Beck, Wallace, ATC

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
As the youngest in my family, my 3 older brothers all served - 2 in the last year of World War 2 (1 in the Army Air-corps; 1 in the Army) and another in the Navy. I also had 2 Uncles who served in WW2, 1 a 30 year Marine. I had always wanted to fly and work in aviation. Because of this, I was considering the USAF or the USN. I made the decision to join the Navy when guaranteed training as an Aviation Electronic Technician after completing Boot Camp.

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?
While serving in my first duty squadron, Patrol Squadron Forty Four (VP-44) at Pax River, MD, I met and married my beautiful sweetheart Marilyn Esther Maulden. In addition to advancing in rank and pay, and the guarantee of receiving advanced Avionics Training at the Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) Memphis, TN, I decided to make the Navy my career and reenlisted for 6 more years.

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?
VP-44 was the 2nd squadron on the U. S. East Coast to receive the new P3A Orion Aircraft in 1962. At that time our Commanding Officer was CDR Andrew Serrell. While serving as a member of his Flight Crew,, we were called out and first on-station surveying the Russian Ships carrying missiles to Cuba during the Cuban Crisis. A video of out aircraft is often shown on TV every November in relation to the Cuban Campaign. While of Capt. Andy's Flight Crew, we also flew several dignitaries including the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations, to several various countries of the world, including Paris, France and London, England.. Captain Andy later served at the Pentagon as the Chief Briefing Officer for the CNO and became a lifetime friend.

In 1967 I received orders to a special project at Weapons Center Test, NATC Patuxent River, MD. Project Trim was a highly secret aviation unit with a priority said to be second only to the moon project. The acrostic TRIM was short for Terrain Roads Interdiction Multi-sensors. At the time, our aircraft, P2V-7 Neptunes were being heavily modified from antisubmarine to attack at Lockheed Burbank, CA. Each of our aircraft were being fully armor plated, the avionics installed were Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR), Down looking Infrared (DLIR), Low Light Level TV, Terrain Following Terrain Clearance Radar, Side-Looking Radar, forward facing Mini-Guns, Twin 20MM Cannons, 40MM Grenade Launchers, and M60s. Because of the sensors, the aircraft were fully air conditioned, along with the incorporation of an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). As a squadron, Project Trim deployed to Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam with auxiliary maintenance facilities at NAS Sangley Point, Republic of the Philippines. Project Trim was later re-designated to VAH-21 and we served in-country Vietnam in 1968 & 69. During that time as a member of Crew 3, we flew 71 Combat Missions. Our unit received the Meritorious Unit Commendation Awaid and I received the Air Medal for flying combat missions.

After Vietnam I received orders for training on the A6A Intruder at VA-128, NAS Whidbey Island, WA. It was there I was one of the first 3 enlisted selected by the Admiral to participate in the pre-production phase of the EA6B Prowler aircraft at Grumman Corporation (GAC) in New York and was involved on the ground-floor of the new training squadron VAQ-129. At that time there were two modified A6 aircraft at Lockheed. A GAC, our US Navy team developed the Avionics Maintenance Procedures for the aircraft and served as our representative at the EA6B Provisioning Conference, in Oyster Bay, NY, at the Board of Inspection Survey (BIS)Trials at PAX River, MD. I was also involved in developing the Audio Visual Training Aids at General Electric Apollo Systems, Daytona Beach, FL and the Personal Qualification Standards for the EA6B at Point Loma, CA.

After standing up VAQ-129, I was selected to participate in the Navies Associate Degree Completion Program (ADCOP) and received orders to NAS Corpus Christi, TX, to attend college at Delmar Junior College. Had a great tour of duty there and graduated with CUM LAUDER Honors. Afterward, I received orders to to stand up a new EA6B Squadron at NAS Whidbey Island, WA - VAQ-136 and served as work center supervisor. We deployed to the Western Pacific in 1973 - 74 on-board the USS Kitty Hawk. Three highlights of this cruise was surviving the Kitty Hawk fire of 73 , crossing the Equator becoming a Shellback en-route to Mombasa, Kenya, and later hosting the Shah of Iran while in the Persian Gulf.

The next tour of duty was outstanding. I received orders to Naval Air Technical Training Detachment (NAMTD) at NAS Whidbey Island. I was advanced to Chief Petty Officer and search as the Senior Instructor and Course Manager. I had a great team of instructors. During this time, I attended college classes at night and completed received a Bachelor of Arts Degree with majors in Political Science, History, & Psychology. Afterward, I received orders back to VAQ-136 and served as Avionics Weapons Division Chief Petty Officer until I retired in 1979.

DID YOU ENCOUNTER ANY SITUATION DURING YOUR MILITARY SERVICE WHEN YOU BELIEVED THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY YOU MIGHT NOT SURVIVE? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME.
Flying combat missions and being under heavy ground fire was a big threat during our missions. rocket attacks on our base and bases where we landed. Also, after transporting some of our Avionic equipment for maintenance using a US Army truck and coming back to Cam Ranh Bay, we barely escaped 50 mm shelling & tracers

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
My favorite was flying as Radioman and Technician on the Navies EC121K Super Connie at NAS Glynco, GA. Great duty and great fishing! NAMTD Whidbey was also outstanding. My least favorite was Boot Camp.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
My conversion to Christ in 1961 and witnessing many of my friends coming to faith in Christ throughout my Naval Career and continuing to this day has to be the utmost personal impact.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
Receiving the Air Medal and coming back safely after 71 combat missions under heavy fire. Also being selected and completing my College Degree with honors (that took a lot of work - I could have done better, but instead, devoted weekends to time with my family).

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?
In addition to receiving the Air Medal, receiving my Enlisted Combat Aircrew Wings.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
My first Commanding Officer, Captain Andrew Serrell ranks top because of his continued lifetime of friendship and telephone calls until his passing away this year (2018). CAPT Andy will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in May.

Also, my closest friend was Steel Sam Gore who was our senior aircraft mechanic and fellow flight crew member during combat in Vietnam. Sam also passed earlier this year (2018).

Other lifetime friends as Jimmy Jones, Dick Nevela, Jeff Snavely, Bob Stanga, Les Dennis, and Red West.

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?
1979-1984 -- Senior Engineer, F-16 Avionic Intermediate Station (AIS), Product Support Engineering, General Dynamics/Fort Worth Division.

1984-1986 -- Engineering Manager, Special Projects, Automatic Test Station (Universal Common Module) Development/Design/Sell-Off, B2 Bomber, Northrup Electronics Division, Hawthorne, CA.

1986-1987 -- Senior Engineer, Lockheed Ontario

1987-1989 -- Senior Test Engineer, Contracted to NADEP, Pensacola, FL

1989-1991 -- Program Manager, Contracted to Allied Signal Corp., Orlando, FL

1991 - 1989 -- Senior Test Engineer, Contracted to NADEP, Pensacola, FL

1989 - 2001 -- Truck Driver, 18 Wheel Semi, CONUS 48.

2001 - Present -- Retired!!!

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
Fleet Reserve Association

Disabled American Veterans