No Title

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=95 BGCOLOR="#999999" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="176005f0ermwup.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" ><B>I  Didn't  Do  It  Alone   </B></FONT><B> </B><B> </B><B> </B><B> </B><B> </B><B>|    </B><B> </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="I Didnt Do It Alone "><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=190 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B><IMG SRC="061967e0.gif" border=0 width="150" height="126" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Writing is tough</B></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=385 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> <div> <B>I Didn't Do It Alone</B></div> <div> <B>Part 5</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>.Naval Air Facility, Weeksville, North Carolina </B></div> <div> <B>Airship Squadron One  ZP-1 </B></div> <div> <B>     With my orders in one hand and my sea bag over my shoulder, I was on my way to Weeksville. When under orders a sailor had to travel in dress blues. It wasn't very hot in Lakehurst so the blues didn't feel so bad. I caught a bus to Philadelphia, and on to Baltimore. From Baltimore, I traveled to Norfolk on the Chesapeake Ferry. I had a nice room with soft chair and bed. The Navy gave me tickets, and let me travel in style. It took the ferry most of the night to get to Norfolk. At the bus station in Norfolk, I noticed the water fountains. One read "Whites Only" and the other read "Colored Only". This was something new to me. It was about 90 degrees in Norfolk. I was thirsty so I took a drink at the White Only fountain. I got on the bus to Elizabeth City carrying my sea bag to the back to get it out of the way. I then sat down. The bus driver came back and said, "Sailor move to the front of the bus. Only blacks sit in the back. Leave your sea bag there." A couple of blacks were in the back. I was embarrassed. The driver was a big man so I didn't say anything. One black man smiled as I went forward. In Elizabeth City, I caught a bus to Weeksville about 6 miles away. The driver left me out next to the highway leading straight to the base about 3 miles down the road. I got out and started walking. I could see the big hangers ahead. It was so hot that there was an illusion of water on the road. I finally stopped for a rest when a Navy pickup stopped and asked if I wanted a ride. I threw my bag in the back, and the driver left me out at the barracks. My blues were soaking wet from sweat. I didn't remember of ever being in this kind of heat. The barracks weren't air conditioned in those days, but it was cooler than out in the sun. I thought, What am I in for. The next morning, I checked in to my duty squadron - </B></div> <div> <B>     The barracks was eight blocks from the hangar. I started toward this huge building known as Hangar One. Several good archers with 90 pound bows tried to shoot an arrow over the hangar. No one succeeded, but they kept trying. A Photographer's Mate, Bob Kensler, took a picture early in the morning when it was raining inside, and the sun was shining through the side windows. This picture was published in the Navy Times. I walked in the hangar and saw four airships. These huge blimps were tied to the deck with two lines fore, and two aft. I checked into personnel. </B></div> <div> <B>     I met the leading chief, Buddy Beyer, then went to the Parachute Loft. I was met by the petty officer in charge, third class rigger, Junie Hines. He showed me around the small shop with one packing table, a dry locker, and three sewing machines. He explained that each blimp carried one chest chute. In case a blimp had to go down over land, one man would bail out and form a landing party with volunteers, usually farmers. Each parachute had to be repacked every 30 days.  Junie then explained that most of the shop work was involved with life rafts, and sewing patches and covers for the officers.  No doubt, their wives couldn't sew.  I thought,wow, this is going to be a piece of cake. I was wrong, wrong, wrong as I found out later. </B></div> <div> <B>     The men were divided into four duty sections. I stood duty every fourth day and every fourth weekend. When the Korean war started we went into port and starboard duty. Now I stood duty all day, all night, all day, and got that evening off. Then it started all over again. Our duty consisted of sentry watch at the two entrances to the hanger. We were armed with a 45 pistol. Then there was the pressure watch. The blimps tied in the hangar would start wrinkling when it cooled off, and the bag would get extremely tight when it warmed up in the morning. Air blowers pumped air into the bag, and if they were getting tight, the watch released pressure with valves located in the cockpit. One had to be careful to keep the blimp balanced. Releasing too much air in the front made the blimp tail heavy as releasing too much air in the back made it heavy in the front. This would put excessive strain on the holding lines. So for four hours, I would run my butt off going from one blimp to the next to keep them in trim. When a blimp landed at night, the duty section had to go out on the mat and catch and hang on till it came to a stop. We would form up in a V of about 60 men with an advance party of four men in front, and a chief behind them. When the blimp came in, two of the men would run out and grab the short lines. The short lines couldn't reach the propellers. The other two men would go after the long lines. These lines were coiled inside a compartment requiring the men to trip the door, grab the lines, and run like the devil as they uncoiled the line. The props were not far off the ground, and would make hamburger out of you if you didn't run. If you ever made the chief angry, you were certain to get the long lines.  It took me awhile to figure that out. Now when the lines were out, the men in the V would come in and grab the lines. During the day, all hands had to assist in launching and retrieving these huge monsters.  When I had the duty, I was required to spend the night in the hangar. If I had a chance, I would cat nap on the packing table. Our shop work was in addition to all this mess. </B></div> <div> <B>     It wasn't long till the Korean War started. New riggers came into the shop. A new squadron was formed - ZP-4. PR3 Pitman, a short thin guy with glasses who had over eight years service; PR2 Jack Trenary who served in WW II and was called back from the reserves, PR Airman Bob Krawzyk a big guy who looked comical behind a sewing machine, and Airman Lou Marshal who also served in the Army during WW II. It seemed like we had more talent than needed, but Bob, Lou, and I were the three airman so we did most of the work. When the work was caught up and it was slow, we played jokes. During the summer months the windows always had a bunch of horse flies on them. We would get a thin broom straw and bend it in a zigzag fashion then stick it in the fly's tail end. When we turned the fly loose, it would fly to the top of the hangar then drop down almost to the deck and back up it would go. One day, Jack wrote "Poopy Bags Forever" on a piece of thin paper and tied it around a fly's neck. We had quarters that morning. The fly was turned loose. It went up and come down spinning in front of Charlie Nye the petty officer in charge. Everyone started to laugh. He didn't think it so funny. </B></div> <div> <B>     Our Division Officer was a young Lieutenant JG by the name of Carter. Several times I went with him on the Pasquotank River fishing for Striped Bass. We would troll with close-pin lores. When they were running, we could catch some big ones weighing 4 to 5 pounds. I hadn't been fishing, and the bass weren't running, but as I was walking toward the Hangar, Mr. Carter drove by and yelled out, "I got one and she weighed 8 ½ pounds."  I thought he was talking about a fish so I yelled back, "Bull crap Mr. Carter."  I found out later that day that his wife delivered a baby girl weighing 8 ½ pounds. He brought a dozen doughnuts in the shop and said that cigars were for boys and doughnuts for girls.  We teased him about being a cheap skate. The next day we all had a cigar. </B></div> <div> <B>     Jack and I were single so we pulled liberty in Elizabeth City on many of our off days.  An Ordnance man, Gene Watz, had a car that we rode around in.  After a heavy drinking party, Gene pulled up to a traffic light in the center of town and fell asleep.  His car was towed away and when Gene woke up, he found himself in a junk (salvage) yard. Evidently the police couldn't wake him up, and figured they would teach him a lesson. There was a bottle club called Mom's Lounge. One of us would take a bottle of cheap whiskey and the Lounge furnished setups.  Bob Kensler, the Photographer, had a tender looking face that was deceiving.  A bunch of us were enjoying ourselves over a few drinks. Bob was with his girl friend, Fankie.  A Coast Guard sailor came over to the table and started to harass her. Bob asked him to leave but the Coasty gave Bob a wise remark and started to hug Frankie.  Bob got up and with one punch to the side of the head, the Coasty went down - cold as a cucumber. We all sat down and finished our drinks. It was just another evening at Mom's Lounge. </B></div> <div> <B>     Radioman Second Class Chuck Campbell had a new Buick.  Several times Chuck run me home to Pennsylvania on the weekend. Bob went with us. They both liked to pull liberty at home.  Once during the winter, we were on the Pennsylvania Turnpike traveling about 80 miles per hour.  The next thing I knew, the car started to spin.  When it came to a stop, we were on the other side of the road.  How the car ever missed the reflector poles, I'll never know.  Chuck got back over in the East bound lane, and it wasn't long till he was doing 80 again. Chuck could sleep with his eyes open. When he was on watch, the watch officer couldn't tell he was sleeping. If code or voice came over the radio, Chuck would wake up and receive the message. At home, Mom came running down stairs, and said she thinks something is wrong with Chuck. Actually, I think she thought Chuck was dead. "Chuckie is not moving, his eyes are open and he's staring at the ceiling." I had to laugh, but Mom was still worried till Chuck woke up. </B></div> <div> <B>     Elizabeth City was a small town of 12,000 where the Pasquotank River runs into the Albemarle Sound. There were a few restaurants, but most of us hung out at Barney's. It was a good place to get a hamburger. Once in awhile we would go to the movies. There were two in town. If we wanted a drink of white lightning, we would go to a trailer house about 4 miles outside of town. Home made brew was powerful stuff. Most of all, we flirted with the girls as they passed by. At times, Jack would clown around. On one occasion as we passed a Jewish clothing store, Jack pretended to stumble over the curb and fell down in front of the store. The owner was looking out the window and when he ran out, it looked like he was going to have a heart attack. Then Jack stood up and we walked our merry way. Elizabeth City was a laid back sort of town, but we had fun. </B></div> <div> <B>     In October 1950, I went to the local airport to take a civilian parachute rigger test.  This test was required to pack parachutes for civilian aircraft. After the test, I went back into town, and stopped at Barney's for lunch.  I sat down at the counter next to a sailor I knew. It was then that I noticed this girl with long black hair sitting in a booth drinking a soda.  My friend bumped me and said, "Let's go over and sit with that pretty girl." I got up and followed him over to the booth.  He started to hold a conversation with her. </B></div> <div> <B>"What's your name?" </B></div> <div> <B>"Carolyn Ives." </B></div> <div> <B>He kept on talking till he saw a friend walk past the front window. I believe he was about ready to ask for a date but left to talk with his friend outside. I felt awkward with not much to say.  There was a paper on the table so I started to look at it.  After a few minutes, I worked up a bit of courage and put the paper down. </B></div> <div> <B>"How about a date tonight, Chick?' </B></div> <div> <B>"I have a date tonight." </B></div> <div> <B>"How about a date tomorrow night, Chick?" </B></div> <div> <B>"I have a date tomorrow night." </B></div> <div> <B>This went on and each night she claimed to have a date. I kept going through the days of the week until she gave in and said Sunday afternoon would be OK. That was a Sunday almost two weeks away. She gave me her address on Westover Boulevard, and I left for the base. I'm sure she thought she would never see me again, and probably was glad of it. </B></div> <div> <B>About a week later my photographer friend, Bob Kensler, came over to my bunk and asked if I had a date with Carolyn Ives. I asked him how he knew.  It so happened that Bob and a friend double dated. Carolyn dated his friend. </B></div> <div> <B>Bob asked, "Are you going to date her?" </B></div> <div> <B>"I'm not sure, Bob. I'll have to think about it." </B></div> <div> <B>"Think about it Scott. I'm going on leave, and if you don't date her, I'll date her when I get back." </B></div> <div> <B>Wow, my interest in this girl went up 150 percent. I wasn't about to let Bob beat my time. </B></div> <div> <B>Sunday - a week later - finally came. I caught a taxi to her house. I went to the front door and knocked. A nice looking girl came to the door and I said, "Where do you want to go tonight, Chick?" </B></div> <div> <B>"I believe you have the wrong Chick." </B></div> <div> <B>I didn't know that Carolyn had a sister. I was embarrassed and felt like I stepped in it. </B></div> <div> <B>"Just a minute and I'll go get my sister. She might be your Chick." </B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>CAROLYN </B></div> <div> <B>     I wasn't sure who was at the door. I was surprised to see Bill, and a little embarrassed since he didn't know me from my sister. I introduced him to Mama and Annie as Bill. Mama offered him a soda. He looked nervous. Bill said he was going to go up town to see a baseball game and wanted me to go with him. He called a cab. When we returned, Mom took us to church. That evening we went to a movie. Bill always called a cab. I thought I had a real sucker for a date. </B></div> <div> <B>     I was born on a small truck farm just outside Elizabeth City on 20 April 1933. I was given the name, Carolyn Morgan Ives. My mother, Effie Lee Morgan, was born on 28 February 1902, and died on 17 May 1986. Father, Paul Decomis Ives, was born on 24 June 1897, and died on 13 September 1963. Daddy grew okra, corn, and other vegetables that he sold at the Farmer's Market in Norfolk. Mama started the lunch cafeteria in the Central School, and worked at a clothing factory and cannery during World War II. </B></div> <div> <B>     Times were hard during late 1930 and early 1940. We didn't have an inside bathroom, and had to use an outside toilet. When I was around four years old, Mama got me a snow suit and hat. I went to the outhouse, and my hat fell into the hole. I went back to the house crying. Daddy got a long handle hoe. I stood on the end while he lowered me down. I was scared to death, and it's still scares me to think about it. I grabbed my hat and he pulled me up. Mama washed it and it was like new again. I can remember a couple of spankings I got from Daddy. I had a doll baby that wet it's diaper. There was a kerosene lamp on the porch, and I took the wet diaper next to the lamp to dry it out. Daddy warned me to be careful and not upset the lamp. Over went the lamp, and after the fire was put out, Daddy gave me a hard spanking - one that I vividly remember. Another time, Annie and I were out in the field with Daddy. He sent us back to the house to get the bridle for the mule. We put the bridle on each other, one being the mule and the other the driver. Evidently we took longer than Daddy expected so both of us received a good whipping. </B></div> <div> <B>     We always had plenty to eat. We had chickens. Mama was a good cook and she cooked on a wood stove. She made the best chicken and dumplings. The dumplings were flat, and really developed a delicious flavor after they cooked in the thick chicken broth. Daddy hunted squirrel, rabbits and frogs. We always had plenty of meat. When Daddy got a bunch of frogs, Mama would skin and salt the legs down. Then she would place them on a board. The legs would jump for a long time. Annie and I had fun watching the legs jump around. Brother Carlton loved to eat frog legs. When he came home from college, he and Daddy went were going to have for supper that night. </B></div> <div> <B>     Daddy sold the farm to the water company with the agreement that we could live there for ten years rent free, Daddy could continue to farm, and they paid off the mortgage. They built a large reservoir, and a cabin near it. Joe, the caretaker, came out quite often. I thought he was rich because he had a red convertible car. One night, I heard a big commotion, and sister Martie wouldn't let me go down stairs. The next morning, I saw Mama washing blood off the front porch. There was a rumor that Joe was with another man's wife in the cabin. The husband caught them, and stabbed Joe several times. Joe made it to our house, and Daddy took him to the hospital. </B></div> <div> <B>     Martie's fiancee, Henry, came for a visit unexpected. Henry was in the Coast Guard stationed in Miami. We didn't have many groceries in the house so she sent Daddy to get something good for dinner -- chicken, roast beef, or pork chops. Daddy came home with baloney. He thought this would be a great treat. Martie was embarrasses. </B></div> <div> <B>     Brother Carlton left college and entered the Army Air Corps in 1942. He finished flight training, and in June 1943, he was flying a P-40 fighter aircraft from Westover Field, Massachusetts. His plane collided with another aircraft. Carlton didn't make it out, and was killed. A telegram was sent to Aunt Louise since we lived out in the country. Martie and Aunt Doris were in Miami to visit Henry. Aunt Louise took the telegram to Daddy, and they went to the cannery to tell Mama. They were devastated. Martie was contacted and told there was an accident and to come home. </B></div> <div> <B>     Brother's casket was brought back with a young soldier escort. The funeral was in our house. Daddy insisted that he was going to open the casket to see Carlton for the last time. The young soldier said, "Mr. Ives I have orders that the casket cannot be opened. If you do, I'll have to shoot you." Daddy left the room. </B></div> <div> <B>     I was ten at the time. I couldn't believe that I wouldn't see my brother, again. I loved him dearly. He always treated me extra special. When he was going back to college, I told him I wanted to go back with him. He told me to get in the trunk, and he would take me back. When they got to the bus station, they let me out. I was really disappointed that I couldn't go with him. </B></div> <div> <B>     Not long after brother's death, Martie and Henry got married. Henry was a chief petty officer. He completed flight training and was an enlisted pilot. Two years later, they went to where brother was killed and put flowers at the site. </B></div> <div> <B>     When I was twelve, we moved to the house on Westover Boulevard, the same house that Bill came to see me for our first date. I went to Central High School. It seemed that I couldn't get away with anything because my younger sister, Annie, was in a grade behind me. I was editor of the school paper. They were constructing an addition to the school so I decided to climb the water tower to take a good picture of it. I got caught and was expelled for three days. There was no way I could hide from it. I enjoyed school and had fun with several of my girl friends. I dated a few boys until Bill showed up. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>     I met Carole in October, and became her steady boy friend. We went to ball games, movies, and to church. I caught a bus at the base, and was let out in the middle of town. It was about a mile and a half to her house on Westover. I would usually walk up Church Street. The street was lined with older well kept homes. Along the way, a German Shepherd dog would come out and chase me for a block. He seemed to wait for me each evening. When I had a little money, I would catch a cab with Johnny. Many times he would give me a break on the cab fare. </B></div> <div> <B>     I started to fall in love with Carole.  In December, I gave her an engagement ring. I was still an airman, and told her when I made 3rd class petty officer we would think about getting married after she finished high school. Most of the petty officers had several years service. Third Class Petty Officer Junie Hines was the shop PO in Charge with over 10 years service. I thought it would be a long time before I had to keep my promise. Lo and behold, I made petty officer third class on my first go around.  I would pick it up in January.  My pay would increase to $145 a month. </B></div> <div> <B>     I was worried about taking on the responsibilities of married life - especially with my low income. Somehow we forgot that, and planned to get married sometime during the summer.  Mom Ives wanted us to get married in the church. Carole's sister, Annie, got married in March to Jack Horton.  Jack was drafted in the Army and scheduled to go to Korea. They decided to get married before he left. They had a church wedding. </B></div> <div> <B>    </B></div> <div> <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="_"><U><B><IMG SRC="062251e0.gif" border=0 width="37" height="30" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  Next Page</B></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>