CREW'S STORIES
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I WAS THE LAST ONE TO LEAVE THE SHIP
LeRoy L. Smith
1968 - 1970
Subject:
Re: Just my story!
Date:
Wed, 27 Jun 2001 17:11:37 EDT
From:
Zimmith@aol.com
To:
Lonnie@lpwe.com
Hi Lonnie;
"I was assigned as Assistant to the Admin Officer, LT. A.S. Kelly, during the 1968 overseas cruise and through the subsequent yard period at Long Beach Naval Shipyard. I joined the ship on "Yankee Station" via the COD flight. Our Executive Department Leading Chief was PNCS Joe D. Pierce. Upon completion of the yard period and during replenishing for another overseas cruise, we received orders to proceed with Bennington to Naval Shipyard, Bremerton for decommissioning.
As leading Chief Yeoman, I was responsible to ensure the decommissioning entry was entered in the Ship's Log, and that the final Log was mailed. After the ceremony, the skipper signed the Log, I placed it in the mailing envelope, sealed it, and turned around to ask the skipper for permission to "depart the ship". He was half way down the gangway, and consequently, I was the last one to leave Bennington upon decommissioning.
I retired in 1979 as YNCM.
"Just my story!"
Thanks for bearing with me on this.
LeRoy L. Smith
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