LST-325 Added to Historic Register

[P. Greaney]

ANY officer commanding a ship is the 'Captain" and is called by that title, whatever his rank.
Hiring a pilot is a pretty standard practice as I understand matters.


Tommy

Sir;
I joined the United States Navy in 1982.
I am still in the Navy.
I know who and what a Captain is.
Jornlin never made it to Lieutenant (O3).
A Lieutenant (O3) in the Navy and Coast Guard is the equivalent of a Captain (O3) in the Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force.
I meant to imply that he was probably an idiot, an incompetant, a bufoon, a cretin, mentally unstable, or any number of things that would render someone unsuitable to advance in Naval service.
Once commisioned an officer in the Navy, almost anyone can make O3 (Lieutenant). All you have to do is your job or just make sure you have a capable Chief to make your people do their work and make you appear you know what you are doing.
Jorlin did not acheive that.
There was something wrong.
To paraphrase an often quoted sentiment in the service:
I have spent more time on a Navy crapper than he spent in the Navy.

I feel compelled to add that most Naval officers who are qualified to stand OOD, Officer of the Deck at sea and that includes XO and CO aren't qualified to get their "papers" to do the same job on a commercial vessel.

[Quarks]

Not meaning to hijack at all, but this story reminded me of how the CAF B-29 was saved from destruction.

Back in the early 70's a group of aging CAF pilots located one of the last remaining B-29s that had been abandoned in the desert for many years and they ferried it back to Harlingen, TX before the air force destroyed it.

They were able to procure just one from the US government and allowed to get it into condition to ferry it back to Texas. I doubt this would be able to happen today, but it remains the only flying B-29 in existence because they saved it.

Several years ago I talked to the pilot who flew it back and his tales from the adventure were 'interesting' to say the least.

He passed away from natural causes (old age) in his sleep this year.

below is a link to the story if anyone is interested.
B-29 "FIFI" History

We got to see Fifi actually flying some years ago at the Indy airshow.

At the time she was still in the paint scheme they had used for filming, I think, "The Right Stuff".

[M1Tommy]

Sir;
I joined the United States Navy in 1982.
I am still in the Navy.
I know who and what a Captain is.
Jornlin never made it to Lieutenant (O3).
A Lieutenant (O3) in the Navy and Coast Guard is the equivalent of a Captain (O3) in the Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force.
I meant to imply that he was probably an idiot, an incompetant, a bufoon, a cretin, mentally unstable, or any number of things that would render someone unsuitable to advance in Naval service.
Once commisioned an officer in the Navy, almost anyone can make O3 (Lieutenant). All you have to do is your job or just make sure you have a capable Chief to make your people do their work and make you appear you know what you are doing.
Jorlin did not acheive that.
There was something wrong.
To paraphrase an often quoted sentiment in the service:
I have spent more time on a Navy crapper than he spent in the Navy.

I feel compelled to add that most Naval officers who are qualified to stand OOD, Officer of the Deck at sea and that includes XO and CO aren't qualified to get their "papers" to do the same job on a commercial vessel.

Sir, You joined the Navy 5 years before I did. You stayed in; my thanks for your service and dedication, particularly during the 90's.

I understand your points, and agree. I know a little about OOD duties, even though I never officially stood that watch, and how there are some real 'cases' out there. Then it is very possible he just rained on the wrong person's parade. Politics are strong, you know.
The ship's passage was survived, albeit not without incident, and shouldn't be repeated that way again... agreed!

Thanks for the reply.
Sincerely,
Tommy (TMT2 USN/USNR '87-93)

[Harlan (Deceased)]

We got to see Fifi actually flying some years ago at the Indy airshow.

At the time she was still in the paint scheme they had used for filming, I think, "The Right Stuff".

It's quite a sight seeing her flying.

Yes, 'FIFI' was in that movie wearing a Korean war era paint scheme.

[Quarks]

It's quite a sight seeing her flying.

Yes, 'FIFI' was in that movie wearing a Korean war era paint scheme.

It is a sight, it's a memory that will stay with me always.

Takeoff of a B-29 is, to my eye anyway, kind of like the lift-off of a Saturn 5 rocket. So agonizingly slow, you're sure they've reached the end of the runway & are going to crash & burn. Then all of a sudden she's clawing her way skyward & you're standing there scolding yourself for doubting that it was ever going to happen.

Thanx for the trip down memory lane!

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Quarks,

I hve a close friend who lives near me and he flew the FIFI on tour for five years. He told me that flying it was like slow motion too. All the huge control surfaces are operated with pulleys, cables, and brute strength.

He claimed that you don't really fly the B29 - You just 'will it' to where you want it to go and it eventually gets there.