Talk:USS Mullany (DD-528)

Mullany Memories

I steamed in Mullany on her last combat cruise. For years afterward I wondered what ever happened to her. The Readers Digest published, “The Ship That Out-sailed Time”, in 1989. Nathan Adams filled in many blanks for me. I often wondered what had gone on before and after my time on her. I blundered onto the Mullany website and found out that I had missed the reunion in Pittsburgh. I saw a picture that included two attendees whom I remembered. I have attended most of the subsequent reunions. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, reconnecting with long lost shipmates. I had more fun swapping salty tales with other old guys who served on Mullany. Many of these old sea dogs are my pappy’s age, but at each reunion they are fewer in numbers. Like our aging veterans, too much of WWII history is fading fast along with them. I am troubled by the lack of Mullany’s archival history, especially the dearth of last-cruise information. I shouldn’t be surprised. Few Viet Nam veterans had a good attitude while serving in that unfortunate war. Few guys on Mullany’s last cruise attend reunions. I never did see the two in that picture, and the shipmates that I have met have had little good to say about her. An old gentleman who had been my sea daddy (he was the M.A.A.) showed up in Peoria with a copy of the ’68 cruise book. On the website it is pictures, too difficult for me to download the text, although I do read it occasionally. I would like to use the information to fill in many historical gaps encountered elsewhere. In addition to my Wikipedia contributions, I intend to give some history of other ships that I served on and built. Although she is on the bottom now, I know her memories will sail on forever. I frequently fall asleep with vivid recollections of days and nights on Mullany. My favorite dreams are of steaming under the Southern Cross, crossing the Equator, and watching the nighttime clouds lighted by the war. I sometimes lull myself to sleep to the music of waves lapping inches from my ears, punctuated by the gentler sounds of Mullany’s awesome machinery. Farewell dear friend, fair wind and fine seas until we spend eternity enjoying them together. J.D. Schultz, MM2, ex-USNR —Preceding unsigned comment added by W8IMP (talk • contribs) 09:15, January 19, 2006