DIRSUP Surface - USS Chicago .. circa 1972

Photo from Bob Morrison

Please scrolldown. Click-on the photo to enlarge.

This photo was taken in the Flag Mess on the USS Chicago in the spring of 1972, probably about the time we were engaged in mining Haiphong Harbor. May was a busy month for the Staff/Ship – in addition to duties as Primary Identification Radar Advisory Zone (PIRAZ, callsign RED CROWN), the Chicago assisted in the mining of Haiphong Harbor, engaging a shore battery and earning a Combat Action Ribbon, shot down a MIG with a TALOS missile, and our RDCS Larry Nowell controlled several MIG shootdowns, earning a DSM in the process (the only enlisted man to earn one in combat). Now to the photo: At the head of the table (finishing his dessert) is Rear Admiral Daniel E. Bergin, Jr. (COMCRUDESFLOT 3). To his right (preparing to light a smoke) is CDR Bill Bigger, the N-2 (Intelligence Officer). Don’t know who the other officers at the table are (all this was a bit above my paygrade). Seated on the couch are the Flag Lieutenant (looking toward the Admiral) and finally the NSG connection, ENS Gary Blank, the NSG Divoff (wiping his chin). Technically we were assigned to the staff as well as the ship, giving ENS Blank mess privileges. This was definitely the old Navy, note the candelabras and the ashtrays!

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