Here They Are: All-Navy Dragon Boat Champs (cont'd)

Return to Service

SIR: Several years ago I was a Navy signalman first class. I was discharged, spent some time as a civilian, then returned to the Navy. Because SM was not then on the "open rates" list, I took a cut in pay grade and was reenlisted as an SM2. Since then-six months later, to be precise-SM was added to the "open rates" list and Reserve signalmen were allowed to return to the service after three months had elapsed and still retain their pay grade. Can I be reinstated as an SMI?-R. H R., SM2, USN.

• Sorry, BuPers Inst. 1430.7D is the final word in this case. The directive stipulates that broken service reenlistees must hold a rate and rating which is currently-repeat, currently-on the open rates list or must accept a lower grade.-ED.

Halsey and Nimitz

SIR: I am keenly interested in naval history. So far, I have been unable to locate a publication dealing with the life stories of Fleet Admirals William F. Halsey and Chester W. Nimitz. Do you know of any?-H. H. PN3, USN.

• We know of a couple of books concerning Fleet Admiral Halsey that might interest you. One is an autobiography called "Admiral Halsey's Story." The other is by L. A. Keating, entitled "Fleet Admiral; The Story of W. F. Halsey."
  If your ship's library doesn't have either of these, the library officer can probably get them for you.
  Unfortunately, we know of no biography of Fleet Admiral Nimitz. However, there are numerous magazine articles about his life which you should have little trouble locating in your nearest public or ship's library. Look through the "Readers' Guide of Periodical Literature."
  While we're on the subject of admirals and their biographies, we would like to bring to your attention a new book published by the Division of Naval History. It's entitled "Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, USN-A Study in Command," and the author is Vice Admiral E. P. Forrestel, USN (Ret).
  As you probably know, ADM Spruance's crushing victory over the Japanese fleet at Midway was one of the most decisive battles in all history, and the turning point of the war, in the Pacific.
  The book may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C. 20420 for $2.75-ED.

Wings for Corpsmen

SIR: I am a hospital corpsman in flight status. The combination has caused a few problems. During the past two years I have flown 18 search and rescue missions, accumulating 126 hours in the air. I completed the local training syllabus for rescue aircrewman, and was designated such (8285) by my command. I am, in other words, a qualified aircrewman. Nevertheless, I find I cannot be assigned the NEC of 8285 as it is not in the 8400 series (hospital corpsman). Is this really so? If yes, why? If I can't be assigned the NEC of 8285, may I continue to wear aircrewman wings after I am transferred to another command?-H. M. F., HM2, USN.

• Yes, it really is so. You may not hold NEC 8285. Assignment of the Aircrewman NEC is not made to HMs because it serves no purpose in their distribution.
  The NEC limitation, however, does not make you less an aircrewman. You earned your wings; you may wear them both at your present command and after you are transferred. Once earned, the privilege of wearing the wings may be revoked only for cause.-ED.

More Than Meets the Eye

SIR: I read your article in the July issue of ALL HANDS called "Some Like Them Old." Inasmuch as I am a Model T enthusiast myself, I particularly enjoyed your account of SWI Fowler's Model A roadster pickup and Chief Irish's Model T. The Model T was produced between 1908 (not 1906 as your article stated) and 1927. More than 15 million were solo during this period. It is estimated that 100,000 Model Ts are still in existence and 40,000 are still in operation. I have driven my completely restored 1913 Model T touring car all over California and I plan to make a crosscountry trip in it next year. As you said, the antique car field is not exactly cost-free. Although my Model T cost only $750 when it was new, I have spent four times that amount getting it back into shape. I am not sure whether Petty Officer Fowler will be happy or sad to know his Model A isn't as rare as he thinks it is. I know of five 1930 Model A roadster pickups like his in the Long Beach area alone.-Lawrence E. Smith, ENFN(SS), USN.

• Thanks for your letter and the interesting details it presented.
  A few more - In checking an encyclopedia on the subject of early autos, we discovered that Henry Ford produced eight models before he reached the T. These were models A, B C, F, K, N, R and S.
  None of these cars were too popular with the buying public, and we received the impression that this was due to their comparatively high cost (for those days, of course).
  Our good friend at the Smithsonian Institution tells us that this is not entirely true. Other factors entered into the picture which affected the popularity of the cars, although he wasn't too specific as to just what those factors were. Most of the earlier models cost less than $1000, which was a lot of money and still is. The model B cost in the neighborhood of $2000, and the K, $2800. The others ranged from $600 to $1000. The model T was in this range.
  The Model A which preceded the T may be a surprise even to antique car bugs. The early series of Model A was built in 1903, It did not, of course, become famous, as did the later A. It did come in two styles, however,-a runabout which sold for $850, and a tonneau which cost $950.
  As might be expected, the predecessors of the Model T are all -rare itemsnot even the Smithsonian has one. There is, however, at least one private collector who has a complete collection up to, and including, the Model T. We shudder to think of the cost.-ED.

LINE ON SUBS - Advanced rigid-rotor XH-51A copter demonstrates ability.

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