070523-N-5248R-277 NORFOLK (May 23, 2007) - A Sailor assigned to aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) greets his wife following the ship's return to Naval Station Norfolk after the longest deployment by a carrier strike group since 2003. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKE CSG) deployed Oct. 3, 2006 to the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility to support ongoing operations including efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan and Maritime Operations in the region. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Sheldon Rowley (RELEASED)
070523-N-7653W-117 NORFOLK (May 23, 2007) - Family and friends welcome home Sailors assigned to guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) as they return to Naval Station Norfolk after the longest deployment by a carrier strike group since 2003. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKE CSG) deployed Oct. 3, 2006 to the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility to support ongoing operations including efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan and Maritime Operations in the region. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Justan Williams (RELEASED)
The enlisted U.S. Navy sailors in the recent photos with the two service stripes on their lower left sleeve have been in the Navy for at least 8 years. Enlisted U.S. Navy sailors wear one service stripe on the lower left sleeve of certain uniform to represent 4 years of service. I have been away from my wife on this current deployment for 9.19 years. I don't consciously remember the exact day I left for this deployment, but clues I have found suggest I have it right.
The enlisted U.S. Navy sailors in the recent photos with the two service stripes on their lower left sleeve have been in the Navy for at least 8 years. Enlisted U.S. Navy sailors wear one service stripe on the lower left sleeve of certain uniform to represent 4 years of service. I have been away from my wife on this current deployment for 9.19 years. I don't consciously remember the exact day I left for this deployment, but clues I have found suggest I have it right.
In my artificial and symbolic memory, Tina Mason is the woman who worked at the law firm I worked at and that had the son named Philip. She had a distinct resemblance, in my artificial and symbolic memory, to the actress Bette Davis, specifically in her eyes. I can "remember" standing outside her apartment with them looking into the night sky at Comet Hale-Bopp.
I am also thinking that USS Mason DDG-87 has some connection to my return home from Africa in 1987.
I have seen this kind of clue also with the commissioning date of the USS Cole DDG-67. In this case, the notion is to reflect that I returned home in 1987 after I was shot down by anti-aircraft fire on 2/14/1986. I was a POW in Libya until 4/14/1986 and then my family had a funeral service for me on 11/25/1986, thinking I had been killed when my prison was bombed by the U.S. Navy to give me a chance to escape and to return home. This clue follows a basic pattern of having some kind of anchor to connect two dates relevant to my identity and experiences.
From 2/14/1986 to 1/13/1987 is: 333 days
From 1/13/1987 to 4/12/2003 is: 5933 days
That 1/13/1987 anchor date for the USS Mason DDG-87 was also precisely in the middle of when they had a funeral for me and my 28th birthday.
From 11/25/1986 to 1/13/1987 is: 49 days
From 1/13/1987 to 3/3/1987 is: 49 days
The clue for the USS Shoup DDG-86 is similar to the recent release of the "Astronaut" album from Duran Duran. I recognize the date 2/14/1986 as when I was shot down by anti-aircraft fire somewhere on the continent of Africa. I was a POW of the Libyans until my prison was bombed on 4/14/1986 and I escaped into the desert. This clue uses a calculation of two-thirds of my time as a POW, which produces a day that connects to the commissioning date of the USS Shoup DG-86.
From 2/14/1986 to 4/14/1986 is: 59 days
59 / 3 * 2 = 39
From 2/14/1986 to 3/25/1986 is: 39 days
From 3/25/1986 to 6/22/2002 is: 5933 days
USS Shoup (DDG-86) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. Construction on the ship began at the Northrop Grumman Ship Systems' Ingalls Operations on 10 November 1998. Her keel was laid on 13 December 1999 and she was launched on 22 November 2000. Shoup sailed into the Gulf of Mexico for the first of her sea trials on 11 December 2001. The vessel was delivered to the Navy by Northrop Grumman on 18 February 2002 and departed Pascagoula on 22 April 2002. Shoup was commissioned on 22 June 2002 at Port Terminal 37 in Seattle, Washington.
From 3/25/1986 to 6/22/2002 is: 5933 days
USS Shoup (DDG-86) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. Construction on the ship began at the Northrop Grumman Ship Systems' Ingalls Operations on 10 November 1998. Her keel was laid on 13 December 1999 and she was launched on 22 November 2000. Shoup sailed into the Gulf of Mexico for the first of her sea trials on 11 December 2001. The vessel was delivered to the Navy by Northrop Grumman on 18 February 2002 and departed Pascagoula on 22 April 2002. Shoup was commissioned on 22 June 2002 at Port Terminal 37 in Seattle, Washington.
The ship is named for David M. Shoup the 22nd Commandant of the Marine Corps.
General David Monroe Shoup (30 December 1904 - 13 January 1983) was a World War II Medal of Honor recipient and the twenty-second Commandant of the United States Marine Corps (January 1, 1960–December 31, 1963).
...
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
COLONEL DAVID M. SHOUP
General David Monroe Shoup (30 December 1904 - 13 January 1983) was a World War II Medal of Honor recipient and the twenty-second Commandant of the United States Marine Corps (January 1, 1960–December 31, 1963).
...
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
COLONEL DAVID M. SHOUP
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of all Marine Corps troops in action against enemy Japanese forces on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, from 20 to 22 November 1943. Although severely shocked by an exploding enemy shell soon after landing at the pier and suffering from a serious, painful leg wound which had become infected, Col. Shoup fearlessly exposed himself to the terrific and relentless artillery, machinegun, and rifle fire from hostile shore emplacements. Rallying his hesitant troops by his own inspiring heroism, he gallantly led them across the fringing reefs to charge the heavily fortified island and reinforce our hard-pressed, thinly held lines. Upon arrival on shore, he assumed command of all landed troops and, working without rest under constant, withering enemy fire during the next 2 days, conducted smashing attacks against unbelievably strong and fanatically defended Japanese positions despite innumerable obstacles and heavy casualties. By his brilliant leadership daring tactics, and selfless devotion to duty, Col. Shoup was largely responsible for the final decisive defeat of the enemy, and his indomitable fighting spirit reflects great credit upon the U.S. Naval Service.
