USS Whitehurst Logo by: Pat Stephens, Webmaster, DESA
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Assault with Batteries
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I
was lying in my rack trying to sleep one night while Chester
Fletcher MM2 & WWII Army vet, and someone else were making a lot of
noise shouting their points as they engaged in a Cribbage Game shortly
before lights out. They were sitting on some Damage Control
timbers that were stored at the base of the footlockers, beneath the
bunks in the Engineering sleeping compartment. I told them to quieten down or
I'd club them with a big 3 cell flashlight. Emphasizing my point, I
swung the flashlight toward Fletcher. Well the head of the flash
light came off. It appeared to me as if in slow motion,
the head and each of the three batteries struck Fletcher in quick
succession. Chester Fletcher, who was one of the largest men in
the engineering division, jumped up with a glare in his eyes like he
was going to kill me. My playful act had instantly become a
serious offense.
I swallowed hard as the lump in my throat
grew to egg size. I squeaked out a fast "I'm sorry, Chester." He bent
over and picked up the batteries off the floor, rolled them around in
his hand a few seconds, which seemed like years, then placed them in
my sweaty palms. He looked me squarely in the eye, gave me a quick
wink, then went back to the cribbage game. I retrieved the head and
put the flashlight back together, then went to bed. It was a little
quieter after that, or maybe I learned to tolerate noise a little
better. I guess my apology sounded sincere (and scared, after all, I
was only a 17 year old kid) and I sure am glad he accepted it and that
I am alive and able to tell this story to Max Crow. Chester is a
gentle man (and forgiving) and I look forward to his Christmas card
every year from Scapoose, Oregon, when he signs "Your old shipmate."
Thank you, Chester. Note: Chester Fletcher embarked on his final voyage 12-26-13 mc |
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