RECOLLECTIONS

Chester Hill 1988

“Big Hill – Little Hill”

It was dinner time in Swanson’s wardroom in early January 1943, in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The ship’s officers wandered in and took their seats, three of us noticeably at the end of the long thwartship table portside. Commander Edward L. Robertson, USN (recently promoted) entered, and we all stood. “Seats, gentlemen.” Captain Robertson said. As we all settled down he said. “If you haven’t already, please meet your new officers and shipmates: Ensign Hill, Ensign Hill, and Ensign Holder. I called the Destroyer Officer Training school down in Norfolk and told them to send the finest, strongest, best trained, smartest new Ensigns that were available, and these are what arrived today. I can apologize, because this is what they selected - three-by-side names right out of the middle of the card file.”

Lt. Joseph M. Corcoran, the ship’s First Lieutenant who was seated at Captain Robertson’s left asked, “How do we tell which Hill is which?” Captain Robertson quickly made it clear: “The tall one is Big Hill and the short one is Little Hill.” And so it was, at least until I left the ship.

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PATROLLING STATION – MY FIRST NIGHT AT SEA.

Early January, 1943 DESRON 13 escorting a fast convoy of troopships New York to Casablanca. About 2330 hours on this my first night at sea in Swanson I climbed to the bridge to stand the midwatch. I first read carefully and initialed the Captain’s night orders, and then examined the chart to get an idea of our position. I proudly observed the formation disposition board near the sonar, which I myself had prepared two afternoons before after reporting on board. Feeling ready for anything I then went out to the darkness of the pilot house, located the JOOD (Junior officer of the Deck – or in Royal Navy usage the Watch) and relieved him after he quickly briefed me on the immediate situation. I then reported to the OOD that I had relieved the JOOD.

“Good evening Mr. Corcoran,” I heard a couple of the watch say a few minutes later. I watched and listened as Big Joe from Boston relieved the evening watch OOD, glanced around the horizon with his binoculars, and then settled comfortably into the Captain’s elevated swivel chair.

“WHERE IS MY JUNIOR OFFICER OF THE DECK?”

“Right here, sir,” as I stepped forward.

“What is your name?”

“Ensign Chester Hill, sir.”

“Little Hill ?”

“YES SIR.”

“Well, Little Hill, do you know how to patrol station on a zigzagging convoy?”

Quickly remembering that I had been fairly good in high school plane geometry, had been trained in using a maneuvering board and parallel rulers in Naval Reserve Midshipman’s School, and had worked on the covoy’s zigzag patterns two afternoons before I replied “Yes, Sir.”

“Very good, Chester. You have the conn. Just ask me if you need any help. “

“Aye Aye, sir.”

I will not impugn the memory of Lt. Joseph Mitchell “beJesus” Corcoran by telling you he coached me in every aspect of watch standing. He simply left me alone.

I was almost in shock when a quiet voice from the darkness at my left elbow said, “Mr. Hill, I am your Quartermaster of the watch. Petruzziello. Just cal me Petro. I am experienced in these things, so go ahead and do what you think you should do, and if you have any questions just ask me, but if I think you are making a mistake I will say so.

We finished the watch without reportable incidents, and I am and will forever be grateful to the memories of Carmine D. Petruzziello QM1c and Joe Corcoran for training me in my duties at sea. You can only learn by doing!