Black, WHI & Gold: A Sailor's Sea Story - Tapa blanda

A free-wheeling veteran commissary chief and his cronies rule below deck's society aboard a destroyer escort in the South Pacific during World War II. Those who interfere pay a price until they accept their "dutiful place."Aside from periodic tussles with the black chief steward, the commissary chief has his way until a newly-commissioned ensign arrives. The chief says that he will "tame and train" his boss and teach him about the "real Navy."The ensign's decisions rile the chief and irritate the stewards, a group he wishes to help. When he investigates the chiefs activities, sparks fly!Shipboard pranks, gambling, boxing, liberty, an equator crossing and a native girl add spice.A sailor's crazy and entertaining sea story.

Andrew Syka was born in 1920 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He left Springfield College, enlisted in the Navy in February, 1942, attained a Pharmacist's Mate Second Class rate, and entered the V-12 program. Commissioned in August, 1944, he served aboard the USS Donaldson, DE-44, in the South Pacific. He left active duty a LTJG in 1946. After earning BA and MA degrees at Stanford University, as a Ready Reservist LT, he was recalled during the Korean War for a two-year stint aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gilbert Islands, CVE-107. He retired a LCDR in 1969.He had a brief career as a weekly newspaper publisher and reporter. His only other book was, Growing Up in Woods Run, written in 1999.