Kaplan, Joel, FC1

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
I was always interested in the military as far back as I can remember. When I turned 15, I heard about a navy program called the Naval Sea Cadet Corps. I signed up. Great youth program. After high school, I joined the navy. I wanted to serve on a ship and learn a trade. Was not ready for college at that time. Left for Boot Camp in June of 1958. After Boot Camp, I went to Electronics Technician Class A School and then on to a ship. Got a trade and served on a ship.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
After boot camp, I went to Electronics Technician Class "A" School at Treasure Island, San Francisco, CA. Upon graduation, as an Electronics Technician, I was assigned to the U.S.S. Navarro (APA-215). I remained aboard until my separation in June 1961. I left the navy as I was engaged and my future wife was against me making a career out of the navy. Way down the road I spent 10 years in the naval reserve.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
I did not serve in any combat operations. I was separated right before we got actively involved in Vietnam. I am considered a Vietnam veteran, however.

DID YOU ENCOUNTER ANY SITUATION DURING YOUR MILITARY SERVICE WHEN YOU BELIEVED THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY YOU MIGHT NOT SURVIVE? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME.
No, that did not happen to me. Lucky I guess.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
My favorite active duty station was the U.S.S. Navarro (APA-215). It was the first time I went to sea and to foreign countries. I served in several duty stations as a reservist. Three shores and one shipboard assignment. My least favorite was as a naval reservist was my last shore duty assignment which I shall not mention. The ship I served on, as a Reserve Fire Controlman First Class, was the U.S.S. Gray (FF-1054). It was the first time back to sea in 17 years. Totally different Navy then, than the one I was in as a teenager. Good, but different.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
As an Electronics Technician aboard the U.S.S. Navarro, I formed great friendships in the ET Gang as well as the Radar and Radio Gang. We had a great crew and have a lot of good memories. I miss those guys a lot. I met up with one of them, for a very short time, about 5 years after I got out. Other ten that, I never had contact or met up with any of them again.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
My greatest achievement was graduating from ET "A" School. That was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. It was a close call, but I made it.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
I only received the National Defense Medal while on active duty. As a reservist, aboard the ship, I received the Battle "E" Ribbon. I also received the Reserve Meritorious Service Medal and National Defense Medal. Proud to have served.
I also earned the career counselor badge.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
My boot camp company commander, MMC Berkley. We were his last company before he retired from the Navy. We earned the Honor Company for him. He was very proud. One night in the barracks he talked about tattoos. He said to be a sailor, you did not have to get one. He stripped down to his shorts and showed us he didn't have any tattoos. That had a big impact on me. Never got one because of him.

LIST THE NAMES OF OLD FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH, AT WHICH LOCATIONS, AND RECOUNT WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THEM. INDICATE THOSE YOU ARE ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH AND THOSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH.
I have only been in contact with two. Like to get in touch with ETSN Ron Clark, RD3 Larry Linfoot, who I served with on the U.S.S. Navarro in 1960. RD3 Larry Linfoot USS Navarro (1959), ETSN Ron Clark USS Navarro (1960), Rm3 ??? Kent USS Navarro (1960), FC1 John Atkinson USS Gray Naval Reserves 1980's

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Coming back from Florida, (was on leave) to Long Beach, CA, I got to the boat ramp, as my ship was anchored out, to wait for the liberty boat. The liberty boat came in and my buddies got off and grabbed me with a seabag. They took me to a car and drove to a medical center where we all gave blood. One of my buddy's brothers was in need. Not funny at the time, but kind of funny now. The brother survived as well as myself.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
After I left the Navy, I went to work for Autonetics, a division of North American Aviation. After a couple of years, I transferred to the Space Division of the same company. I worked on the Apollo / Saturn moon program. After the program ended, I went to work for the Navy Department, where I retired 30 years later.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I am a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Naval Sea Cadet Corps. Presently a member of the American Legion.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
Just that the Navy gave me a career. I have been evolved in electronics my whole career. Taught me discipline and to pay attention to detail. The Navy taught me to never give up no matter what you are doing. I miss the comradery, working with a team, and all the traveling.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Get all the education you can, study hard for advancement, work hard and stay out of trouble.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

Together We Served and Veteran Community

So many ways. Most important is that it leaves a legacy for my children and grandchildren.

KC 8.18.21