Page 57 - Lubbock Senior Link Magazine Fall 2019- Online Magazine

viEtNam war
KorEaN Era

Navy

Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam,
Okinawa and the Philippines.
Dad’s adventures included crossing the Equator
where “the initiation” took place. That is when
“land-lubbers” become “pollywogs” and then
“shellbacks”. During part of their initiation, they
had to eat day-old salad out of a trough on hands
and knees. Another requirement was to kiss the
bacon-greased belly of the fattest man on board ship.
Dad spent 14 months aboard the Rochester.

After further training in San Diego, he was sent
to Albuquerque NM to train other men. While
stationed there, Jessica Lynne and Linda Maureen
were born. Dad was advanced to Chief Petty Officer
E7 and also served as a city-wide youth director
there.

In 1963, Dad received orders to Great Lakes Naval
Base for further training in the field of Interior
Communications Electrician. Then, orders came
to report to the USS Coral Sea, CVA-43 in Alameda,
CA. Dad was advanced to E8 (ICCS). We all moved
to Oakland, CA, and the Coral Sea headed for the
Western Pacific and the Vietnam War in December
1964. While on that cruise, Dad served as the
Electrical Material Officer. His crew was responsible
to maintain and repair the ship’s ventilation
systems, winches, galley appliances, announcing
systems, engineering and electrical units and turbo
generators. He returned in November 1965, after
completing his longest tour of 11 months.

After the ship was overhauled in dry dock at
Hunter’s Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco,
she was deployed a second time on July 29, 1966
to the Vietnam War. During that deployment,
the USS Coral Sea was awarded the Navy Unit
Commendation for its service. When they returned
to Alameda in February 23, 1967, Dad was awarded
the Navy Achievement Medal, because he had
served as the ship’s Electrical Material Officer in the
absence of a Commissioned Warrant Officer. By
then, he was a Senior Chief Petty Officer (E8).

Upon the return of their 3 tour of duty in July
rd
1967, the USS Coral Sea was inducted into the Great
Golden Fleet of San Francisco. San Francisco Mayor

Lubbock Senior Link 57