Gray, Gary, SH3

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
Well the Vietnam war was going on and I wanted to serve. My best friend enlisted so I went also. Went through boot together then I went east coast he went west coast.

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 was in only four years but just wanted out wishing I would have changed my mind. Ended up working and retiring from John Deere as a dock worker.

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?
Well we did two tours in the Tonkin gulf Yankee station in 69-70 and 71-72. Remember watching the planes flying over Nam and see flashes in the sky at night. Made you really think about the men and women on shore and what they were going through.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Being on the great ship U.S.S. AMERICA CVA 66.

Least favorite was going to laundry school at Fort Lee Virginia which was an Army base.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Getting on board after school training and seeing the ship in dry dock for the first time.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
Just received the big E being on the ship and proud of everything our ship got nothing special for me otherwise.

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?
Recieving the medals for service in Nam and feeling like we really deserved them.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
SHCM J Wilburn. He made me feel like I was important and tried really hard to get me to stay in. But he said give em your all with whatever you do .

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?
Yes when I first hot on board my fellow shipmate John Schultz and I were going around the ship checking everything out. We were on the flight deck and another shipmate was with us he was looking back at us and stepped off the side. We thought he went to his death all we heard was a big scream scared us to death. We didn't know about the catwalk his head popped up and eyes were so big we lost it. We had to help him back to the compartment he was so shook up. But his look and eyes were so hilarious.

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?
Ended up working for John Deere as a loader on the dock shipping combines and heads.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
Belong to the American Legion and a life member of the VFW. Feel it is an honor to be on the honor guard for our fallen brothers and sisters.

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?
It has made me realize that with discipline and sacrifice you can do anything.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Look past what you are doing now and even if you think it is a raw deal now you will reflect on it later and might realize it wasn't as bad as you thought.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
Ever since joining I wish I could find more of my shipmates but those I have connected with even though didn't serve with we are family sailors all.

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