This is a true story and took place in Yokosuka, Japan, sometime in March, 1952 on board the USS L.S.I.L. 1092. The L.S.I.L. is a very small ship and the crew of 22 men were very close, more like a family.

There is always time for a good laugh. Seems we had a Greek kid, Pete Burduses, better known as “Pete The Greek”, from San Francisco, California. He was about as hyper as they come and loved a good laugh, even if it was on him. In fact, he would initiate it.

In Japan, Pete came down with a social disease. He had bragged about his girl friend to some of the other sailors.

At that time Japan was still under Military Government which gave authority to the local commanders to set rules. In Yokosuka there was a sizable Navy hospital. They had a Chief Hospital Corpsman that ran the V.D. clinic. He put together a good prevention plan.

This plan worked like this: When a man came down with a disease, he was grilled buy the chief or one of his crew to find out all the information they could about the girl involved. Then the local Japanese police would pick her up and take her to the hospital, where she was treated. Of course the man would also be treated.

Well, Pete not only knew the girl’s name, address, and description, he had a photo of her. He told the chief, “I will tell you everything you need to know but I would like to make a deal with you. First off, if I said I will not go out with another girl, I would be lying. All I ask you is that you let me out a couple of hours before you let her go, and tell me when she will be freed.” The chief agreed.

They treated them both and when they were well, they told Pete he could go in the morning and that they would let her out that evening. Pete went to “their” house and dressed himself in a robe. When she came in he said, “Where the hell have you been? Christ I was worried sick!”

“Oh,” she said, “My momasan sick. I go Tokyo, see sick momasan.”

Of course Pete knew where she was, but she did not know that he knew. Pete said, “Oh, I’m sorry. Is your momasan OK now?”

The girl said, “Yes she better now. Hope no more get sick.”

Pete said, “Just one thing. If you go away like that, please leave me a note or tell someone to let me know so I won’t worry.”

Of course she loved Pete for his concern, even if it was a falsehood.

Pete got a lot of teasing about all this and got as much fun out of it as any of the rest of us.

Since the ship was torn apart for repairs and conversion, we used the toilets on the dock. A few days after Pete was back on duty, I happened to be in the John and noticed a neatly penciled verse on the stall door. I laughed myself sick! I knew it was for Pete, so I copied it off and took it to the skipper. He also said, “We have to give this to Pete!”.

There was a man on the ship called Woods, who did beautiful art work, so the skipper called him in and had him pen the verse on pure white parchment. The skipper had purchased the paper and a small frame for the purpose. Meantime he asked us to keep it all a secret. When all was finished he called the crew together.

Only Woods, the skipper, and I knew about what we were doing, so it was a total surprise. With all hands on deck the skipper stepped out in front.

“Will Pete please step forward?” he said. I don’t know how that skipper kept a straight face. I was guarding myself with all my strength to keep from laughing, as was Woods.

Pete stepped out and stood before the skipper. The skipper stood very erect and said, “Pete, you have given of yourself more than just your duty. Your shipmates have enjoyed your fun and laughter, even during very stressful moments. It is for that reason that we present to you a token of our esteem for you. Therefore, My shipmate, we present this little token to you.” He handed the plaque to Pete.

Pete stood like he was almost ready to cry and tore the wrapping paper away. Then he laughed and could not even talk. He held up the plaque so all could read it. It said:

AS I STAND HERE

Once everyone got their laughter under control, Pete took the floor. “Captain, my shipmates. I am deeply moved by your very generous actions. I want you to know that I shall always treasure this wonderful award, and I will always remember with strong affection, this fine crew of men who has seen fit to so honor me.”

For a while I thought we were going to have to call the medics for Captain Miller…

Now, for a foot note to the story. Pete had told us that his uncle owned a bar in San Francisco called “The Frisco Bar“. In 1952 I happened into the bar and ordered a draft. It was my intentions to ask the big man if he knew Pete, but then I saw it. Right behind the bar in the center of a large mirror, was Pete‘s. award. After chocking on a mouthful of beer, I pointed to it. The big man smiled and said, “That’s my nephew’s award for catching the clap in Japan. He’s crazy.”

I told the man all about it and how it came about. He said that Pete treasured it much more than his Purple Heart or his Personal Citation. ( I did not know until then that Pete had been hurt in Korea.)

You know, I love those people!