Describe your career path:
Went to Northwestern state college in Natchitoches, La for two years. Total segregation in 1963, different from Needham. Dropped out after two years and enlisted in the Navy to avoided being drafted to Viet Nam.
First ship was the USS Bushnell AS 15 (sub tender in Key West Florida). After 18 months I needed a change and volunteered for Viet Nam.
Stationed at Naval Supply Activity Detachment Chu Lai, Viet Nam for 13 months as a Storekeeper Second Class.
Promoted to Storekeper First Class I decided to reenlist and make a career of it.
Second ship was the USS Granville S Hall YAG 40 (research ship, out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii)
Third ship was the USS Grasp ARS 24 (salvage ship out of Guam). Back to Viet Nam in 1972. Trust Territory islands and Western Pacific deployments.
Shore duty in Schenectady 1974 and 1975 where I met my future wife Alice.
Overseas sea duty in Kenitra, Morocco, 2 years where I married Alice in Gibraltar.
Fourth ship was the USS Kalamazoo AOR 6 (a fleet oiler out of Mayport Florida) promoted to Chief Petty Officer.
Shore duty at the NROTC Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, TN.
Fifth ship was the USS Sam Rayburn SSBN 635 (Groton, Ct) where I qualified in Submarines and was promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer.
Neutral duty at Submarine Squadron Ten in New London, Ct., where I was promoted to Master Chief Petty Officer.
Shore duty Submarine Base New London.
Sixth ship was the USS Will Rogers SSBN 659 which made the last SSBN patrol out of Scotland.
Retired May 1992.
