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I Am A Navyman

My name is CPO Charles Glaser. I have not been Mr. Charles Glaser since July 8, 1957. I am USN Retired, a Vietnam Veteran of four deployments to Tonkin Gulf Combat Zone, PIRAZ Station.

I was the Terrier Weapons Systems Chief in USS King DLG-10 for two of those deployments; and one deployment in USS Truxtun DLGN-35. I first deployed in USS MAHAN DLG-11 as FTM1.

All three of these Destroyers were part of Destroyer Squadron Three, attached to Carrier Task Force Seventy-Seven, United States Navy Seventh Fleet. For about twelve years, we called ourselves "Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club" something a lot easier for civilians to remember.

I like the adventure when my ship puts out to sea. The Conning Officer in the pilot house orders "Come to course 235° " "All ahead Full - make turns for 25 knots".  The Helmsman replies "Aye -Aye Sir; Steady on 235° "  The Lee Helm replies "Aye - Aye Sir; Main Control acknowledges your order for 300 RPM both shafts."  The Quartermaster of the Watch records all of the orders and responses.  The Boatswain Mate of the Watch pipes on the 1mc Shipboard Announcing system "All Hands stand by for heavy rolls."

I have ordered the Fantail Sea and Anchor Detail to secure and dress all Irish Pennants to port. I go to the Chief's Mess and draw a cup of coffee about the consistency of creosote. Then I step out on the Weather deck just behind the port break and listen. The four forced draft blowers on the four 1200 PSI superheated boilers are winding up to a banshee wail. The boilers are making steam for the two 40,000 horsepower steam turbines. The turbines are spinning faster and faster, powering the two twenty five foot diameter five bladed propellers. When we get to 25 knots the rooster tail will be about 20 feet high.  The bow wave will be about  10 feet high and we will say "She has a bone in her teeth!"

I like the quiet time when we are steaming slow, about 5 knots on PIRAZ Station in The Tonkin Gulf Combat Zone; sitting on the fantail at dusk, watching flying fish skip over the ocean waves. The sea at night is mysterious; watching the phosphorescence in the wake, wondering what a dinoflagellate looks like.

Up in Combat Information Center, the Air Intercept Controllers are at war, shooting down enemy aircraft, blowing up bridges and enemy convoys and sending napalm to help out the foot soldiers when they get in a tight spot.

I like fresh coffee from the galley. I remember trying to guess which was a celery seed and which was a dead weevil in the chicken soup.

A man can find much in the Navy –

A man can find himself, to begin with, in Recruit Training (aka BOOT Camp). There is so much to learn in the Navy That I stayed 20 years and am still learning after being retired 37 years.

Now that I am a retired Sailor, home from the sea, I still remember the ocean spray on my face; the aroma of fresh paint and acrid smell of burning cordite. I miss my Navy days, when the seas belonged to me and a familiar port of call was always anticipated after a 49 day long combat patrol.

Lots of good memories when I remember...

I Am A Navyman

Famous Quotation

It follows then as certain as that night succeeds the day, that without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive, and with it, everything honorable and glorious.
President George Washington

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