In the mid-60s, a U.S. Navy cruiser stopped in Mississippi for a week's shore leave.

The first evening, the Captain received the following letter from the wife of a wealthy plantation owner:

"Dear Captain,
Thursday will be my daughter Melinda's coming-of-age party. I would like you to send four well-mannered, handsome, unmarried officers to attend the dance. They should arrive at 8 pm, prepared for an evening of polite Southern conversation and dance with lovely young ladies. One last point: No Jews. We don't like Jews."

Sure enough, at 8 pm on Thursday, the lady of the house opened her door to find, in dress uniform, four exquisitely mannered, smiling black officers.

Her jaw hit the floor and she stammered, "There must be some mistake!"

"Madam," said the first officer, "Captain Goldberg doesn't make mistakes."

Excellent humor! Nominate the captain for great American status.

If only it were true. Generally there are murders and an earthen dam involved in such stories. But still I do like this one.