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Text Box: Inspections
By: Tom Lucas (MM-3)

John, This was witnessed by some people you know, like McGavock, Goble, Solari, Walkanshaw, Klebacher, Heitz, and some more

All military services hold inspections, and so did the navy I was in. But I stood more inspections in one week at boot camp, than I did the reaming four years in the navy aboard the Stone.
The Whetstone being in the amphibious navy was kind of laid back, and we just didn't have many inspections. I know there were more, but I only remember being in three captains inspections on my Whetstone tour. There was one OX inspection when LTCDR Moholland came aboard as XO, he had a ship inspection. I was in Starboard Engine room at the time. He came down the ladder, and stopped on the upper level. He spoke to no one, but looked around while standing in that one spot. Then he went back up the ladder.
The second captain’s inspection was shortly after the crew was awarded the "Nation Defense Service Medal" for responding to the "Gulf of Tonkin" incident in 1964. We were anchored at Okinawa when the incident occurred causing the Viet-Nam war; and four days later we were off the coast of Dan-Nang V-N, with a load of marines. When we returned to a Japan, we got the medals, and then we all stood inspection so Captain French could see our medals. Shortly after that inspection, the department of the navy un-authorized us to wear them; they were replaced by the "Viet-Nam Campaign Medal", but we all wore the NDS ribbons anyway.
The third I remember was under Capt. Seabaugh. Nothing was special about that one. The good Captain just wanted to inspect his new command. Though, I still remember LTGJ Cox being one of the few officers to wear a sword at that inspection. There was one CPO to wear one on that day also. I learned on that day, that the officers and the CPOs had different kinds of Swords. The officer’s blades were straight, and the others had a slight curve in it, kind of like a Calvary sword, but not as preannounce. Now to my FIRST inspection aboard the Stone, a different story all together. Every body knows that mess cooks don't stand inspections. I was working in the scullery running trays through the dish washer, and a petty officer came and told me to go get ready for inspection. WHAT ? ?
I was a FA at the time, and a mess cook, what could possibly be the reason for this mistake. I ask Chief Rutledge MMC, what was going on and he said, "Just get ready". Rutledge was always blunt like that. My blues were in a mess, my shoes needed shinning, and I only had about 5 minutes to get ready. I put on my dingy blues, and tried to polish my shoes. I got the shoes kind of fixed, but on the way to the flight deck, I stopped in the machine shop and found a rag to touch up the shoes a little more. That rag must have had a little oil in it, because the more I rubbed my right shoe, the worse it looked. Disgusted and worried I went on to the flight

Text Box: deck. There we formed up the ranks, and the inspection began.
When Capt. French got to me, he said, "Son your uniform needs to go to the cleaners". Then he looked at my shoes, and said, "Your shoes could use a bit more work". As he went on to the next man, I saw the Yeoman start to write on his clipboard. Then I saw the XO shake his head and hand meaning no, and the Yeoman erased his report. I thought that was strange.
When the inspection was over, we formed ranks facing the stern, where there was a podium. LTJG Wood said to me: "Don't worry about anything, we are proud of you. Then I was informed that I would be receiving some kind of award. Now this was a real shock.
I was told, "When they call your name, just walk out to the center, then go up to the podium. Then salute and when you leave salute again". I could not imagine what was going on; I haven't done a thing to be recognized for.
My name was the first called. "Lucas, Fireman Apprentice, front and center", so I went up to the podium and there was Capt. French, so I saluted.
At first the Captain just looked at me, us both knowing he had just hit me at inspection. Then he begin to read from a piece of paper. I was receiving a Commendation for Performance of Duty, and it would become a permanent part of my service record. It stated that my performance during underway inspection, had contributed to the winning of the Engineering Efficiency E-
I was baffled; I had only done what I had been told to do. We held the usual fire drills, and the torpedo hit thing, and a few other things. My mind was still on my dirty uniform, and my bad looking shoes.
Capt French shook my hand and I want back to my place in the ranks. When I got back in place, I was informed that I had forgotten to salute the captain before I left the podium.
Then they called Mickley, BM-1 and he received a good conduct medal, and we were dismissed.
It was 10 April, 1964
I still have my copy of that commendation. I have had it in my resume folder for many years now, and that is no bull.
Tom Lucas ( MM-3 )

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