Men of Annapolis - Episode 29: Under Fire

The story revolves around a conflict between an enlisted sailor, Petty Officer First Class Ted Stokes, an instructor on fire control equipment at the Naval Academy, and a midshipman, Dick Crane, an Admiral's son. Crane, who plans on being a pilot, does not see the point of learning gunnery so he goofs off during Stokes' classes. The initial conflict deepens when Crane finds out that Stokes was turned down for the academy by Admiral Crane. The conflict is resolved when Midshipman Crane and his father carry out a successful campaign to encourage Stokes to re-apply for the Academy. In the closing scene, Stokes and Crane are reconciled as Stokes heads off for the Naval Academy Prep School.

[@zingwilder9989]

This episode started out with a good plot; however, the method to resolve the tensions between Crane and Stokes was nonsensical.

[@josephg3231]

Jack Hogan was Kirby on COMBAT

[@zingwilder9989]

He was a terrific actor and he is still alive. He is 92 years old, now.

[@starguy2718]

9:07 "I'm going into aviation. I'll never see another computer in my life."
Even in the 1950's, aircraft used computers, both in flight, and support on the ground (radar, traffic control, weather).

[@qtrfoil]

In usage here the word "computer" refers specifically to the Mark 1A Fire Control Computer, part of the Gun Fire Control System. It combines electronic and manual inputs to calculate the correct bearing and elevation for the guns and links that info to the gun mounts electrically. It's the piece of equipment you see at 18:50

[@SaltiDawg2008]

This former Enlisted Man, Class of '65, thinks this was not the best of episodes!