Much Appreciated
Thank you so much for pointing out, in your February 2002 issue, the need to build up the U.S.-flag merchant fleet so it will be able to meet the nation's sealift requirements in times of war or national emergencies.
During these extraordinary times following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and the Pentagon, the need to strengthen the U.S.-flag Merchant Marine as the nation's fourth arm of defense and to increase the number of loyal U.S. citizen seafarers to crew our merchant ships is more urgent than ever.
I am confident that under the leadership of Maritime Administrator William G. Schubert the needs of the U.S.-flag merchant fleet and its manpower base will be addressed within the executive branch. Indeed, Capt. Schubert has committed himself to upgrade the privately owned U.S.-flag fleet, and he is the first senior administration official to publicly acknowledge the need for more merchant mariners to crew U.S.-flag ships during national emergencies.
Again, I thank you for reporting the Navy League's continuing concern over the current status of the U.S.-flag merchant marine and for publicizing the need to bolster the fleet to meet the nation's sealift requirements.
Gloria Cataneo Tosi
President, American Maritime Congress
Washington, D.C.
USCGR End Strength
Thank you for your superlative article (February 2002) about our U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. I especially appreciated the in-depth history lesson, given the important national-defense mission assigned to the reserve components today in the war against international terrorism. The roles and missions of the 21st-century Coast Guard Reserve will obviously require a huge increase in end strength, because the Coast Guard is required by law (14 USC 2) to "maintain a state of readiness to function as a specialized service in the Navy in time of war."
An increase in end strength will not come cheaply. However, the alternative is much more expensive, especially in the form of human treasure. Our nation boasts a multitrillion dollar gross domestic product and can certainly afford to spend the dollars necessary to hire and train a minimum of 4,000 to 8,000 additional reservists to protect our 350 ports and 95,000 miles of waterways more effectively.
Jim Dolbow
Alexandria, Va.
A "Sailor's Sailor"
This letter pertains to the article on the commissioning of the Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley in your February issue.
One item not mentioned in the article was that among those serving under Bulkeley's command was a future president, Lt. John F. Kennedy, USNR, skipper of PT 109.
I met Vice Adm. Bulkeley on two occasions. In July 1964, when he was the base commander at Guantanamo, Cuba, I requested some special work for my ship and was told that the work had to be approved by the base commander.
The next day my commanding officer and I made a call on the base commander, then Rear Adm. John D. Bulkeley. We were told by one of his staff officers to go to his residence, and that he was expecting us. When we arrived I saw this stocky rough-looking guy wearing khakis spotted with paint--he was painting at the time. We informed him that we were here to see "the admiral," and he answered, "I am Admiral Bulkeley, and the reason I am painting is because I can do a better job!" It was the first and only time I have ever seen an admiral holding a paintbrush. We explained what we needed, and he told us he did not see any problem. He advised us that he was scheduled to take his daily flight by helicopter around the perimeter of the base and invited us to go along; it turned out to be a very interesting flight.
I met him again in the mid-1970s when he was president of the Navy Board of Inspection and Survey. After retiring from the Navy, I had become superintendent of the James River Reserve Fleet; we had several Navy ships in the fleet. The Navy wanted to downgrade several ships so they could be stricken from the list and used for scrap. Before this could be done they had to go through inspection and survey. Adm. Bulkeley came to the Reserve Fleet with his teams of inspectors. He stayed ashore, and we shot the breeze for several hours.
I can say this about Bulkeley: He was down-to-earth, a regular guy--in short, a Sailor's Sailor.
A.A. Schiavone, Lt. USN (Ret.)
Williamsburg, Va.
The Bulkeley Record
As one who served in PTs (motor torpedo boats) in World War II, I was happy to see your story on the USS Bulkeley commissioning. However, knowing of Vice Adm. Bulkeley's penchant for accuracy, one sentence is bothersome: "In 1944 he commanded MTB Squadron 102 in support of [operations in] Normandy and Southern France."
There was no MTB Squadron 102. Then-Cdr. Bulkeley was commander of MTB Squadron 2 from 27 March to 15 July 1944. On 18 July 1944, he reported aboard the destroyer USS Endicott as that ship's new commanding officer. During the invasion of southern France, Bulkeley was aboard the Endicott, not on a PT boat. (Some press reports did mention, though, that Bulkeley had handled his destroyer "like a PT boat.")
I have seen other references to Squadron 102. My guess is that the British had something to do with that designation.
Erskine B. van Houten
Richmond, Va.
A Needed Reminder
I want to congratulate Sea Power for its March 2002 "Centennial Salute" honoring the 100th anniversary of the Navy League's founding in 1902. It was a great review of past history, but I hope it also will be a reminder that we need a stronger military buildup. Our Navy has fewer ships than before World War II. If we are going to be able to support global operations, the Navy must be strengthened with more ships and new aircraft--and with the talents of new personnel trained to meet the technical challenges ahead. I hope the "powers that be" in Washington will heed your message.
Hap Hill (Via email)
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