Service Photo |
Service Details |
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Current Service Status
USN Veteran
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Current/Last Rank
Petty Officer Second Class
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Current/Last Primary NEC
RD-0334-ECM Supervisor
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Current/Last Rating/NEC Group
Radarman
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Primary Unit
1967-1970, RD-0000, USS Forrest Royal (DD-872)
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Previously Held NEC
RD-0000-Radarman
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Service Years
1967 - 1970
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Official/Unofficial US Navy Certificates
Order of the Golden Shellback
Plank Owner
Realm of the South Wind
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What are you doing now:
Enjoying retirement. Never plan anything. Taking it one day at a time.
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Reflections on PO2 Rachuba's
US Navy Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
I graduated from high school in May 1966. I initially started working at a garment plant upon completion of high school, where I spread the material to be cut into patterns to make shirts. Then in October 1966, I received my draft notice. When I returned home from having my physical, I had a strong feeling that I would be drafted. Being from a long line of family who had served in the Navy, I decided to join because I wanted to continue the tradition.
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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?
I attended boot camp in San Diego, Calif. I chose to be a Radarman, so I remained in San Diego to attend Basic Electricity/Electronics "P" School. I completed "P" School and was transferred to Radarman Class "A" School at Treasure Island, San Francisco, in August 1967. I completed "A" School in December 1967.
After completion of "A" school, I was assigned to the USS Forrest B. Royal DD-872 homeported in Mayport, FL. The Royal was later renamed the U.S.S. Forrest Royal DD-872 (the B was dropped from the name). I remained on the Forrest Royal for 26 months achieving the rank of Radarman 2nd Class, before being transferred to the U.S.S. William V. Pratt (DLG 13 ) in April 1970. I made one Med cruise on the Pratt, returning to the U.S. In Nov. 1970.
I received my separation papers on Dec. 1, 1970, under a reduction in force order from the Chief of Naval Operations at the time.
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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 have the opportunity to participate in combat operations as the Forrest Royal had just returned from Vietnam when I boarded on December 28, 1967.
When I was aboard the William V. Pratt, we were ordered to patrol off the coast of Libya because, at the time, Muammar Gaddafi's forces had ordered the people on several aircraft to be held in a hostage situation. The hostages were from several countries, including Russia and Germany. Therefore, the Russians and Germans also had warships posted off the coast of Libya, ready to launch a strike to get their hostages back. After a short period of time, Gaddafi released all hostages but destroyed the aircraft that were detained.
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OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
I would have to say that the duty station that I most favored was my 26 months on the Forrest Royal because this is where I spent the majority of my short Navy career. While on the Royal, I made the majority of a Middle East cruise. On this cruise, we crossed the Equator at 00'00'L and 00"00" L, at which time we went through the initiation process to become Golden Shellbacks. We hit many ports and really had a great time on this cruise.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
As mentioned earlier -- my memory of becoming a Golden Shellback topped the list. I did, however, have a great time when I was on the Pratt on the Med cruise hitting such ports as Athens, Greece, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Spain, and others.
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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?
Again, I did not receive any significant awards. The only ribbon I received was the National Defense Medal. The medal is a "blanket campaign medal" awarded to any member of the United States Armed Forces who served honorably during a designated time period of which a "national emergency" had been declared. All of us who were in the military during the Viet Nam era received one.
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WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
There were several, but I believe the one who stands out the most was Commander William Lathem, who was our ship's Captain. Captain Lathem stands out because he treated everyone with respect regardless of their rank. He was definitely a people person, but he could also be strict when needed to get the job done.
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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.
Jack Brooks RD2 -- U.S.S. Forrest Royal DD872 -- Fellow Radarman -- Presently in touch with him. Steve Strickland RD2 -- U.S.S. Forrest Royal DD872 -- Fellow Radarman -- Presently in touch with him.
Gary Bernard QM -- U.S.S. Forrest Royal DD872 -- Quartermaster -- Not in touch with at this time. Hutchinreuther QM -- U.S.S. Forrest Royal DD872 -- Quartermaster -- Not in touch with at this time. Roddy G. Lyons RM -- Boot Camp Squad Leader, San Diego 1967 -- Presently in touch with him. William Fore ST -- U.S.S. Forrest Royal DD872 -- Sonar Tech.-- Presently in touch with him.
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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?
Again, I would have to say my experience of going through the initiation to becoming a Golden Shellback. I particularly remember going through the leftover food waste shoot. When the day was over, everyone needed more than one shower to get clean.
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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?
Being in the military for four years gives a person a lot of time to think about one's future. Upon my separation from the Navy on December 1, 1970, I decided to return to college to major in Business Administration. I started out at a local community college and then transferred to The University of Southern Mississippi, receiving my BS degree in 1974.
Upon completing my degree requirements, I found a job driving a truck for a lumber yard. I worked there for approximately three months before accepting a job with a local newspaper as a Circulation district manager. After a short time, I was promoted to the position of prepress supervisor. I was eventually promoted to the position of Prepress/Safety Manager. After working for The Sun Herald for approximately 10 years, I decided to return to school to work on my MBA degree, emphasizing management. I completed the requirements and received my MBA degree in August 1987.
I am now retired after a 34-year career with The Sun Herald newspaper in Gulfport, MS.
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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 American Legion, Post 119 in Gulfport, MS.
Being a member of the American Legion provides many benefits, which include assisting veterans in obtaining benefits that they may not know they are entitled to. The consultation provided to veterans is extremely valuable in letting them know which benefits they are entitled to.
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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?
The most important influence I received from the military was establishing my independence since that was my first experience of being away from my home. I also learned how to establish a good work ethic which saw me through my 34-year career with the newspaper I worked for.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
I would advise any new military man or woman, regardless of their choice of branch of service, to always work hard at his/her chosen field of work to establish himself or herself in his/her particular field. Be very careful in choosing a job that can assist them when they complete their service requirement. You can obtain a great education from the military that will follow you throughout your lifetime by giving you the skills needed to succeed. More money can be made these days in some skills versus going to college.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
| TWS and the US Navy |
Many of the things I mentioned in the first thirteen questions brought back many memories that I really haven't thought about in many years. KC 8.8.21
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