Fightin' Navy #76

Chick Herbert, a sailor on a goodwill cruise, finds himself stranded in a North African port after wandering into a suspicious bar. When he stumbles upon a plot by a local underground group to attack the American consulate, he must race against time to warn the embassy—stealing a police car in the process—before the raiders strike.

Simp the Sailor tries to find a secluded spot on deck to relax, boasting about his unique technique—only to accidentally tumble into a hidden compartment. Meanwhile, on another ship, a signal officer struggles to send a message, unaware of the chaos unfolding just nearby.

The battered destroyer Harding, worn from service and overdue for refit, is ordered on a dangerous mission off the Korean coast to draw fire from heavily armed enemy batteries. Despite overwhelming odds and mounting damage, the crew holds their positions, knowing their sacrifice will allow a troop convoy to pass safely—keeping their guns firing even as the ship takes deadly hits and begins to sink.

Third Mate John Rivers uncovers a conspiracy aboard the decrepit freighter Eleanor S., where the captain and a few trusted crewmen are sabotaging the ship and planning to abandon the rest of the crew during an approaching hurricane. As the storm looms and the ship's true condition becomes clear, Rivers must decide how far he’ll go to protect his fellow sailors.