ATTACK AT DAWN

While on the "Salmon" we had a brand new seaman on board named Campbell.  At about 0300 one morning he woke me up with, "Doc I have a stomach ache."  Now ordinarily a non-qual with a stomach ache is something that's gets no time at all, but on this occasion I got up and asked him to tell me about it.  Several minutes later he was in a bunk with a thermometer and I was looking for "re-bound tenderness".  Well, in short order, I found he had a text-book case of appendicitis.  As this seaman was attached to the seaman gang, I called the COB in from the crews mess and told him about Seaman Campbell.  I also told him to get us to the surface and head for a helicopter pick-up at dawn.  Then I started an I.V. drip with antibiotics.

The COB went forward to spread the word and in short order the weapons officer arrived in Hogan's alley.  He remind me that the Captain had spent six hours of darkness getting into attack position on several aircraft carriers at dawn and he certainly would not to change his plans!  I told the Lt. that I wasn't gonna budge on my request and asked him to tell the X.O. as I was busy and he was going forward.  Well in a few minutes the X.O. was in Hogan’s alley and after a moment with Seaman Campbell, he started on me.  I re-told my story for the third time, heard about the aircraft carriers for the third time, and then requested the X.O. inform the C.O.  In about ten minutes the Captain was in Hogan’s alley talking to Seaman Campbell.

Finally the Captain turned to me and asked me what my impression was.  So I told my story for the forth time.  When I was done the Captain asked me, "Doc, how good are you at diagnosing appendicitis?"  I considered this for a moment and I replied, "Captain I'm batting 1000 % on appendicitis!”  He replied with, “Oh are you!”  Without breaking eye contact I reassured him, "Yes, I am.”  Every time I have diagnosed appendicitis the man has died of appendicitis!”  The Captain left immediately and two minutes later I heard a 1MC announcement, "Now prepare to surface four main engines!"  I heard the klaxon sound three times (the Salmon always sounded the klaxon on surfacing) and next the sound of 3000 lbs. high pressure air going into the ballast tanks.  The boat bobbed port and starboard until dawn and we transferred Seaman Campbell to Balboa Naval Hospital. 

Seaman Campbell’s appendix was surgically taken out by 0900 and his recovery was uneventful.  The incident was never referred to by the wardroom in my presents after that!