330-PS-703 (USN 707954):  The recent 28,000th landing onboard USS Philippine Sea of Task Force 77 was an occasion for a celebration and a cake cutting ceremony for the pilot who made the landing.  But what of the pilot who made the 27,999th?  The ship’s bakers came up with the answer to that when Commander J.T. “Tex” O’Neill, USN, was presented with a small cake with the following words written, “Always a bride’s maid, but never the bride.”   Commander O’Neill’s landing preceded that of Lieutenant Junior Grade S.G. Goraline, USN, who was the lucky pilot to make the 28,000th landing.  Participating are, left to right:  Commander W.R. MacDonald, USN, the ship’s Executive Officer, who acted as master-of-ceremonies; Chief Pay Clerk J.B. Roark, USN, and Lieutenant Commander R.W. Flesk, USN, who presented the cake to Commander O’Neill (right, foreground).  A 700 pound cake was presented to Lieutenant Goraline, which was shared by the entire crew.   Photograph released October 5, 1950.  (7/14/2015).
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/127906254@N06">National Museum of the U.S. Navy</a>
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/127906254@N06/19529121449/">330-PS-703 (USN 707954)</a>