Recalled to Duty

Lee Harrison Stewart, a Seaman Apprentice, was stationed at a backwater naval station in Astoria Oregon, working in the Communications Center. He had just re-enlisted for six years to attend the Navy's Electronics school at Great Lakes Naval Training Center. There was a massive screwup with a machine card's punched hole indicated he had just graduated, awaiting assignment. The Communications Officer was very upset at Stewart believing he was lying about his orders. Life, for Lee went behind a thunderous cloud! Not only that, there was nothing for a teenager to do in this salmon canning community. He requested a transfer to sea duty anywhere on any kind of ship before he got into serious trouble. Shortly thereafter, the North Korean Army invaded South Korea. A month later, Lee received orders to report to Naval Shipyard Yokosuka for further transfer to LST-1072.

Upon arrival in Yokosuka, Lee found out his LST had already sailed to participate in the Inchon Amphibious landing on September 15, 1950. Therefore, Lee was assigned to something called 'The PF Detail'. The next day, he was assigned to a PF named USS Hoquiam PF-5. He was to help restore this bedraggled, beat up, LendLeased Soviet Navy sabotaged hulk to active duty. He was instantly assigned to the Radio Shack where he discovered the other five Radiomen were pissed off USNR-R sailors that did not attend Reserve meeting, wear uniforms, or draw pay who were not supposed to be recalled until all USNR sailors who did attend monthly training meetings, wear uniforms, and draw attendance pay were recalled. President Truman, a WW1 combat veteran in France, decided its was better to recall WW2 combat veterans rather than wet-behind-the-ears USNR sailors. Lee was one of seven USN sailors assigned to PF-5 to rehabilitate the ship. Not only that, the other 5 Radiomen knew nothing about the current Navy Radio Procedures, which he did know. He, a lowly Seaman Apprentice, had to teach five senior Petty Officers who things worked nowadays. Meanwhile, the future crew of this ship were allowed liberty in Yokosuka. It was a wonderful town for a teenager. Lee's nose didn't grow and he did not bray like a jackass while he explored and tasted the bright lights, music, new odors, and girls.

A girl back in Astoria that he had dated a few times, wrote with bad news. At her graduation party that he was supposed to be her date, another teenager got her drunk and made way with her. She was pregnant and wanted Lee to marry her and be a father to the baby. Lee was having none of that. His new division officer sealed the letter for safekeeping and placed it in his service jacket.

Eventually, after nearly two months of corrective work, the USS Hoquiam PF-5 black gang lights off one of two boilers. When the steam is up, the Commanding Officer-to-be, maneuvered the ship to a pier where she will be recommissioned the next day.