SEA PAY by Bob Dorgan

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book are dedicated to:

California Lutheran University’s – Christian John Belgum History Scholarship Program.

Shriners Hospitals for Children – in name of Daniel Francis Macey

Educated at one of the foremost prep schools on the East Coast, Valley Forge Military Academy, Bob Dorgan was well prepared for life in the US NAVY. Although SEA PAY is his story, it weaves together the threads of similar experiences, millions of Veterans have lived during their time as members of our Armed Forces.

Forward deployed to the USS Midway, halfway around the world, Dorgan soon learned life aboard an aircraft carrier at sea was, at times, full of intense danger and chaos.

An emergency Indian Ocean deployment to relieve the crippled aircraft carrier USS Ranger after her collision with the oil tanker Fortune near Singapore in 1979.

Activated as the first carrier battle group to enter the Arabian Sea following the fall of the US Embassy in Iran later that same year. The first lead aircraft carrier on “GONZO STATION”, later joined by the carriers USS Kitty Hawk and USS Nimitz. The 1980 near catastrophic nighttime collision with the freighter “Cactus” south of Manila. These, and other global tensions of the era, were some of the reasons Midway earned the nickname “USS Never Dock.”

By combining a knack for making money with visits to foreign ports, Dorgan quickly turned his job into an adventure that paid very well. Although under investigation by the NIS and with a General Court-martial looming, business only snowballed. Meanwhile, he and his Shipmates, Skibo, Lenny and Lite Weight, continued to add adventure and excitement to their “Tour of Duty”, both on and off “the boat”, until one night, when an unexpected turn put an end to it all.

Johnny J Moye long

“SEA PAY is a must read for anyone interested in the Navy way of life back when "Sailors had more fun." The book's title is appropriate because U.S. Navy Sailors are paid, even when they are in trouble, much more than the cash they receive on a bimonthly basis. Sailors earn experiences that few others will ever enjoy. Dorgan tells his story as he spins his yarns to the reader as if situated together at a table enjoying a nice beverage. His tales may seem too tall for some readers, but believe them as they are not fairy tales. They are, as Dorgan qualifies, “Listen up, this is no shit!”

Johnny J Moye

Ph. D., MCPO USN (Ret.) Author of “The Master Chief’s Sea Stories”

Eric D Atno full

“I foolishly thought I knew everything about the US Navy. “SEA PAY” blasted open a new door of experience and shed insane light on rarely told aspects of the insanity of life underway. It was very fun to read. I recommend that old salty dogs like Bob and me and especially non-Navy (normal) people enjoy this book. You will learn many things. It’s a funny, honest, and sometimes tragic chronicle of the adventure that is the US Navy. I am reminded of the great Willie Nelson. I loosely quote: “ Mammas don’t let your babies grow up to be Sailors….”

Eric D Atno

SCPO USN (Ret) Author of “Underway, good times in Uncle Sam’s Canoe Club”

Jeffrey Denny, EMCS (SW/DV), USN, Ret.

"Great Read! This Book brought me back to my first command while serving as a young sailor onboard the USS Midway CV-41…an accurate view back through the spy glass of time to what day to day life was like Stationed on Forward Deployed Aircraft Carrier…Every Day was full of Adventure, and Challenges; Challenges that forged us to who we are today!"

Jeffrey Denny, EMCS (SW/DV), USN, Ret.

CWO Larry Fordyce, USN (Ret.)

"Your first set of orders and it says USS Midway Yokosuka, Japan. What mischief and adventure can a young lad get into on a floating city in the Far East? Bob tells his unique story for all to enjoy. This will have seasoned sailors reflecting how they earned their Sea Pay and the interesting characters they met."

CWO Larry Fordyce, USN (Ret.)

Excerpt

I opened the door to the catwalk, stepped out, stood up and “WHOOSH!”

The shadow of the F-4 Phantom’s wing blocked out the sunlight as it passed just above my head, the roar of it’s jet engines deafening through the ear muffs of my cranial. I choked as I inhaled the hot jet exhaust rolling off of the flight deck above me. Looking forward towards the bow, I could see the F-4, by now, soaring upwards in the clear sky. Hot steam rolled back towards me in a cloud from the track of the just fired catapult.

“Wow!” I thought to myself, “Now that was exciting!”

Turning around, I saw Sweeney had come out to the catwalk and was standing behind me.

“You’ve got to keep your head down out here!” he yelled in an annoyed tone.

We looked around to see there were no more aircraft approaching the catapults, then walked forward along the catwalk to the first AESS station on our list for repair.

Veteran – Author – Rancher

Bob Dorgan

Bob Dorgan attended Valley Forge Military Academy prior to enlisting in the United States Navy in 1977, heeding the call, “Join the NAVY, see the world.”

Following Basic and Advanced Training he spent the next three years forward deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway CV-41 home ported in Yokosuka, Japan. For service throughout the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, South China Sea and Western Pacific he received the NAVY Unit Commendation, NAVY Meritorious Unit Commendation, NAVY “Battle E”, and three NAVY Expeditionary Medals.