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Author
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Topic: Mercury 1959 underwater demolition training
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KC Stoever
Member Posts: 1001
From: Denver, CO USA
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted September 24, 2008 04:19 PM
   
In doing a little photo research this afternoon at the request of a Rolex researcher (another story for another post), I came across a cute "Honorary Frogman" certificate issued to "Malcon [sic] S. Carpenter" by the Underwater Demolition Unit Two. This is the UDT unit then stationed at Hampton Roads. The date entered in calligraphic hand is 2 July 1959 -- just about about 10 weeks after the seven guys arrived at Langley AFB. I was surprised by the mid-1959 date, but on reflection it is perfectly in keeping with all the accounts of the speed with which the Project Mercury astronauts moved--on training and everything else. Here is the language: _____ has been satisfactorily inspected by whales, barracuda, sharks, sting rays, porpoises, sea urchins, and other denizens of the deep. He has descended into the fish world and returned unscathed, thus qualifying him as an Honorary U.S. Navy frogman in good standing. In wittness [sic] thereof I affix my seal this day... The commanding officer is signed D. Gaither. |
Lou Chinal
Member Posts: 576
From: Staten Island, N.Y.
Registered: Jun 2007
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posted September 24, 2008 08:47 PM
It would be interesting to make a time line of all training activities. From April '59 to May '63. Survival training in Nevada,(July '60) the famous suit-up photo, (March '60) all capcom assignments, just to name a few.BTW I can't think of a better Rolex spokesperson that Scott Carpenter. -Lou |
KC Stoever
Member Posts: 1001
From: Denver, CO USA
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted September 24, 2008 09:09 PM
A training timeline would be great. I was astounded by the timing of the UDT training. quote:
Originally posted by Lou Chinal:
I can't think of a better Rolex spokesperson that Scott Carpenter.
The Rolex research is really just that, research on historic Rolexes. AFAIK, there's no spokesmanship in the works. I hope to have more up soon. |
John Charles
Member Posts: 274
From: Houston, Texas, USA
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted September 24, 2008 09:10 PM
quote:
Originally posted by KC Stoever:
I was surprised by the mid-1959 date
KC, cool discovery!But the date may even be earlier than the citation suggests. An article in Time magazine dated Monday, Jun. 01, 1959 indicates that some sort of scuba training was concluded before June 1. ------------------
John Charles
Houston, Texas |
KC Stoever
Member Posts: 1001
From: Denver, CO USA
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted September 24, 2008 10:44 PM
Thanks, John. Your date makes the Project Mercury timeline for UDT training even more impressive. I continue to be astonished by history. |
Obviousman
Member Posts: 260
From: NSW, Australia
Registered: May 2005
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posted September 25, 2008 05:00 AM
Wasn't there footage of that on Spacecraft Film's most excellent Mercury DVDs?
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kr4mula
Member Posts: 317
From: Cinci, OH
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted September 25, 2008 10:32 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Lou Chinal:
I can't think of a better Rolex spokesperson that Scott Carpenter.
Lou, as a fellow Breitling owner, you should know that Carpenter would make a much better spokesman for Breitling! In fact, a few years back he had his own variant of the Cosmonaut model that originated with him. Given Breitling's great blend of aviation and nautical traditions, Scott would be the perfect spokesman. Ditch John Travolta and go for a real hero!Cheers,
Kevin |
ejectr
Member Posts: 1163
From: Brimfield, MA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted September 25, 2008 12:35 PM
quote:
Originally posted by KC Stoever:
A training timeline would be great. I was astounded by the timing of the UDT training.
UDT people know what's most important.  |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 16778
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted October 02, 2008 06:30 PM
quote:
Originally posted by kr4mula:
Lou, as a fellow Breitling owner, you should know that Carpenter would make a much better spokesman for Breitling!
For more about Carpenter's Breitling and other early astronaut watches (including posts that were originally made to this thread) see: Early astronaut and cosmonaut watches. |
KC Stoever
Member Posts: 1001
From: Denver, CO USA
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted October 03, 2008 05:20 PM
It's interesting to reflect--now that the posts on Scott Carpenter's 1962 flown Breitling have migrated to the proper board--that the original UDT training (originally Carpenter's idea for Project Mercury) morphed into his full-fledged underwater work later that decade with Sealabs 1, 2, and 3.There Carpenter appears to have played a role in the development of Rolex's Sea-Dweller. See? Back on topic with UDT, the precursor group for the storied Navy Seals, who in turn were tapped for Sealab aquanauts, who in turn transmitted valuable lessons to NASA about neutral bouyancy, all while wearing really cool watches. ;-) |
KC Stoever
Member Posts: 1001
From: Denver, CO USA
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted October 07, 2008 11:25 PM
 Click to enlarge.Photograph credit: U.S. Navy, Rene Carpenter, private collection From the spring of 1959 on the Virginia Eastern Shore. I can't identify the USN UDT divers in this classic men-standing-together photograph, but the Mercury astronauts are (l-r, front row) Wally Schirra, second from left, Gordo Cooper, Al Shepard (hands held Prince of Wales fashion), John Glenn, Scott Carpenter; see (l-r) Gus Grissom in the second row between Shepard and Glenn, Dr. Bill Douglas, and Deke Slayton, holding a face mask. | |
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