Bennykofer, Fred, BT2

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
All of my brothers was in the Navy. As I turned 17 I wanted to join so I to could be part of the military family.

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 went to Boot Camp in Orlando Fla. in 1969. After Boot Camp I was assigned to the U.S.S.Shangri-la CVA-38. I requested to become a Boiler Tech. (BT) the Navy does not have them now. They were replaced with (MM)and I was assigned to the #1 Fire Room.We was assigned Combat Duty Tour in Vietnam from March of 1970 to Jan.1971. We performed combat operations.

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?
We was assigned a Tour in Vietnam from 1970-1971 we conducted combat operations off of the coast.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
The U.S.S.Shangri-la. I have a very good friend from the Ship. He lives in Boston and we keep in touch.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
All the friends that I had in the Navy. I still keep in touch with some of them.

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 Viet Nam medals. I was treated like most of the Viet Nam Veterans from people that saw me and found out I went to Viet Nam. But when I returned home, some of my friends would not talk to me after they found out that I had been to Viet Nam. I quess they weren't friends after all.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
There was this E-6 First Class that had the biggest impact on me. I dropped out of school to join the Navy to be able to help my mother with bills. So when he heard that I did not have a High School Diploma he told me that with out one I would have a very hard time when I got out with a Job. He was the only one that gave me the push I needed to have a life after the Navy. One of my happiest days was when I got my GED. Also that was my saddest day in the Navy. My E-6 had went home for the weekend to spend with his family and I heard that he was killed in a car crash going home. He never made it home to his family. That was right after we returned from Vietnam. He never knew that I had passed the GED. I think that was the saddest day for me.

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 reported to the #1 Fire Room for duty came there was a E-5 that looked at the two of us that was reporting and he asked the person in front of me where he was from. He replied I am from New York. Than the E-5 ask me where I was from I replied FL. He said I like you but New York I don't like you. I found out that the E-5 was from Texas. It was just funny to me. Later the E-5 was alright with New York.

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?
When I first got out of the Navy I worked at a Car Dealership for 9 Years Than I spent a little time as a FLA. Highway Patrol. Then in 1981 I started working for FL Power and Light and that was 31 Years ago.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
Vietnam Veteran Chapter #121.
American Legion Post 0400.
PGR member.

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?
Because of the Navy and that E-6 I have been able to have a career that I would not be able to have without the Navy and the Help of the E-6.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
I think the Military teaches pride for yourself and respect for others throughout your Life. It can give you the chance to make life what ever you want it be be. Also it teaches you that if the person next to you is willing to lay down there life for you and that you would do the same makes anything else you do easy in your life.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
I enjoy meeting other members that might of came before me or after me.

DB 10/21/2016