This may sound like a stupid love story, but love is what we felt for her. She was the most majestic ship in the fleet and our constant traveling companion. If there ever was a role model in World War II it was the big E. as we were so fond of calling her.

     The only way to explain the true feelings of a sailor is to have been one. First you learn to love, respect, and obey the ocean. Then you become attached and committed to your ship while learning to admire and respect others.


     The destroyers were described as the gray hounds of the fleet. The only way I could describe the aircraft carrier Enterprise is as follows: she had the beauty of a flying fish and was as graceful as a dolphin. We were honored that we had a very important role in her operational duties.

     The old propeller driven aircraft were very difficult to get airborne off the short runway of a carrier even under ideal conditions. When you loaded them down with bombs and torpedoes it was almost impossible to make them fly. One of our duties was to pick up the pilots that had to ditch their airplanes during launchings or landings. We were also required to maneuver and intercept any enemy torpedo that may hit our beloved ship.

     During the many months we were with her we picked up lots of scared pilots from their sinking airplanes. Thank the good Lord we never had to take a torpedo.

     The Big E was very generous to us. When ever we would return the pilots she would always reward us with ice cream. This was something that was not available on the smaller ships. Any thing like that was a real luxury in the hot equatorial pacific.