You've got to learn to think."
"Yes, Sir." Commander Schneebelly glowered at both of them for another thirty seconds. But it seemed longer. He then handed Pickering a sheet of teletype paper.
URGENT
NAVY DEPT WASH DC 1530 31AUG42
TO: FLAG OFFICER COMMANDING
NAS PENSACOLA FLA
SENIOR NAVAL REPRESENTATIVE
GRUMMAN AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
BETHPAGE LI NY
1. THIS MESSAGE CONFIRMS VARIOUS TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS OF THIS DATE BETWEEN CAPT D.W.
GOBLE, AND COMM F.L. TAYLOR, NAS PENSACOLA; COMM J.W. SCHNEEBELLY AND LTCOM B.T. HARRIS, OFFICE OF NAVAL REPRESENTATIVE, GRUMMAN AIRCRAFT CORP BETHPAGE LI NY AND CAPT J. T. HAUGH- TON, OFFICE OF SECNAV.
2. THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY DESIRES THE PRESENCE OF 2ND LT M.S. PICKERING, USMCR AND 2ND
LT RICHARD J. STECKER, USMC IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
NOT LATER THAN 1600 1 SEPTEMBER 1942.
3. SENIOR NAVREP GRUMMAN WILL AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE TIME DIRECT SUBJECT OFFICERS TO
SCHEDULE AN INTERMEDIATE STOP AT ANACOSTIA NAS ARRIVING THERE AT NOT LATER THAN 1600 HOURS DURING FERRY FLIGHT BETHPAGE DASH PENSACOLA AND BE PREPARED TO SPEND NOT MORE THAN TWENTY- FOUR HOURS IN WASHINGTON.
4. SENIOR NAVREP GRUMMAN WILL BY THE MOST EXPEDITIOUS MEANS, PREFERABLY TELEPHONE, INFORM
OFFICE SECNAVOF (A) TRANSMITTALTOSUBJECTOFFICERS OF ORDERS IN 2. AND 3. ABOVE; (B) OF DEPARTURE OF SUBJECT OFFICERS FROM BETHPAGE AND ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL AT ANACOSTIA.
By DIRECTION:
HAUGHTON, CAPT, USN, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER TO SECNAV
Pick read it and then looked at Commander Schneebelly.
"May I show this to Mr. Stecker, Sir?" Schneebelly made an impatient gesture signifying that he might.
What the hell is this? Stecker wondered.
"What the hell is this all about?" Commander Schneebelly asked. "Do you know?"
"No, Sir," Stecker said.
"No, Sir," Pickering parroted.
"I have been just a little curious," Schneebelly said, "and so I am sure, have people at Pensacola. What possible interest could the Secretary of the Navy have in two second lieutenants?" Neither Stecker nor Pickering replied.
"All right. Now let me tell you what's going to happen. I have personally drawn up a flight plan for you. It is approximately 230 air miles between here and Anacostia, passing over Lakehurst NAS. At a cruising speed of 280 knots, that indicates an approximate flight time of forty-eight minutes. We will figure on one hour, just to be safe. We will also schedule your arrival time at Anacostia for 1500 hours, rather than 1600.
That means you will take off from here precisely at 1400 hours.
Between now and 1400, you will ensure that your uniforms are shipshape, and get yourselves haircuts. You will not leave the plant grounds, and you will keep me, and/or the chief, advised of your location at all times. Clear? Any questions?"
"Sir, what about test-flying the airplanes?" Stecker asked.
"The airplanes will have been test-flown before you sign for them. I'll do it myself, as a matter of fact,"
"Sir, with respect, I'd prefer to do that myself."
"No one particularly cares what you would prefer to do, Mister."
"Sir, with respect, that's called for by regulations."
"You really are a wise guy, aren't you, Mister?"
"I don't mean to be, Sir."
"Very well, Mister, you will conduct the pre-ferry test flight."
"Thank you, Sir."
"Chief" Commander Schneebelly called, raising his voice.
The door opened and the chief stuck his head in.
"Chief, these officers are going to conduct pre-ferry test flights of their aircraft and then they are going to get haircuts and have their uniforms pressed. Would you please go with them and see that they have every possible assistance?"
"Aye, aye, Sir."
"Don't let them out of your sight, Chief."
(Four)
THE FOSTER LAFAYETTE HOTEL
WASHINGTON, D.C.
1710 HOURS I SEPTEMBER 1942
There was a knock. And Senator Richmond F. Fowler went to the door of his suite to answer it.