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Toothache |
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Toothache And Pliers I can't remember the exact day, or the exact month, but we were off the Phillipines near Luzon, or Leyte. Let's say Oct. 1944 as we were hit with a Kamikaze not too long after this incident. We had been at GQ for some time doing our job of rearming our planes as they landed when I felt this sharp twang on the upper left side of my mouth. A few hours later this blossomed into a super-duper toothache. Being at GQ everything below the hangar deck was closed so I certainly couldn't go to the Dentist. I gobbled up a few APC's that lowered the pain somewhat. Later in the day the pain became so intense I decided that I would pull this crazy thing myself. Our radar had been following Bogeys that were getting closer by the hour, consequently we were told to put our flash gear on. Flash gear consisted of an asbestos covering over ones head with an opening for your face, then you put a helmet on over it. In the lull between take offs and landings I grabbed a good pair of pliers and took off for the only head above the hangar deck. Looking in the mirror so I could see the aching molar I got the plier on it and tried to pull only to have them slip off creating pain galore! I tried again and again with the same results. As I tried to pull one more time a man came in and used the facilities, he was covered with flash gear too so I had no idea who he was. I tried a few more times with the same results, pliers
slipping off and horrible pain. I retreated to my Armory, got a few more APC's
down, and the last flight of the day was coming in. By the time they all landed
and I got my planes rearmed it was after 6PM. Then I heard the intercom
announce, "Secure GQ." I ran to the telephone and called the dentist. A Corpman
answered and said, "Call in the morning." More pain, more APC's, somehow I made
it through the night. Thankfully, the task force had moved away and we lost
sight of any more Bogeys. Next morning I called the Dentists office as soon as
possible and was told to come down right away as we may go back to GQ. I rushed
down and the Corpman got me seated doing all the things preparing to pull a
tooth, when the Dentist (Lt.Cmdr.??) walked in. He turned my head to look at my
mouth and said, " I guess you didn't get it pulled yourself, did you?" Believe
me, this is a true story. This Lt.Cmdr. and I had a little laugh about that! |
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