Randolph (CVS 15) - Naval Cruise Book

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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

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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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W vi V- 1 N A V Y H V ,,.,,,..--.,,,e...,....Y. f.- ---.. ....v.......,.v..,.-- , new, ... ...Y-A--Y v - Y -v- -A W ----.- A qulck debrlef and that lrrepresslble Glenn smlle' shlps crew llnmg the decks In their whites gave hum a long and well deserved cheer Glenn smlled shook hands vlgorously wlth the offlclals and then walked easlly across the heavmg deck of the carrler braclng slightly Into the wand The last fllckermg rays of the sun whlch had already set Ilt up llght patches of fluffy llghts turned on by the photographers accentuated the llght color and sparseness of the astronauts halr ln front of the carrlers Island where the brldge and other operating equlpment of the carrrer IS located Glenn stopped before a small lecturn whlch had been set up so that he could slgn the necessary forms for an Inter natlonal space agency to certify any record that he might have set durmg hrs hlstorlc trlple orblt of the earth He waved tirelessly to the Randolph s crew and reporters and posed wllllngly for pictures untll It was time to go below John Glenn continued his debrleflng aboard Ran dolph flrst In Suck Bay and then later In the flag mess While he was sipping coffee wlth the Admiral the throbbing of a VS 26 S2F was heard on the flight deck above and shortly after 8 30 PlVl Astronaut Glenn emerged from the Island to more cheers and more waves thus tlme ln total darkness He stepped unto the waltlng alrcraft and flew out of the llves of Ran dolph s men Out of thelr llves but never out of their memories John Glenn takes a last look at his Frlendshlp 7 Capsule prlor to leaving the NOA for further debrlefmg aboard RANDOLPH Col Glenn and Admiral Eastwold admire one of the hun dreds of glfts Glenn received after has historic flight This one A Task Group ALFA plaque f gc Q I v 1 ,M ,,f.- ' f A I 7 55 'I , Y V' l clouds in the background, turning them pmk. Flood- ff ll ' , M . 1 . Zf-,gif JZ I Y K KN T ' ' ' ' f r 1 61, , ' ' iff A . . . . , V! i , , 1 , f ' I I IH ' . . ' A lgfl ' 5 c - . . . . 7 H f , ' . . 1- . . . . - . .- . , . 28