Shannon (DM 25) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 34 text:

Div STOREKEEPERS and SHIPSERVICEM EN Ist Row: G. J. Casano, Slc: L. L. Boone, SKlcg R. P. LaVia, Slc. 2ncl Row: M. D. Bridge, SSML2cg S. K. Welch, .SK3cg R. E. Burbank, SSML3c: E. J. Debowski, SKD2cg L. Gdovm, SSMB2c. Not in picture: G. M. Duncan, Slc. STEWARD'S MATES lst Row: VJ. Jefferson, StMlcg G. Mayberry, StMIcg W. Wells, StM lc. 2nd Row: A. Vasher, Ck2cg B. O. Mann, StM Icp T. G. Howell, StM2cg C. C. Hitchcock, St2c. Not in picture: J. L. Washington, StM lc: C. E. Davis, StM lc lMinDiv 7l. 28 I I SHIP'S COOKS and BAKERS lst Row: D. H. Hall, Slcg G. A. Adams, Slcg R. R. Quirion SC2c. 2nd Row: A. F. lmbrone, SCIc: D. W. Rickhoff, Bkr2c: R. D. Page, Bkr3cq F. J. Warren, Slc. Ist Row: C. G. Akers, Slcg W. Gonzalez, SC3cg R. M- Mendoza, Slc. 2nd Row: G. J. Sliker, Slc: F. M. Hancock, Slcq H. E. Bubbs Slcg R. S. Archer, SC2c.

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DIVISION l R F AFTER FIRE ROOM lst Row: C. P. McCreary, Flc: P. W. Harris, WT2c: R. E. lst Row: J. Cicchillo, WT3c: R. W. Schilling, WT2c: G. M. Balaney, Flc. , White, Flc. 2nd Row: P. D. Smith, Flc: M. M. Zima, F2c: J. T. S'cewar'c, 2ncl Row: F. H. Bartol, WT2c: H. R. Luilcin, Flc: E. J. Soto, Flc: G. W. Chipps, Flc. WTIc: W. G. Ellis, WTIc. AFTER ENGINE ROOM lst Row: A. L. Shaw, MM lc: J. J. Alecci, CMM: E. L. Varga, lst Row: L. H. Phelps, Fic: N. Kialc, MM2c. MM2c. 2nd Row: W. J. Sepac, Flc: J. A. Kerr, MM3c: J. R. Earner Zncl Row: R. R. Hooper, MM3c: R. G. Dellit, MMlc: F. J. MM3c. Kelly, MM2c. Not in pictures: N. Jones, CMM: J. A. Stanfield, Flc: K. A. Smilh, MM2c.

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UR MASCCDT 39 H It was a rather wet Boston night when Gunner's Mates VVolter and Thomas ' , pulled themselves aboard after a success- ful liberty. The Officer of the Deck not- iced, but paid little attention to a squirm- ing bulge in XVolter's pea coat pocket. Several days later, the presence of Feather Merchant , as he was promptly dubbed, became known to everyone. The ff Captain at fiist not in faxor of haxing a clog aboard soon gaxe uay to the unanimous opnuon of the creu and the dogs endearing appearance and antics Thenceforth Feathers uas one of the most important membeis of the Shannon s ciew The ancestry of Feathers is a mystery, but appearently includes some Spitz. The frail, bent old woman who had sold Feathers and his brothers and sisters 111 a Scollay Square bar described her wares as just pooch. NYhatever his lineage, it certainly includes intelligence Feathers is an inseparable companion of XVolter, Thomas, and Ballou. He obeys them to the letter, but seldom anyone else. He is truly a crew's dog. Sometimes he will tolerate even reciprocate the attention of the men, but will have absolutely nothing to do with any officer His favorite haunts are the ordnance work shop, the top of a laundry bag in the 'midships passageway, the mess hall during meals, the forward chief's quarters, and his own living compartment, A-303. Until he learned to climb, and eventually to descend all but the vertical ladders Feathers could get around only on the shoulder of one of his masters. Now he scampers nimbly up or down 70-degree ladders Feathers is a veteran of 16 months sea duty, three major campaigns, and the occupation of Japan. He has earned four ribbons and three battle stars. And he has them, too-sewn on a collar fashioned from a piece of red Japanese silk Feathers personal effects also include a specially constructed, fitted life Jacket. To make him an official member of the crew, a serxice record has been compiled for him. It is kept up to date, showing all his accomplishments, his training, and the honors to which he is entitled Nothing pleases Feathers more than to go on liberty, especially on a beer party. NVhen given permission to leave the ship, he is always the first one in the boat, and the last to return-more like the proverbial sailor than many of the sailors themselves. At first he was bashful with females for he had lived all his life among men. But once acquainted with them, he became a sailor in that respect, too Feathers' battle station is in the Chief's pantry. VVhen general quarters is sounded, Feathers heads for the forecastle, scrambling between th l ff of da hino' sailors and down the hatch to comparative safety below. Usually he is calm. But the minute he hears the guns training e egs s D and elevating or the ammunition hoists operating, he scampers for cover under a shelf. VVhen the guns are fired he shudders to the dm of shaking bulkheads and crashing lightbulbs and paces back and forth nervously During lulls in the action the Captain or Officer of the Deck often gives the crew an account of what has happened. Feathers perks 6 up his ears at the first crackle of the IMC slips out and cocks his head to look at the speaker with rapt attention. XVhen the announcement is over he returns to his place under the shelf, satisfied that he has gotten the word. W'1hen condition one-easy is set Feathers stretches, then relaxes and rolls over to sleep. :Xt Secure from general quarters, Feathers Jumps up full of life and runs looking for one of his buddies Yes, Feathers is almost human. He is accepted as one of the boys -more than that, actually he is our mascot, well-loved by every officer and man on board. Not one of us would trade him, nor the lighter moments he has given us-often when they were needed most ,.,...-u--nw,.....-M-wa --a f ,, . . , , . ! 1 ,if X , . . . V , , v X 'i ' i A i i . ' . ' Y r s i , . . .. . . . . . 7. , . 1 a tt sn - A 1 1 - ' . , , W Q'-14 W ' my MH- ,W . ., I .. J ' N i l ,M M . ,L , ,V , ,, ,,..,,,, t, ff'-vcf ' ' k 0, N ' 5. Lf, J W sf My f In , ' ' V W I M ts A W , X A. . ',l