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Served on Midway from
Oct.1971 to April 1974 in V-4 Division. I still remember all the
good times along with the not so good. The not so good night I
still recall is Oct. 24,1972. This was a time that all who were on
the flight deck became real men. We were all tested to see what
all the different fire fighting skills had taught us along with
any medical training.
I was stationed at the second fuel station port side pulling a
fuel hose under a F-4 taking it to an A-7 parked in center lane.
The hose became snagged on the tire of the F-4 witch caused me to
turn around only to notice that an
A-6 which was landing hit hard on her starboard landing gear
caused by what I feel was do to the rolling of the ship that
night. I have to admit that seeing this caused me to drop my fuel
hose on deck and return to the catwalk. Still in shock I ran to
the first hatch that would lead me away from this nightmare.
Upon entering this hatch with a look of despair I came face to
face with our division chief who reminded me that all of us were
needed to help those who have been hurt or even man a fire hose.
Once again I find myself on deck look to help anyone. At this time
the MB-5 fire truck had almost extinguished all of the fire. The
deck was covered in foam and this was covering the first shipmate
I found who was in real bad shape. So yelling for a stretcher crew
who responded to my call I again took to looking for others. Then
I heard a call for help coming from the port side just adjacent
from the angle deck. Responding I found one of the pilots of an
F-4 that was hit and spun off the deck into the sea. This Pilot
was in a lot of pain so again calling for a stretcher, we placed
this pilot on this and proceeded to #1 elevator with him.
At the end of this night we were all exhausted but came through as
a well trained crew would. I now was just 19 yrs. old and had just
stared death in the face. What sort of growing up dose this have
to do with us? I lost a friend that night who was even a little
younger then me from our division.
While writing this I still cry as I did that night, for I know
this lives in me and all those who were their that awful night. |
