Transvestia

If the base on shore someone would wake me I'm a very poor sleeper Sometimes there would bridge at the same time.

I was fondly called the preacher by all, even the officers. But I wasn't reproached for my odd be- havior and made many friends. This little episode will give you a glimpse into my acceptance by the regular navy men. Every third night, I had to stand watch on the bridge, for the whole night. So many quartermasters and signalmen were being discharged that there weren't enough qualified personel aboard who could read the signal lamp. I had to sleep on the bridge, on a folding cot. wanted to send us a message, and I would read the light. and this really bothered me. be five or six people on the One night, I finally jumped off the cot and said, "If you want me, I'll be in the captain's sea cabin." Leaving my shipmates, with their mouths wide open, I entered the cabin and crawled inbetween nice, clean, white sheets. I will admit that I knew that the captain was ashore and wasn't expected aboard until the following day. When I got up the next morning and strolled out of the cabin, four seamen were standing at attention and gave me a smart salute. The leading seaman said, "Good morning sir, I hope you slept well." I said, "Very well, thank you Quartermaster. Carry on with your duties." My rep- utation reached a rather high plateau, when the story was repeated thoughout the ship.

After my discharge, I went back to San Francisco and bought some of the worst clothes you can imagine. I was so excited to be out of the Navy and no one to answer to that I didn't even buy anything feminine. I wore my brand new checked pants, white shirt and cream sport coat out of the store, and walked to the bus depot and bought a ticket for home. Quite a few people looked at me, and at the time, I thought I really must look pretty sharp, now I realize that I was a little bit conspicuous. I had about two hours to wait for the departure of my bus, so I took a walk to see some more of the lovely city. I was going through a very pretty park and naturally looking at