The Captains

The book begins with Jerry Rogerson becoming interested in the U.S. Navy, obtaining an appointment to the Naval Academy. He was a Midshipman at the Academy for four years, graduates and becomes a Commisioned officer. He serves at sea in two battleships: a U.S. Navy Oil Tanker and a Heavy Cruiser, by now as a Commander. Right after serving on the Navy Oil Tanker, he marries Phyllis Larkin. He's at sea again in a Heavy Cruiser, which is damaged in a kamikaze attack. The Cruiser is sent home for repairs and the War ends. For the next few years, Jerry's assignements include the Pentagon and the Philadelphia Shipyard, where is is promoted to Captain. He is sent to Pearl Harbor and while he's there, his wife is killed in an automoble accident, leaving him to raise two children alone. There, the family becomes fluent in Spanish and Jerry is involvedin Intelligence work. On a trip to Washinton, D.C., Jerry, by chance, meets Captain Mary Ann Graybill again after a number of years. He is single now and she has never married. Their romance begins. On a visit to Spain, she is persuaded to marry Jerry and theirs is a transatlantic marriage. At the age of 47, Mary Ann must learn to be a stepmother and wife, but they become a happy family. Jerry is transferred to Washington, D.C. to work in Intelligence. He and the children teach Mary Ann to speak Spanish and she becomes fluent also. Jerry is promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral. His rank, together with their language skills cause Jerry and Mary Ann to be assigned to the Presidential party when the President of the U.S. pays a State Visit to Argentina. That was a trip of a lifetime for the Rogersons, to travel on Air Force One and to be lavishly entertained as members of the Presidential party. They decide they should both retired and begin traveling in a motor home throughout the U.S. and Canada.