IN MEMORIAM

November 22, 1975

• MM1 JAMES W. CASS
• MM2 DOUGLAS S. FREEMAN
• EM2 MICHAEL W. KAWOLA
• DS3 GERALD A. KETCHAM
• STG3 BRENT W. LASSEN
• FA DAVID A. MESSMER
• DS2 GORDON T. ST.MARIE

22 November 1975

      
As a cold rain sweeps across the sea
A flaming death lurks near
Like Satan opening the gates of Hell
Unleashing his fiery fear.

A crash and a yell in the stillness of night
Confusion within the flames
Brave, courageous, young and old
God only knows their names.

Trapped on that ship with nowhere to run
They did what they had to do,
And we on the other ships did what we could
With the helplessness we knew.

Standing there we watched as brave men fought
Not able to give a hand
Wishing we could be right there
To help them make their stand.

They fought the fire, and we all prayed
For hours till the blaze did halt
They counted their hurt, missing and dead
They beat back the Devils assault.

For the dead my heart it cries
I still see it all in my mind
A constant reminder to me and the others
That danger is in the shadows behind.

So maybe now we're stronger
Bonded together even more
Maybe now we'll watch closer
And lock up Hell's death door.
      
  

OS3 Chipps, USS DALE CG-19

The Navy Hymn

        Eternal Father, strong to save,
        Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
        Who biddest the mighty ocean deep
        it's own appointed limits keep.
        Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee
        for those in peril on the sea.
      
  

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