Crew of the USS Sylph
Back in 1935 a young high school graduate in Connecticut, looking for work in the depth’s of the last Depression, went to sea in the Navy. He went on to serve, eventually, for ten year’s, in peace and war. At the end of the war, a son of Italian immigrants, now a salty Gunner’s Mate First Class, with ten years in This Man’s Navy, walked across his last ship’s brow for the last time.He went on to do a few things after that, as did so very many of his generation, tempered into true steel by his experiences in both the pre-war Navy and at sea during the war itself on a converted yacht, USS Sylph (PY-12) . Fair winds and following seas, Gunner’s Mate. Save a spot at the bar for the rest of us, will you?
Give me Bosun’s Mates, Gunner’s Mates, Quartermasters, Signalmen and Snipes. Give me a few JO’s who can con a ship well and true and I will sail tomorrow morning on the tide. Fall out and carry out the Plan of the Day.
Well said.
I didn’t realize Borgnine came from CT. Some good things do come from New England.
My fave role of his was in The Poseidon Adventure; full of bluster and just this side of nice yet…a smooshy teddy bear all along.
Rest in peace, Ernie; you’ve earned it!
With us QMs, you don’t need the JOs.
Fair winds and followiling seas Commander McHale.
Another stands down from the Earth’s collection of good guys, to proudly join that honoured company remembered in the toast, “Absent friends”. Thanks for posting COMJAM.