bowling in the fwd. scullery, directly above the Division compartment. You yogies knock that off , is heard from up above. After an hour of trying to get back to sleep, all hands muster at the gear locker coffee mess for the morning watch. The PO'S huddle in the corner for a lengthy conference on the days activities. When the word is passed and the coffee finished, the mighty ZND swings into action. ROAN, BM2 and WILLIAMS, BMS, go to the post office passage- way and wonder while supervising the cleaning of it, how foot- prints got so far up the bulkheads. Meanwhile METCALF, GM1, takes his gunners and turns to on their guns, and LONTZ, BM5, makes sure the living spaces are kept sparkling. PETTINGILL, BMC, who says cars are a poor investment, and DOBBERSTEIN, GMC whose ability as a Gunner is surpassed only by his ability to smell brewing coffee 150 frames away are kept busy supervising from the gear locket At 1130 all hands rush through chow so they can enjoy an hour s siesta in the living compartment before turn to Absolute quiet prevails except for the notes of mellow Mull s trumpet the chanting of A1 Schrubbe jolson Francis and Noguerias harmonicas and banios The morale boosting Juke box cannot be heard above the din but through all this the Division BM Nesmith slumbers peace fully. When turn to is sounded, the quiet ends and the compart- ment cleaners send all hands topside. All hands attend Ens. Graham's training class at 1500 and hear his motto repeated, He who can does, he who can't teaches. Shortly thereafter G. Q. is sounded and all hands man their gun stations. During the firing KIMMERLY shoots down a sleeve and then exclaims- Why didn't someone tell me these ZOMM guns had sights. The day is considered finished when all hands head for the long chow line to eat. LAMPKIN, BM2, is seen going through the line for the third time one hour later. Typical characterizations are: MEDDLETON, who, me? NEAL, Back in Ohio we did it this way . ROBINSON, My chewing tobacco keeps the side-cleaners busy . DAVIS, My solution for a respectable liberty is to go up on the flight deck and gauge at the moon . ANDRE Work in the Navy? . HOWELL RYANS little helper OLY Where are my glasses? LONTZ Cutting hair is easy if I only knew how HONKE Hawaii was wonderful DOLAN Gitmo was never like this KEILY The skin you love to touch KUSINKO Im getting out of the Navy after my next six year hitch' ROAN The BM2 that resembles a signalrnan MILLER Velvet voice MCCARTHY It s hard to keep a squared hat on a round head KERLING I know it for a fact LTJG FAY All I need is one more trip to Washington st D A N I I Lt QJGQ R J F C H npl n R XV I e S co I I Brush 'I' Lllw 'I' L Sl ll e cl I. F ltll 0 ecekAle t ro IV R ll R A D il R M lYlLtl. If H D D tly u e 1 I I I WR CI1 IIINMI .. .. H .. 7 J 5 I - .. it H .. - 1 . , . . , - - - .. .. -- .. - . , . - . .. - - - .. .. - 1 - a . . . . .. .. - 1. .. 1 - . . , H . , . . . ,, ,, - .. a - i .. .. - . - . - .. - .. .. . I 7 ' 7 . . . .y .t - 1: . . , - . . . . . . ,. . . - .. , v ' a ' Fir rowv: . . Villizlms, . . B. Ilozn, . . . ny, . . Lau li , . . C 1-ling. . . . It nt row: 0. F. 1 .' , . P. K' g, . .'lellr, .1.L:l- Fu ln :xi , T. L. Ilieves, J. F. '1' lu ', nl r w DiFiol'c. Firs w: P. J. Dnlznl. . . Ne: , XV. . mlre, L. 4. t nep- ard. . . ' 'zu , . 1. I ob- herstein. J. A. Pettingell, L. B. Nexmith, J. J. McC:Ir 1 , XV. Suhr hh , Il. Lzlfinsky .... S0 '- ond row: XV. 4'. I! ullineaux. Jr., J. C. Miller, F. NV. Lockwood, l'. u. Howell, Il. Font-cnnnoll, .I. llsinko. S. G. Ttltulis, H. A. Mnlznllu, J. Mirzllwllzl, G. II. flu lnmn, I. . fe ll' un.