A place for the random strokes of genius and madness which spring forth unbidden from the labyrinth of Truckman's mind...Caution: commentaries, media reviews, proclamations and dire warnings may be seasoned with a unique humor tasting strongly of tongue-in-cheek...
Those who have followed the saga of Truckman and his trucks through the withering debacle bringing the loss of his beloved Dodge/Cummins know of the heartache that was left as he was compelled to say goodbye to his 15 year relationship with what was much more than just a means of conveyance...Regardless that he was not motionless as he still retained his Dodge Challenger, there remained a profound sense of loss that only those who truly love their trucks can feel when fate snatches away the one which was expected to last as long as its driver...Even though the Challenger was a satisfactory ride for Truckman, and carried him from point "A" to point "B" in style, and with power to spare, something was still missing...History shows that Truckman is always happiest and most productive when a soul-satisfying truck awaits his touch in his driveway, especially if it is powered by a Cummins diesel... The Challenger was not only stylish, with the potential of travelling just as fast as Truckman desired, it drew attention wherever it was parked, and even returned admirable fuel mileage under an admittedly light foot...But something was missing...One can become accustomed to climbing up to the driver's seat instead of sitting down in it, and the feeling of command from the higher position is undeniable...Being able to look to either side and have a panoramic view of the world behind through large, upright truck mirrors instead of the smaller more aerodynamic side mirrors furnished on the Challenger lends to a sense of security in knowing all that is behind and around the driver of a truck...And as thrilling as it was to hear the roar of power from the Dodge Hemi engine through the Magnaflow dual exhaust, nothing could quite erase the satisfying rumble of a Cummins diesel engine... As it finally dawned on Truckman that his soul could not rest without another truck, he began the quest to find a replacement for his lost love...It soon became apparent that the 2003 Dodge was truly unique in its equipment and low, well-maintained mileage as absolutely nothing was available to match it anywhere at any price...Truckman decided to broaden the scope of his search into other manufacturers, and other engine/transmission choices, but nothing seemed really right...At the same time his thoughts drifted back to another long lost truck which served its purpose so well, the 1973 Chevy 3/4 ton pickup employed as his gunshow truck when he was an independent firearms dealer...The "History" link above can provide a description...It was strictly utilitarian in purpose and appearance, but was also one of the most reliable trucks ever with never even a hint of trouble...It took me wherever I needed to go, and hauled anything I asked it to... Therefore I began to look at Dodge diesels in a more practical way...Not really needing all the latest in electronic gadgetry, and not being the flamboyant type with the need for the Laramie or Texas Edition Bighorn trucks with the accompanying high price tags, I began to look at the lower priced (and lesser equipped) ST and SLT packages...There are plenty out there to choose from, some with over a half million miles on them and still running, but obviously tired...Finally, after searching repeatedly in a 500 mile radius, I located one less than a mile from home at Weisner Buick/GMC where I had bought many vehicles in the past, and also introduced several new customers for their auto needs...This was a 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 ST originally built as a Cab & Chassis for upfitting with a custom bed...Carfax confirmed that it had only two owners since its original sale at Tomball Dodge (then also a Weisner dealership)...It was a corporate truck fitted with a flatbed and used for local deliveries in San Antonio/Austin...From there it was sold to an individual in 2016 who drove it to Montana for work, and returned to Conroe to trade it in on another at Weisner in 2018...It was obviously well cared for with no signs of neglect nor abuse... It is a single cab with seats for two and a middle jumpseat/armrest...It was originally specced with few options or creature comforts, but in addition to the standard power steering, power brakes and air conditioning, it does have AM/FM/CD radio and cruise control...A 52 gallon fuel tank means fewer stops to feed the mighty 6.7 liter Cummins diesel...This newer engine features a variable vane turbocharger with built in exhaust brake...A test drive confirmed it has all the power needed to keep up with traffic anywhere...One concession I made to my practical side was to accept the six-speed Aisin automatic transmission in place of my former manual shift...I'm already becoming accustomed to it although I still have a tendency to reach for that non-existent clutch pedal and shift lever...This is also a two wheel drive model, but in all fairness, I only needed the 4WD of my former truck twice in 15 years...Being specced as a cab & chassis, it was built with a super-strong solid tube axle in front in place of independent suspension, and industry-standard straight frame rails to accommodate upfitters... I took delivery yesterday after negotiating a fair price with my salesman, Vince Taylor, who as always was willing to jump through hoops to please a customer with no rush, and no pressure...The Challenger was also taken as a trade at a fair price...Due to the previously talked of visibility issues between it and my trucks, it had received a scrape in a minor fender bender, for which I took the penalty in the negotiated trade...My next stop was CC Plus to get my XM radio installed (already tuned to my customary Radio Classics channel 148), and then to top off the fuel tank with fresh diesel...Today I drove it to Kustomwerk Paint & Body to schedule getting the paint refreshed on the flatbed...Other improvements are already beginning to take shape in my mind as I prepare for what I hope to be another long love affair with a truck...I look at this one as a combination of my beloved 2003 Dodge Laramie and my ever-dependable 1973 Chevy...The roll-up windows, manually adjusted towing mirrors and hand-operated door locks remind me of the old Chevy, and the power and sound of the Cummins diesel bring a smile to my weathered face as I drive off into a new adventure in motoring... With 145,200 miles on the odometer as I took delivery, the Cummins is fully broken in and champing at the bit for the highway...As with each of my 16 previous purchases at Weisner dealerships, this being the third one negotiated with my friend Vince Taylor, I look forward to crossing several more odometer thresholds in my new ride... Photos may be seen here...
Addendum: In a move that has become commonplace with Traveler's Insurance Co. they again made an error in insuring my new ride...While reviewing my new policy and insurance card, my eagle-eyed staff noticed that the truck was listed as a 1998 year model instead of the correct 2009...A call was made and the mistake was corrected to reflect the change...Although this was clearly a blunder on the part of Traveler's since the year model should have been taken from the supplied VIN, and since Truckman told them the correct year in the first place, the Traveler's representative put the blame on the manufacturer because they had changed their name from Dodge to Ram in 2009, apparently confusing the folks at Traveler's who have only had the ensuing nine years to update their database...Their apology came in the form of an increase in price for my policy since the truck is now newer than they had thought...Arguing the point seemed fruitless, and Truckman decided his time would be more productively spent in locating a more competent insurer...
Much has been written in this blog, and in the author's books of USS APc-48, and its service in the South Pacific during WWII, but little can be found of its postwar civilian career as a fishing vessel other than its transfer of ownership from one master to the next...Recently a connection was noticed between this old warrior and a sister ship...Just like those odd meetings sometimes told of those who have served their country in war, and somehow meet in later years as civilians, APc-48, in its peacetime identity as MV Allen Cody, is now known to have been docked together for a number of years with the MV Dennis Gayle, formerly serving the US Navy as USS APc-5...Built on opposite ends of the nation in Rhode Island and California, both saw honorable service in the South Pacific until the war's end, then transferred to MARAD for sale as demilled commercial vessels...In 2007 both ships were acquired by Stanwood Murphy with the intention of using one as a historic maritime exhibit, and the other as a private yacht... Alas, good intentions are sometimes ensnared by circumstances...As has been told in the "APc-48" series of books, Allen Cody sank at its moorings in 2008, and was subsequently raised and salvaged, its current fate unknown...It has now been learned that the former APc-5, Dennis Gayle, also sank at the same dock as reported by the North Coast Journal, a periodical of Humboldt County, California...A small amount of investigation by "Gray Gang" member, Earl the Pearl, revealed the connection between the two, and the fact that both ships had been acquired by Stanwood Murphy...NavSource recorded that after purchase by Stanwood Murphy, Jr., the Dennis Gayle was then bought by Matthew Maurice of San Diego in 2009, then resold to Woody Murphy (believed by this writer to be either the same person, or of the same family as Stanwood Murphy)...The ship went to the bottom of Humboldt Bay on 2/28/2016 at the same dock where Allen Cody (APc-48) sank and was subsequently salvaged eight years earlier...The North Coast Journal article does reveal that the Allen Cody was dragged from the bay onto dry land where it was reported as resting at the time of that article...Efforts to speak with someone in the Murphy family through addresses found online have been fruitless... A detailed search of the available War Diaries of APc-48 in NARA reveal no mention of steaming in convoy nor being moored with APc-5 during the war...But since both ships earned the same campaign ribbons (American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and WWII Victory Medal), it is still likely they occupied the same waters at one time or another...It is certain that both ships made their retirement home at the same dock...The YouTube video below has further details...
Giving away state secrets, or more correctly selling or trading classified information, particularly in a time of war when lives are in the balance, can be viewed as akin to treason, and punishable under prevailing law...Not all instances are alike, and not all are even punishable, although each has its consequences...Intention can be a governing factor in how an act is viewed from both contemporary and historical angles...Almost all participants in war, whether active in military or government service, or passively biding time in a civilian position, are privy to some sort of information which could be valuable to a belligerent nation..."Loose lips sink ships" was a clever slogan first introduced in WWII by the War Advertising Council, and repeated countless times in posters, news media and word of mouth as an admonition against speaking of any knowledge which might be of use by an enemy... It was used, and continues to be used, as the basis for innumerable conversation scenes in movies, TV programs and books between a usually well-intentioned braggart and a wiser listener who sometimes forcefully reminds the talker to shut up...At times the over-zealous blatherskite turns out to be someone who was schooled extensively in the value of words, but in a moment of mindlessness says the wrong thing to the listening ear of someone who is guaranteed to irretrievably repeat it to a widespread audience...Such an opportunity arose to Morton Tinslar Seligman, a US Navy Commander and Annapolis graduate with 23 years of continuous service and recipient of two Navy Crosses...Seligman had only recently left the doomed USS Lexington (CV-2) during the Battle of the Coral Sea in which, as Executive Officer of the "Lady Lex," he was credited with saving countless lives due to his efficient, cool-headed management of damage control operations...He was one of the last men to step off the ship before it sank into its grave on the seabed... Following the battle, Seligman was berthed on USS Barnett (APA-5) for passage to the US and reassignment...Other survivors included embedded war correspondent for the Chicago Tribune, Stanley Johnston, and flight leader of the Lexington's dive bombers, LCmdr. Robert E. Dixon who famously uttered the memorable phrase, "Scratch one flattop!" as the JIN Shoho burst into flame from its bombing...Available quarters were scarce for passengers aboard Barnett, and Seligman bunked with Johnston...From there most of the details of what happened next were cloaked in secrecy due to the sensitive nature of the developing scene, but certain facts are a part of public record...Much classified material and information was known to many of those aboard the Barnett, but most of them knew to whom they could speak, as well as when and where...Any information at all could conceivably be used by the enemy if it became known...Many meetings and debriefings were held aboard the Barnett in closed quarters in preparation for the endless number of reports that must be written and assimilated among the various agencies for analysis and policy decisions...Those attendees all certainly knew their responsibilities and limits... As a higher ranking line officer of the US Navy with a security clearance granting him access to classified data, Seligman was well aware that Japanese eyes and ears were open and waiting for any scrap of information previously unknown to them...On 6/7/1942, five days after Johnston's arrival in San Diego on Barnett, under the blaring front page headline trumpeting the US victory in the Battle of Midway, a separate story headlined "Navy Had Word Of Jap Plan To Strike At Sea" told of the foreknowledge of Japanese plans that allowed the US Navy to plan an ambush at sea which ultimately destroyed four first line aircraft carriers of the JIN...Anyone reading this story, among them Japanese agents who scoured every American news source daily, could have, following a moment's thought, have surmised that if the American forces knew of the plans ahead of time, they must either be reading intercepted Japanese coded messages, or have a spy network within the Japanese war ministry feeding them information...Either way this information could be devastating to the sensitive information gathering process used by the Allied forces to plan actions against the enemy...The author of the story and his publisher would also know this, and must somehow be accountable for the potential damage to the Allied war effort... The US Naval Historical Foundation tells three separate versions of the story on its website nodding to the fact that the incident has been shrouded in mystery and embarrassment for over 70 years...In the first, Johnston himself in his book, "Queen of the Flattops,"admits that he saw classified messages listing the Japanese order of battle for Midway and US estimates of the Japanese battle strength two weeks before the battle took place, giving him the basis for the story he filed with the Chicago Tribune...The federal prosecutor assigned the job of investigating the matter by the US Attorney General took the generally accepted position that Johnston's bunkmate, Seligman, either deliberately or inadvertently let slip a copy of the decoded messages from Adm. Nimitz during the voyage...The second version is similar, differing in that Seligman made the same blunder aboard USS Chester (CA-27) during transit away from the Coral Sea action scene, but before boarding Barnett...This is recorded in the biography, "Nimitz," by EB Potter... The third version is mostly hearsay and usually said to be notable only because of its source...A civilian advisor to then Navy Secretary Frank Knox told of a meeting with Johnston 15 years after the event in which Johnston said he was rescued from the sea by USS New Orleans (CA-32) and transported to Pearl Harbor...During this trip he was said to have gained access to the coded messages and memorized them to use as notes for the story he later wrote and filed...The civilian did not make this conversation known immediately, but 20 years later related it to a doctor who then wrote of it for the US Naval Institute's publication, "Proceedings"...The civilian's credibility arises from his identity as Adlai E. Stevenson II, former Illinois Governor, Ambassador to the UN and twice a failed candidate for US President as a Democrat... The generally believed version holds that Seligman, for whatever cause, released the messages to Johnston who, aided by the willingness of the Chicago Tribune, released this vital military secret to possible interception by the Japanese enemy for the sake of either readership numbers, or possibly as a source of embarrassment for President FD Roosevelt, who shared a mutual hatred with the then-editor of the Tribune, Robert McCormick...Neither Seligman, Johnston nor any other player in this real-life drama was ever indicted or prosecuted in the interest of keeping the story as low-key as possible, avoiding the revelation of its importance to national security in a public trial...Seligman never received another sea assignment, or promotion, retiring in 1944 before the war's end...CNO Adm. Ernest King personally intervened with the Navy promotions board to see to it that Seligman never advanced, although he was granted a tombstone promotion to Captain after his retirement in view of his service record before the Tribune incident...He had a minor career in Hollywood filmmaking both before and after the war as a technical advisor...Johnston reported the Latin American scene as a foreign correspondent for the Tribune until he returned to become grounds manager at Robert McCormick's Illinois estate...He died from an apparent heart attack shortly after...Despite urging from President Roosevelt to press for espionage charges against the Tribune's editorial staff, no further legal proceedings were carried out...All grand jury documents concerning the incident were sealed until 2017... The results of the investigation had been sealed within the halls of NARA for 75 years before a court ordered them released for viewing by the public...It can now be revealed that Johnston insisted at the time that he found a scrap of paper detailing Nimitz' messages, copied them and later used them to write his story...He claimed to have not known of the secrecy involved, and only remembered the notes after hearing of the battle...Presenting what he knew to his story editor, he wrote his article then destroyed the notes...All a likely story, but unprovable otherwise for the prosecutor without corroborating evidence...Seligman's culpability could neither be proven but was assumed to be so by CNO King, who broke a personal oath to never use his influence over promotions to see to it that Seligman's Navy career was finished...The coded message from Nimitz, numbered 311221, was not intended to have been placed aboard USS Barnett, but the decoding equipment needed to read it had by chance been placed on that ship...As it turned out, the story was never even heard of in Japan by anyone who could have known its importance and made preparations to secure further messages...The JIN changed their operations code shortly before the story broke merely because the change was due on a timetable...
