Grayson Birthday Party
In February 1943, after seven months of steaming and active battle encounters , we pulled into Auckland, New Zealand where the ship decided to have a birthday party, as the Grayson was commissioned in February 1941. A hall was rented, available were refreshments, beer in kegs and music for dancing.
However, due to the lack of ladies in attendance, myself and another shipmate (who shall remain unnamed) went in search of woman companions. Eventually we were able to convince two
young ladies to accompany us to the Grayson birthday party and dance.
Upon arrival we found the event in turmoil. Everybody was fighting each other as there were only Grayson personnel present. Beer kegs and refreshments were being thrown about. The entire place was a mess. We thought we saw some sailors running around in High Hats and Capes; but we were not sure. Needless to say, we speedily left the area with the ladies.
At the same time there was a formal celebration going on in the hall below where the Grayson's birthday party was. Being a formal affair
, those in attendance were wearing formal clothes- High Hats and Capes. Our skipper, Captain Bell, who intended to attend the birthday party later was there. The liquid refreshment running all over the place upstairs soon leaked downstairs; dripping over everyone.
The Shore Patrol was called and several of the crew were taken into custody. The next morning at muster Captain Bell was furious and had all those that could be identified transferred off the Grayson.
--Leo Kelleher RM1/c 2/42-2/47
Party Time
On one occasion after we had been on air strikes, our fleet commander, Admiral Bull Halsey, ordered us to Espiritu Santo for a rest. A party for officers was held on the second floor of the Officers Club. We arrived late and as we entered the stairway, officers quite inebriated were falling down the stairway. In the party roon, everyone was having a great time having their cocktails and getting to talk to Halsey who was shaking everyone's hand. Halsey believed that after a month or two at sea, his sailors needed a blast to stay in shape. I am inclined to believe he was right.
--Dave Prager LT 3/43-6/45
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Information was provided by Dave Craigmile, ENS USS Grayson. Copyright 2000, USS Grayson Association and Richard Angelini.
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