50 Years Ago Today – Mullinnix Leaves Eregli, Turkey / Arrives Samsun, Turkey

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

The following morning, with the anchor aweigh at 0925 and the Captain on the conn, the ship headed to Samsun, Turkey, dropping anchor in this port at 0743 on 27 March.

At 0830, The Chief of Security, Samsun, Turkey, representig the Governor, made an official call on Captain John H. Carmichael, USN, COMDESRON 32. As customary, Mullinnix rendered honors. At 0921, COMDESRON 32 left the ship to call officially on the Governor, Samsun, Turkey and to lay a wreath at the monument of Ataturk. Later in the day, the Governor of Samsun returned the official call of COMDESRON 32.

Samsun, a relatively small village, is the provincial capital of Samsun Province and a major Black Sea port. Samsun is a long city that extends along the coast between two river deltas which jut into the Black Sea. It is located at the end of an ancient route from Cappadocia: the Amisos of antiquity lay on the headland northwest of the modern city. To Samsun's west, lies the Kızılırmak ("Red River", the Halys of antiquity), one of the longest rivers in Anatolia and its fertile delta. To the east, lie the Yeşilırmak ("Green River", the Iris of antiquity) and its delta

The US Air Force Radar site detachment invited Mullinnix for dinner and a softball game. The detachment was somewhat surprised to learn (the hard way) that the Mighty Mux had one hell of a softball team. A team, that would be invited to the All European Softball tournament in Naples, Italy later that year

The detachment’s surprised the Mux team when they brought out their mascot – a huge brown bar named Ivan. Ivan, like the service men, was fond of beer. Between softball, beer, and Ivan, the crew had a couple hours in which home was just a little closer in their hearts and minds.

The ship was underway the following morning for Istanbul, Turkey. Darkened ship was ordered with the exception of navigational lights, typical operations in this part of the world. Their Russian escort picked them up just outside the harbor and accompanied the ship back to the Straights. Before entering Istanbul harbor, the ship refueled from USS Salamonie AO-26. She anchored in Istanbul Harbor at 1121

To be continued...

Cheers,

Woody