THE HAWAIIAN EYE - AST 8

Ex-MSgt Simms is presently sporting his new SMSgt chevrons - courtesy of Maj Shelley. It seems that Maj Shelley won a nondescript $.25 fron Sgt Simms, which led to Maj Shelley investing in one of his well known "Blue Chip" stocks. The resulting dividend was large enough to allow Maj Shelley to buy new chevrons for SMSgt Simms.

Crew Number 1 certainly has had a sad looking radio operator these last few weeks. Those frequent trips to the dentist have given A1C Shawley what appears to be a permanent case of mumps. One person in particular waits patiently for the swelling to dissipate, SSgt Saunders, who totaled 75 hours flying time last month substituting for Airman Shawley.

The following excerpts were heard from our ground power section -- A2C Chewning has returned from Midway Island. A1C Griffis was sent back to SD-17A for two weeks to insure his proficiency at mountain climbing. After he proved efficient, he was transferred to the LST for one month of sea duty. NCOIC TSgt Gruno finally got away from repairing generator sets and was deployed to the "Big Island" to assist the Geodetic Team for one week. His duties consisted of driver and assistant lightkeeper for night surveying.

Paint was the key word this month for Nose Dock #8. Yes, the C&E shop and office has that bright appearance (and smell) of pigment. Everyone was pleased but the NCS Operators. "Tombeur" Harris was heard to relate -- "Yea-Man! But now we've got to mop the floor."

Our Navy "Tank Deck Carrier" LST came in from its monthly supply run and actually stayed in port over a week. HOW BOUT DAT? Well, the AOCP helicopter might have had a little something to do with it at that. However, they departed finally to find the boys on Nihoa and Necker Islands back in the caves. Old man weather had again beat them under ground. Sgt Simons and a few of the boys were seen around these old barracks tearing off loose boards and attempting to get enough of them to hold the tents down. SSgt Gerke "The Rab" fell ill with lack of fresh air at Nihoa island and was brought back for artificial respiration - at Waikiki Beach of course. At last report, he was resting nicely at our resort on Kure Island.

Sgt Lane turned out to be almost as good a sailor as Sgt Velvick. As we said before, we are NOT Sailors. However, the LST Churchill County has a fine Captain and crew that do well in their support of the ground stations. Sgt "Andy" Anderson went sailing this month with the cross step of a sailor. Looks as if we finally found a sea-going land lubber to man our supply ship. The warehouse has been jumping all month with Sgt Velvick behind the reins, getting equipment out to AST 7. A few of the boys passed through, stopping to leave their regards and send loving cards to their friends. "Bubbles" Rider was seen at the card rack picking out a picturesque Hawaiian card for his friend SMSgt Monies Mielkey.

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