Captain Says GOOD-BYE

Captain Rodgers Leaves the SALT LAKE CITY

As you all now know, I am scheduled for detachment upon arrival of my relief, due any time. The regret that I feel in leaving this ship cannot be expressed in mere words --it is something far beyond expression. When men go through battle together, a bond of comradeship arises which makes parting much more painful than is ordinarily to be expected.

Physically we must part, but this bond so created will never cease to exist. I shall always feel that I am a part of the SLC and of her gallant crew. You all fought a good fight, or we wouldn't be here. Each man did his part, in his place, where his services were equally important to us all. The strength of a chain is the strength of the weakest link--there were no weak links in our chain that day and the strength of that chain spelled victory - Your victory! Had one of you faltered, or broken--who can tell what might have happened? We must not forget, of course, to thank Divine Providence, also for our safe passage through that notable day.

The loyalty which you all have given me will never be forgotten and I hope that I may again have the privilege and pleasure of being your shipmate. Continue the good fight - give the next Skipper the same enthusiastic and loyal support that you gave to me.

Good-bye and may God bless you all!

Captain B. J. Rodgers, U.S. Navy
Commanding U.S.S. Salt Lake City

Return to Index

"When the tumult and the shouting dies, and the masters and the Kings depart" and the screaming headlines in wartime newspapers have cloistered themselves in the condoning pages of history, there will be some who have gleaned from the fields of battle many things that will not die. Perhaps the best of these is lasting friendship and understanding. Friendships are born of a twinkle of an eye, and nursed with mutual enjoyment and with sorrow. They ripen fastest under fire of a common enemy. Neither combinations of Greek letters nor oaths of fraternity can weld men together like the heat of battle.

Return to Index

The officers and men of the Salt Lake City in bidding farewell to our skipper wish to say a few things in passing. All of us have been most fortunate in having as our Captain B. J., "Komandorskie" Rodgers - the finest, most gallant, intrepid, fairest, squarest skipper that ever wore four stripes or steamed a ship to battle. Our hearts are sad as the end of your cruise in the Salt Lake City approaches. We say a found "au revoir" and give you our heart-felt and sincere good wishes for your continued success and hope that we, the men you led in battle, will again be led by you when you are wearing the stars you so richly deserve. We are proud to have been your shipmates!

God bless you too, Captain

The Officers and Men of the Salt Lake City

Return to Index
Return to Battle of the Komandorski Island Index

OUR NATION