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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-0312-Radar Equipment Technician/Advanced CIC Operations
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Current/Last Rating/NEC Group
Radarman
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Primary Unit
1971-1971, RD-0000, Naval Support Activity Charleston, SC
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Previously Held NEC
RD-0000-Radarman
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Service Years
1967 - 1971
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Official/Unofficial US Navy Certificates
Cold War
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Reflections on PO2 Sites's
US Navy Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
My father served in the Navy during WWII on board the LCI(R) 1029. He loved the Navy and still at the young age of 85 still talks about his time in the Navy. Although he only stayed in during the war, his stories over the years made me want to be a sailor from a very young age. I wanted to follow in his foot steps so when my draft notice came, I went directly to the recruiter and signed up for the Navy. I've always felt great pride concerning my short naval career. My youngest son served five years in the Navy as a Machinist Mate on the USS Enterprise CVN-65. No regrets!
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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?
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After boot camp at Great Lakes, I attended BE&E school and then Radarman "A" school both at Great Lakes. After that a short leave home and then on to the USS William C. Lawe DD-763 while it was in dry dock in Charleston, SC. My main duties while on the Lawe was mess-cooking and hanging around in CIC. Once we completed our yard stay we sailed for Gitmo and then to our home base in Mayport, Florida. Not long after our return, I was transferred to the USS Johnston DD-821 stationed in Charleston. Once there, I started mess-cooking again and then moved to CIC. I made RD2 in a relatively short time and had passed the RD1 test but did not have enough time left for advancement. I was about 2 or 3 months short. We sailed to the Med for a second time and I was flown from Barcelona, Spain to Charleston for Discharge.
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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?
The USS Johnston had just returned from Vietnam shortly before I arrived. As I remember it, twice while I was a member of the USS Johnston's crew we had orders to go to Vietnam However the orders were changed at the last minute and we headed out for a tour in the Mediterranean Sea to shadow the Soviet Naval Ships. No combat operations while I was on board.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
I enjoyed everything about the Navy from boot camp to sailing the seas. I might want to pass on the bunks again. The most fun I had was during our second Med cruise in 1971 in which I was the lead guitar player for the ship's rock & roll band "SMOKE". We played at Barbarellas and had a great time. I met many good guys that I still remember today as if it were yesterday. I have met up with several of them nearly 40 years later as a result of being involved in the USS Johnston DD-821 Association.
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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?
Good Conduct is the most important of the ribbons I received. It speaks for itself.
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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?
RD1 Dawson allowed me to learn the Radarman job while serving mess duty. He allowed me to spend as much time in CIC as I wanted and mentored me as often as I wanted him too. Without Dawson's help, I would probably still be serving in the mess hall.
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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?
In addition to my story there are many funny stories about the Johnston that should be shared. I recently published a book titled "The Real Story of the USS Johnston DD-821" which features over 100 stories from nearly 100 former Johnston officers and sailors. It is available on amazon.com. It has lots of photos too.
Many of our shipmates have asked me to do a "Part 2" of the Johnston story which I will do as soon as I have enough stories. The books are a labor of love.
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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?
I became an electrical engineer after the Navy. I recently retired after nearly 40 years. I am still in the electrical engineering profession with my own business "G.A. Sites Engineering, LLC".
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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 the Treasurer for the USS Johnston DD-821 Association. Being a member has put me back in touch with many of the sailors I served with plus I have been able to communicate with my former Captain McCaffrey who went on to be a Rear Admiral. All of the sailors who are members of the association have only fond memories of their service on the ship and we love to tell sea stories over and over at the annual reunions.
I am also a member of "Tin Can Sailors" and the "American Legion".
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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?
I did all of my growing up in the Navy. I had led a very sheltered life as a kid so I became a man in the Navy. It taught me to be serious when needed and to enjoy life whenever able.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Be tough and enjoy it while you can. If you are not a career sailor, you will remember your Navy days later in life as some of the best times of your life.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
It has allowed me to build my Navy story along with pictures. I've been able to get in touch with a few sailors I sailed with. It is a wonderful device to share your story with. Nothing else like it.
DMR
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