James Henry Bishop 1989
“Let there be light!”
As a vigorous young man who had all the natural urges associated with youth, I had a problem. I had never been circumcised , and when required to stand short arm inspection and during certain natural functions there was pain. While in the southwest Pacific, I explained my problem to Dr. Gaines and asked him to circumcise me. He declined. Later after Dr.Gaines was transferred and Dr. William Miller reported aboard, at the first chance I explained my problem to him and he examined me. He said he would perform the necessary surgery at the first opportunity when we were in port.
Later the Swanson anchored in Saipan Harbor and Dr. Miller was free to operate. He prepared me for surgery and applied a local anesthesia to deaden my penis. Anyone about to be cut upon suffers from apprehension or fear and I was no different ! Shortly after he began cutting the announcement came over the loudspeakers: “General Quarters, all hands man your battle stations !” followed by the ringing of the general alarm. Anytime that general alarm rings it will immediately increase the adrenaline flow in your body. Enemy planes were approaching! Dr. Miller was proceeding with his cutting but to me he appeared to be moving faster and I was becoming more alarmed! After all he was dealing with a prized part of my body – that had very low mileage with a lot of good years left! Just then our lights went out! Not having any sensation in my penis and being in total darkness I was unsure whether Dr. Miller was cutting or not! Now I was really alarmed and I said: “Doc I sure hope you have stopped cutting!” He reassured me that he was waiting for the lights to come on which they did within a matter of seconds but in my situation it seemed like an eternity.
After my successful surgery, several of my shipmates decided to have a circumcision and the joke around the ship was our good Doctor was saving the foreskins to add to the Swanson famous gourmet breakfast of “Chipped beef on toast”. Which everyone enjoyed!