Nimitz News Daily Digest - Oct. 29, 2013

Oct. 29, 2013

Vol. 2 Issue 132

EXPLORING

THE LIBRARY: MORE THAN JUST BOOKS Photos and story by MCSN (SW) Kole E. Carpenter

Want a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily ship life? Need a good book to let your mind explore? Are there too many people and not enough computers? Don’t forget to check out the ship’s library at 03-118-10.

Within, you’ll find shelves ripe with everything from literature rich in history to lighthearted comedies. They also offer a limited selection of free books. According to Religious Programs Specialist Casey Niedorf, Sailors can drop by and have their pick of the litter.

“We also have lots of internet computers,” Niedorf said. “People can come in and use them whenever they want.”

This allows Sailors and Marines a handy opportunity to complete Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) courses and online college courses.

Continued on page 3

Sailor of the Day

Story and photo by MCSN Eric M. Butler

A

viation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Daniel J. Jubeck was selected to be Sailor of the Day Oct. 28.

“It feels good,” said Jubeck.

As a cargo weapons elevator technician, Jubeck led a three-person team in the repairs of weapons elevator, upper stage one flight deck hatch. He quickly installed the flight deck hatch bell crank, removed the hatch and

repaired it. He restored the elevator to full mission capability, ensuring ordnance was ready for use by Carrier Air Wing 11 squadrons.

Jubeck offered advice to anyone else looking for recognition for their hard work.

“Keep working hard,” said Jubeck.

Jubeck’s initiative, loyalty and total devotion were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commanding Officer

Executive Officer

Command Master Chief

Public Affairs Officer

Capt. Jeff Ruth

Capt. John Cummings

CMDCM Teri McIntyre

Lt. Cmdr. Karin Burzynski

Editor MC3 (SW) George J. Penney III

Lead Designer MC3 (SW) Raul Moreno Jr.

Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All submissions are subject to review and screening. “Nimitz News” is an authorized publication for the members of the military services and their families. Its content does not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Marine Corps and does not imply endorsement thereby.

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“It’s a great place to come study.”

-Niedorf

Continued from page 1

Many crew members utilize them for online banking and financial updates, or just to keep in touch with those back home.

The library also offers something as invaluable as it is rare on board – quiet. Sailors can even reserve the private classroom for study groups and training.

“It’s a great place to come

study,” Niedorf said. “The noise is kept down, and it can be the perfect place for people to escape from everyday stresses.”

Sailors and Marines can also collect the training and signatures needed for the next qualification.

“The library is a place where lots of different rates congregate,” Niedorf said. “Many of them don’t always see each other. Here, you

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can get tons of info for things like ESWS [Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist Qualification] from people you might not often come in contact with. It’s a great place to get signatures.”

So whether it’s to catch up on your studies, or just decompress and enjoy your favorite book, the ship’s library may be your oasis on board.

HISTORIC BATTLE ENSIGN FINDS HOME AT UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON ROTC UNIT

Story and photo by MCSN William Blees, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Northwest

“

A photo of RADM Robert W. Copeland hangs on the University of Washington’s Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps ‘Husky Bn Wall of Fame’ in Clark Hall.

“We are about to go into a fight against overwhelming odds from which survival cannot be expected,” announced Lt. Cmdr. Robert W. Copeland, commanding officer of the John C. Butler-class destroyer escort USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE 413), over the 1MC on Oct. 25, 1944.

On that fateful day, USS Samuel B. Roberts and Allied ships came under attack from the Imperial Japanese

Navy in the Leyte Gulf.

Largely outmatched in number, armament and armor by Japanese ships, one of the largest battles in naval history occurred, the Battle off Samar.

Copeland proceeded to do the unthinkable, and charged head-on into the attacking battleships, cruisers and destroyers. Samuel B. Roberts was able to inflict damage to enemy ships with her torpedoes and 5-inch guns, but was outmatched 4

by the larger ships.

“By zigzagging we were able to keep from being hit by enemy torpedoes,” stated from Archie Killough’s personal journal, a Sailor aboard Samuel B. Roberts.

“Finally their shells found their mark. First, gun 2 aft was hit killing all but three of a crew of twenty-seven.”

After a courageous bout, Samuel B. Roberts was dead in the water, but not all was lost as the crew abandoned ship.

Chief Torpedoman Rudy Skau managed to retrieve the ships battle ensign and hold onto it for nearly three days as the ships crew floated awaiting rescue. During this time many of the survivors passed away due to their wounds and shark attacks.

“After spending fiftytwo hours in the water we were rescued by PC623,” wrote Killough. “We were about dead when they picked us up.”

Copeland, who went on to make Rear Admiral, received the second highest military declaration of valor, the Navy Cross, for his actions in the Battle off Samar.

The seventh Oliver Hazard Perry Class frigate was eventually named for Copeland.

Copeland was born in Tacoma, Wash., and was a graduate of the University of Washington’s (UW) Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) in 1935.

Years later the battle ensign that Skau recovered in the water made its way into the hands of James Massick.

Massick was a graduate of the UW’s NROTC program in 1954.

Earlier this year after reading a past issue of the Husky Navy News, Massick

“[...] It sent chills down my spine when I saw the flag and read Mr. Massick’s letter.”

-Capt. Melin saw a request for memorabilia that related to former members of the unit and to the rededication of Clark Hall at UW. Massick donated the flag, folded neatly in a box, along with a letter describing the story behind it to the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) through the UW NROTC unit.

“The reaction when I got the flag from the Samuel B. Roberts in March of this year ... it sent chills down my spine when I saw the flag and read Mr. Massick’s letter,” said Capt. David Melin, UW NROTC unit commanding officer. “It exudes naval history, and we love to teach our midshipmen about naval history so they have some role models for what they want to become.”

NHHC framed the flag using materials that would 5

allow it to maintain its integrity over time and sent it back to UW NROTC. “They beautifully framed it in such a way that it will maintain its condition,” said Melin.

The flag is now on official loan to the UW NROTC unit and hangs in Clark Hall next to the new NROTC Alumni Wall of Fame. Copeland was among the first five inductees to be listed on the wall of fame.

“It’s important for us to learn from our past, and there are some good lessons in leadership, particularly on the Samuel B. Roberts, as commanded by [Lt. Cmdr.]

Copeland at the time, that are immediately applicable to our midshipman today,” said Melin.

“It’s a tangible reminder of what our alumni, in this particular case [Lt. Cmdr.]

Copeland did in his service to the country, and I think it serves as an inspiration to the current crop of midshipmen and battalion midshipmen on what they’re capable of becoming as leaders.”

For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Northwest, visit www.navy.mil/ local/nwpacen/.

MCSN (SW) Siobhana R. McEwen

MCSA (SW) Kelly M. Agee

ABH3 Maxwell Rustan, left, supervises ABHAN Sean Phillips during flight operations on the flight deck.

AD3 Garrett Moss performs maintenance on an EA-6B Prowler assigned to VAQ 142 on the flight deck.

MCSN (SW) Kole E. Carpenter

MCSN (SW) Siobhana R. McEwen

Sailors assigned to Deck Department participate in a tug-of-war competition.

Sailors prepare for flight operations on the flight deck.

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