On a USS Kawishiwi AO-146 WestPac cruise in the years 60-62, one night on the midnight to 4 a.m. watch in the CIC,  a Radioman did not show up for duty. He was not in his bunk either. A Radarman was sent to find him and about ten minutes later he came back looking white as a sheet, saying nothing; after being asked what was the matter, twice, he finally said that he had found the Radioman dead in the aft radio transmitting room. It appeared he had hung himself off one of the pipes that ran through the ceiling..... and that HE WAS WEARING A DRESS!! The Executive Officer and Captain were immediately notified. Everyone in CIC was interviewed along with all other Radarmen and Radiomen. They put his body in the aft freezers by the chow hall, and a couple of days later Kawishiwi rendezvoused with an aircraft carrier and the body was transferred over on a high line. It is wondered what the Navy told his parents as far as the circumstances, what really happened. The sailor who found him hanging lives in Alamogordo, New Mexico, and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer. by Hector Montano RD2 1960-1962

It is hard to believe that any person would put a dress on if he were to hang himself. This had to have been done prejudice shipmates.

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