The First World War Two Medal of Honor Recipient
The crew, at parade rest with bowed heads, is standing in ranks, topside on the USS Nevada. The submarine has made a rare stop, surfacing in the Pacific Ocean. Just south of the island of O`ahu, the weather is splendid, with calm breezes that flutter the crisp white bell-bottom trousers, or gently tug at freshly rolled neckerchiefs.
Members of the rifle detail can barely hear the murmur of the commanding officer as he reads scripture. Standing farther aft, it doesn’t matter; their thoughts are focused on their upcoming role in the ceremony. The bugler is just as attentive, but he stands on the opposite end of the formation, forward, and closer to the sail facing aft.
“Crew!” barks a chief, “Hand — Salute!”
The commanding officer continues reading, while the chief of the boat readies the funeral urn, really a box, containing the remains. He hands it to the officer designated to scatter the ashes. With a slight nod to the captain, the officer leans carefully out over the lifelines with arms extended and pours.
“Unto Almighty God, we commend the soul of our brother, Donald Kirby Ross, departed, and we commit his body to the deep, in sure and certain hope of the resurrection unto eternal life, through our Lord, Jesus Christ, amen.”
