Public Libraries of Suffolk County, New York

Londonderry farewell, an untold story, Captain Tom McKeown, USN and John Fraim

eng

no index present

non fiction

Londonderry farewell

Captain Tom McKeown, USN and John Fraim

an untold story

After combat duty in Vietnam and assignments across the globe, Captain Thomas J. McKeown of the US Navy thought conflict was behind him. His current posta Pentagon desk joboffered a chance to spend time with his family. An urgent new assignment changed everything. McKeown is sent to the oldest US naval base in Europe, in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. His public assignment is to close the base and turn it over to the Queen, who would determine its future. In truth, Londonderrys fate is already decided. McKeowns orders are to transfer the base to the British Armyan act expected to enrage IRA members active in Londonderry. Public knowledge of the decision would put both military personnel and base property at risk of terrorist attack. As McKeown moves his laborious assignment forward, he learns to love the people of Londonderry even as he rediscovers his own Irish Catholic heritage. At home, he must contend with a family tired of military life. When word of the transfer leaks out, the IRA move to attack the base. How McKeown responds to this threat will determine the success of his missionand the safety of those under his command