USS MULLINNIX DD-944
1973 - Portsmouth Shipyards
Gitmo Shakedown
Portsmouth Drydocks - 1973 (Courtesy of FTG3 Dennis Wenske)
Portsmouth Drydocks - 1973 (Courtesy of FTG3 Dennis Wenske)
Portsmouth Drydocks - 1973 (Courtesy of FTG3 Dennis Wenske)
Portsmouth Drydocks - 1973 (Courtesy of FTG3 Dennis Wenske)
Portsmouth Drydocks - 1973 (Courtesy of FTG3 Dennis Wenske)
Portsmouth Drydocks - 1973 (Courtesy of FTG3 Dennis Wenske)
Shortimer!! FTG3 Frank Wood "Woody" w/ Vietnam in background - 1972
Mux 1973 Steaming Schedule
Courtesy of FTG3 Dennis "Ski" Wenske
30 Oct 1973 MuxGram (PDF file)
MuxGram courtsey of PN3 Gary Bernert
December 1972 - October 1973 Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia for major repair and overhaul of the ship
October 16, 1973 - December 8, 1973 - Cuba refresher training. Port visited: Port Au Prince, Haiti
A much-needed shipyard period began in January of 1973, at Portsmouth, Virginia. Many major systems were renovated during this period, but most notable were changes made to engineering and detection systems. Slowly, a new appearance took shape; by August 31 and over $4 million later, MULLINNIX steamed down the Elizabeth River and into the familiar waters of the Chesapeake Bay.
After such a long period in the shipyard and the addition of many new crewmembers, MULLINNIX headed south again for more training in GTMO. On the way down, a stopover was made at Port Everglades where the friendly citizens of Fort Lauderdale, and especially the Navy League, made the MUX’s stay a great relaxing visit. Many of the citizens of that beautiful resort area came aboard the ship and were impressed with the smart appearance of the MUX.
The training at GTMO was as rigorous as ever, but the MUXMEN revived the MULLINNIX tradition and left GTMMO ready for any assignment. A short stop at Cuelbra was enough for the trained crew to qualify at the Naval Gunfire Support facility. Arriving home on 8 December 1973, the families of MULLINNIX began to celebrate the holiday season a little early.
2 January, 1973
Dear Mom, Dad, Sue
Whew, I made it. That was a little close for comfort. Student stand-by can’t fly first-class. That’s why I got the last first-class seat. In Chicago they put about 9 of us going stand-by, all in 1st class. About 10 minutes later they pulled about 6 or 7 of us off, because they still had reservations triggering in. Then they put one other guy and me back on. That was close too. I took the limousine to little creek base then the city bus home. My baggage didn’t make it; I had to pick it up the next day.
How did you like the Orange Bowl? I couldn’t believe it. Everybody from Ohio, Penn State & Alabama are sort of quiet today. But not this Nebraskan! I went home with (Greg) Berry (FTG3) this weekend to get his car. He had his father-in-laws van. It broke down about 150 miles from his house, same reason his car did. Luckily we got a ride from a guy in the Army that lived 20 miles from Berry - his parents met us there. Didn’t have a very good New Years Eve. I had to go by myself. The Jolly Rodgers stayed open till 4AM in the morning, but I petered out at 2:30AM and came home. Well that’s about it. Write soon. Love, Frank
5 February 1973 (Portsmouth Naval Shipyards)
Dear Mom, Dad, Sue
I guess there isn’t much use to say I’m sorry, but I am. Everyday at work I say I’m going to write and then I get home and before I know it’s 12 o’clock and time to go to bed. Then I say one more day won’t make that much difference and then another week has gone by. But that isn’t much of an excuse.
We’re over in Portsmouth in the yards chipping and painting like crazy. We’ve got one whole director & director deck chipped and painted. We’ve got a good part done on the other one. They completely took my radar apart and took it over to the shop to rebuild it. It should work pretty well when they get it put back together.
Shirley and I are getting along pretty good in our letters. I tried to call her last Monday but she wasn’t home, I’m going to try either tonight or tomorrow night. She is coming down in June for sure to get a job. That will be great.
I went to Baltimore this weekend with this kid off the carrier Independence (he’s from Iowa). We stayed with his aunt. She loved me because I ate so much and everything. I wouldn’t want to live in Baltimore, to dirty. Well, I guess that’s about it, I promise to write more often. Write Soon. Love, Frank
15 March 1973
Dear Mom, Dad
I almost wrote “Dear Mom, Dad, Sue”; it seems a little strange not to. I bet it’s quit around the hose isn’t it? But with dad’s great ideas of vagabonding, etc. you’ll find something to do.
We got our phone bill today, I think we set a new world’s record, $118 big ones, $45 of it was mine. I called Shirley today at noon and told her, she about died. We’ll have to cut down on phone calls. I got a letter from Sue yesterday also, said she was using my gifts a lot. She told me to come down some weekend or they’d come up here. I’ll probably see her in a couple weeks. A couple of buddies just came over. We’re going to have a couple of beers. I’ll be home by midnight, I promise (Ha Ha). Write Soon. Love, Frank
8 September (Saturday) 1973
Dear Mom & Dad,
I’m not going to say I’m sorry because that never sounds right. I just got done writing to Shirley. That put an end to that relationship. I was so sure she was the one. But we were too different.
It looks like I may not start school right away because of money. I’m going to stay in this general area and work construction. (Greg) Berry (FTG3) says they’re paying well in West Virginia building the RR. Really, all I can think about is getting out of the Navy; it’s become an obsession (115 days). I’m going to be completely lost. 4 years is a long time to be out of civilian land.
Well, enough of the sad stories. I’m ready to watch Nebraska beat UCLA. I’ve got everybody for Nebraska. Tell Sue and the baby “hi” for me. I hope they like it up North. Well, that’s about it, we leave for Cuba in 2 weeks from Monday. Last cruise, last cruise, ha, ha.
Write soon(er than I did)!! Love, Frank
10 October (Wednesday) 1973 (at sea)
Dear Mom and Dad,
Sorry for not writing, but we’ve been busy the last couple weeks. We’re not in Cuba yet, we leave Monday (15 October) and get back the first week in December, almost 2 months. We left last Monday (1 October) for sea and pulled back in Friday (5 October). We left yesterday (9 October) and pull back in Friday morning (12 October). Next week won’t be too bad. From Wednesday (17 October) until Monday morning (22 October) we’ll be in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We should have a good time down there. I don’t know if I told you but I was suppose to get out January 3rd, because the ship was going to the Med Jan 3rd, but they changed the schedule. So I don’t get out until my regular time Feb 16th – only 129 days left at the most. No word on Christmas cuts.
Well, we moved out of our apartment at the end of September. My stereo and most my other stuff is in West Virginia. I helped (Greg) Berry (FTG3) move Pam and the furniture home again. He’ll be living in Pam’s grandmother’s house – she died about a couple months ago and gave the house to Pam’s mom who in turn is going to let Pam and Berry stay there free as long as they want. So my stereo is there, sure do miss that thing.
Here are my plans when I get out in Feb. You remember I told you I met a guy who I washed dishes at Slaters (Kearney State College Cafeteria) named Joe? When I get out, Joe and I are going to Florida to work construction until June. They’re paying fantastic down there. He’s coming back to start school. Then, in the summer I’m going to get the traveling bug out of me. 6 or 7 of us are going to get together and go to California to see Wayne (Behrens) and Shorty. At the end of the summer, I’ll probably move back to the Midwest someplace and hopefully start school or work.
You’re probably wondering were I’m going to get a car. Well, I don’t want to take leave over Christmas, because I want to sell my leave back for about $700. But I want to come home probably for 4 or 5 days on a weekend. I plan on ordering either a Dodge or Chevy van and pick it up in Feb. It will be a lot cheaper there than here I plan on having about $1,000 when I get out
Shirley and I quit. We both agreed it was good while it lasted, but we both could tell it wasn’t going to last. There are no hard feelings on either side. I just want to make damn sure before I get married. This isn’t a bad letter for me, 4 pages. It won’t get mailed until Friday morning so hopefully you get it Saturday or Monday at the latest. Write when you get a chance and I’ll see you Christmas hopefully. Love you both. Be careful. Love, Frank
PS: Nebraska (football team) looks pretty good
PPS: You should see my hair, I’ve become the master of hiding it.
8 November (Thursday night)
I’m a little tired tonight so this may not be too long. It’s still hot down here (in Cuba), and I’m getting a good suntan. The ship started off terrible our first week of training, but we’ve started to come up. Tonight they told us they sucked a buoy up in the ships main intake valve, so we won’t be going out (to sea) until Monday at least. Little delays like that are going to keep us down here past December 8th. I only have 101 days left. I can hardly wait; 4 year is a long time. I hope I can re-adjust easy into civilian life, I’m almost sure I can.
We go to Haiti next weekend for liberty. I’ll probably buy some more woodcarvings (maybe for Christmas presents). Both my loans will be paid up at the end of November. So I’ll be out of debt completely. I may get a loan from the credit union for a van; it will be a lot cheaper in interest.
I cut my leg up pretty bad at the beach last Sunday. Doc put in 3 stitches. The waves knocked me against some coral rocks. But I’ll live. Well, time to go to bed. I’ll see you guys around Christmas sometime. Write soon!! Love, Frank PS: The package hasn’t got here yet!
19 November (Monday 4AM)
Dear Mom & Dad,
91 DAYS LEFT
Just a short note before I go to bed. We’re on our way back from Haiti. The price of woodcarvings had gone up a lot so I didn’t buy any this time. We got there Saturday morning and left this afternoon (Sunday, 18 November). The hospital ship “Sanctuary” was there. It has about 70 waves on it. That was strange to see girls working like us. I went over to see the dentist. He filled the little cavity I knew I had and got the stains off my front teeth right by the gums. I was glad I got that done.
I’ll probably be home sometime in December. I don’t know the dates exactly. It may not be on Christmas. It’ll probably be only for 5 or 6 days because I want to sell back as much leave as I can. I’ll need the money when I get out.
The school loan is paid up. A month earlier than I thought. I’m glad that’s done with. The package finally came. The cookies were great. The candy was good also. Thank you very much. Well, it’s 4 o’clock in the morning. We have to get up in an hour (I had the mid-watch), so I’d better go to bed. Write soon and I’ll see you in December. Love, Frank
19 November (Monday night)
Dear Mom & Dad,
What do you guys want for Christmas? I have no idea what to get. I have an idea for dad, but mom; I have no idea in the world. Sue, Andy & Joey-I don’t know either.
It looks like I won’t be home during Christmas. Everybody wanted to, but of course everybody couldn’t. If we get back the 8th of Dec, I’ll be home the 9th. That’s on a Sunday. I’ll have to come back the next weekend depending on when I have duty. So I guess we’ll have to have Christmas a little early. This will be the last one the Navy messes up! I got your letter asking me what I’d like for Christmas. About the only thing I’d like and need (desperately) are clothes. The only shoes I have are those black & white ones from Hong Kong, and they’re as good as worn out. My boots are almost a total lost. I’d like a pair of dress shoes (the kind with the big heels – you’ve probably seen them) either two tone brown or black & gray, something like that. I need pants also (flares with the 2” cuff on the bottom) – either dress or casual. I’m back down to a 34” waist and of course 34” length. Shoes are 10 ½ (D I think). The only belt I have is falling apart. I’m pretty well set for shirts. What ever you get I can surely use.
I got a sudden case of the 'sleepies', it’s almost midnight. I can hardly wait until Dec 9th, it’s been along time (since March 73). Write soon and I’ll see you in about 20 days!! Love, Frank
PS: I want to look for vans also!
Mullinnix Story: Jan-Feb 1973 Cruiser-Destroymen Story (pdf file)
Courtesy of Rick Arvonio
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© 2006 by Frank Wood, All rights reserved.