These stories are from The Misadventures of Russell Quigley, a hilarious collection of sea stories woven into Russell’s life as a Navy photographer.

Russell Quigley at the Fleet Air Photo Lab is a really funny book. You see, Russell was a true military misfit. The harder he tried to do a good job, the more trouble he got in to.

Take the time they put him in charge of the Fleet Air Photographic Supply depot. They only meant for him to monitor supply requisitions, but they did use the words “in charge,” and he was the only one there.

The only reason he asked the Command Supply Office for help is because he really thought he was in charge, and he really wanted to do a good job. He didn’t know they would hold inventory and hold the Photo Officer and half the photo crew responsible for missing photo equipment and supplies.

Russell rubbed everyone the wrong way, but especially Warrant Officer Butz. “Quigley,” he said, “you are the most arrogant, condescending, self-righteous bastard I ever met.”

People ask the author, “Did you really have 12 Captain’s Masts and a hearing for a Summary Court’s Marshal in your first four years.”? “O’ gosh no.” he would answer. “I had 18. Not all of them were funny.”