WAPLES-JOHN

I googled the name of a former Commanding officer today and was saddened to read that he was deceased.  Capt. John M. Waples,  also known as the SPINERIPPER, was my CO on the USS CAMDEN AOE-2.

OVER A 30 YEAR CAREER, I  have served with many commanding officers, many great some, not so good. None was better than the SPINERIPPER.

Captain Waples took command shortly after the ship had completed a major yard period and was working up for a WESTPAC DEPLOYMENT, the morale was not very good.  That was to change from the day that Captain Waples stepped on board.  He made every Officer and Enlisted man feel they were part of a great ship and a great Navy.  We were all proud to be a part of his team.

We had a 7 ½ month deployment with only 28 total days in port.  Three port calls scheduled for AUSTRALIA were scrubbed because of operational commitments.  Yet, because of the SPINERIPPER leadership, the morale was better than any command that I have served with.

We served with the USS RANGER BATTLE GROUP, but with the popularity of the CAMDEN within the group, it was also fondly called the CAMDEN BATTLE GROUP.

The ship was called the Raging Pachyderm of the Pacific.  A very popular item from the ship’s store was the Raging Pachyderm tee shirt with a picture of a rampaging elephant on the front.   While in port at Subic Bay P.I., I would often drive the ship’s van to help returning liberty parties at night.   I would always stop to pick up anyone I saw wearing the shirt, quite often that would turn out to be a sailor from another ship within the Battle Group.  They would get a free ride back to their ship.

Our Supply Officer would often request to be High Lined to ship alongside for underway replenishment. With approval from the SPINERIPPER and the alongside ship’s CO, shortly thereafter you would see our Supply Officer, LCDR. FISHBURNE, in a safety harness washing the bridge windows. SERVICE TO THE FLEET.

Our DENTAL Officer, LT FISCHER was qualified as an underway Conning  Officer and Officer of the Deck, something that I have never seen before.

Captain Waples brought out the best in his crew and demanded nothing less than your best effort.  If the CO thought that an individual, group, or department performed in a noteworthy manner, he would get on the 1 MC and announce a hardy BRAVO ZULU for the entire ship to hear.

During our 7 ½ month deployment the SPINERIPPER fired three Department heads.  He was a hard taskmaster but always fair and professional.  He demanded the best from his Officers and Crew.

If you were found guilty of using illegal drugs, you could say so long to your Navy career. If you were a drug user, you were not good enough to serve in his Navy.  Noteworthy, later in my career,  I have crossed paths with ex-Sailors that Capt. Waples had kicked out and many of them stated that they liked and respected the SPINERIPPER.

I am a black shoe Sailor but can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that Capt. Waples was the best Commanding Officer  that I ever served with.

If ever a Naval Officer deserved to wear an ADMIRALS UNIFORM that would have been JOHN M. WAPLES.

Mel Sprinkle (the one eyed jack)

BMCM (SW) RET. Former CMC USS CAMDEN AOE-2