Previously Held NEC SR-0000-Seaman Recruit
SN-0000-Seaman
SN-9740-Seaman - Other Technical and Allied Specialists
IC-0000-Interior Communications Electrician
I retired on the last day of June, 2011, the month I turned 61,
and took my Arizona State pension, then Social Security at 62.
I spent my post-navy life as a photographer and media manager.
The Navy gave me gypsy feet, and I've enjoyed them all my life.
As a result, traveling was not just a bucket list item for me.
With the way things have gone, it was a good investment.
I'm a direct descendant, tenth generation, of Joseph Loomis.
The Loomis Family arrived in the New World on 17 July, 1638.
We have defended America ever since.
Other Comments:
"Service included boots-on-the-ground in Viet-Nam"
[ One year, 365 days, 24/7 -- 7 June 1970 to 7 June 1971 ] U.S. Naval Advisory Group, Vietnamese Naval Shipyard, Saigon RVN.
I am also a Plank Owner and Shellback, USS Harlan County (LST-1196).
During my 4 years of active duty, 3 years were credited as foreign or sea service.
Technically, I was on Active Duty, USN, 3 years, 11 months and 16 days. However, I was in the Naval Reserve before that and after that, both Active Reserves and Inactive Reserves. So N/TWS has credited me from April 1969 through April 1983, 4 years active USN plus 4 years USNR and 6 years inactive Naval Reserves, and that is why my profile may occasionally show three hash marks. 1983 was my final Inactive Naval Reserve discharge date. Also, because I worked overseas, I never managed to take the 2nd Class Exam. So, actually I never wore more than one hash mark on my dress blues. And yes... there is a "V" on my Navy Achievement Medal even without having a Combat Action Ribbon because that's the way it was awarded. For more information click on the NAM w/V ribbon in my ribbon rack.
I am glad, proud, to have been born an American.
I voluntarily joined the armed forces, and for that
matter I volunteered for duty in Viet-Nam.
What I had hoped for was to not bring the violence,
the lack of value of a human life that I experienced
in Viet-Nam, back to America. It is that simple.
During my civilian career I spent over ten years as a hospital/medical photographer, two years in Saudi Arabia with Lockheed, and then two and a half decades as the media specialist and manager for a 9,000+ student public school district in Phoenix, Arizona. I feel fortunate to have retired without ever having a single unemployment or welfare check.
CHRIS NOEL petition: PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM
Date
Nov 1, 2010
Last Updated: Aug 29, 2017
Comments
To: President of the United States
We respectfully request that The President of The United States favorably consider, endorse and award the Presidential Medal Of Freedom to Miss Chris Noel. Miss Noel has served her country, as a civilian, with honor and distinction. Some Facts to substantiate this petition:
1) Chris Noel was a disk jockey for Armed Forces Radio (Good Morning Vietnam) in Saigon and her show was very popular with the soldiers, it was called, "A Date With Chris". Before she volunteered to go to Vietnam, as a cicilian, she was a movie star and up and coming entertainer. Chris, voluntarily, did four tours of Vietnam. She also saw a lot of nasty stuff on her tour of forward bases. To this day she suffers from PTSD and many veterans consider her a fellow "combat" veteran and hero. PTSD stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. When you are exposed to life threatening situations, loss of friends in battle or the ugliness of war it can impact sensitive people. Most often they suffer from nightmares, flashbacks, and other disorders.
2) Twice Chris Noel's helicopter was shot down in Vietnam while traveling to line units to perform singing and entertaining for the troops.
3) Chris Noel was considered so popular and influential for troop morale, in fact, that the Viet Cong placed a $10,000 bounty on her head.
4) Chris Noel is still giving to the Veterans. She runs Vetsville Cease Fire House, a shelter for homeless vets in Florida.
5) Chris still suffers from flashbacks, migraines and stress disorders following her Vietnam mission.
Chris Noel highly deserves this long over due recognition from our Government for her service, support and dedication to the Armed Forces.