Once I left the navy, I got rid of all my uniforms. None of them fit me anymore. I held onto my peacoat until it no longer fit me. My sailing days and being away from home for long periods of time were over.
I did my time overseas, training in Hawaii and then mainly as an aircrewman on Guam. I did two cruises working on the flight deck of the USS Kitty Hawk. I was a basic aviation electronics instructor for 3.5 years in Millington, Tennessee. I worked in the electronics repair shop on the USS Enterprise for one cruise. I worked one more year in the electronics repair shop at NAS North Island and then left the navy.
In the picture below, the top left chevron designates I was a first class petty officer. The next shoulder patch shows I was attached to carrier airborne early warning squadron 113. I was also in squadron 114 on the Enterprise, but never changed the shoulder patch. The next shoulder patch indicates airborne early warning squadron 1. That was on Guam, but we went all over the Pacific, either tracking typhoons or working overnight low level radar coverage over the seventh fleet in the gulf of Tonkin, on the coast of Vietnam.
Below the picture are the explanations for the campaign ribbons.
Not a lot to display for 11 years of naval service, but the real satisfaction was the work I did in service. I did my job in the best manner I could.
Bill, I am always honored when you share your experience in the Navy with us. I like you share the good (mostly) and the bad. I thank for your service and history you share with us.
ReplyDeleteAny time you meet an old navy man he will always have stories to tell about his travels and his adventures in foreign and domestic areas. When Joyce and I were in Millington, Tn. We hosted large parties, all with salty sailors and their families. Every guy had his tales to tell and everyone enjoyed sharing them, although the wives often heard some eye opening things they hadn't heard before. Those were the best times ever.
DeleteBill