COUGAR SCREAM

According to press reports a pay bill discussed in last week's ship's paper, became law during the week when signed by the President. The new law increases the pay of all enlisted men of the Navy and Marine Corps. In the lowest pay grade, the minimum pay is fifty dollars a month.

The yearly salaries of ensigns and second lieutenants are raised three hundred dollars.

Previously, pay in the Navy was higher generally than in other branches of the service. The new bill will place the pay of all in the lowest grades in the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Coast Guard, Coast and Geodetic Survey and Public Health Services on the same basis.

The increased pay and allowances including twenty percent for sea duty make the American sailor, marine and soldier the best paid fighting man in the world.

Why not make your surplus dollars also engage actively in the fight for victory by buying war bonds? The money will be used to purchase additional fighting material. In this ship there is now more that $180,000 "riding" on the books.

This amount and future investments in bonds could make a substantial contribution to our country's cause. Money so invested is returned with interest. The bonds can be converted at any time after sixty days from date of purchase, but they are worth more than currency in that their value increases every year for ten years.

Good news received on board during the week resulted in many promotions of officers to the next higher rank.

All hands extend heartiest congratulations.

Deepest sympathy is expressed by all hands to Eugene Roger Rembert F1c, "A" Division, who on Thursday received from his mother the sad news of the death of his sister, Mrs. Ina Bruce. In the last mail, Rembert had received word that she had been ill.

Funeral Service were held on 17 June in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana.

Lieutenant (jg) R. E. Harris enjoys a diversity of interests. Frequently officers and members of the crew have seen him go ashore with his bow and arrows--a modern version of Robin Hood. He likes roving shooting—a form of archery in which a blunt hunting arrow is shot at different objects, including sticks, stones, and trees, while wandering about hills and fields. He uses a thirty-five pound bow which he made when thirteen years old, He started to shoot when an archery store and range was built near his home. The store folded up, but his interest in the sport lasted. At one time he was archery instructor in Pittsburgh, his home.

Music is another of Mr. Harris' interests. He sang with the Glee Club and later was leader while at the Naval Academy. At seventeen he had his own swing band. He played a sax, which he says attempted to represent "solid senders", but sounded definitely "Mickey Mouse". He has also played with marching and concert bands, but has given up instruments in favor of the voice-it's easier to carry--and now frequently gets together with three other officers aboard to sing as a quartet.

Before entering the Academy, Mr. Harris attended the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Political Science and English. While at Annapolls he played on an intermural soccer team, and was manager of a gymnastics team which copped the Eastern Intercollegiate Championship.

History has been rewritten. The same chief petty officers who were accused of being old and decrepit in last week's issue, put on a wonderful exhibition of what grade "A" softball really is. They accepted the challenge of the C.P.Os. from another ship and wound up on the long end of a 7 to 6 score.

It was truly a well played game, with errors kept to a minimum on both sides. There wore two pitchers used on each team and the four allowed only three passes, only one of which added up into the run column. Bouquets go to Kolaja, the Washington right fielder for the only circuit blow. It was his first time at bat -- one strike was called and the next ball pitched sailed far out into left field. The only two base hit went to Barcz, C.M.M., while triples were counted by Marples and Shulenkamp of the opposing squad.

About the only real excitement of the game came in the fifth inning when Barcz doubled and advanced to third on Hutto's single. Kolaja then singled and the throw went to third base to trap Barcz between third and home. Hutto made second safely but thinking he could make third on Barcz's rundown, left second and was caught off base.

The lineups were as follows: WASHINGTON--Barcz, 3b; Hutto, c; Kolaja, r.f.; Soles, s.s.; Roberts, l.f.; Butler, s.f.; Damon, 1b.; Bozeman, 2b.; Shay, c.f.; Haley, p.;--Anderson relieved Roberts in the fifth and Haugh relieved Damon in the fourth inning.

Opponents--Mancini, c.f.; Levesque, c.; Marples, 1b.; Helm, s.f.; Hause, s.s.; Leysath, 3b; Shulenkamp, r.f.; Masse, p.; Cardosi, I.f.; McFarlane, 2b.;--Masse and Marples changed positions in the fifth inning. Final score, Washington 7, Opponents 5.

Cheerfulness, always a virtue, is doubly so today. Writing for American business men, B.C. Forbes recently advocated its constant practice. The same holds true for all in our country's service.

The whole world is in a sad plight. The preservation of civilization is at stake. The destiny of our own land is imperiled as never before.

Is it futile, therefore to urge cheerfulness? No.

"The man worth while is the one who can smile when everything goes dead wrong-". Not only is the heroic exercise of cheerfulness of incalculable value for our own mental and physical well being, but we owe it, during these gruelling times, to others; we owe it; to the Navy; we owe it to the Nation.

Cheerfulness, even in force of adversity, can aid in winning the war.

Did not Hitler attach momentous importance to undermining the morale of Britons and other enemies, confident that, if he could break their spirits he could break their resistance? Propaganda was one of the mightiest weapons during the last World War. It is being used again on a vast scale. Has not our own government established agencies to inspire morale, which is another name for cheerfulness, among our armed forces? And have not organizations galore, national and local, been set up for the same purpose?

General MacArthur and his noble followers won universal admiration, not alone because of their deeds, but also because of the spirit they all along exhibited. No whimpering, no whining, no self-pity.

Was it not Franklin D. Roosevelt's cheerful self-confidence which did so much to dispel nationwide panickyness after he first took office? Each of us, no matter what our rank or rating, must determinedly cultivate and practice cheerfulness.

Be cheerful!

It's the early morning watch and the sky control officer is standing in the doorway of his headquarters apparently gazing out on the first gray signs of morning breaking through. But one look at his face and you know he's seeing the girl he left behind and none of the dismal panorama outside. The pleasant revery is broken by Whitaker, of bad dope fame, who relays the word from Mike Battery 13 that they're wondering what time it is. The change is instantaneous. Off comes the sky control officer's cap and out comes another handful of that already fast thinning hair. For the 253rd time the whole battery receives a lecure on unofficial conversation. That seems to shut; them up but not 5 feet away is printer Hartmann and the look on his face indicates that all is not quiet on the one-ten circuit. Very quietly the officer slips on the one-ten phones just in time to hear "gunnery captain" Willie Parsons holding forth to our completely domesticated Ingram on the joy and blessings of an unmarried life. One prolonged blast into that circuit brings them back into the regulation fold but not before the faint echoes of another Quinton "whopper" are stifled.

Out on the lookout platform San Soucie and Maddock are still kidding Stanton about that autogiro (the first he had ever seen). The sky control officer takes a look over the shield and down below is Gunner's Mate Nutt killing two birds with one stone by jumping around and flopping his arms to keep warm at the same time reducing the old waist line. On the other side, on Mike Battery 4, you can see Ayers, Pfc, regaling those who will watch with a song and dance about a girl whose name was Myrtle.

Maybe everything is a little too quiet down there so Chavalovsky, guardian angel of all machine guns and bogey man of drowsy gunners goes off to check up. He passes by Butkivich unseen, for that person is busily thinking up new plans for retrieving that lost two dollars. Alien, our ex-tailor and now crack machine gunner of the ship, looks very chipper for so early in the morning. And there's "V" Division's Kowalsky remembering back to the days of World War I when war was really--war! On the way back is Duffy of the 3rd Division chewing over that McGraw fight with his new moustache named Ed, so called because it's two-thirds red (get it?). Yes the battery is alert, and now the reliefs are coming up. Not a bad watch.

Protestant Divine Services will be held on board at 0830 in No. 1 Mess Compt. by Chaplain C.W. Nelson. A large congregation greeted Chaplain Nelson on a former visit to this ship and it is hoped that another capacity crowd will be present Sunday.

I pray thee God to let me live

A life of service, e'er to give,

To those less fortunate than I,

Without a murmur or a sigh.

And to my Mother let me be,

A son she's proud for all to see;

Pray let her each remaining year

Be filled by love, from those so dear.



And to my Country, let me heed

Her call, in this her time of need;

Of my life's blood I'll gladly give

That she may through the ages live.

But for myself, I've naught to ask,

Except for strength to do my task;

Pray be your work, my only goal,

Until the day you take my soul.

           By: J. I. Stanley WT2c

                        "PA" Division

"PF" Division has been singing the blues, a plaintive lament entitled "Oh That Golden Slipper".

The 5th Division is probably the "fightenest" division aboard--in the early a.m. Seems when the division P.P.O. calls his men in the morning he does it by a hatch which he dives down immediately afterwards to escape the flying shoes, etc. There are even sections of the division where his life is in danger after the first call.

What everyone wants to know--where can we get some straight scuttlebutt or reasonable facsimile of same?

Mr. Beaver recently visited the print shop and tried his hand at feeding a press, with the comment that one can learn something new every day.

It seems that the spirit of the "G" Division is still picking up. With the painting of the compartment over, and everything again ship shape, the fellows are beginning to get a fine "esprit de corps". Esprit de corps once was defined as the ability of a sailor to lie like heck for his ship.

R. B. Yarbo Sea2c of the 8th Division, is one of those fighting grapplers we see working out in the mess compartments. Before joining the Navy, he was a waiter in a restaurant in Missouri. He started wrestling while in the Boy Scouts and has kept at it ever since. Now one of Mr. Heimark's best prospects for the team, Yarbo is expected to go far in leg drives, half-nelson and crotch pins.

Some sailors gag, throw their money away,

In every port and clim

e!

T'is all very true,

But with the new pay bill through,

They'll still be broke most of the time!

Three cheers for Congress, the President, and the United States in general! The new pay bill is IN! And if any of youse guys aren't convinced that our good old United States is the best country in the world in every respect, well, you haven't a very observing nature.

With so many ranks and rates to the fore, we pity the poor lower grades who will have to exert a little extra until--until they themselves are moved up a notch. (So be sure to study that A to N boys!) Boyer and Lukinovich, two of dear old Louisiana's native sons, seem to be getting thicker every day. Or, as their sidekick, Zomblonski, the pride of Poland, would say, "ticker".

What SK1c, alias Snuffy Smith the Yard Bird, (at least he quite resembles him, though the original Snuffy is much younger, being only fifty-two) is always crowing about that visionary farm in South Carolina? Does he mean the C.S.K. in the NORTH Carolina???

"Moon" Mullens, the original character for Grumpy in "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" listened to a little growling himself as of last Wednesday. And by none other than -- you'd be surprised!

We understand "Goose Grease" Gosgrove is already advanced to the stage of studying blue prints in preparation for becoming a carpenter's mate. He found out that no matter how hard you try to fit moulding to a picture frame it won't get any longer by cutting the end off!

Speaking of bodily injuries, what hatch did Bandmaster Koontz run into??? D'Artagnan Giele is doing a good job on our wash-rag. We might even say he is becoming a "specialist" in the subject! If you want a laugh drop down to Tailor Mantooth's diggings when he is in the throes of having his daily war nerves. He'll put you in stitches! (at a reasonable rate).

Then there's the southern boy who was having dinner with friends up north. When asked if he wanted a helping of corn he passed his glass! Spying is simple--just the ceaseless
collection of fragments of facts.

There is a certain Repair 2 Yoke patrol of which the senior member always has a Shadow trailing. Their motto is "Two (2) fingers for Repair 2" or "V" and the Shadow knows all.

It is interesting to know that the 21 members of the WASHINGTON Band have a total service in the Navy of 293 years. An average of approximately 14 years per man. The orchestra composed of certain members of the band, is doing its part for the ship's entertainment.

All the fellows in the Ship's Service are to be congratulated on the fine work they are doing, for without them our haircuts would not be so neat or our clothes cleaned and pressed so nicely.

Did you know...That Hitler has to wash his feet several times a day now...He smells DEFEAT...

Ten minutes past Midnight on May 10...Out of the fog roared a Nazi torpedo boat, engines turning up 40 knots. It drove straight into the BULLDOG'S quarter, caromed against the stricken KELLY'S bow, then bulleted into the pitchblackness with its crew yelling like demons. Sudden silence indicated that the T.B. sank immediately.

But this accidental encounter added to the KELLY'S woes. It tore away her starboard whaler, motorboat, davits and guard rail.

Three hours later; same day...Rejoining, the KANDAHAR helped transfer the wounded. Because the KELLY'S sickbay was wrecked, its electric power inoperative, its heating system ruined, and its water supply almost gone no proper facilities existed aboard the smashed ship for care of casualties. The shift of personnel from the KELLY to the KANDAHAR proved a risky mission.

At 0430, with dawn breaking the first Nazi bombers swung out of the east.

Alongside, the two ships presented a splendid target.

But cool courage prevailed aboard. Anti-aircraft gunfire and the providential arrival of three American-built Lockheed Hudson reconnaissance bombers from the Coastal Command drove off the Germans. By mid-morning H.M.S. FURY and GALLANT joined as escort; and afternoon saw the cruisers MANCHESTER and SHEFFIELD in the squadron that accompanied the battered KELLY.

Repeatedly, the Nazis attacked from the air.

As repeatedly, they were thwarted.

Twice on May 10, the KELLY proved unmanageable, and the length and strength of the tow had to be altered.

At 0545 next day, both wind and sea rose considerably. Laboring with a heavy list, the KELLY yawed badly. A particularly heavy sea snapped the tow. Immediately the destroyers' commander radioed the Vice-Admiral commanding the 18th Cruiser Squadron for two tugs.

In reply, the Admiral urged abandonment and sinking of the KELLY.

At once, the destroyer captain asked to be permitted to pursue his attempt to save the year-old destroyer.

Granted.

By 1400, May 11, the KELLY'S situation seemed hopeless. Her list had increased until it appeared she might sink at any moment. At this juncture, every man aboard, save those needed to fight the guns, was removed to one of the escorts. Again the enemy attacked from the skies. Score: no hits in the Germans' heaviest aerial onslaught.

Aboard the KELLY, eighteen volunteers remained. Six were officers, twelve seamen.

Heavy seas, breaking over her, made further towing impossible. Awaiting a. break in the weather, lines were disengaged. Waterlogged, without motive power, the KELLY faced the elements. Report of two enemy submarines in her direct path caused her captain to abandon ship temporarily. While his volunteer party awaited their chance to rejoin her, the KELLY formed the pivot of an endless chain circle patrol of escorting destroyers. This continued unabated through the dark hours, seas churned through her damaged boiler rooms.

May 12 thundered in with more gales.

At 1800,''less than two hours after a pair of tugs got the KELLY in tow, she began shipping seas which shook her crazily. Combers washed aboard her, starboard gunwale to portside.

Noon found the Nazis back again.

Hammering from the air, their planes almost succeeded in administering the mortal blow.

Sheer heroism saved the KELLY. So did training.

Her whole electrical system had been knocked out of commission. Yet the volunteer crew worked the guns by hand, scrambling over the wrecked deck from one battery to another as the willy-nilly seas brought them, quite by chance, to bear on the enemy. An A.B. who had offered to serve as cook for the eighteen resolute men dashed from his galley stewpans to his gun and back again during lulls. He wore his white apron -- and a steel helmet-- throughout these activities.

With this the British account ends: "Towards evening the wind dropped, and the rest of the tow preceeded without mishap at a good six knots. On May 13, at 1830, having been 91 hours in tow or hove to, the KELLY with her escort passed up the river to her builder's yard."

There is an epilogue to this saga. A false one.

It had been written three days earlier in Britain by an official penning the High Command Communique. It said crisply that "In operations off the German Coast a British destroyer was torpedoed and sunk by a motor torpedo boat."

You need no underscored object lesson in this tale of the H.M.S. KELLY.

She could have been abandoned--but she was brought home to undergo repairs and fight again.

She suffered everything a modern warship can suffer--but she lived through it while her men put into effective use all the hard won lessons of practice at General Quarters and damage control.

She could well have been deemed unable to face further action--but her volunteer crew worked supposedly unworkable batteries by hand and let storming seas do the aiming.

Her escort could have taken the easy course of removing her crew and sinking her--but they fulfilled their mission.