Blurry screen syndrome here...
Posted on 03/17/2015 9:18:14 PM PDT by Jim Robinson
When 85-year-old Bob Mountz arrived at the USS Midway Museum on Tuesday, his heart, he said, fluttered up toward his throat.
The former Navy hospital corpsman served aboard the Midway for two years in the mid-1950s, toward the end of the Korean War. He hadn’t seen the aircraft carrier since.
So it was, you might say, the wish of a lifetime to see the old ship again.
Mountz, from Fort Wayne, Ind., is dying of lung cancer.
His daughter nominated him to be sponsored by a charity that grants the final wishes of older people. The Denver-based group Wish of A Lifetime covered Mountz’s travel and hotel expenses in San Diego this week.
Daughter Laura Miller knew her dad would want to see the flattop. He had made a bucket list after receiving a diagnosis of Stage 4 cancer, and it included a reunion with the Midway.
“He talks about the war all the time,” said Miller, who accompanied her father to San Diego along with her sister Debbie Mountz.
And sure enough, standing with the help of a cane in the old ship’s hospital, the former sailor launched into a story about battling to save pilots who had crash-landed.
(Excerpt) Read more at utsandiego.com ...
I don't know if it's commonly accepted but *I*,at least,count Korean War vets as being part of "The Greatest Generation".
As someone who is becoming and old vet with great rapidly, I hold this vet in great esteem and am glad he got his wish.
Veteran ping.
Blurry screen syndrome here...
That is nice that they did this for him. Really touching. :)
Navy Bump from an old Army guy.
I have been on the Midway many times. I recommend it for anyone who visits San Diego.
Agreed! I,unlike some,don't go for these inter-service rivalries.I'm an old Army guy who knows that skill,bravery and selflessness are easily found in *all* the branches.
What a wonderful gift.
OMG!
Tears in my eyes.
God bless this man, and many thanks for his service.
I second that.
I’ve been aboard twice, and each tour was a thrill. I really try to soak up the vibe and imagine life underway. A carrier and a boomer are my fantasy duty stations.
I have been on the Midway many times. I recommend it for anyone who visits San Diego.
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I served aboard the FD Roosevelt which was a sister ship along with the Coral Sea. ....The “Rosie” was scrapped for razor blades in the ‘70s, I think.
I’ve been to San Diego twice since, but before the Midway was there. I would have loved to take my wife on a tour of the ship and show her where I worked at catapult consoles and berthed. Great memories.
The Midway is a very impressive ship!
Yes she is.
Of course, I didn't think so when I served aboard her for three years back in the late 70s.
She was homeported out of Yokosuka and we could not stay inport longer than 30 days at a time without off-loading some "stuff" in Subic Bay first.
So, needless to say, we spent a LOT of time at sea.
Wow...very cool. Thanks for sharing that. We took out kids to see it about 14 months ago. They were amazed with the visit. I’m glad they were able to preserve the ship as a museum, it’s a marvel that even today, most nations cannot manage to build and maintain.
Thank you for your service!
Wife and I toured the Midway a couple years ago.
Lots of history aboard this unique carrier.
Hubby served aboard the USS Midway when they pulled the AMB out of Nam. Impressive LADY. Glad they did not just scrap HER. Retired as a SCPO after 20 yrs.
The Midway is just a few miles from lair.
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