Ports of Call

At sea (Pacific) for 2 years as the Commanding Officer of the Marine Detachment aboard the USS Oklahoma City (CG-5), I became a pretty good mariner I think, but my 50 plus Marines were magnificent while under way and “hell on wheels” in protocol ports — which is the way it should be I suppose.

I post this remembrance of them and the late Captain Paul Butcher, USN, Commanding Officer of the ship who cared as much for them as I did. I invited the Captain to be the guest speaker as we celebrated the Marine Corps birthday while underway in 1976. When I introduced him as the speaker, I said, “Captain Butcher should have been a Marine and that is highest compliment Marines pay to one who is from another service.” He teared up and had to gather himself before he could commence. A great sailor he was!