Well before I was of age to go in the service of my country I was aware that I would have to go in one service or the other. The Korean War was being fought by our country and even though most folks said it was not a war, they said it was a police action, but our fighting men were dying every day and the draft was right on each boys heels when he got out of high school. I joined the Navy in Jan 1954 and went to Boot Camp (Recruit Training) in San Diego, CA. After about 3 months where we received our uniforms much training about Navy tradition, ships, Navy Ratings and a multitude of other things about the Navy, those of us that graduated from Boot Camp were either sent on a ship or to a Navy school for training in what job the Navy decided we might be able to do.

 

I was sent home on boot leave, as it was called, with orders to return to San Diego to go to (FT) Fire Control Technician (A) school. The school was 52 weeks long and it was a struggle for a country boy like me, it was mostly electricity and electronics that started with the basics and went quickly to advanced material. I did manage to pass the course and made Seaman !st Class during that time.

 

After FT (A) school I was transferred to the USS Manchester (CL 83) homeported in Long Beach, CA.  I made one WesPac cruise aboard Her and helped to put the Manchester out of commission at Hunter Point near San Francisco, CA. Advanced to 3^rd Class FT while on the Manchester.

 

Was transferred to USS Missouri (BB 63) in Bremerton, WA . We never got underway but the Mighty Mo was a showboat and we spent a lot of time touring visitors, and Vets. Advanced to 2^nd Class FT while on the Missouri.

 

I was discharged from the Navy at the end of that hitch, from the Missouri. I headed back to Colorado and registered at Denver University going on the GI Bill. That was in 1958 and times were rough for a young man, the country was in a large recession at the time, and the jobs were few. I finally decided to go back in the Navy where I knew they would provide 3 squares and a bunk.

 

My first duty station after reenlisting in the Navy was the Harbor Defense Unit in Little Creek, Va.

 

From Little Creek I was transferred to my first Destroyer the USS Turner (DDR 844), we spent a lot of time at sea with a Med cruise and Gitmo twice. She was a good Tin Can and I was advanced to FTG1 aboard her. And was Fox Division LPO most of my time aboard her.

 

Received an intersquadron  transfer to the USS William R Rush (DDR 714) just in time to go to Gitmo again. The Cuban Missile Crises occurred while I was on the Rush, a scary time for all of us, but we managed and when we returned to our homeport of Mayport, FL. I was transferred to FT (B) School, Great Lakes, ILL.

 

FT (B) school was nearly a year and what a miserable cold place to spend a year. I was eligible for shore duty and was transferred to (IT) School, Instructor Training School at Great Lakes.

 

The Polaris Submarine Force seemed to be the major priority for the Navy at that time, 1963, and I was transferred to Submarine Guided Missile School, Dam Neck, VA. Here I was a Destroyer Sailor teaching Submarine Sailors their equipment. It was a busy time but Navymen need to stay busy. We Destroyer Sailors were so good that we each received a years extension of shore duty and a (MUC) Meritorious Unit Commendation for our efforts. I was advanced to FTBC during my tour at Dam Neck.

 

I was in a Submarine Rating and applied for duty on an FBM Submarine, but SubLant would not have me at the time. Therefore my next duty was on a Submarine Tender USS Hunley (AS 31) in the yards at Charleston, SC and soon to go to underway training again. We sailed from Charleston on 24 Dec. 1968 went through the Panama Canal and made our way to Guam, MI to relieve the USS Proteus (AS 19) for providing FBM Submarine support and upkeep. I had requested training in the next FBM System which was the Poseidon Missile and was given orders to Pittsfield, Mass. factory training for further transfer to the USS Observation Island (EAG 154) upon graduation.

 

The USS Observation Island (EAG 154) was a Research and Development vessel for the Polaris and the Poseidon missile and associated systems. We launched the Fleet Ballistic Missiles before they would put on FBM Submarines. What a great job for a country boy. I was advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer while aboard the Observation Island.

 

Upon completion of R and D for the Poseidon Missile my crew of FTBs were transferred to other duty stations. I was transferred to another Submarine billet, the Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine Training Center, Charleston, SC. I was advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer while at that duty station.

 

I was eligible for retirement when the chance came for me to be stationed aboard an FBM Submarine and I requested that transfer. I was transferred to the USS Tecumseh (SSBN 628) Gold in Holy Loch, Scotland, and made 7 deterrent patrols on her. The last 6 patrols I was Chief of the Boat (COB) and I was a watch stander the entire time.

 

I was transferred to Submarine Squadron 18 and retired from there in 1978 with 24 great years in the US Navy.