With the 69th anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 1944, this past week, I thought I would post a tribute to those who served so well and so long, to keep this nation free and strong. Their numbers are dwindling rapidly now, but we must never forget their sacrifice. They fought and died for this country and what it (used to?) stands for, freedom, justice and the pursuit of happiness. Theirs, was a time of greatness for America. One nation under God, indeed!
Being a **U.S. Navy veteran, this one is especially gratifying to me, I hope you enjoy it and will remember those who made America strong and kept America free. Thank you to the “Great Society” we will miss you dearly.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Jake.
* DD is the U.S Navy designation for “Destroyer” in the category of naval vessels.
** To the best of my knowledge and research DD-53 was not involved in WWII and is therefore, a fictional entity for the purpose of this poem. The USS Winslow (DD-53) was however, a participant in WWI. And proudly she served.
J.
They steamed out of Norfolk and into history.
THE SAGA OF DD FIFTY-THREE
They steamed out of Norfolk
and headed out to sea,
on their maiden voyage
in nineteen forty-three.
*
Off to join the sixth fleet
as the war was raging on,
none aboard were thinking
how long that they’d be gone.
*
Their minds were focused only
on the job they had to do,
sinking German submarines
until, the war was through.
*
On the third day, out of port
the sonar pinged a blip,
and general quarters sounded
all throughout the ship.
*
“BATTLE STATIONS, BATTLE STATIONS!”
“All hands, man your guns!”
They were finally going to get
revenge upon the Huns.
*
For all the shipping they had sunk
in the cold North Sea,
before arrival on the scene
of DD Fifty-Three.
*
The captain ordered hard to port
and the helmsman spun the wheel,
bringing the ship into a turn
as the “Klaxons” squealed.
*
“Prepare to roll racks one and two”
came the exec’s command,
the crew with nervous energy
was excited to a man.
*
“Roll the charges” came the call
and they dropped into the sea,
all hell was on its way
courtesy, of DD Fifty-Three.
*
They waited for the cans to find
their prey far down below,
and if they did, there’d be no doubt
the debris would let them know.
*
Then at last, there came a rumble,
followed by the plume,
that shot into the morning sky,
signalling a U-boat’s doom.
*
It was the first of many
that the crew would see,
those submarine sinking S.O.B.’s
of DD Fifty-Three.
*
Yes, they steamed out of Norfolk
an into history,
those submarine sinking S.O.B.’s
of DD Fifty-Three.
***
Jack Downing
Aug. 2009
In honor of the brave and heroic men and women,
of the “Great Society”
J. D
Copyright© Jack Downing, aka Jake @poemsandponderings.wordpress.com. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted or disseminated in any manner without the expressed written consent of the author. JRD.
poemsandponderings 
The two hundred year-old USS Constitution is unique in that she is the only ship in the USN that does not have a classification other than her name. The Secretary of the Navy, J. William Middendorf, II, ordered her reclassification from “IX-21” to “None” effective as of 1 September 1975. She is now listed on the Naval Vessel Register (NVR) of active in-commission ships only by her name. .
Thank you for that information Bianca, and thanks also for the read and comment.