Approaching the USS ARIZONA on our port side
 January of 1962 - Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
By Tom Dailey

The entire crew of the USS VEGA (AF-59) were in dress-whites... the enlisted men's neckerchiefs blowing aft... All were standing up next to the phosphor-bronze lifelines, waiting for the boatswain's pipe.  As we neared the ARIZONA, you could feel the tension and emotion from the entire crew... seasoned Chiefs to newest Seaman Apprentices... The pipe shrilled over the 1-MC intercom, bringing us to attention in one of the oldest ceremonies in the US Navy... "Manning the Rail"... at the whistle, all hands rose to their right eyebrow, and held a firm and unshaking salute... many eyes were very moist... mine among them.  As we proceeded past her, nobody moved - it was silent, save for the churning of the screws and the sound of the ship's machinery.  

All of those newsreels and movies... all of my Father's & Uncle's stories came alive.  The history lessons of grade school, junior high, and high-school were suddenly filled with true meaning.  Those comrades still on watch, known to some of my Dad's and Uncle's friends... their names echoed, no longer just names mentioned in a garage, or barn, or during a movie that made Dad cry.  This was REAL, and I was part of that tradition who shall NEVER FORGET.  Later in the week, I took a ride in a "U" boat (Utility), we passed right over the stacks, and I saw a shiny multi-colored oil film on the water - I reached down and dipped my finger in it, as we coasted o'er the stacks, for the coxwain had silenced the diesel engine... I felt the slippery oil - still seeping from her tanks - and thought - ... so this is what the blood of a battleship feels like.  

At last, the pipe to "Two"... and the saluting arms came alongside the trouser seams, in unison.  We had paid our respects, yet again, to the crew who still served, deep within the bowels of that ship, just slightly below the waters of the anchorage - still in action - since December 7th, 1941.  

Tom

 

If you have any narratives of your life aboard the Vega or pictures to contribute please email them to:  Admin@USSVega.com