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During the time the USS McCloy (DE-1038) was undergoing a particularly trying Arctic Ocean deployment in 1967, a BuPers Notice was received which triggered the folloiving correspondence between the vessel’s Jewish Lay Leader and his spiritual senior, the Force Chaplain. One need understand at the outset only that the Jeivish Lay Leader constituted the ship’s entire Jewish congregation and, as a sort of collateral duty, the Jewish Lay Leader was also the ship’s commanding officer.
memorandum
From: Jewish Lay Leader, USS MCCLOY (DE-1038)
To: Captain Fred Brink, CHC, USN, COMCRUDESLANT Force Chaplain
Via: Commanding Officer, USS MCCLOY (DE-1038)
Subj : Passover Holidays
Ref: (a) BUPERS Notice 1730 of 25 January 1967
1. As reference (a) encourages members of the Jewish faith to partake in the holiday services during the period of 24 April to
2 May, it is noted that the member(s) of this command will be unable to attend the services or seders in that Jewish Lay Leader, USS MCCLOY does not believe there are any Jewish Eskimoes.
2. It is therefore planned to conduct services and seders on board. Any CARE packages the Force Chaplain has containing the necessary ingredients (matzos, wine, fish, etc.) would be appreciated. Should MCCLOY be fortunate enough to receive the necessary goodies, one hundred per cent attendance by the Jewish person(s) can be guaranteed just as all previous services have had one hundred per cent participation.
Very Respectfully,
LOUIS COLBUS
FIRST ENDORSEMENT
From: Commanding Officer, USS MCCLOY (DE-1038)
To: Captain Fred Brink, CHC, USN COMCRUDESLANT Force Chaplain
1. Forwarded
2. CO, USS MCCLOY wishes to commend the Jewish Lay Leader aboard USS MCCLOY in his efforts to bring spiritual comfort to the member(s) of his faith during times of stress and decision making. Though inconspicuous in the manner of worship, CO, USS MCCLOY knows the Jewish Lay Leader is constantly conducting prayer services and asking, in silence, for help.
LOUIS COLBUS
From: Force Chaplain, COMCRUDESLANT
To : Commanding Officer, USS MCCLOY (DE 1038)
Subj: Passover Holidays, Observance of
Ref . (a) UNDATED memorandum from Jewish Lay Leader USS MC CLOY
(DE 1038) with UNDATED endorsement of Commanding Officer
(b) BUPERS Notice 1730 of 25 January 1967
(c) The Sacred Scriptures - Exodus 12: 14-20
1. In accordance with the request of reference (a), to implement the intent of reference (b), in accordance with the provisions of reference (c), the following items have been forwarded this date to the Commanding Officer, USS MC CLOY (DE 1038), for delivery to the Jewish Lay Leader of USS MC CLOY (DE 1038)
1 bottle Kosher wine
2 boxes Matzoh
3 jars gefeltefish
3 cans Kosher chicken
2. It is requested that the Commanding Officer authorize the Jewish Lay Leader to make use of the alcoholic beverage herewith forwarded for the observance of the Jewish holy days aboard USS
MC CLOY. It is further requested that the Commanding Officer give his full support to the Jewish Lay Leader in arranging the observance of these holy days aboard ship.
3. The Commanding Officer is commended in the support he has given thus far to the activities of the Jewish Lay Leader. The Jewish Lay Leader in return is commended for the performance of his duties, as assigned by the Commanding Officer.
F. W. Brink Captain, CHC, USN
----------------- ---------- And She Probably Didn’t Smoke
When the pocket battleship Deutschland was launched in the early Thirties, President Hindenberg stood by to christen her. But before the marshal had a chance to break the traditional bottle the ship started down the slipway.
"Abstinenzler” (teetotaler), grumbled the old man.
U. Hertel
Liberty Limited
During the summer cruise of 1897, warships of the North Atlantic Squadron called at Bar Harbor, Maine. When all the ships had anchored a signal was hoisted in the USS New York (ACR-2), flagship of Rear Admiral Montgomery Sicard. It read: "Give the men all the liberty they want; there is no rum in this state.”
Captain Edgar K. Thompson, USN (Retired)
A Superlative Officer
In 1953, Rear Admiral Robert B. Carney, ComCinCSouth in Naples, Italy, was receiving officers of his command. The second officer ahead of me was introduced by the admiral’s aide, "Lieutenant Webb, Admiral,” then the officer immediately ahead of me, "Lieutenant Webber, Admiral.” Before I could give my name, Admiral Carney turned to me and said, "Lieutenant Webbest, I assume.”
C. Russell King
Pegged
I was flag secretary on the staff of ComNorPac, Vice Admiral Kinkaid, with headquarters on Adak Island. The Japanese had been defeated on Attu and they had fled from Kiska. We wondered what was in store for the North Pacific Force. Admiral Kinkaid made a discreet, but fruitless inquiry of Admiral Nimitz.
Being an old shipmate of Admiral Nimitz, and a family friend, I engaged in irregular correspondence with him, and he was always prompt in answering my letters. Without mentioning our quandary, I wrote a personal, family-style note to Admiral Nimitz. As expected, he was prompt in replying. As a footnote he added, "Tell Kinkaid he will soon get something from me which will answer all his questions.”
Nothing came for Admiral Kinkaid, but a package obviously from CinCPac arrived for me. All the staff hung around my desk while I opened it. When the outside wrapping came off, the package was still wrapped and pencilled "For Kinkaid”. All of us, Captain Colclough, the Chief of Staff, Captain Entwistle, the ops officer, and Bob Taylor, the first lieutenant, and the rest, trooped into the admiral’s cubby-hole with the "answer”. Admiral Kinkaid opened the package and found—a cribbage board.
Thus, we knew that the war against Japan would not be by the northern route.
Rear Admiral J. Wilson Leverton, USN (Retired)
{The Naval Institute will pay $25.00 for each anecdote published in the Proceedings.)