LewWood
Registered: 05/24/08
Posts: 3
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Reply with quote | #1 |
You recall the commissioning ceremony, but do you recall the events leading up to it?
Captain Phillips had asked that the Secretary of the Navy be the Dedication Speaker. However, the senator from Arkansas demanded that he be the Dedication Speaker. He had had harsh words for the Captain and had a less than honored position in the senate. Several of the newspapers were referring to him as "Senator Halfbright". Many of the crew members agreed that this was a good name. When it came time for his first boarding of the ship, he sent an "official reminder" that he wanted the "honor of welcoming sideboys, for his visit". With his stance against any form of integration, 6 of the biggest, blackest sailors aboard volunteered to be sideboys. They were accepted by the Captain and Executive Officer. When he was "Piped Aboard", all six did an about face, so their backs were to him, and raised their right arms in "The Black Power Salute". All six were promptly chastized and placed on restriction, but as soon as the Exec got the senator out of the area, Captain Phillips thanked them for their volunteering and lifted the restrictions. It was all I could do to keep from cracking up.
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berglas
Registered: 01/31/07
Posts: 67
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Reply with quote | #2 |
Lew: I am not sure to what you're "replying," but, you are correct, I do recall the commissioning ceremony in 1960 - although the details are getting foggier as the years go by. However, I remember nothing of what you describe. As a matter of fact, this is the first I've learned of those incidents.
It seems to me that such a blatant demonstration in the face of a US Senator would be outrageous, especially coming from the military. I am surprised that Captain Phillips eventually turned a blind eye to this sort of behavior, regardless of the provocation. But I'll take your word for it.
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Artillery
Moderator
Registered: 01/25/07
Posts: 126
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Reply with quote | #3 |
I'm not at all familiar with the protocols involved in commissioning and / or re-commissioning a Navy ship, so please excuse my ignorance in this. But...
Does the new about-to-be-CO get to decide who the speakers will be at the ceremony? I would have thought that decision was made at a much higher level. Maybe at the CNO or SecNav level.
For that matter, does a senator get to "demand" that he be a guest speaker? Doesn't seem to be a reasonable way to select a speaker. I would expect that also is decided at the CNO or SecNav level.
Just for context, click here to go to a copy of Senator Fulbright's speech. It doesn't seem to have the tone of someone who is "demanding" to be heard. (Although I do sense he was pumping up the city of Little Rock somewhat.) Maybe I am missing something.
Finally, for what it is worth, the title "Senator Halfbright" was in fact coined by Senator Joe McCarthy.
I'd like to hear from others who were at the commissioning ceremony, and especially from those who might have been in the vicinity of the brow when Senator Fulbright came aboard.
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Art Tilley MT2
1962-1963 |
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ed
Registered: 08/16/09
Posts: 1
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Reply with quote | #4 |
I know I was on the forecastle and I can't remember anything of the sort. |
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