Part 56 (1/2)
”I have a radar target at about five miles, probably a fis.h.i.+ng vessel.”
”And?”
”I'm waiting until I have him in sight until I do anything.”
”There's some Corsairs overhead. I'll have them take a look, and advise.”
”Roger, thank you. DeHaven DeHaven out.” out.”
0728 19 OCTOBER 1950.
Two Navy Corsairs approached the DeHaven DeHaven from dead ahead at less than a thousand feet, dipped their wings, and then began to climb. from dead ahead at less than a thousand feet, dipped their wings, and then began to climb.
0729 19 OCTOBER 1950.
”DeHaven, McKinley, the Corsairs report it's a junk. I think that they probably woke them up, and they'll get out of the way.”
”Thank you, McKinley. McKinley.”
0731 19 OCTOBER 1950.
”McKinley, DeHaven, I have the junk in sight. Unless they're blind, they have to see us, but they are not changing course. And it looks to me as if she's under power.” I have the junk in sight. Unless they're blind, they have to see us, but they are not changing course. And it looks to me as if she's under power.”
”Junks don't have power, DeHaven. DeHaven. They are propelled by what are called 'sails.' ” They are propelled by what are called 'sails.' ”
”Thank you so much.”
”They'll probably get out of the way when they see more than one vessel headed their way. Advise.”
”Will do.”
0735 19 OCTOBER 1950.
”McKinley, DeHaven, my junk is not changing course.” my junk is not changing course.”
”Well, we don't want to run over him, do we? The admiral says to get him to change course.”
”Understand. I'll make a run across his bow.”
0741 19 OCTOBER 1950.
”McKinley, you're not going to believe this, but my junk just hoisted a large American flag. And she is not changing course.” you're not going to believe this, but my junk just hoisted a large American flag. And she is not changing course.”
”The admiral does not want the junk to approach the convoy.”
”What am I supposed to do, fire a shot across her bow?”
A new voice came over the s.h.i.+p-to-s.h.i.+p.
”DeHaven, this is Admiral Feeney. If putting a shot across her bow is necessary, then that's what you should do.” this is Admiral Feeney. If putting a shot across her bow is necessary, then that's what you should do.”
”Aye, aye, sir. Sir, it is my intention to come alongside the vessel and signal an order to her to change course.”
”Proceed,” the admiral said.
0746 19 OCTOBER 1950.
”McKinley, DeHaven is alongside the junk. She is under power. A man in what looks like black pajamas has hailed is alongside the junk. She is under power. A man in what looks like black pajamas has hailed DeHaven DeHaven with a loudspeaker and says he is a Marine major named McCoy and desires to approach with a loudspeaker and says he is a Marine major named McCoy and desires to approach McKinley. McKinley. Request guidance.” Request guidance.”
”DeHaven, Admiral Feeney. The junk is not, repeat not, to approach the Admiral Feeney. The junk is not, repeat not, to approach the McKinley. McKinley. Take whatever action is appropriate.” Take whatever action is appropriate.”
”Aye, aye, sir.”
[FOUR].
THE BRIDGE, USS MOUNT MCKINLEY MOUNT MCKINLEY (LCC-20) 39 DEGREES 34 MINUTES NORTH LAt.i.tUDE 128 DEGREES 43 MINUTES EAST LONGITUDE THE SEA OF j.a.pAN 0747 19 OCTOBER 1950 (LCC-20) 39 DEGREES 34 MINUTES NORTH LAt.i.tUDE 128 DEGREES 43 MINUTES EAST LONGITUDE THE SEA OF j.a.pAN 0747 19 OCTOBER 1950.
”I think I know who that is,” Major General Edward M. Almond, USA, said to Rear Admiral Ignatius Feeney, USN.
”You what?”
”I suggest you give him approval to approach your s.h.i.+p,” Almond went on. ”It might prove very interesting.”
”You're serious, Ned, aren't you?” Admiral Feeney asked, surprised.
Almond nodded. ”Remember the islands in the Flying Fish Channel that were cleared before we got there?” he asked. ”Unless I'm mistaken, that's the man who cleared them. OSS.”
”OSS? Really?” Rear Admiral Feeney said. He reached for the s.h.i.+p-to-s.h.i.+p microphone. ”DeHaven, ”DeHaven, permit the junk to approach the permit the junk to approach the McKinley. McKinley.”
Both Navy reconnaissance aircraft and minesweepers on the scene had reported that there were still enough mines in the approaches to the harbors of both Wonsan and Hamhung to preclude the movement of oceangoing vessels into the harbors.
The invasion fleet, both to conserve fuel and because there was no point in making speed when the antic.i.p.ated course for the next thirty-six hours was one large circle after another, was moving at ten knots.
Ten knots was still considerably faster than what Admiral Feeney-who, with General Almond, was now on the McKinley McKinley's flying bridge-understood the maximum speed of a junk under sail to be, and he was thus more than a little surprised when the junk approached the McKinley McKinley head-on, made a quick 180-degree turn, and then pulled alongside. head-on, made a quick 180-degree turn, and then pulled alongside.
”I'll be d.a.m.ned,” Admiral Feeney said. ”That junk is is motorized.” motorized.”
A man wearing black pajamas stood on the forecastle of the junk, holding an electric megaphone in his hand.
”Ahoy, McKinley. McKinley. Can you hear me?” Can you hear me?”
”Loud and clear,” Admiral Feeney said into the microphone of his electric megaphone.
”I have three wounded aboard,” the man in the black pajamas called.
”Including Major McCoy, apparently,” General Almond said. ”Look at his leg.”
The left leg of the pajamas was torn off above the knee. A b.l.o.o.d.y compress was on the upper thigh.
”Is that your OSS man?” Admiral Feeney asked.