I am currently retired, having had a very good career in the United States Navy, followed by another 25 years in the high-tech computer industry doing systems and network administration.
Other Comments:
My son, Gregory John Cook, is currently retired from the US Army as a Master Seargent, and is living and working in Alaska. My wife of 18 wonderful years, Geraldine Diane Whitlach-Cook, passed away on July 8th, 2013 as a result of breast cancer metastesizing to her brain and skeletal system.
1975-1975, GM-0873, USS Benjamin Stoddert (DDG-22)
NEC GM-0873-5in/54 Mk 42 Mods 7&8 Gun Mount Maintenance Technician
Base, Station or City Pearl Harbor
State/Country Hawaii
Patch
USS Benjamin Stoddert (DDG-22) Details
      Hull number DDG-22
CLASS - CHARLES F. ADAMSÂ As Built.
Displacement 4526 Tons (Full), Dimensions, 437' (oa) x 47' x 15' (Max)
Armament 2 x 5"/54 RF (2x1), Tartar SAM (1x1 Mk 13) ASROC ASW (1x8), 6 x 12.75" Mk 32 ASW TT (2x3).
Machinery, 70,000 SHP; Geared Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 33 Knots, Range 4500 NM@ 20 Knots, Crew 333-350. Operational and Building Data
Laid down by Puget Sound Bridge & Dredging, Seattle on June 11 1962.
Launched January 8 1963 and commissioned September 12 1964.
Decommissioned December 20 1991.
Stricken November 20 1992. Fate Sank February 3 2001 in the Pacific Ocean while under tow for breaking up in Brownsville, Texas.
Named for:Â
Benjamin Stoddert was born in Charles County, Maryland, in 1751. He served in the Pennsylvania cavalry and on the Board of War during the American War of Independence. After the war, he became a merchant at Georgetown, Maryland, a town that later became part of the District of Columbia, and during the 1790s was active in obtaining land for the use of the new Federal Government. In May 1798, Benjamin Stoddert was nominated by President John Adams to became the Nation's first Secretary of the Navy. In that post, he guided the Navy through the undeclared war with France and achieved a significant expansion in the United States' naval strength. He left office in March 1801 to return to commercial life. Benjamin Stoddert died on 13 December 1813.
Vietnam War.
In 1971 the Stoddert was providing gun support off the coast of Vietnam. It was 12 miles out and received gun fire, a 6â?? round exploded outside the hull on the 3rd shot. It punched through the hole on the hull number 22, destroying the forward Medical Locker.