Memories of Jim Mazeitis at Charleston!
Hello my name is Charlie Killough
I was a Em on board the odax from 1962 until 1965. I have been wanting to thank a hero that was on board during that time. This hero was named Walker and at the time we were low on Senior Controller man and even as a chief he elected to stand watch as a controller man. The Odax had a split cubicle the junior controller man operated on the Portside and the Senior operated from the Starboard side. I can still remember hitting the engine air shut off that was above the starboard controller man head. That day I was relieved by Chief Walker and had retired to the after torpedo room to talk to the torpedo man on watch. We had been waiting for the dive alarm all my watch, and I am glad the Chief Walker was on duty that day. The Odax had been prepared for dive by MM and the Diving Officer and a very grave error had been put into the trim calculation and after trim had 10,000 gallons to much in the tank if you do the math that’s 80,000 pounds heavy in the after trim tank. The dive horn was sounded and we started down for what could have been our last dive and the Odax would have been on eternal patrol with the thrasher. I was setting on the starboard torpedo tube loading table as we went on our dive as soon as the sail started to go under we started to go down stern first, I remember looking at the torpedo man and I know we both had a look of horror on our face. Then all of the sudden you could hear the power being added to the main motor the power was removed and we started sinking again power was applied and we made it to the surface. I went to the maneuvering room to find out what had happened. Chief Walker told me he had applied the power without a bell from the conning tower. Most of the crew was in their rack and was never aware of the near disaster we had just experienced that night. I am not sure if I thanked him that night, but today all these days later I want to thank him for my life and all the other good men that were on board that night chief Walker was never recommended or punished for his act of great courage that night and I have offended wonder why? I guess it quite simple The officer would have been in great trouble and the Captains of the Odax that signed the diving calculation. I have searched my heart about that night and I can tell you if I would have been at the starboard control At that time I would have not had the courage to apply the power without a bell or orders from the conning tower. We would all have perished that night and still have been on eternal patrol and I would have never seen our grand children and lived a good LIFE . SO ON THIS MEMORAL DAY 2010 I SAY TO YOU CHIEF WALKER THANKS YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. O by the way L still remember who was the diving officer that night.
I sure feel a lot better for getting this off my chest.
Thanks,
Charlie Killough
59 Marsie Ave.
Scottsboro Alabama 35769.
Phone # 256 244 0863
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