Jefcoat, John, BM1c

Dad's first enlistment was 1934-1938 but he extended for two years in 1938 and served until 1940 and was discharged as a CM3. Dad returned to the Navy and was "inducted" as USN-I on 7/21/43 "in accordance with Selective Training & Service Act of 1940. He voluntarily enlisted the same date as BM2 (Rigger) V6, USNR-SV to serve for 2 years & was placed on inactive status. He was recalled to Active Duty 7/28/43 & became a CB (seabee), stationed at NCB Camp Peary in Williamsburg, VA. He was medically discharged (bilateral deafness) in January, 1944 as a BM1.

In reviewing his service records I found that Dad first qualified as a 2nd class diver in January 1937 while  serving on the USS Canopus in the Asiatics and doing temporary duty aboard the USS Pegasus. He continued to qualify as a 2nd class diver through July 1938 after being transferred to the Pegasus in Dec. 1937. Dad also qualified twice as a rifle sharpshooter, once on the Canopus and then on the Pegasus. Dad was also a Navy boxer and would've won the Asiatic fleet championship around this same time period. The fight was stopped by the ref when Dad's nose was broken and Dad remained angry about it throughout his lifetime. This story was confirmed by another "old salt" who met my brother by chance and told how he was stationed on another nearby ship the night of the fight. He remembered being stuck on his ship that night with duty & listened to the fight on the ship's radio!

Dad received a Good (Medical) Discharge on 13 Jan 1944 and received an Honorable Service Lapel button (w' Ruptured Duck)

My parents were married in October, 1940 following Dad's first discharge. They remained married for almost 65 years and raised six children (two boys, four girls....I am their youngest child). My oldest brother is a Vietnam Army vet, and obviously I followed in Dad's footsteps and am a Navy vet (btw, we all volunteered)!