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Shot in the Arc |
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| USS Haynsworth DD700 |
| * Scuttlebut & Memories * |
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Shot in the Arc |
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I reported aboard the Haynsworth as a freshly minted Ensign and was assigned as Damage Control Assistant reporting to Jack Jones, Chief Engineer.
Shortly afterward my roommate in after officers’ quarters was demonstrating the safety precautions to be observed with the .45 caliber automatic handgun to the P.O. of the watch in our stateroom. The weapon accidentally discharged and, of course, put a hole through the overhead. As hull repair was part of my job, I dutifully prepared a work request for the upcoming tender availability with USS Sierra (AD-18), because our shipfitters did not possess the Heliarc welder required to weld aluminum (of which the 01 deck was made). Our Engineering Log Room Yoeman, Fireman Foss, typed up the request with all the others without comment. When the package was given to Jack for signature, there was a scream of rage heard from his stateroom and he rocketed down the passageway ricocheting off bulkheads as he approached my stateroom. “#!%*!x#” He said, throwing the job request at me, as I cowered at my desk. “You can’t say that!!! Are you crazy??? You’ll have us both up in front of the long green table!!!” After the dust had settled and calmer heads prevailed, it turns out that I had matter-of- factly but very naively penned as follows: “Please repair 45 caliber bullet hole in the 01 deck, at frame 175, starboard side.” David J. Oberholzer LT(jg) 57-59 |