It may be interesting to note that USS John Willis had the first towed array (called "Planet") installed in Boston in 1967, and we deployed with a HUK Group to the North Atlantic and the Med that year to test it. I was peripherally involved as an RD3 on the NC2 plot. Fun times.
Yep I remember Rodgaard. He's a retired Captain. It was called Itass when I was aboard Courtney. I went aboard Courtney in October '72 and John was still aboard. He left the following spring.
While he was writing the book, John wanted to talk with me, and we were about to, but I went sinker when I came down with something that nearly killed me. The frustrating part is we never found out what it was. I'm still feeling some of the effects after 3 years. I need to send him an apology.
CDR Jack Flanagan, then a junior officer and the SUPPO, was also aboard USS Courtney and contributed to the book. CAPT Rodgaard mentions many shipmates in the book, which made it even more interesting. He also provided me links to the Naval archives, where I was able to access the Deck Logs of my own ship and re-experience that first deployment and "Planet" (Itass) operations on USS John Willis. The Captain and Commander were nice folks to correspond with in the run-up to the book's publication. I was even able to connect with a Willis shipmate, an RD3 who retired a USCG CWO3 Bosun. And it was only by a chance post here about "Planet/Itass" that I connected at all. Again, small world.
Still a hair raising story of personal courage. This isn't a split second no time to decide bit of courage. This is cold and calculated courage with plenty of time to think about the decision.
As an NROTC Midshipman I read about Cromwell/Sculpin in Submarine Operations In World War Two (Roscoe), later attended Basic Sub School classes in Cromwell Hall at SUBASE New London. He was a true hero who knowingly sacrificed himself. I was honored later to serve as XO in USS Sculpin (SSN 590) and made sure officers and crew (AND ALL OFFICIAL VISITORS) knew what a hero the ship's namesake was.
We wish him fair winds and following seas for eternity
Fenomenal story. Uncommon valour.
Remember when we had media networks that would relate inspiring stories like these?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUkCgJ3XWX4
As I remember, the Diving Officer, who made the mistake, as went down with the boat.
Another USS Cromwell is definitely called for... please SecNav!
All the names of the Dealey's should be given to new construction.
Agree. My first ship in 1966 was USS John Willis (DE-1027). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Harlan_Willis
Mine was Courtney (DE-1021). Decommed in December 1973 and stricken in July 1974.
Small world. Did you know RD3 John Rodgaard aboard USS Courtney? Courtney was one of three "tail ships" forward deployed to Italy 1970-73 to hunt submarines. Captain John Rodgaard, a retired Navy Intel Officer, wrote a book about Courtney. https://www.amazon.com/Tailships-Soviet-Submarines-Mediterranean-1970-1973/dp/1914377095/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
It may be interesting to note that USS John Willis had the first towed array (called "Planet") installed in Boston in 1967, and we deployed with a HUK Group to the North Atlantic and the Med that year to test it. I was peripherally involved as an RD3 on the NC2 plot. Fun times.
Yep I remember Rodgaard. He's a retired Captain. It was called Itass when I was aboard Courtney. I went aboard Courtney in October '72 and John was still aboard. He left the following spring.
While he was writing the book, John wanted to talk with me, and we were about to, but I went sinker when I came down with something that nearly killed me. The frustrating part is we never found out what it was. I'm still feeling some of the effects after 3 years. I need to send him an apology.
CDR Jack Flanagan, then a junior officer and the SUPPO, was also aboard USS Courtney and contributed to the book. CAPT Rodgaard mentions many shipmates in the book, which made it even more interesting. He also provided me links to the Naval archives, where I was able to access the Deck Logs of my own ship and re-experience that first deployment and "Planet" (Itass) operations on USS John Willis. The Captain and Commander were nice folks to correspond with in the run-up to the book's publication. I was even able to connect with a Willis shipmate, an RD3 who retired a USCG CWO3 Bosun. And it was only by a chance post here about "Planet/Itass" that I connected at all. Again, small world.
Just tears. Always when I read this story. A submariner.
An inspiring story. I was in OSD Policy and had access for a few months to submarine special ops. A great and unsung corps. Truly, the Silent Service.
Full bore. Marked difference from LT Osborn and the EP-3.
The Navy gave Osborn a medal for delivering his plane to the CCP
Still a hair raising story of personal courage. This isn't a split second no time to decide bit of courage. This is cold and calculated courage with plenty of time to think about the decision.
As an NROTC Midshipman I read about Cromwell/Sculpin in Submarine Operations In World War Two (Roscoe), later attended Basic Sub School classes in Cromwell Hall at SUBASE New London. He was a true hero who knowingly sacrificed himself. I was honored later to serve as XO in USS Sculpin (SSN 590) and made sure officers and crew (AND ALL OFFICIAL VISITORS) knew what a hero the ship's namesake was.
Duty and honor. First time for me to hear of this. Thanks.
Great book on Sculpin and CAPT Cromwell is "A Tale of Two Ships".
"But to stand an' be still to the Birken'ead drill is a damn tough bullet to chew,"
Fullbore!
Full bore indeed! I agree with MissMacinTX.
Reminds me of the ending scene of the Bridges of Toko/Ri, “Where do we get such men?”
Easy. Let everyone compete fairly and the best will emerge. Thats why DEI is so pernicious.
Minor point, but weren't the US Navy's high-level Japanese decodes termed MAGIC? I thought ULTRA was reserved for Bletchley Park's products.