We Lost A Giant
Sailor, rest your oar.
Here’s a photo of then-RADM Fluckey (on the left), who was SUBPAC when this photo was taken. It was a decade after he earned four Navy Crosses and the Medal of Honor commanding USS Barb, the only ship to invade the Japanese mainland in World War Two, the first submarine to launch ballistic missiles in war (rockets he stole from the depot), the first to attack convoys from the stern, the Galloping Ghost of the China Coast. It was years after his command of a tender, command of Submarine Flotilla Seven immediately after the war. But there is a truly vital man, adapting to the Cold War, nuclear powered submarines, ballistic missile submarines.
A true hero has just gone on eternal patrol.
(Thanks to Bubblehead for passing the word.)
One Response to “We Lost A Giant”
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August 1st, 2007 at 3:44 am
Why is Fluckey the only one smiling in that picture? The guy in the middle looks like he’s about to start weeping, and the guy on the right looks like he’s all disappointed and grumpy, and wants to have somebody up on charges.
Maybe ’cause Fluckey was a creative submariner who didn’t care what other people thought and resolved that he’d have a good time, while doing his duty?
I think we’ve lost a genuine Happy Warrior.
Fair winds and following seas, and may the Lord look out for him.