50 Years Ago Today – Mullinnix Departs Athens, Greece
Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood
The ship steamed out of Athens on 22 May.
At 1403 on 22 May, Mullinnix sighted jet aircraft launched from USS Roosevelt’s port catapult crash about 100 yards ahead of carrier. The captain to the conn as he had observed a partly opened parachute about 20-30 feet above the water and about 100 yards astern of Roosevelt. A Navy helicopter raced to the scene and hovered over the parachute. Mullinnix proceeded to position of helo while she dropped the helo crew member into the water to assist the downed pilot. All engines stopped was ordered at 1413 while the helo crew recovered the pilot and left area to resume rescue helo station on carrier. Mullinnix was directed to undertake rescue of downed pilot. She lowered the motor whale boat to search area of crash. The pilot’s parachute was no longer visible. She proceeded to search the crash area steering various courses and speeds. The Mux’ whale boat recovered small pieces of aircraft debris, but their was no evidience of the pilot. Roosevelt ordered carrier propeller aircraft to assist in the search. At 1530, USS Little Rock CLG-4 and USS Laffey DD-724 joined in the search. At 1550, Mullinnix recovered her motor whale boat. The pilot was never recovered.
Mullinnix continued to participate in flight ops with Roosevelt until 24 May. That afternoon at 1512, following a successful full power run at 32 knots, she intercepted a message on fleet broadcast that said a passenger aboard SS Atlantic, 100 miles east of Malta, required assistance due to a possible perforated ulcer. Roosevelt dispatched a helicopter and Mullinnix steamed toward the stricken ship, spotting her at 1530. Ready to lower the whaleboat, the Navy decided to transfer the patient via helicopter.
To be continued...
Cheers,
Woody
The ship steamed out of Athens on 22 May.
At 1403 on 22 May, Mullinnix sighted jet aircraft launched from USS Roosevelt’s port catapult crash about 100 yards ahead of carrier. The captain to the conn as he had observed a partly opened parachute about 20-30 feet above the water and about 100 yards astern of Roosevelt. A Navy helicopter raced to the scene and hovered over the parachute. Mullinnix proceeded to position of helo while she dropped the helo crew member into the water to assist the downed pilot. All engines stopped was ordered at 1413 while the helo crew recovered the pilot and left area to resume rescue helo station on carrier. Mullinnix was directed to undertake rescue of downed pilot. She lowered the motor whale boat to search area of crash. The pilot’s parachute was no longer visible. She proceeded to search the crash area steering various courses and speeds. The Mux’ whale boat recovered small pieces of aircraft debris, but their was no evidience of the pilot. Roosevelt ordered carrier propeller aircraft to assist in the search. At 1530, USS Little Rock CLG-4 and USS Laffey DD-724 joined in the search. At 1550, Mullinnix recovered her motor whale boat. The pilot was never recovered.
Mullinnix continued to participate in flight ops with Roosevelt until 24 May. That afternoon at 1512, following a successful full power run at 32 knots, she intercepted a message on fleet broadcast that said a passenger aboard SS Atlantic, 100 miles east of Malta, required assistance due to a possible perforated ulcer. Roosevelt dispatched a helicopter and Mullinnix steamed toward the stricken ship, spotting her at 1530. Ready to lower the whaleboat, the Navy decided to transfer the patient via helicopter.
To be continued...
Cheers,
Woody
posted by Frank A. Wood at 19:44
1 Comments:
I remember this.
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