Lucas, John

LTJG JOHN R. LUCAS 23 April 1960-63

I John R. Lucas, “Luke” was born 5 February 1937, at Visalia, California. Currently I am bald. My eyes are hazel. I commenced Officer Candidate School at Newport, Rhode Island in October 1959. As a new ensign, I reported aboard USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) and served as ASW and Gunnery Officer, attaining the rank of LTJG.

I suggest that few people knew that the USS APPLEBY really was USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754), which was used to develop the pilot episode of a new TV series “Ensign O’Toole.” This was in 1962 and the TV series was 1963 to 1966.

On one beautiful day in 1962, we did take cast and crew out to sea to pick up a lot of stock footage. In addition to the crew of the series, there were some actresses from the pilot program, six beautiful Asian ladies who were in the required dress of bikinis and then there was a chill at sea so as one of the duty bachelor officers I offered the beauties the use of my stateroom to keep warm. Remember that I am a sworn “officer and a gentleman.”

It was fun that day both in after officer quarters and just being at sea and watching the professional movie makers and actors.

The captain, CDR J. E. Feaster, Mike McGuire, and I were invited to the Paramount Studios to watch a day of filming and to be the technical advisers. It was a fascinating day. When we got to the stage where the series was being shot, Mike and I were escorted by one of the producers who wanted us to look over the set. It was absolutely amazing! Every little thing was exactly the same way. Mike and I went over every square inch trying to find an error and the only one was the window in my state room. It folded out rather than in. It was exactly the same in their replications of the pilot house, bridge and CIC.

The funny thing was, the wonderful, personal rapport with the young beauties that we had established when we were at sea was lost and gone forever. It seems that when you’re on a Hollywood set you pay attention only to the high staff of the studio and not a couple of dashing younger naval officers. Oh well, we did get to see a bit of Hollywood.

Now here’s a funny add to this story. When the pilot was edited, the studio was kind to send a 16mm print to the ship where the captain was able to show it to all of the crew. His name, Mike’s and mine were listed as technical advisors at the end of the credits. When we got the word that the first episode was to be aired, the captain decided that FRANK E. EVANS’ wardroom would have a “premiere party.” He had Andy, our finest chief steward, create a baked Alaska and he invited the squadron commanders and other special people.

So after a great dinner, we all sat at the ready to watch the first of Ensign O’Toole Series on television. And it was a good program and it was great to see FRANK E. EVANS tooling around in the high seas, but when it came time to watch the credits roll, the captain was shushing everyone so that the “technical advisers” names could be seen. So we were all sitting on the edge of our chairs as the names were about to appear, only to have the network break to a commercial. I think the studio was being nice to have added our names on the print that they sent us.

It was a good series, if you like Navy tales, and if you liked seeing USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) at the opening of each and every episode. If only I could find a copy of that now.

“Luke” currently resides at 9 Juniper Trail, Hope, Rhode Island. You can reach him at jlucasils@aol.com or 401-827-0009.