50 Years Ago Today –Mullinnix Returns to Norfolk

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

On 21 November, the ship performed maneuvering exercises with numerous ships including USS Suribachi AE-21. Regardless how hectic a ship’s exercises may be, the Navy can always find time for a good ole’ fashion Captain’s Mass even during the most busy of times as Seaman Recruit (SR) Tegtmeier found out the hard way. And, God help Fireman Maurice if he ever decides to return to the ship. She returned to Norfolk on the morning of 22 November. Tegtmeier met his ‘party’ on the quarterdeck and they escorted him to the U.S. Naval Brig at Camp Allen for three days of the Navy’s version of a Weight Watchers diet. Shortly after that, with the USS Hank DD-702 moored alongside to port outboard, the ship’s damage control party put out a trash container fire on the pier at 2245, using a firehouse broken out amidships.

With the crew bolstered by two with the return of SD3 Goodman (courtesy of the local Shore Patrol) and SHSN Bennett (on his own), the ship was ordered underway once again on 30 November, along with four other ships of DESRON 32, to join the Caribbean Naval Patrols. While enroute, the crew practiced small arms off the fantail, expending 1600 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition. 1600 rounds? Did they save any for the Commies? They crew was then mustered to GQ and all 5-in mounts were fired expending a few star shells and AA common. Not to be out done, the 3-in crews showed off by firing 40 rounds 3”/50 VT(NF) projectiles.
On Saturday morning, 3 December, the ship met up with USS Nipmuc ATF-157 and transferred two camera personnel via the motor whale boat. The day was calm, patches of pale blue were appeared over low streaks of clouds, the pale grey tinged with pink. With the opportunity to show off for the cameras, the ship commenced gunnery exercises, expending 41 rounds of BL&P, 60 rounds AA common, 96 cases of non flashless powder, and 5 cases of flashless powder. At 1423, with the Captain on the CONN and the aid of YTB 524, she tied up to pier Charlie, U.S. Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba with standard lines. As GITMO custom dictates, any ship refuels ASAP after tying up the pier – just in case. Yes, even before liberty call. For some the day was even longer. RMCS Wood and six of his shipmates drew the short straw and pulled Shore Patrol duty.

Sunday isn’t an observed holiday in GITMO. Must be a Castro thing. Mullinnix was underway for a couple days of exercises with the USS Wasp CVS-18 and USS Pawcatuck AO-108. She was back in GITMO Tuesday evening, 6 December, moored portside to pier Lima. Later that evening, USS Ingham W-35 moored alongside to starboard. The Ingham was a Secretary Class Coast Guard Combat Cutter from World War II. These 327 foot ships kept the lifelines of the Allied war effort open, escorting convoys across the Atlantic, down the seaboard of the US, and through the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. The USS Alexander Hamilton CG (WPG-34), fell victim to a U-boat's torpedo in January, 1942, becoming the first US warship lost in combat in the Atlantic after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

To be continued...
Cheers,
Woody