I was visiting my dad in 2008. He was 86 at the time. Came down stairs for morning coffee and he was sitting at his usual seat lost is deep thought. I asked what was on his mind. He replied “a question I never asked, and an answer I will never know. He continued, I had been aboard USS Yorktown for two years. My GQ stations had always been In Repair 5 as a hose handler on #2 hose team. The day before the Battle of the Coral Sea, I had the morning watch in the engine room (my dad was a machines mate striker) Go to the foot of the ladder in the space and the division Chief was there. He said “Kelley, next GQ you will be on the lower level of the engine room.” Aye, Aye, Chief, next GQ lower level of the engine room. I wondered why the chief had changed my GQ station. But in those days you did not as a Chief “why”, you just did as the man told you to do. Next day GQ early, the Battle of the Coral Sea was on. Nothing much that day, some sharp maneuvering to avoid Jap bombs, but no hits. Next Day, GQ, early in the afternoon, we felt a sharp shudder in the ship. Word came down, we have been hit, check for damage. I checked the lower level and reported no damage. A few minutes later we heard Repair 5 had been hit. Later on, we learned a Jap 500 lb. bomb had pierced the flight and hanger decks, exploding in Repair 5 area. Most of those men were killed. The fireman that replaced me on the hose team was dead. As I would have been, if the Chief had not changed my GQ station. I never asked “why” he changed my GQ station, and I will never know.” But he saved my life, by doing so. My dad was on Yorktown when it sank. Spent the rest of the war on USS West Virginia. He died 2010.
Your dad was one of the greats. You didn’t question your Chief in the 1970’s. On the boats (submarines) either. The Chief of the Boat (the COB) and my M-Div Chief were ( the man). As an MM3SS I learned this straight away. I have no idea what the change of station your dad went through was about, but I’d bet it was need related. The Chief probably wanted a more experienced sailor below at the start of an anticipated battle, than the man that replaced him. Anyway, he was a good sailor and followed orders, a good shipmate to the crew . The loss of the Lexington at Coral Sea and Yorktown at Midway hurt. It’s what all us characters sign up for when we go in harm’s way. Godspeed to all who serve. Thanks for your story.