A remembrance from Ken MATER RD2

I read in the articles about BMCM Scott that in his 40 years mostly at sea, the one time he wondered if he was going to make it was during our 66-67 cruise. I remember getting relieved from our first patrol after 50 some days and it seems it was rough seas the whole time. It was a couple days before Christmas and we were headed for Sasebo, right into the worst storm I can remember. We were taking on water everywhere, the sonar room was flooded and Johnston was mess cooking at the time, so I got elected to replace him . It was New Years eve, so I got scullery duty, with the ship taking 30 degree rolls, not to mention the fear that big Dave Walker could strike into the heart of many a young messcook. But I managed to stay on his good side, by keeping all the old salts happy by making good coffee. After about four months I find that I had made 3rd class two months earlier, damn. Anyway that was the one holiday season I won't forget.

Ken Mater RD2

Memory from Gary Lehwald

Paul, here is one that I remember real good.  We just started out on the 66-67 Westpac cruise.  Date Sunday Sept 26, 1966./  Underway to Hawaii.  Nice quiet Sunday morning and
GMSN Smith and myself were going to test the port 50 cal.  The guns were new onboard and we had never fired them.  I was the starboard gunner and was assisting Smith if our first firing.  Smith was on the gun and I was observing.  Everything was going real good until the gun blew up and got Smith in both legs with shrapnel.  Sounded the alarm and Doc came running..   Got Smith on a stretcher and took him to the mess decks to dig the stuff out of his legs..   When we got to Pearl we sent Smith to the base hospital.  They sent a Marine Sgt to the ship to check out the 50 cal.  Come to find out,  the GM3 that was on Prime and got out before we departed  left the lock ring off the gun when he took it apart      

Gary Lehwald  SM1