Posted on 09/11/2002 9:13:09 PM PDT by Nitro
The Ammunition Ship Crew
Submitted by Archie Trader
(USS Mount Hood Survivor)
You can talk about your soldiers and the fighting mud Marines, Even talk about the Coast Guard and the Seabees, oh, so green, But you've never met a fighting man, a seaman oh so true Until you've met a sailor from an ammunition crew.
His nerves of steel are legend and his eyes, they always gleam, He's always working cargo, sometimes even in his dreams. He's looking for some break time, and any scheme will do, Talkin''bout a sailor from an ammo ship's deck crew.
Going into battles and invasions with the rest, Or hours and hours of unreps, you face the rugged test. Hoping that you're lucky and that the ship don't take a hit, Cause you simply can't afford that on an ammunition ship !
And when the battle's over and the others take a rest Even though you're awf'ly tired from giving all your best, There's a cruiser on the radar- more rearming to be done ! And you're the poor unfortunate, you pitiful son of a gun !
Sometimes other sailors get some liberty in town Have a chance to meet a lady, or chug a coupl'a rounds. But- Ammo ship crews rarely ever hear that happy news There's work to do and ships to serve ! The poor forgotten crews!
When the world war was over and we dreamed of going home We weren't allowed to go there, for these islands we must roam For we had on board six thousand tons of deadly TNT And we weren't allowed to dump it in the briny deep blue sea.
From the South Pacific isles to Korea's rocky coast, From dusty Port Chicago to a Yankee Station post, AE's are primed to serve your needs at any given hour With rockets, bombs and blood and sweat- American sea power.
So- now you've heard my story and here's a little tip: If you want your praise and glory, stay off an ammo ship. Yet, years and years thereafter, when the kid asks "Dad, What'd YOU do ? You can tell him with some well-earned pride- I was on an ammo crew !
{Apologies to Archie for some editing to update the poem a bit. It's still a classic. I believe most of it was written during WW2.}
Poem was found on the USS Mount Ranier (AE-5) Web Site.
Silly me.
at Earle New Jersey, Nitro had a sister ship Suribachi, which is good for your thought...
but there was also the Butte!!
Bad for the volcano thing.
that makes one bird that can soar in a no-fly zone!!
Just don't choke your parrot!
Must have take their liberty launches an hour to make the trip from ship to shore.
Salute to the men of the AE's.
...an AD sailor
but I can tell you about GTMO...
it was a 20 mike ride and I could carve Mt. Rushmore from the salt I had to scrape off my face...
of course we wore garbage bags on the way in!!
On the way back, who knew???
God Bless Uncle Sam's Canoe Club and all who serve!!
As an ammo bitch, you owe me for one smoke!!
You may be one of the few who know...
ammo ships don't sink...
they vaporize!!!
Yes, it was, in addition to being a RADAR Specialist.
I hope you'll be featured soon at the USO Canteen for FReeper Friday!
Ironically enough, Snow asked me once to do that and I was reluctant, I have one photo that looks OK, but it is in a Cruise Book and I don't have a scanner to imput it!
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