Senator Ted Kennedy and the Russian TU-16 Bomber

[Gldank]

Back in December 1987, Senator Ted Kennedy came onboard my US Naval ship USS Midway (CV-41) on a fact finding tour. He stayed onboard for a couple of days while we were anchored off Oman in the North Arabian Sea. I was working late one evening in my office knocking out some supervisory paperwork when in walked the Senator with his Secret Service shadow. He shook my hand and commenced with small talk about my job in the Navy, where I was from, etc. Before he left my shipboard office, he asked me if there was anything he could do for me? I said yes, may I have his autograph?”He said he would be honored. I quickly looked around my desk for something suitable for autographing. In my desk drawer was a file of unclassified 8X10 photographs of Russian aircraft. I handed one to him sheepishly for signature. He showed it to the Secret Service agent and said nice aircraft, is it one of ours?”The Secret service Agent said no sir, it is one of theirs meaning the Russians. He started to sign it to me but his pin was running low on ink so I handed him a pin and he then finished signing it. I thanked him and he left my office. I put the photograph in the mail early the next day to my father. Later the next day, a naval Commander approached me to confiscate the signed photograph from me. I said it was mailed off the ship and the issue was dropped. Looking back on this story, I can understand how controversial this photograph was and still is being the Cold War at the time. In light of the Senator's recent passing, I thought I would share my story. See the photo below. As I remember, the plane is a Russian TU-16 Badger Bomber.

[normaninvasion]

Oh Man! If that ever got in the wrong hands without the story :pinch:

[FriscoHare]

Great story! Thanks for sharing.

['Flage Guy]

WOW...thanks for sharing that :thumbsup:

[sgtdorango]

Thats a cool memento and story !.....mike