Naval Air StationPort Lyautey, Morocco

The following photographs are from the personal collection of Jerry (Gerald J.) Zimmerman who served at NAS Port Lyautey between 8/2/47 to 4/15/48. Copies of these photographs may be obtained in a larger format by contacting Jerry at Jerdadzim@cs.com. Former shipmates of Jerry may also contact him at the same e-mail address.

Naval Air Station Photographs

Including family and other functions

The front view of the Mehdia Beach Enlisted Men's Club. It was built in the form of the remote, thatched, native huts across Morocco. When we visited this club building we felt a part of the romantic past of North Africa. The view from the front veranda was a beautiful, un-obstructive view of the vast, sandy beach and Atlantic Ocean.

An SP (Shore Patrol) jumps into his Jeep while his partner visits with a Sailor outside the Enlisted Men's Beach Club.

Besides the official photographs of the station and duty assignments, station personnel shared their experiences with their families and close friends on station. Even in 1947, wives and children joined their husbands and fathers at the Port Lyautey Naval base and life went on much as it had been stateside. Following are some photographs reflective of family functions.

Parachute rigger, "Mac" McClintic and his wife Alice inside their Base Quonset Hut home. Newspaper correspondent Robert C. Ruark, in 1947 wrote: "They dwell in halves of Quonset huts - surprisingly roomy and comfortably furnished, but not worth the $60 the Government gets for each half-Quonset as rent." Mac, a Navy career man, in 2007 continues to live in his retirement home in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The Officer's and Enlisted Men's wives were, like their husbands, separated by rank from fraternizing with each other. On the base, both groups were close knitted communities. What they had in common were the children, the "Navy Brats" as they were pleased and proud to identify themselves. Birthday parties were big events and looked forward to. Jerry had the rare opportunity, as the Base photographer, to be invited to both the Officer's and Enlisted Men's children's celebrations.

Another perk for the photographer! One of the Navy mothers wrestled with Jerry's bulky 4X5 Graphic camera to take his picture with the children. Alice McClintic is on the left. Jerry has often wonder what became of these beautiful, lovable, "Navy Brats". If the youngest child in a high chair was 1 or 2 back in 1947, he would be 61 or 62 years old today (2007).

Navy brats enjoying a birthday party

And just being kids whether in Morocco or across the big pond in the US of A

Six of the enlisted wives. Note the rug hanging on the wall, just about everyone who ever served at Port Lyautey brought back similar rugs and/or a camel saddle!

Some Navy men who had their wives and families come to Port Lyautey, chose to live off the Base and in Port Lyautey. My friend Wyatt was one of those and he enjoyed inviting fellow shipmates to an occasional house party. It was always a pleasant, stateside and homelike experience for many of us lonesome sailors. Wyatt, with one of his children on his shoulders, stands beside his wife while party guests stand to the left with his other child.

Other Functions

A farewell party in honor of departing "Mr. Roberts", a most respected and liked Officer by everyone on the Base. In the picture above he receives the "white hats" gift from Aviation Machinist, Petty Officer First Class, "Willie." Last names were "in" at NAS Port Lyautey. Those of us that were blessed with nicknames seldom heard our "given" names, except at musters! After 60 years and although I am not certain what the gift was, I "think" it was a miniature, desk clock. Seated to the right of Mr. Roberts are Base Captain and Mrs. "Polly" Dudley. I've long forgotten the names of the other two pictured Officers.

The above picture reminded Ivan Rock (who can be seen in the Crash Boat photographs) of the following…

"The farewell party was held at Port Lyautey's Race Track Banquet Hall. Mr. Roberts was a Lieutenant pilot, and the Crash Boat's Division Officer. He was a good man and leader. Because we planned on going shark hunting along with both boat crews and some of the gang on the base, including some French Sailors and Army Air Crewmen, he took me up in the Base's Piper Cub for "touch and goes" on Mehedia Beach. While in the air we scouted for hammer head sharks at the mouth of the Sebou River's jetties."

A surprise birthday party (held at the Port Lyautey Enlisted Men's Club) for "Smokey," Teungel. He was a most popular and respected enlisted man by fellow shipmates and Officers. Because of his popularity, one can see by the following two photographs, a great crowd came out for his birthday party, he was everyone's friend. Therefore he was and remains in my memory as a dedicated, career Navy man who always spoke softly, kindly, and never used profanity.

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And sadly, while I remember them all and their faces, time has erased their names!