Jim - maybe it is just me, but it is somewhat frustrating when reading a post and the contributor has a "signing name" - that does not identify who the person is. I read with quite some interest - recent post by Jane Wright concerning current condition of NavFac Pt Sur. "Rubber Ducky" posted a subsequent reply - and he took me back to 1957 !! He provided some "history" about Sur and CVB - just prior to my era. Was very interesting to read his comments (I say "his" - because no females in the system at that time) - was curious who this individual is. Would like to know more about his experiences, etc. Is there a way to link a "sign - in name" with the actual person?? - or do I need to post a message to that individual? Hope all is well....Irv
Very good point Irv. I too find it frustrating that people use their "pet" name instead of sharing their idea or comment in their name that "we" might recognize them. Is there any help for this situation or is it one of the "poster's" freedoms in our Democracy? Thanks for listening.
I'm not sure why my real-world name means anything in a board where not one person knows me ... or why having gone through this before it's needed to do again... but for the record:
Rubber Ducky = John Byron. Plankowner CVB. Chief Sonarman. Captain USN, retired 1993 after 37 years continuous active duty, former CO USS GUDGEON (SS-567) and of Naval Ordnance Test Unit Cape Canaveral. After shipping over at CVB in 1959, I then served in 5 submarines and a cruiser, attended and taught at The National War College, was the Diesel/SWS head detailer, did stints in the Polaris/Poseidon/Trident program office, and served as Frank Kelso's EA on SecNav's staff.
Rubber Ducky was the name given GUDGEON by submariners on the waterfront in San Diego in the mid-'70s when she was covered with anechoic tiles as part of CNO Project 699 (USS BATFISH was the other boat in the trial). In the tradition of boat hails in which a small boat carrying a skipper would call out the name of that person's command when meeting another Navy small craft, Rubber Ducky is a proper handle for a GUDGEON CO.
And the practice of using handles rather than names is widespread around the internets. As I post in a few other forums I have carried here the same moniker I use elsewhere. Clear enough?
That's a fair enough question, I suppose, and this is in way meant as criticism!
I've been reading Rubberducky's comments on a few blogs (this one, http://bubbleheads.blogspot.com/) for several years. Although I never knew who he was, I never really cared either. I inferred from his posts a lot about his background, and his comments are always very informed, thought-provoking, and definitive.
I too had often wondered who you were, but figured since my career was short, due to a knee injury, I probably wouldn't have met you. It was great to read your response - what a career. Hopefully, we'll have a chance to meet at the next IUSS reunion.
