1953  After leaving Copenhagen, Denmark,

on the way home from Main Brace,

A few days after Major "Raider's" adventure with the sword, we were sailing independently at sea. The Captain thought it would be a good idea to have the 5" Battery worked out on an air target. We were unable to get a drone from the beach on such short notice, and ours was down for repairs from the last shoot.  We rigged a radar reflector out of 9 strips of 1quarter-quarter by 3-ft. long pieces of wood and covered it with aluminum foil from the galley. This was hung from a weather balloon and we went to GQ. When the guns were manned, the assembly was released, and up it went.

The Captain waited until it was up about 5000 ft, and gave each director 20 rounds of 5" target rounds, but no body hit it. As the balloon deflated, it settled to 3000ft, and he turned it over to the 40mm, but they also failed to hit the target. As the balloon settled lower and lower, it was turned over to our Marine raiders, who formed up on the forward starboard main deck, and we secured from GQ. I asked the Captain for permission to get my revolver from my safe, and join them. You better hurry, that target is not going to last very much longer! I raced to my stateroom and retrieved my Smith and Wesson 22 revolver. I arrived at the 02 level, just as everyone had stopped to reload. The target was at 400 yards, and at my eye level. I fired one round, and the target sank from sight. All the marines were staring at me. As if to say, you shot it with that play toy? The Major was mad, in fact he was livid. He immediately challenged me to a contest on the fantail, right now!

I went back to pick up a box of 22's and met him on the stern, where we all went into the 40mm tub. He explained we were going to take turns, shooting a foam coffee cups in the wake. He threw one, I hit it. He threw #2, I hit it. He now was very red in the face. He threw #3, I hit it. As I did the next 2, also. I said, that's enough, let's see you hit it, as he did on the next 4! I said; "That's 5 to 0 that's enough!" I had inadvertently, showed him up in front of all his men. He was so mad, that he would turn away, when I came around, but I made friends of quite a few marines, and had my shirts and trousers pressed regularly. I don't think I could ever duplicate those shots again! Later, back in Norfolk, His very wonderful wife came over to me at the O-club and apologized for him, Skip, he's not mad at you, in fact, he bragged to me about your shooting ability, He's mad at himself, for not being able to do it himself. He has a very high opinion of himself, and every now and then, some one has to bring him back to reality, like you did.