Because of host nation tax laws, some items are rationed in the Commissaries and Exchanges. Gasoline is a big one. Other rationed items include cigarettes, distilled liquor, and coffee. You will be issued a ration card. You will need your ID card to obtain the ration card and must present the ration card and ID card anytime you buy a rationed item. Separate cards are issued for each adult family member authorized privileges and should be more than adequate for your needs. DO NOT abuse the privilege. Using your ration card to purchase items for someone not authorized privileges, except as a bona fide gift, is a violation of both military regulations and host nation tax laws. A result of abuse may be loss of privileges, fines, and disciplinary action.
Past and Present "Mystery Photo" Information
Page 2
Take me to Page 1 ( Mystery Photos #1 - #10 )
| Based on
information furnished by diligent U.S.S. Little Rock crew
members, as well as other creditable sources, below is information
we have received pertaining to "Mystery Photos" published on
the U.S.S. Little Rock Association Web Site. |
| Mystery
Photo #11 |
|
| Edited Photo
of Cigarette Card 
Photo of original Cigarette Card received from Sgt. Al Newhouse USMC 
|
To the left is a picture
of something that was commonly seen on the Little Rock at one time.
(The picture has been altered slightly to mask its function.)
The photographed item was furnished by Sgt. Al Newhouse USMC and
will be displayed in the ship's museum. Q. Any idea as to what this item is? A. You guys are good (and FAST!). This is a cigarette ration card issued to sailors on the USS Little Rock (and to other military personnel as well) in the 1940's. The card allowed the bearer to purchase 2 cartons of cigarettes per month. Non-smokers it seems, bought their allotted cigarettes and then sold them to the highest "bidder". Years later various items were rationed to help he local economies in foreign countries. This is still the case today. Here is an excerpt from a current Navy directive: Ration Cards
On 27 Sep 07 Peter Krill (MM2 67-70) correctly answered: "This is a cigarette card." -------------------- Which later the same day was expanded on by Kent Sears (SH3 73-75): "Can't see it too well but it is a ration card for cigarette's or liquor, we were issued these in Gaeta for cigs and liquor. These were used for sea store cigs or cigs bought out of the waters of the US where they were not taxed. In port in the states we paid a cig tax, out at sea we didn't pay that tax. In the 70's a carton of sea store cigs went for $1.50 per carton. We were allowed 6 cartons of cigs per month and I think 6 fifths of liquor on the cards. On the black market 6 cartons of Marlboro cigs (the cig of choice) could bring as much as 50,000 lira around 50.00 bucks. That was the reason for the rations was to keep us from selling them on the black market. Taxed cigs in Greece and most ports, of Marlboro at the time, went for about $1.50 per pack. Back then that was high. But now in the states that is cheap. I wonder what they sell for now over there? I'd say $10.00 per pack. Once while we were out at sea off the coast, we ran into a boat loaded to the gills with cases of Marlboro cigs, 90 cartons to the case. By law we had to give them fuel as they had run out. I'm sure they were reported but doubt they were caught. They sure had a big haul of black market cigs. a fortune. Rayban sunglasses and Brute were big items the Italians loved." |
| Mystery Photo
#12 |
|
|
Q: The photo to the left
was received from a shipmate. It depicts something that many of the
Little Rock's crew saw or experienced at one time. (Clue:
You would have had to make a Med Cruise.) A: This is a tile picture outside of the RESTAURANTE LOS CARACOLES in Barcelona, Spain . ------------------ Here's what we heard from our readers: Frank Berglas on 11/20/07 said "I'll kick off the replies by saying I haven't the slightest idea, and I did make one Med cruise. (However, I don't think it is a picture of the officers' mess before lunch.) I look forward to someone coming up with the correct answer. ------------------- Ralph DeWoody on 11/26/07 gave us our answer with: "Photo #12 is from RESTAURANTE LOS CARACOLES in Barcelona, Spain. My favorite place to eat in Spain." ------------------- Art Siehl on 11/29/07 added: "The photo reminds me of the hand painted murals I often saw. This one is reminiscent of the traditional holiday dinners or feasts." |
| Mystery Photo
#13 |
|
|
Q: There were two
of these on the Little Rock and they were used almost daily. However,
your chances of seeing this were better
if you worked on the Deck Force. Any ideas as to its name and/or function? A. This is a Missile Transfer Cart (sometimes referred to as a "Missile Transfer Dolly"). --------------- Here's the input we received from the crew: Frank Berglas (YN3 60-61) On 01/19/08 suggested: “.......looks like a vehicle of some sort to transport the missiles? But why would it be used every day? So, not sure at all. I'll wait for someone smarter to identify it correctly.” --------------- On 01/22/08 Al Yoder (FC2c 46-49) added: “Photo not on CL92, probably a missile storage and or handling unit.” --------------- And then on 01/29/08 Joe Stine (GMM3 66-69) gave us the straight scoop with: "I worked in the missile house from 1966 thru 1969 as a GMM3 . The photo is a missile dolly used to move missile, we used it daily to move missile(s) and the booster rockets to perform maintenance .There were two of these, one on each side of the missile house. I do not re-call the right name of dolly at this time." --------------- Finally, on 01 Feb 08 Alton Sogard (GS3 59-62) confirmed:
"I also worked in the missile house from 1959 to 1962 as a missile tech,
and thought that was the missile moving dolly also." |
| Mystery Photo
#14 |
|
|
Q: A shipmate recently sent
in this great photo showing the arrival aboard the Little Rock of a special
guest. We'd like to identify ALL of the men in the photo, but our Mystery
Photo "Attaboy" award will go to whoever correctly identifies the distinguished
looking Four-Striper. Once identified, we'll be adding this gentleman to the "Famous Visitors" page. A: We promised an "Attaboy" award would go to whoever correctly identified the distinguished looking Four-Striper in this Mystery Photo. Well, here are the responses we received: Jerry Hall (MM2 68-72) on 28 Feb 08 offered: “How about Douglas Fairbanks? Check the Cruise Book from 1970.” --------------- Then Bob Baker (RM2 69-72) on 06 Mar 08 said: “Concur with Jerry.....a cropped photo appears in the 1969 cruise book and identifies the visitor as Captain Douglas Fairbanks, Jr." -------------- Well, with that we have a winner! I'm probably going to be accused of splitting hairs, but the "Attaboy" award goes to Bob Baker. The runner-up "Close-But-No-Cigar" award goes to Jerry Hall. Jerry said the four-striper was Douglas Fairbanks, and that is almost correct. However, the gentleman is Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (the son). Since I don't have a copy of the referenced Cruise Book, I assume from Bob Baker's answer that the full name is given in the Cruise Book. As it turns out, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was a significant player in some of the WWII invasions in Europe. I will be posting some of his bio on the "Famous Visitors" page in the near future. FYI: The Marine who is standing on the left to the rear of the “welcoming committee” is none other than Rick Materna L/Cpl USMC (67-69). Rick furnished the photo used. The other Marine (facing Capt. Fairbanks) is Rich Wallace L/Cpl USMC. We’d like to know who the sailors are, and why Capt. Fairbanks was aboard Little Rock. Any ideas? |
| Mystery Photo #15 |
|
HMS VICTORY Flagship of Admiral Nelson |
The ship in the background is the USS Little
Rock, but what about the ship in the foreground?
Q: Can you tell us: (1) What the name of this square-rigger is? (2) Where is it located? and (3) What was the occassion of the two ships being at the same place at the same time? A. Bob Hedgeman (BM2 67-68) gave us the "most complete" answer. This is the HMS Victory, a 100 Gun Ship of the Line located in Portsmouth, England, a port of call in 1964 Here's what we received: On 03/13/08 John Meyers checked in with: “Try HMS Victory. Portsmouth, England” --------------- Followed on 4/01/08 with Bud McLean suggesting...... "Square rigger ? USS CONSTITUTION Boston Harbor 1972 Little Rock in dry dock I believe." --------------- Then on 04/03/08 John L. Burnham (LT 65-67) elaborated with: “Looks like the HMS Victory which is located at the Portsmouth Royal Navy Dockyard in Portsmouth, England. As for when, I haven't a clue as it did not happen during my tour '65-'67 --------------- On 04/04/08 John Meyers added: “The disk and arm radar antenna on the rear mast (SPS-30?) is still haze gray in this picture. I believe it was installed in late 1962, or early 1963. It replaced the grid antenna (SPS-2?). The rear mast antenna is black in later pictures of Little Rock. I suspect the antenna turned black from stack smoke and soot while the ship was underway. If this picture was not taken during the 65 to 67 time period as John Burnham remembers, it was probably taken 1963 to 1964. I would guess 1963. Can someone confirm that the SPS-30 and SPS-2 antenna are correct? I was trained to work with crypto and radio communications and had little knowledge of the radar systems.” (Ed: John is to be commended for picking up the time frame based on the Little Rock's appearance.) --------------- On 05/16/07 Dan Murphy gave further enlightenment with: “Indeed, if you go to http://www.portsmouthvideos.co.uk, you'll see the Victory at the dock yard. --------------- Bob Hedgeman (BM2 67-68) on 04/15/08 elaborated with: “Mystery photo #15 is the HMS Victory, a 100 Gun Ship of the Line. Location : Portsmouth, England Portsmouth is the Permanent Berth for the Victory. Portsmouth was a Port of Call for the U S Navy when I was in the 6th Fleet 1964-1968, so I believe that's why the "Rock" is in the Photo.” Ed. Bob is correct. The facts are as Bob stated them, and he wins the "Attaboy" Award. The picture was taken in the summer of 1964 while the Little Rock was on a North Atlantic / Midshipmen Cruise. |
| Mystery Photo #16 |
|
|
We need input from CL-92 sailors to determine
what this picture is all about. This picture comes from U.S. Navy photo archives
and has very little in the way of a description. Q: Can you tell us: (1) Where this is? (2) What is it that we are looking at here? |