USS MULLINNIX DD-944
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Cannes, France 1961
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Excerpt from "The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944"
A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood
George Albert "Georgie" Jessel - actor, singer, songwriter, and film producer. Famous as a multitalented comedic entertainer, achieving a level of recognition that transcended his limited roles in movies. He was widely known by his nickname, the "Toastmaster General of the United States," for his frequent role as the master of ceremonies at political and entertainment gatherings.
While in Cannes, vaudeville was relived on the torpedo deck one afternoon when George Jessel boarded the ship and presented a 45-minute show of music and comedy to the assembled ship’s company.
She left Cannes on 9 June to continue plan guard duty for Roosevelt. Between plane guard duty and gunnery exercise, the crew kept busy through 14 June, when Mullinnix anchored in Golfo di Palmas, Sardinia. With two passengers from USS Johnston DD-821 (LTJG James S. Person Jr and BT2 James B Oliver, left steamed out of Sardinia, in route to Palermo, Sicily. The ship moored starboard side to Pier Piave, Palermo shortly after 0800 on 16 June.
To be continued...
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