In late 1990, Princeton, still under Ted's command, was deployed to the Persian Gulf to serve in Operation Desert Storm, the first Gulf War. Soon after arrival, she was protecting a task force that was preparing to land Marines on Kuwait's Persian Gulf coast. In the early morning of February 18, 1991, the ship was rocked by a huge underwater explosion. I was embarked on another ship at the time and clearly recall Ted's calm, clear voice on the radio as he reported that his ship had struck a mine.
Princeton had suffered severe damage, and in fact was in danger of sinking. In the minutes and hours that followed, Ted coolly directed his crew to see to the injured, put out the fires, stop the flooding and restore the ships weapons system. The crew saved the ship. Many of them worked at great personal risk-a damaged ship is a dangerous place, with severed pipes and electrical cables running through partially flooded spaces, and fires in spaces with flammable liquids. That they did it is a testament to their bravery, and to the inspirational leadership of the man who led them.
Ted Hontz is a leader, a man of integrity, and one of my personal heroes. He is the kind of man we need desperately in the U.S. Congress.
Paul K. Rosbolt
Captain, U.S. Navy (Retired)
Springfield, Va.