LICATA-RICHARD

June 13, 1970, Gulf of Laconia, Greece, USS LITTLE ROCK and the Greek destroyer LONZHI are in a minor collision during NATO exercise Dawn Patrol 70.  Due to the heat, I was asleep in the air-conditioned Sonar equipment room behind the ladder at frame 18, fifth deck, below the Warrant Officer quarters.  At approximately 5 am,, the chemical alarm went off, then the collision alarm, with the ship shaking violently as the OOD had ordered all back full on all 4 screws. All ships in the unit were supposed to turn together on standard rudder, but the LONZHI turned full rudder and was heading across our path.  Had it not been for the decisive action from the OOD that morning, I would not be here to write this account!