Posted on 07/04/2018 11:57:37 AM PDT by eastforker
After graduating from high school, Rickles enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served for two years during World War II on the USS Cyrene as a seaman first class. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
His ship departed Norfolk, Virginia 10 November 1944 transited the Panama Canal and arrived at Manus Province, in Papua New Guinea on 13 December to escort two squadrons of motor torpedo boats to Hollandia, New Guinea. She then sailed on convoy duty to Leyte Gulf, Phillipines, arriving 1 January 1945.
Cyrene then served as tender for PT Boasts, and on 17 January 1945 became flagship for Commander, Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons, 7th Fleet. After the war ended, she sailed from Samar PI on 21 December 1945 and arrived at San Francisco on 7 January 1946, reporting to the 12th Naval District for repair work in decommissioning small craft. Cyrene was decommissioned 2 July 1946 and delivered to the War Shipping Administration for disposal the same day.
He has said of one deployment, "It was so hot and humid, the crew rotted.
(Excerpt) Read more at navy.togetherweserved.com ...
I had forgotten about that. It’s hilarious.
Brutal was the norm.
My Dad also served in New Guinea, with the 32nd Infantry Division. He said the environment was harder on him than the Japanese, who were mostly back in the jungle and starving.
“Do you even know how to steer this ship, Admiral Hockey Puck!”
That ship reminds of the one in the movie “Mr Roberts”.
Funny you should mention that. It was my thought too. And with Don Rickles aboard … I bet there were some good stories!
I wonder if Don Rickles ever said to the captain “You Dummy!”
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