My wife, Cathy, and I are volunteers aboard my old battleship, USS Missouri (BB-63). I am one of the Volunteer Supervisors. During 2008, I had the privilege of working with "Wounded Warriors" (Marines) back from Afghanistan/Iraq.  A group of those warriors volunteered to come aboard and help in the repair and preservation of the ship.Â
I am frequently called upon to speak to groups visiting the Mighty Mo. I spoke to 57 newly appointed CPO's at the third CPO Legacy Academy held aboard the ship (2008).   On 30 Aug 2011, I was guest speaker for the CPO Legacy Academy Class of 43 new CPO's.  Command Master Chief of the Naval Surface Group, Middle Pacific, Patricia  M. Roebuck and 7 Senior Chiefs from local commands were also in attendance. I was asked to speak during the CPO Legacy Classes of 2010, 2011, two classes in 2012, and will be speaking with the two classes of 2013.Â
I was asked to be the Keynote Speaker at the Veterans Day Sunset Ceremony held aboard the battleship USS Missouri on 11/11/11. More than 250 people attended; including a dozen or so active duty Flag & General Officers. I heard one of the best renditions of our National Anthem, sung by a TSgt Laura Murdzia, USAF. I was completely surprised when, at the conclusion of the Flag ceremony performed by the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Old Glory Detail, the ceremonial Flag was presented to me. It was, to say the least, an awesome experience! Please see "Family New" section for some photos.
As a result of an article I submitted to AMVETS Magazine, the Commander of Post #1 in Honolulu, Hawaii contacted me. After a rather lengthy discussion, I was offered the position of Post Legislative Director and Editor of the Post's Newsletter. I agreed, with one proviso; I would be a volunteer.
Â
Other Comments:
In 1970, I was personally selected by RADM Dean L. Axene to be his Writer and Administrative Assistant. I was later officially assigned the duties as his Enlisted Flag Officer Personal Aide. I was, at that time, the first and only Enlisted Flag Officer Personal Aide in the U.S. Navy and I was issued shoulder Aiguillettes signifying that I was a Personal Aide to a Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy.
I also served aboard the USS Forrestal (CVA-59) in the Operations Office (1957/59), a couple shore duty assignments, 10 years with NATO Commands (including NATO HQ Paris, France and Brussels, Belgium) and a tour of duty as a Naval Advisor in Vietnam (1966/67) with MACV/SOG.
I am a member of The Battleship Missouri Association and am a Plank Owner/Crewmember of the "Friends of the Mighty Mo."  I am also a member of the USS Missouri Association Legacy Society.  I am a member of the USS Forrestal (CVA-59) Association .
Enlisted 21 May 1950, at Akron, Ohio. Sworn in at Columbus, Ohio. Recruit Training at Great Lakes, IL
Served as a Fire Controlman Trainee (FCSN) aboard the USS Missouri (BB-63) during that shipâ??s first combat deployment to Korea in 1950. General Quarters station during combat operations as Telephone Talker/Assistant Director Operator for a quad-40mm anti-aircraft gun emplacement (fantail, port side). Qualified to take over any gun crew position should they become incapacitated. Received spinal injuries as a result of concussion waves generated by a two-gun salvo from Turret #3 (considered an accident â?? non-combat). Youngest crew member aboard the ship @ 17 years, 2 months, approximately 20 days. Awards during service this command; Combat Action Ribbon, Korea Service Medal with two Battle Stars, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Korea War Service Medal (1950/1952). Unofficial medal: Koreaâ??s Ambassador for Peace Award (Sep 2013, Seoul, South Korea).
Served as a Yeoman Trainee (YNSN) with Commander Service Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet (COMSERVLANT) in Norfolk, VA (1952/1954). Advanced to YN3 in April 1952.
Broken Service (1954/57)
Served aboard the USS Forrestal (CVA-59) as Petty Officer-in-Charge of Administration â?? Operations Office. Responsible for the 24-hour operation of the office by two enlisted crews. (1957/1959). Advanced again to YN3 in May 1958.
Student at the Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) Training School, Little Creek, VA (1959/1960). Did not complete training due to previous spinal injury (Korea). Advanced to YN2 in June 1959.
Served with Enlisted Personnel Distribution Office, Atlantic (EPDOLANT) in Norfolk, VA as Assistant to the Chief Petty Officer-in-Charge of the Command Mail Room and Central Files. (1960/1962). Advanced to YN1 in November 1961.
Served with Commander Striking Fleet Atlantic Representative in Europe (COMSTRIKFLTLANTREPEUR) at NATO Headquarters in Paris, France as principle assistant to the Representative (Captain C. K. Ruiz, USN). One of two individuals assigned to this activity. Responsible for all functions of the activity in the absence of the Representative. (1962/1964)
Served with Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT) at NATO Allied Command Atlantic in Norfolk, VA as Supervisor of Command Typing Pool. Responsible for editing all outgoing correspondence originated in the command. (1964/1966)
Served with Military Assistance Command Vietnam, Studies & Observations Group (MACV/SOG) in South Vietnam, as Assistant Top Secret (SPECAT) Control Officer. SOG was formerly more accurately titled as Special Operations Group. Recommended for the Meritorious Service Medal (awarded the JSCM). Additional awards this command; Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation with Palm, Vietnam Campaign Medal). (1966/67)
Served with Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic, Representative in Europe (SACLANTREPEUR) at NATO Headquarters in Paris, France and later in Brussels, Belgium as Writer and Administrative Assistant to the Representative (Rear Admiral, Royal Navy succeeded by Rear Admiral Netherlands Navy). Recommended for the Meritorious Service Medal (awarded the Navy Commendation Medal). (1967/1970). Advanced to YNC in April 1968.
Served with Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT) at NATO Allied Command Atlantic in Norfolk, VA as Writer and Administrative Assistant to Chief of Staff for Plans & Operations (Rear Admiral, USN). Awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal (2nd Award). (1970/71). Advanced to YNCS in November 1971.
Served as Personal Aide and Writer for Rear Admiral Dean L. Axene, Deputy Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET), in Pensacola, FL. The first and only Enlisted Flag Officer Personal Aide in the U.S. Navy at that time. Authorized to wear the Aiguillettes that identifies an Aide for a two-star Admiral. Awarded the Navy Commendation Medal (2nd Award). (1971/73)
Retired from U.S. Navy as Senior Chief Yeoman (YNCS) on 1 Nov 1973 (20 years, 5 months, 21 days)
Served in U.S. Government Civil Service as Manpower Analyst, (GS-11) at CNET, Pensacola, FL. Responsible for projecting total numbers of students and support personnel for all U.S. Navy training commands, for use in the Navyâ??s annual five-year budget projections. (1973/1976)
Served as a partner in an all-volunteer group of four 100% disabled military retirees (CRLegislation.com) later Veterans Political Action Committee (VETSPAC). The group was instrumental in getting legislation passed which now permits disabled veterans with VA disability ratings of 50% or higher to receive their earned retirement pay and their awarded VA disability compensation, concurrently.
Realizing that the state of Hawaii does not provide some of the benefits provided by other states, convinced Hawaii Senator Maile Shimabukuro to submit legislation which would provide certain disabled veterans an exemption of the annual vehicle tax. That bill is HB1667 and in 2014 has unanimously passed by the House and has been sent to the Senate for consideration.
Serving since 2007 as a Supervisor of Volunteers aboard the battleship USS Missouri (BB-63). Frequently speak to visiting groups about life aboard the ship in the 1950â??s. Annual Guest speaker for Chief Petty Officer Selectees during the CPO Legacy Academy classes held aboard the USS Missouri (BB-63).
Appointed as a member of the USS Missouri Memorial Associationâ??s Wounded Warrior Program.
Appointed as Legislative Director of AMVETS-Hawaii Veterans Service Organization.
Guest Speaker at the â??Thank-Youâ?? awards banquet in Seoul, South Korea during week of 11-18 Sep 2013. Along with 87 other invitees to re-visit Korea, received the Korea Ambassador For Peace Award.
Life member of AMVETS, KWVA, DAV, VFW, USDR, and NAUS. Proactive, â??grass rootsâ?? volunteer in support of legislation affecting disabled veterans since 1989.
EDUCATION
Attended the College of William & Mary (Norfolk Division â?? now Old Dominion College), Norfolk, VA) pursuing a degree in education (1960)
LANGUAGES
Two years Spanish (High School)
Six years French (NATO Hdqtrs, Paris, France/Brussels, Belgium)
Graduated 2nd in a class of 108 officers and enlisted at the Vietnamese Language School, Coronado, California
MILITARY TRAINING Basic Recruit Training, Great Lakes, IL Yeoman â??Aâ?? School (Administration), Norfolk, VA Underwater Demolition Training (UDT), Little Creek, VA * Yeoman â??Bâ?? School (Stenography), Bainbridge, MD Counter-Insurgency Training, Coronado, CA Survival/ Escape/Evasion (SERE) Training, Coronado, CA Advanced Weapons Training, Camp Pendleton, CA
*= Did not complete due to spinal injuries received during bombardment operations in Korea 1951.
COMBAT ZONES SERVED IN
Korea 1950/51 - USS Missouri (BB-63) Vietnam 1966/67 - MACV/SOG
MEDALS AND AWARDS
*Joint Service Commendation Medal Joint Service Commendation Medal (2nd Award)*Navy Commendation Medal Navy Commendation Medal (2nd Award) Combat Action Ribbon Navy Presidential Unit Citation (MACV/SOG, Vietnam) Good Conduct Medal (5 Consecutive Awards) Navy Occupation Medal National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award) Korea Service Medal (2 Battle Stars) Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal (with 1 star) Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation Korea Presidential Unit Citation Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (with palm leaf) Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation (with palm leaf) United Nations Service Medal (Korea) Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal Republic of Korea War Service Medal Korea Ambassador For Peace Medal
*- Recommended for Meritorious Service Medal
Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist Breast Insignia (Honorary) Awarded by the Commanding Officer of the Frigate USS Reuben James (FFG-57) August 2012. Authorized to wear the Insignia.
