Chuck Jones, Oscar-winning animator and cartoonist, is considered by many to be “the father of contemporary animation”.  Jones, 89, died of congestive heart failure in February 2002.  He worked on more than 300 films in a career that spanned 60 years. Three of his films won Academy Awards and he was given an honorary Oscar in 1995 for lifetime achievement. Jones created a host of characters on his own, most famously the fast moving, beep-beeping Road Runner and his hapless pursuer, Wily E. Coyote. He also drew Pepe le Pew and Marvin Martian.

According to Charlotte Carroll, who recently celebrated her 80th birthday, Chuck Jones cruised the California coast aboard the USS Ernest G. Small when her husband, the late Charles “Chuck” Carroll was the skipper.

Charlotte, a wonderful lady with many fond memories of the Small, recalls that Chuck Jones gave the Ernest G. Small permission to use the copyrighted cartoon character, ‘Road Runner’, as the ship’s logo. Captain Carroll invited Jones to take a cruise up the California coast and then enjoy dinner with the crew. The congenial cartoonist accepted the invitation to the delight of everyone aboard. 

Charlotte tells how thrilled her husband Chuck was when he assumed command of the destroyer Small. It was a very special assignment since Capt. Carroll had previously served aboard the USS Salt Lake City with none other than, Admiral Ernest G. Small. 

Charlotte has been in touch with several crewmembers that served with her husband, and is anxious to hear from others. She lives in Longwood, Florida.