My Naval Career

1961 Not a Job, an Adventure 1989

I was what is termed a "Mustang" in the Navy! I was Enlisted for the first 16 years, accepted a Commission in 1977, and retired as a LCDR (O-4). Shipboard duty stations included: USS Ranger(CVA-61), USS Severn(AO-61), USS Horne(CG-30), USS England(CG-22), USS Buchanan(DDG-14), USS Prairie(AD-15), and USS Orion(AS-18). I was also stationed at various shore installations in Great Lakes, IL; San Diego, CA; Philadelphia, PA; and Washington DC. Lived in Sardenia, Italy for two years 80-82.

I enlisted in the Navy in January of 1961, and was sent to Great Lakes, IL for Basic Training. It was really more like "Winter Survival Training"!! I also attended Electrician's Mate Class "A" school in Great Lakes. My first shipboard duty was in USS Ranger(CVA-61) from 1961 to 1963. Made two cruises to the Western Pacific onboard Ranger. Also made my first crossing of the Equator.
Following Ranger, I attended the Electrician's Mate Class "B" School. I then went onboard the USS Severn (AO-61) out of Newport, RI. I made two cruises to the Mediteranean and participated in three recoveries of the "Gemini" space capsules.
I was selected for staff as an Instructor of the Navy's "Instructor Training School" in 1968. Following that tour of duty, I went onboard the USS Horne(CG-30) where I made two more cruises to the Western Pacific. I was promoted to Chief Petty Officer in 1972. I was then selected to participate in the Navy's Degree Completion Program, and graduated from Grossmont College in San Diego.
My next tour of duty was in USS England (CG-22). Took the England through a shipyard overhaul in Bremerton, WA. I left England and was assigned to the "1200 PSI Mobile Training Team" in San Diego. Accepted a commission in April of 1977.

Accepted an Commission to Ensign in 1977 as a Limited Duty Officer (LDO) in the Engineering field. I attended various Navy Schools, and became a Certified Boiler Inspector. Did a tour as the Main Propulsion Assistant onboard USS Buchanan(DDG-14) and participated in two more cruises to the Western Pacific. I transfered to the USS Prairie(AD-15) out of San Diego. I made another cruise to the Western Pacific in Prairie.
I was ordered to the USS Orion(AS-18) as Engineer Officer. Orion was forward deployed in Sardinia, Italy. We lived in Palau, Italy from 1980-1982. Left Orion to a tour of shore duty at a shipboard maintenance facility in San Diego, CA.
My next tour was as Executive Officer of "The Naval Damage Control Training Center". This was WITHOUT DOUBT my most ENJOYABLE tour of duty in the Navy. I was then assigned to the Navy's "Board of Inspection and Survey" where I participated in Acceptance and Final Contract Trials of newly constructed Navy ships.

RETIRED OCTOBER 1989

Here is a link to "The Navy Memorial". This site deserves a visit by ANYONE with ties to the US Navy. Click on "The Navy Log" and find the names of Shipmates.

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