October 1959. The USS Hornet had just pulled into Pearl Harbor on its way to the Orient. Those who had shore leave were busting their buns, getting ready to go see Waikiki Beach. I, having the dirty duty, lay in my rack, envying the others as they frantically scurried about, afraid they were going to miss the piping of the colors.

I noticed Brewer had left his wallet on his top bunk while he rushed off to take a shower. When he came back, the wallet was gone. He stood stock still, trying to remember where he saw it last. I watched him as he searched around his bunk and on the deck and then ran away to ransack his locker, feeling in every nook and cranny. Then he went back to his rack and began the whole process all over again. The longer he went, the madder he got. Then he began to curse. Just about the time he was ready to blow a gasket, I decided to intervene. I jumped out of my rack and asked him what the problem was. What I got was a barrage of rhetoric I can’t print here.

“Tell me Brewer, how much money did you have in it?”

His face turned white and he swallowed hard as he recalled the amount. “Eighty bucks. Did you see anybody hanging around my rack?”

I milked it for all it was worth. I put a finger to my cheek as if I was trying to form a mental picture. “I did see somebody, now that I think about it.”

Brewer exploded. “Who was it?” he yelled.

“It seems to me the guy reached up and grabbed your wallet and then went over here,” I said, leading him to a row of lockers. I paused as if I was trying to recall which locker the thief got into. “I think it was this one.” I flicked open the door, and laying right in plain view was Brewer’s wallet.

He grabbed it in an instant and clutched it to his chest. “Who’s locker is this?” he bellowed in anger and relief.

I smiled at him. “It’s ... mine.”

Then it dawned on him what had just happened. A trusted friend had watched his back while he was being stupid. He flashed a sheepish grin. “Thanks Murray.”

I patted his shoulder. “That’s what buddies do, look out for each other.”