Randolph (CVS 15) - Naval Cruise Book

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ss -.J SCUBA divers wait anxiously on board RANDOLPH during Glenn's three hour orbital ride. Checking the helicopter he will pilot for the recovery is Marine Major W. Nelson, a former squadron mate of the astronaut. Five-four-three-two-one-zero-Iift-off! Nz .nn U X V .- F If nv I

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Amd' ,Ag we , , , ' f ,ri -1 Y f ,. vff.f,, - 0, ' f 2, ,, K fa , , ' ' H 2 V- ' 7 , ' f U-, , fy f ' Y. U 4 g fe W A 7 1 ,Nfl 447' LT COL John Herschel Glenn, Jr., USMC NASA - Dr. William K- Douglas Ch9CkS John Insertion into the capsule marks the begin- Gl9l1l1'S SPECS Sllit 35 the Countdown Con' ning of John Glenn's long waiting period prior tinues at Cape Canaveral. to lift-off. T'

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3 -ii Wi' 'ii-.fi 'xiii f: ff s' Nl' .fi ' f vi Hundreds of- RANDOLPH sailors vie for viewing space on the recovery carrier's flight deck. . . . They said in their dispatch to the Randolph that 'Glenn put on a light blue flight suit to begin the debriefingf They added that 'Glenn blew the side hatch, slightly skinning his knuckles, to leave the cap- sule on the starboard side of the Cdestroyefsi main deck! This would indicate that he blew the hatch after the capsule was hauled aboard the destroyer. United Press International writer Ed lVlcCarthey fin- ished the story: 5:1O PlVl - The first thing Glenn asked for when he left the capsule was for a glass of iced tea. This was promptly provided. The debriefing was reportedly taking place in the office of Commodore lVliddletone aboard the Noa. Plans meanwhile were underway aboard the Randolph to scout up a meal fit for a space- man. The carrier's captain sent out a trusted messen- ger to secure a juicy filet mignon from the crew's mess because 'that's where to find the best food. The crew eats better than the officers! 5:56 PlVl - Astronaut John Glenn, obviously in the best of health, smiling, waving, and joking with Navy officials, was brought aboard the aircraft carrier by helicopter at 51411 PlVl EST. The only sign of Glenn's minor mishap in blowing the explosive hatch after the spacecraft 'Friendship Seven' was brought aboard the Noa was two small adhesive bandages covering spots where he skinned his knuckles slightly. Glenn walked across the deck of the carrier with officials of the space agency and ship's officers, then stood and chatted with the officers and posed for photographers and newsreel cameramen for six minutes before going below deck. Glenn, dressed in a light blue flight suit and wearing blue sneakers with white trim, was hatless when he stepped from the helicopter. Ship officials rushed for- ward to shake his hand and congratulate him, the