The open sea beckoned us toward it, as I stared at the ever greater rise and fall of the bow. It seemed to be whispering “come my pretties,” as if somehow tied right into the wicked witch’s delivery from the Wizard of Oz.
Gularte made it up from the main cabin, just as we made our way forward, diving into one ever-growing swell after another. He bolstered himself into the seat that was between Richard and I but set back a few feet in the center.
It finally hit me. I’ve been reading the series since The First Ten Days and tonight I realized that if it were all in one volume, this would be one of those ‘can’t put it down’ books. As it is coming out chapter by chapter as you write, it’s like riding those huge swells in Richard’s yacht, up and down. Just keep them coming, Lt.
Not being critical, but the Maglite that Hoodoo pulled out of his pocket didn’t come out until the late 70s.
I guess you know that at least a few of your readers are old enough to remember Dr Strangelove.
Rich, thanks for the great compliment. On the Maglite issue, you are most correct. Back then we used the first ‘combat’ flashlight called a Key-Lite and I’ve made the edit because
of you. My mind juxtaposed the more common name for the newer version of that old flashlight these days. Thanks for the help and the fact that nobody else but you caught that!
Semper fi,
Jim
In the last chapter you mentioned being a sailor on the Lakes, you have indeed come a long way since your time on the ‘Morrell’.
Mike B. USN, ‘69 – ‘72
The loss of one man in particular, when the Morrell sank, hit me hard when I was off at college. The other deckhand was a college kid too but stayed on, and died that night,
to make more money for his tuition. I didn’t know him well. I did come to know and truly love the cook. We read the same series of westerns that would come in regularly
when the bum boat would tie up to us at anchor or after coming into ports. We would argue over the themes and philosophy the writer was attempting to express. It was
wonderful and he made special huge breakfasts for both of us deckhands because we labored so long and hard every day. That I would lose so many more wonderful men in the next few
years was still ahead of me….thanks for mentioning and catching that.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, your writing flows nicely, drawing the reader into the plot of the story – you make us part of your team. I guess “commanding attention” would be a good way to describe it.
You have a great team there with the “Seven Dwarves” – but I was amazed when you took “Snow White” for your moniker. Whatever works, though!
Write faster, doggone it! I’ve swallowed the hook, and you are reeling me in!
Semper Fi – and Anchors Away!
Thanks Craig. I never ‘took’ the nickname or Snow White nor that of ‘The Cherub” later on. So many nicknames in my life and not one of
them really satisfactory…Junior, Beach Boy, Beach Ball and more. You don’t get to pick your own nickname, however, and you certainly can’t get
rid of one either. Thanks for the intelligent and meaningful comment…and the compliment of your writing…
Semper fi,
Jim
Must be something to outrun the Coast Guard getting out there !!!
Good fast read on this Chapter James, keep ’em coming !
Semper Fi
I came to believe that the Coast Guard was more likely just running some other errand than shadowing us…as they certainly had a plethora of helicopters if they wanted to make sure we did not escape notice. I do believe that, at that time anyway, the investigation being conducted by the Dwarfs wasn’t considered particularly threatening or important.
Semper fi, and thanks for the great comment.
Jim
The plot thickens!! 😇😇. Another good one LT, thanks and Semper fi!
Thanks Joe, you short compliment hits where I’m soft. You guys and gals on here sure keep me going
and I’ve been on quite a roll in getting this story out…and some of that is due to a man named Jim Flynn
who sends superbly motivational help. But, the comments on here are sustaining in their own right, so I thank
you most sincerely,
Semper fi,
Jim
Oh yea, starting to see some connections coming thru here! Again you have done a super job Lt. keep going we will follow you to the very end of this, and I sense a call coming in to “see the man” very soon in your future Semper Fi sir!!!
The dreaded ‘see the man’ call always hit right in the stomach, as there was never any telling
what was going to come of it. Like reporting in to the leader of the Empire in movie Dune. Supreme power.
Thanks for the interesting and apropos comment. And the compliment, of course.
Semper fi,
Jim
another piece of very good writing. You capture the reader and you raise his level of expectation until you shut him down with no solution provided until the next episode you’re a cruel man. and recon we spent a lot of time in fast moving boats going over waves, and boy it can shake you around. This is a fascinating tale. What I’m really curious about is did you ever get the Polaroid back? I’ll kidding aside that’s quite a crew that you had and it’s not surprising, knowing you that your leader ship got instant loyalty from your man sky, Richard is a very intriguing man and I really wonder how many of your readers quite the Doctor Strange love reference you are a little cherub no doubt about it. Great work.
Thanks Richard, for the usual depth of comment you always provide.
I’m never sure when I’m writing just what the readers might get or not.
I just lay it down as it comes and try to live back in those moments.
I seemed to have more trouble having men and women like me than follow me! You are correct in that.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
“I poured over the photos, getting on my hands and knees to bend down” – I believe the word for closely examine the photos is “pored” as in – I pored over…..great work, wonderfully engaging story!
Thanks for the editing help and I shall see that is fixed.
Thanks as well for the great compliment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Looked up the Stoner 63. Found one that just sold at auction for $69,000.
If you are interested, here is the website of the auction:
https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/58/564/stoner-model-63a-fully-automatic-nfa-machine-gun
Thanks for the research. I had one once and sold it for about a grand back in the day….
funny how collectable stuff goes in price. Appreciate the care and the work…
Semper fi,
Jim
You have got me on the hook, and have since Thirty Days. I have always got the paperback after I read the story on line. Keep it coming Lt
Thanks Mike, much appreciate the compliment and your request for more, which is what I’m writing now.
Semper fi,
Jim
Woo Hoo!
A successful maritime mission, LT!
Successful from the fact that nobody died or was injured, your new ship survived its first mission, you and your ‘crew’ did not end up in the brig, and you did get some photos (and possibly some additional info during mission debriefing of the dwarfs when you get back on land).
And all it cost you (so far) was a $1,000 camera.
Can’t wait for this onion’s layers to be peeled away so answers to key questions are discovered.
Thanks, James.
Walter, it wasn’t really my camera, anyway. It was 180 bucks, or so, back then, which is equivalent to a grand today, most probably.
And I had the other one. The Dwarfs were the strangest collection of people I ever worked with although I thought of them as the mythical platoon
I never get to command in the Corps (and no, being a company commander in combat of hundreds of Marines is not the same at all). Thanks for the penetrating and very cogent comment and your usual deep compliment.
Semper fi,
Jim
You just keep stepping in the shit as the danger gets real and closer. Someone does not want any of this revealed and you’re in their way. Look out.
Seemingly peaceful but in reality perilous times back then. The inuring terror experiences in the Valley sort of insulating me from realizing it back home…so soon after. Thanks for the great comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
“Interesting”, a USN Capt at San Clemente? Good stuff and a well led operation! You took charge, communicated your intent and got out of the way to handle buffer!
Colonel Homan, eagle eye that you are and have always been. Yes, Captain in the Navy have eagles while Commanders have silver oak leaves.
But there it was and so I am leaving it. I was never that good on Navy ranks, particularly when it came and comes to the stripes on sleeves and
enlisted ranks. Thanks for catching that though.
Semper fi,
Jim
Last paragraph, “gun rang” should be gun range
Thank, Sam
Corrected
Great chapter. You probably “pored” over the photos instead of pouring something over them.
Indeed, Chris, I did, and thanks for the help in pointing that mistake out.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, So far, so good. I’m still waiting for all the pieces to come together. Richard’s boat seems like a dream.
Some minor editing suggestions follow:
I stared at the ever higher rise and fall of the bow
Maybe “greater” instead of “higher”
I stared at the ever greater rise and fall of the bow
“Are we out of our mind’s” he asked, not really in question.
Drop apostrophe in “mind’s”
Maybe substitute “as a” for “in”
“Are we out of our minds” he asked, not really as a question.
The vessel’s design and its making way through the waves was quiet
Maybe “progress” rather than “making way”
The vessel’s design and its progress through the waves was quiet
how deeply in trouble we might be when we get to the island
Better “deep” rather than “deeply”
how deep in trouble we might be when we get to the island
pointing forward just a bit off angled toward the port side from the tip of the rising and falling bow.
Maybe simplify to…
pointing forward just a bit to the port side from the tip of the rising and falling bow.
I pulled the Leica’s down to my lap and looked over at him
Add period at end of sentence
I pulled the Leica’s down to my lap and looked over at him.
was thrown to each side of now fast-moving craft in great high sheets
Maybe add “the” before “now”
was thrown to each side of the now fast-moving craft in great high sheets
I
studied the man while he worked
Backspace to join sentence fragments.
Maybe carriage return to start new paragraph.
weren’t words common to civilian’s in normal conversation
“Civilians” rather than “civilian’s”
weren’t words common to civilians in normal conversation
I knew I’d pay a price for the beating the boats movement was giving me
“boat’s” rather than “boats”
I knew I’d pay a price for the beating the boat’s movement was giving me
Richard pulled in his march larger craft to rest
“much” rather than “march”
Richard pulled in his much larger craft to rest
The bumpers protect the hull from the pier are in the big slots
Maybe add “that” after “bumpers”
The bumpers that protect the hull from the pier are in the big slots
Gularte complained, as he freed himself from his own bolster.
Maybe not needed as just above we have
“Gularte unstrapped from his bolster and climbed the short distance down to the main deck”
“Gularte ran from bow to stern to secure the lines.”
So shorten to:
“You need two people there?” Gularte complained.
keeping careful watch from the base of the pier, our own craft and the Dwarf’s searching the boat.
Substitute “over” for comma after “pier”
Drop apostrophe in “Dwarf’s”
keeping careful watch from the base of the pier over our own craft and the Dwarfs searching the boat.
I wanted pictures from the inside of the yacht’s cabin and bedroom interiors not stuff.
Maybe move “not stuff” after “pictures”
I wanted pictures not stuff from the inside of the yacht’s cabin and bedroom interiors.
Taking anything the might be known by other authorities
Substitute “that” for “the”
Taking anything that might be known by other authorities
jumped the sort distance down to the pier.
“short” rather than “sort”
jumped the short distance down to the pier.
Gularte and Bob, each station right
Maybe “stationed” rather than “station”
Gularte and Bob, each stationed right
I didn’t go down but instead motion for the three
Maybe “motioned” rather than “motion”
I didn’t go down but instead motioned for the three
taking out a Maglite flash
Maybe “flashlight”
taking out a Maglite flashlight
so moved to the opening in the rail
Add “I” before “moved”
so I moved to the opening in the rail
didn’t care in the least about its eventually physical condition.
Maybe “eventual” rather than “eventually”
didn’t care in the least about its eventual physical condition.
words from a movie or televisions how.
Space after “television”
Move “s” to “how” to make “show”
words from a movie or television show.
It pulled up just feet from where I stood, dust fly about,
Maybe “flying” rather than “fly”
It pulled up just feet from where I stood, dust flying about,
but there was nothing to be done of it except keep pushing
Maybe drop “of it”
but there was nothing to be done except keep pushing
Navy Officer ranks and insignia…
the passenger, a Navy Commander,
with eagles on his shirt collar,
Wikipedia is showing a Captain wears eagles
Commander wears silver oak leaves
Then the lieutenant commander said
lieutenant commander wears gold oak leaves
Let’s decide on his rank – then give him the appropriate insignia
Seems Lieutenant commander is used several times later.
the passenger, a Navy lieutenant commander,
with gold oak leaves on his shirt collar,
from whoever was behind the taking of the yacht
Since “from” is a preposition then “whomever”
from whomever was behind the taking of the yacht
Hoodoo said the words while spread both arms out
Maybe “spreading” instead of “spread”
Hoodoo said the words while spreading both arms out
Elwell untied the ropes fore and after
Maybe “aft” rather than “after”
Elwell untied the ropes fore and aft
display the photos across one the white coffee tables
Add “of” after “one”
display the photos across one of the white coffee tables
tilted up along the edge of hinge part way past its center
Maybe add “a” before “hinge”
tilted up along the edge of a hinge part way past its center
Richard had said about the performance craft facing into the waves instead of running with a following sea.
Maybe add “of the” before “craft”
Richard had said about the performance of the craft facing into the waves instead of running with a following sea.
and Steed all laid down
“lay” rather than “laid”
and Steed all lay down
Secret Service at their gun rang in Washington D.C.
“range” rather than “rang”
Secret Service at their gun range in Washington D.C.
“Stoner system, the very same system the government later bought and redesigned as the M-16 had been provided to the Secret Service at their gun range in Washington D.C. prior to its submission to the Pentagon.”
The above needs revision.
Eugene Stoner did design the rifle that became the M16 aka AR-15. It was first manufactured by ArmaLite. The AR-15 design was licensed to Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company (later Colt’s Manufacturing LLC) in 1959, and upon its adoption by the U.S. Air Force in 1962, the AR-15 was designated the M16 by the Department of Defense.
Stoner 63
http://modernfirearms.net/en/assault-rifles/u-s-a-assault-rifles/stoner-63-eng
A newer design by Stoner that was used by Navy SEALs and designated Mk.23 mod.0 LMG (Light Machine Gun). Fired 5.56x45mm M193 ammo.
Overall, some 3,500 to 4,000 Stoner 63 weapon kits were produced between 1962 and 1971. Of those, some 2400 Stoner 63 Light machine guns were purchased by US Navy for issue to special forces in Vietnam, and about 100 more were bought for US Navy S.E.A.L.’s in improved Mk.23 mod.0 version.
Manufacturer was Cadillac Gage Corp.
So…
“I knew the Stoner weapons system and I also knew that the 63 was the number that company used to describe an automatic weapons system it had invented.”
The above can stand even though not completely correct about company name.
Below is accurate plus makes the weapon seem a bit more spooky.
Stoner system, the very same system the government later bought and designated as the Mk23 used by Navy S.E.A.L’s had been provided to the Secret Service at their gun range in Washington D.C. prior to its submission to the Pentagon.”
Blessings & Be Well
As always, I am so honored with your support and abilities helping me on these journeys, Dan,
Thanks again.
I thought the original “Stoner” was 7.62 NATO
Nope, Robert. Stoner did go on to produce the system in NATO 7.62 because it was thought that
the Europeans would never except what they considered a ‘varmint’ round for combat use.
Semper fi,
Jim
From the article about the Stoner 63 whose URL appears in my above comment: “First prototypes, chambered for 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition, appeared in 1962, known as Stoner 62. Just a year later Stoner turned out a new system, chambered for 5.56×45 M193 US service round, and known as Stoner 63”. Further research on “Stoner 62” might provide more info.
thanks, as usual, DanC.
Semper fi,
Jim