USS Atherton DE 169

DESTROYER ESCORT - CANNON CLASS

The USS Atherton DE 169 is in Green Cove Springs Florida to be decommissioned. Dick talked the captain into letting George Pisarski FM 2/c off restriction from a previous drunk and disorderly charge so he could go to the January 1, 1946 Gater Bowl football game; George was a football player and did not want to miss the game, besides the tickets were free.

The captain told Dick "OK, but I am holding you responsible for George."

During the game one of the players broke out and was running for a touch down and all of a sudden a sailor ran out on the field and tackled the runner. Dick said right then he knew he was in trouble. He bailed George out of jail and sure enough both were put on restriction that lasted two weeks.

Ensign Dick Huntsberger on duty Forward Engine Room said that between the rolls from side to side, the ship would fall sharply with a terrible thud, and one time there was a very loud, sharp noise. Just aft the forward bulkhead, the beam that runs bow to stern broke. He called the captain down to look at it. Captain Lewis Iselin, who was an experienced sailor, said "Well, we still have twelve more." and went back to the bridge.