After several weeks at Saipan the Pickens was ordered to join several other ships and head to the Solomon Islands. I don't know the purpose. The crew ws divided between those who had previously crossed the equator and were called Shell Backs, and those who were crossing for the first time and were Poly Wogs.
Some bold Poly Wogs struck first, interrupting Shell Back meetings and flying the Poly Wog flag on top of the mast. This angered the admiral, who called on the Pickens to scream, "Take down that damned Poly Wog flag now!"
The big problem was no one could cllimb the mast except the man who erected the flag. After receiving threats of punishment, the guilty Poly Wog took it down.
Score one for the Poly Wogs.
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