A/N: Published November 1, 2020.

-12-

Lt. Joseph Orleck

A nervous Orleck glanced at the camera. The Gearing-class sat at the table with her hands in her lap. Kidd followed Orleck's gaze before going back to the destroyer.

"How about starting with when he enlisted?" Kidd suggested.

"J-Joseph enlisted in 1924," Orleck said.

"He's been in the Navy for quite a long time," Kidd commented.

"Yes," Orleck answered. "He kept on reenlisting and his ranks were Boatswain, Ensign, and Lieutenant."

"Where was he assigned?"

"First it was Louisville (CA-28) but was quickly reassigned to Quincy (CA-39). Oh, during his time on the minesweeper Raven, he received his first medal from the president; the Navy and Marine Corps medal! It was December 31st of 1932 off of Casablanca. The SS Lancaster ran aground. In bad weather and rough seas, Joseph took a motor whaleboat from Wainwright, the Sims, to rescue people off of the flooding steamer. His whaleboat capsized but he grabbed another one and continued rescue operations. He saved 20 people in total."

"He had the rank of Lieutenant," Kidd said. "Has he held any commands? Besides the whaleboat, I mean."

Orleck made a small smile and a brief chuckle.

"He was given command of the fleet tug, Nauset (AT-89) in May of 1943. Then during September…"

Kidd nodded with sympathetic encouragement.

"September 9, 1943, during combined operations in the Gulf of Salerno, the convoy came under air attack and Nauset was hit. After trying to put out the fire and patch the holes with the help of Nauset's sister, Narragansett, Joseph evacuated his crew to the tug, Intent. The fire went out and Nauset mostly self-corrected her list. Joseph wanted to beach Nauset with help from Narragansett and Intent in an effort to save her. Joseph, his First Lieutenant, and Chief Boatswain reboarded Nauset to fasten tow lines from Narragansett…Then Nauset exploded."

The fallen look on Orleck's prompted Kidd to want to stop and ask if Orleck was okay, but the Gearing carried on.

"After action reports speculate Nauset hit a mine. For his actions for saving his crew and attempt to save Nauset, Lt. Joseph Orleck was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross."

Orleck had a slight shiver when she finished. Kidd looked at the camera and Laffey turned it off.

"How was that?" Orleck asked.

"Good," Kidd responded.

"It didn't feel good," Orleck said.

"If that's how you feel, then there is room for improvement. Just take it one step at a time all the way to Jacksonville."

A/N: Orleck's tow to a Texas drydock for repairs then to Jacksonville was delayed because of the ongoning pandemic. Consequently, she took back-to-back batterings from Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta. Orleck suffered some damage with Laura tearing her away from her moorings, but Orleck hasn't taken on water nor a list.

Orleck needs help to hold on just a little bit longer until she gets to Jacksonville. This can be done through direct donations or AmazonSmile and spreading the word. The links can be found on her website (orleck . org [remove spaces]).

Take care, stay healthy, and stay safe, everyone.