Trip Home On The SS United States In 1969

 In May 1969 we departed from the harbor at Bremerhaven, Germany, for a five day First Class trip across the Atlantic. The SS United States was the fastest cruise ship in the world, and it was taking us home to NYC ,USA. The Captain on board was John S. Tucker.We had the privilege of meeting Captain Tucker and his wife when we were invited to the Captain’s table for a fantastic dinner. It was a black tie affair, a touch of High Society that we enjoyed. Most of the guests in First Class were fifty and older, and we presented quite a sight. A young family with five  small children on an ocean liner in First Class — definitely an unusual occurrence. Read more about this trip in the book,  Zehbel: The Clever One, available on Amazon in Spring 2012.

THURSDAY NIGHT CELEBRATION

CLOSE FRIENDS CELEBRATING A SIGNIFICANT EVENT

Our close friends gathered to show their excitement when they heard I had been chosen for a high ranking position with the Imperial Iranian Air Force (IIAF). I was now the  advisor to the DCS/CEM (Deputy Chief of Staff/ Communications Electronics and Meteorology). This was the highest position held by any American working in the IIAF,  and carried the equivalent rank of Major General.

This is a picture of ‘Cretia and I with them at a posh nightclub in Teheran. The job seemed to be a great thing but I had no idea what I was getting into.

I am the second on the left and Cretia is across the table from me. The year was 1972.