USS HOUSTON CA 30
“The galloping Ghost of the
Orville T. McCarty
Hi,
I don't know the name of the crew member on the left crouching and playing an
instrument, but on the right with
paper folded in lap is an un-met uncle, Orville T. McCarty, killed in
action. A legend in our family since none of us nephews and nieces ever
met him. He was my mother's older brother and the family was from
They
are relaxing on deck of the U.S.S. Houston and photo was obviously to send back
to the folks at home, touching since they could have no idea of the fate
awaiting them.
I
don't have details now, but was told as boy that someone had come to the little
Kentucky farmhouse and said that Orville had "been seen swimming"
after the sinking but don't know if it was shipmate saying so finally returned
to U.S or whether a Navy person was relating reports.
It'd
be great if some surviving next generationers could
identify the guy on the left playing that instrument. Am
currently reading the great Ship of Ghosts.
Best,
Dale
Fuqua