USS Orleck Museum Ship
My friend, Michael, a retired commander from the United
States Navy, took his wife, my wife and I on a tour of the decommissioned USS
Orleck. The Orleck is a destroyer and the most decorated post-WWII built US
Navy ship ever. The Orleck was used in World
War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, and the Orleck assisted in the recovery
of the Gemini IV space capsule.
The U.S.S. Orleck, which earned the nickname "The Grey Ghost of the Vietnam Coast" by firing more rounds in support of ground troops than any ship in the Navy, is at the Jacksonville, Fl, Naval Museum open for visitors on its permanent berth docked in the St. Johns River.
The USS Orleck was called ”Train Buster of the
Korean War”, as it demolished two trains in two weeks.
As Mike, myself and our wives walked up the gangplank of
the Orleck, I could feel the spirit and bravery of the American sailors who had
served aboard this proud ship during wartime and peacetime. The Orleck had served this country for over
25 years in battle. My Dad and one brother had served in the Navy, another brother
in the Air Force, an Army veteran myself, along with my grandfather and uncles,
aunts, cousins, and nieces. I felt so humble about my family, yet proud to know
we had served our country.
A visit to the Orleck is a MUST for every American.
Steve’s books are available as hardcopy and e-Books at Amazon's Kindle and hardcopy at Harborside Trading Company, 81 Main St, Sunapee, NH, Wild Goose Country Store, 77 Main St, Sunapee, NH, Morgan Hill Bookstore, New London, NH, Bookstore at Colby-Sawyer College, New London, NH, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Gift Shop, Lebanon, NH, and Village Sports, New London, NH.
