Chapman, William, Jr., EN3

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
My father served for 22 years in the navy and retired in 1969 as a MMCS. He was the primary reason for my joining the military. The secondary reason was the Draft in 1971 I knew the odds of my number being selected was very high. I joined the delayed entry program of the U S Navy in June 1971 after graduation. I figured if I was going to have to serve It should be for the branch I wanted. My Number was drawn in July 1971.

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 joined planning to enter the Sea-Bee, but as usual the Navy had other Plans. I became an Engine-man. I had plans on making a career, and become a gas Turbine Tech. But when given the choice of Guam as my new duty station and no guarantee of A school I opted to leave the service.

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?
Yes, I served 2 tours off the coast of Vietnam. Operation Line Backer and Gun Fire Support.

We were one of several Destroyers required to run up and down the cost of Vietnam to draw enemy fire since we were equipped with a missile system that would distribute pieces of Aluminum behind the ship which would confuse the enemy radar so they could not locate us, while ships further out would lock in and destroy them.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Visiting Australia and New Zealand in 1974 and becoming a Shell Back.

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?
The Combat Action Ribbon and The Meritorious Unit Citation. We earned these during Operation Line Backer in which our ship was fired upon by enemy artillery when one of our ASROC missiles, missed fired causing the aluminum strips to tangle up on our ship, allowing the enemy to locate us. The result caused damage to our rudders and and a few holes in the side of the ship, shrapnel also hit our bridge area causing injury to some of our shipmates.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
I can't remember his name right now, but when I first came aboard the ship and was assigned to A Gang we had an Engine-man 1st Class who was a real pain in the rear end. I needed help repairing one of the Emergency Diesels when I asked him, he told me to figure it out my self. This really pissed me off, and I finally figured out the problem but never forgave him until years later when I realized that because of him I learned to figure out how to repair things on my own and to this day there isn't anything I can't repair given the time. Thanks!

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?
Crossing the Equator and becoming a Shellback. At one time as Polly wogs we tried to sneak up on the royal Party and turn a hose on them, this failed and we payed dearly for it.

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?
I became an HVAC Technician and Appliance repairman, I also work at a local hospital running the washer and doing general trouble shooting for the department.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
Veterans of Foreign Wars, providing support for our troops and veterans through a great organization.

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 shown me leadership and the knowledge that I can over come anything life throws at me. It also taught me to accept responsibility for my mistakes and to move forward.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Do the best you can, and Be Proud of what you are doing even if others don't agree. Serving your country is one of the greatest things you will have to look back on later in life. Even if everything isn't great right now, remember you are one of this countries greatest assets.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

TWS and the US Navy

It has given me a way to express my self and show how proud I am to have served our country!

DS 5/6/16