Bob Orleck

Jan 162015
 
USS ORLECK cap
My hat story.
Back in late fall of 2014 my wife and I were having dinner at a local restaurant when I noticed a couple being seated a few tables away. A few minutes later another couple came in and sat at the same table. At once I noticed a familiar hat,a blue navy ball cap with U S S Hyman DD 732 embossed on it. I could see that he was looking at me as well. I told my wife that I was going over and introduce myself. As I started walking he stood up and walked toward me. Suddenly he reached out, put his arms around me and said, “Hi sailor it’s great to see you, I am a tin can sailer also”. He was a total stranger.. He took my hand and gave me a good hand shake. We talked some thirty minutes.He said he was from Pennsylvania and was down to visit a close friend.
I have been stopped many times by those who have served in the Navy.We always have a good conversation about our service. Each and everyone seemed very proud of their service and glad to share their experience.
Jan 062015
 

The main question here is what was the color of the flight deck. Was it black or gray?

(To enlarge pictures click on them and then you can scroll from one to the other as well.)

Jan 032015
 

Photographs by Ben Loder (click on thumbnail to enlarge then scroll through all pictures)

Dec 312014
 
New Year Deck Log Post

New Year’s Post on USS ORLECK DD 886

Sunday, 1 January 1967

Moored to the HENDERSON, portside to
Berth sixteen in Long Beach, a great deal to do.

MASON is starboard, her lines smart and tight,
SOPA COMMINPAC, we’re ready to fight.

Readiness Condition is number Five,
YOKE is set , hopefully to keep us alive.

Ships present include many ships bright and clean,
Yard district craft bustling, First Fleet looking mean.

All’s well must we say on a wonderful ship,
We’re ready to steam, deploy and fight with full kit

Oh, were we in WESTPAC we would do a good job,
A victory from Commies is what we would rob.

Our men are ready, we’ve got a good crew,
We are willing to fight until we are through.

J. S. CLARK, LT, USN