Sinking the Rising Sun: Dog Fighting & Dive Bombing in World War II: A Navy Fighter Pilot's Story by William E. Davis

Author:William E. Davis [Davis, William E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2010-04-23T19:20:00+00:00

TWENTY

TENNIS DUEL

AT

NAS KAHULUI

ince we were the first air group to report to the new base at Kahului, we arrived before the base officers. They started to trickle in, and the first one we had much contact with was the recognition officer, who was responsible for training us in aircraft and ship identification. His name was G. G. Glidden, and he was a great addition to the base. He was well built, although he had slightly sloping shoulders. He was no doubt restricted to non-combat duty because he wore thick glasses, which gave him the appearance of a college professor. We had an hour of recognition training every day, so we got to know G. G. in a hurry.

One day, coming in late from a gunnery hop, I missed the carryall going to the country club for golf. This would have to be a day for tennis. Arriving at the court, I expected to find a few of the regulars, but there was only one person there, G. G. I guess because of the glasses, I didn't take him seriously as a tennis player, but after a short wait and no one coming, I asked G. G. if he'd like to hit some.

"I'd love to," he answered enthusiastically.

We started warming up, hitting routine balls to each other. The court was clay, and his shots set up nicely. I found myself hitting the ball better than usual, and he in turn had no trouble keeping it in play. No other players showed up, so I finally asked him if he'd like to play a few sets.

"Love to," he answered.

The more I got into the game, the better I played. In fact, it was the best tennis I'd ever played in my life. I was quite elated until I realized that I was down love-four. I hadn't taken a game. In fact, as I thought about it, I realized I hadn't taken a point. G. G. had won sixteen straight points. That did it; I went all out. It didn't make any difference; he ran twenty-four points, beating me six-love. I didn't take a point.

"I realize I'm not much of a tennis player," I said as we stopped for some water, "but I've never lost every point before."

G. G. laughed. "I played a little in college, but I never considered trying to join the tour because of my eyes. I was just having a good day."

There's nothing like someone who can be gracious in victory.

A few weeks later, we received word that special services would have entertainment for us the following afternoon. The mail plane arrived as it did every day and, in addition to the snail, deposited Bobby Riggs and three other tennis pros. They were all in the navy, assigned to Pearl Harbor, and went to the various bases and put on an exhibition. G. G. and I were in the small stands to watch the show.

Bobby was a Wimbledon and Forest Hills champion, at the last tournaments held before the war started.

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