At one point in the spring of '76, COMNAVPACFLT came to visit. That's "Commander, U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet" to you landlubbers ... and that's A Big Deal to the sailors and Marines on the island. When the Commander of the Fleet shows up, you "snap to" like you've never snapped before!
The Commanding Officer of the Naval Station was showing the Admiral around the base, and they pulled up to one of those barbed-wire-and-armed-guard gates. The C.O. was always authorized to visit, so that wasn't a problem. But said Admiral's name did not appear on that day's list.
Without any further ado, the CO and the visiting Admiral found themselves face down in the snow, while the Marines sought identification and possible clearance for the unexpected guest.
Word of that event spread quickly around the base (and the Navy gossip mill makes mere office gossip seem to move at a snail's pace, in comparison). Sailors, in general, were aghast that the C.O.'s boss's boss was arrested and detained by the Marines.
Heads were gonna roll; we were sure of it.
Except that the Commandant of the Marine Barracks received a letter from the Admiral, commending him for how well the guards did their job. The Admiral wasn't on the list, and he knew it. It was a test, you see. If the guard(s) had allowed him in, no matter their reason, there would have been disciplinary hell to pay. No, the guards did their job in exemplary fashion.
And the gossip mill had fresh grist for a week. :)
8 comments:
Rev. Paul,
They passed the test with flying colors :-)
Yes, they did. We used to joke that the Marine guards were "only smart enough to say "Halt!" three times & then pull the trigger ... but not always in that order." But that was just inter-service rivalry, and never intended as a serious insult.
Truth? They performed their jobs admirably, and with distinction.
This was at the MAUW Shop and I was there in lockdown inside the Shop.
Thank you for that info, sir. I don't think I ever heard which installation was involved.
If I remember correctly, that was ADM Hayward. I think he came down to Moffett and had a 'chat' with then RADM 'Dutch' Schuller, who was CPWP. The word filtered out to us in Hawaii that Adak had 'done good'... LOL
I'm glad Adak was known for something other than "cold & windy". :) Thank you.
Heh Heh. Good story Reverend.
Thanks, TB.
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