HEROES IN HAWAII
This is War Correspondent PO Scooch reporting from the Naval Base at Pearl Harbour.
Well, were we in for some surprises when we berthed at Pearl! But first, let me tell you about our entry into the Harbour.
Admiral Andrew and Commander Barnaby had us in full uniform and lining the deck of the SEADOG. We looked splendid as we all stood to attention, with our battle flags flying, showing the great successes we’d had in our attack on the Naval Base at Truk Lagoon.
Every ship we passed on our way into the Harbour gave us a victory salute, and their crews lined the decks and cheered us. We burst with pride and there wasn’t a dry eye on the SEADOG. Even the Seacats were dewy-eyed. But an even greater surprise awaited us.
As we dropped anchor, I noticed that a very important looking party was waiting for us ashore. As soon as all was secured, they were piped aboard. It was the Admiral In Charge of the Pacific Fleet and his entourage! Oh boy!
Certain members of the crew were called apart, and ‘fell in’ in front of the rest of the crew, then the Admiral approached and was handed something by his attendant. THEN I knew what was happening. Decorations for bravery were being awarded. Here is a list of those who were honoured, and the decorations they received.
Commander Barnaby – for actions in combat, THE NAVY CROSS
Lt. Clancy – {Gunner} for bravery above and beyond the call of duty, THE NAVY CROSS
Lt. Dasher - {Chief Navy Seal} for bravery, THE SILVER STAR
PO Elvis – {Navy Seal} for bravery, THE SILVER STAR
Seawoman Hazel – {Navy Seal} for bravery, THE SILVER STAR
Seawoman Molly/Cheyenne – {Navy Seal} for bravery, THE SILVER STAR
Ensign Snickers – {Torpedo room} for actions in combat, THE BRONZE STAR
PO Zeus – {Torpedo Room} for actions in combat, THE BRONZE STAR
Seaman Bailey – {Torpedo Room} for actions in combat, THE BRONZE STAR
For the CREW of the USS SEADOG - for actions in combat, THE PRESIDENTIAL NAVY UNIT CITATION
Every one of us had received Battle Honours!
This is War Correspondent PO Scooch handing over now to PO Boogie.
Well, were we in for some surprises when we berthed at Pearl! But first, let me tell you about our entry into the Harbour.
Admiral Andrew and Commander Barnaby had us in full uniform and lining the deck of the SEADOG. We looked splendid as we all stood to attention, with our battle flags flying, showing the great successes we’d had in our attack on the Naval Base at Truk Lagoon.
Every ship we passed on our way into the Harbour gave us a victory salute, and their crews lined the decks and cheered us. We burst with pride and there wasn’t a dry eye on the SEADOG. Even the Seacats were dewy-eyed. But an even greater surprise awaited us.
As we dropped anchor, I noticed that a very important looking party was waiting for us ashore. As soon as all was secured, they were piped aboard. It was the Admiral In Charge of the Pacific Fleet and his entourage! Oh boy!
Certain members of the crew were called apart, and ‘fell in’ in front of the rest of the crew, then the Admiral approached and was handed something by his attendant. THEN I knew what was happening. Decorations for bravery were being awarded. Here is a list of those who were honoured, and the decorations they received.
Commander Barnaby – for actions in combat, THE NAVY CROSS
Lt. Clancy – {Gunner} for bravery above and beyond the call of duty, THE NAVY CROSS
Lt. Dasher - {Chief Navy Seal} for bravery, THE SILVER STAR
PO Elvis – {Navy Seal} for bravery, THE SILVER STAR
Seawoman Hazel – {Navy Seal} for bravery, THE SILVER STAR
Seawoman Molly/Cheyenne – {Navy Seal} for bravery, THE SILVER STAR
Ensign Snickers – {Torpedo room} for actions in combat, THE BRONZE STAR
PO Zeus – {Torpedo Room} for actions in combat, THE BRONZE STAR
Seaman Bailey – {Torpedo Room} for actions in combat, THE BRONZE STAR
For the CREW of the USS SEADOG - for actions in combat, THE PRESIDENTIAL NAVY UNIT CITATION
Every one of us had received Battle Honours!
This is War Correspondent PO Scooch handing over now to PO Boogie.
DECORATIONS AWARDED TO OUR BRAVE CREW
PO Boogie reporting on our Shore Leave in Hawaii.
We all prepared to hit the beaches and the thrills that Hawaii had to offer. Oh, was it ever so good to set our paws on dry land again! GIRLS, HERE WE COME!
I must admit that we were all rather high after the terrors of battle and the honours we had received, and some of us went a bit wild when we hit the town. The first place we made for was the nearest bar, where we let our hair down and partied on well into the night.
Hazel seemed to think that because she had a Silver Star, she should be allowed to drink something stronger than milk. Just as well our Chaplain went along with us and was there to keep an eye on young Hazel! We sang, danced, drank, and romanced the ladies - then began all over again!
We all prepared to hit the beaches and the thrills that Hawaii had to offer. Oh, was it ever so good to set our paws on dry land again! GIRLS, HERE WE COME!
I must admit that we were all rather high after the terrors of battle and the honours we had received, and some of us went a bit wild when we hit the town. The first place we made for was the nearest bar, where we let our hair down and partied on well into the night.
Hazel seemed to think that because she had a Silver Star, she should be allowed to drink something stronger than milk. Just as well our Chaplain went along with us and was there to keep an eye on young Hazel! We sang, danced, drank, and romanced the ladies - then began all over again!
CLICK ON THE PAUSE BUTTON OF THE FIRST TUNE, THEN ON WHITE ARROW BELOW FOR NEXT TUNE.
Oh, what a sorry sight in our hotel’s back yards the next day! This picture speaks for itself!
.
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The two Bailey’s, Buster, Clover, Higgins, Jazz and Snickers got REALLY plastered and were dragged off by Shore Patrol and ended up spending the night in the Brig. They were a bit shy about having their pictures taken, and you’ll just have to guess who’s who in this incriminating shot that Ginger took when Lt. Liam sprung them the next morning, and several of us who were more sober escorted them back to the safety of the SEADOG!
(One was actually trying to destroy the evidence of where they’d spent the night!)
(One was actually trying to destroy the evidence of where they’d spent the night!)
The next afternoon, there were lots of groans and moans, but we decided to go to the beach and let the fresh air and the lovely ladies clear our aching heads. On the way, we were met by the most GORGEOUS lady, who told us that her name was MORGAN and that she’d come all the way from Wheatenville to meet her heroes! She was a journalist with the magazine 'BITCHES AND STITCHES' and apparently she hoped to be given permission to join the SEADOG in the near future to write about what life was like for female submariners. (We all hoped her wish would be granted. She was a DISH!)
Several of the male members of the crew who were not attached wasted no time in making her feel at home, and my guess is that at least five of them fell madly in love with her. (Even Captain Barnaby seemed smitten, but said he was “watching out for her, like a father” -- Hmmmm!)
Several of the male members of the crew who were not attached wasted no time in making her feel at home, and my guess is that at least five of them fell madly in love with her. (Even Captain Barnaby seemed smitten, but said he was “watching out for her, like a father” -- Hmmmm!)
Oh my gosh! You should see these beaches in Hawaii! PARADISE is the word that immediately springs to mind.
Roddie hired a fishing boat and, with Winnie May, Killian, Lacy O’Quinn, Duffy, Harold, Princess, Bramble and Casey aboard, (and Bonnie Blue leaping from the wharf while Admiral Andrew and Finnegan looked on) they set out to catch our lunch.
Our Navy Seals went scuba diving. Elvis and Colleen (Elvis has been giving her Scuba lessons!) sneaked away on their own, but Buster managed to get a picture of them, much to their surprise.
Roddie hired a fishing boat and, with Winnie May, Killian, Lacy O’Quinn, Duffy, Harold, Princess, Bramble and Casey aboard, (and Bonnie Blue leaping from the wharf while Admiral Andrew and Finnegan looked on) they set out to catch our lunch.
Our Navy Seals went scuba diving. Elvis and Colleen (Elvis has been giving her Scuba lessons!) sneaked away on their own, but Buster managed to get a picture of them, much to their surprise.
Tomorrow is another day, and we have lots of exciting things planned so, until then, this is PO Boogie signing off from Hawaii.
CONTINUED IN CHAPTER 4
Copyright - Audrey Plowes - 2010
CHAPTER 3