Aerographer's Mate |
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TWS Ribbon Bar |
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Service Photo |
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
AG-7414-RAW/ Radiosonde Operator
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Current/Last Rating/NEC Group
Aerographer's Mate
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Primary Unit
1961-1965, AG-7414, USS Enterprise CVA(N)-65
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Previously Held NEC
AG-0000-Aerographer's Mate
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Service Years
1961 - 1965
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Official/Unofficial US Navy Certificates
Cold War
Order of the Shellback
Plank Owner
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What are you doing now:
Retired
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Other Comments:
Loving it.
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Reflections on PO2 Bagley's
US Navy Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
Two of my uncles served in the Navy during WW ll. The draft was in effect at the time, and the Navy was guaranteeing a school for high school graduates. My twin brother, Bill, and I joined together. We took the oath in Cleveland, Ohio, on January 30, 1961. The bus left that afternoon for the Great Lakes Training Center. We arrived at about 2:00 a.m. It was snowing and cold. We packed our civilian clothes up and sent them home. We were issued our new uniforms, directed to a hall with cots, and told to go to bed since we had to get up in a couple of hours.
My first breakfast was cold eggs and toast. That day is kind of a blur. We were put into different barracks and started to be formed into a company. We were issued rifles and marched to our new quarters. During the next six weeks, a number of guys were sent home, and a few were put into our company that had flunked out of the training. I was assigned as an Education Recruit Petty Officer 3rd Class. I remember getting our first boot liberty on St. Patrick's Day. We went to Chicago and watched the parade. Our class graduated in April. My mom and John drove up to see it. I was assigned to Aerographer's Mate 'A' School in Lakehurst, N.J. While I was home on leave, I married my high school sweetheart Nancy L. Del Gratta. We went on a short honeymoon to Gettysburg, Pa. I have never lived that one down. A week later, I left for school.
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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?
After 'A' school I was assigned to the USS Enterprise CVAN-65 in Newport News Va. After a short leave, I reported for duty as part of the pre-commissioning Crew. They sent me to Radiosonde 'C' school so back to Lakehurst, N.J. I went. While I was at school, the ship was commissioned. We started our sea trials which were a lot of work. I took the test for the 3rd Class petty Officer and passed.
My brother Bill was assigned to AT school in Memphis, Tn. He requested to be assigned with me on the ship. I had to give permission because of the Navy rule about brothers serving on the same ship. They made the rule because of the death of the five Sullivan brothers who served on the same ship during WW ll. We left for our first Med cruise shortly after sea trials. It was a great experience visiting France, Italy, and Greece. After 6 months, we were relieved and started home.
The ship pulled into Pier 12 at Norfolk, Va., our home port, for four years. I went home for a couple of days, and when we got back, the ship was all a buzz. No one was sure what was going on. We pulled out in a hurry, and while at sea President Kennedy announced the Cuban Missile Blockade. It was a scary time.
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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?
I participated in the Cuban Missile Blockade ordered by the President. We were at the station for about 3 months. We returned back to the states in December and left for a 9-month Mediterranean cruise in January.
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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.
I had my moments during the Cuban Missle Crisis.
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OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
The best was aboard the USS Enterprise. My least favorite was boot camp at Great Lakes.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
The various ports of call we had liberty in. The fun times with my buddies on the ship as we explored the world together. Three of us took a five-day tour of Rome. What a great time we had. The other lace we enjoyed was Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii. We walk up to the top of Vesuvius and could see the ship down in the Bay of Naples. Just standing in that historic spot was quite a thrill.
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I attained the rank of Second Cass Petty Officer within my 4 years of service, which is the highest you can go in that amount of time.
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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?
Cuban Expeditionary Medal.
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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?
The wonderful guys I served with on the Enterprise. We had some great adventures together. They were from every part of the country and they taught me a great deal about people.
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LIST THE NAMES OF OLD FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH, AT WHICH LOCATIONS, AND RECOUNT WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THEM. INDICATE THOSE YOU ARE ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH AND THOSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH.
Bill Bell, Charles Perino, William Longstreet, Watson, and others who I can see but can't remember their names. Bill and Charles, whom I have talked to over the years, but I have lost track of so many of them.
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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?
We were out at sea, and I was up on the island doing weather ops. It was warm and sunny, and many of us were stretching out trying to get a great tan. One of the CPOs saw me and told my chief that I was sleeping. as a result, every time we were in general quarters, I had to wear the sound-powered phones. Sometimes for hours.
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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?
After leaving the Navy, I had several short-term jobs, and I finally got a job with the Ohio Bell Telephone Company. I worked there for 30 years and retired in 1995. I started a second job with the County Sanitary Engineers, and I worked there for 9 years as a CAD supervisor, which I enjoyed, and I retired at 63.
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WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I belong to several historical organizations: The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, The USS Enterprise Association, The American Legion, The USS Constitution Museum, The Gettysburg Foundation, The Fort Laurens Foundation, and the Eagles.
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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?
The Navy taught me many things. The most important was to grow up and be a man. To be responsible for my conduct and actions. To serve a higher calling than self. I feel sorry for today's young men. They wander through life aimlessly so often. Young men especially need the discipline and self-reliance that the military can provide. The military exposes you to a variety of people and situations that are part of growing up to be a man. Without them, we see so many today that don't have any sense of direction or accomplishment in life. Doing away with the draft was not a good thing! I mostly miss my youth.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
To those who are in the Navy, I would say enjoy it. The time is short, and the memories will last a lifetime.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
| Lookin Back TWS helps to remember. |
TWS is a great platform for finding old friends and reminiscing about another time and place. I have found a couple of my old buddies and thought a lot about my time in the Navy. Well Done! KC 3.3.23 *
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