King, E. A. Rex, III, LCDR

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
In 1965, I was a senior in high school, LBJ was President, and the year before, he signed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. Both my parents served in WW-II, my Dad was in the 12th Armored Division in the ETO, and saw lots of action, my Mom was a Navy WAVE pilot. She flew Weather Missions out of Sandy Point Washington. My uncle Bob joined the Army and served in the Korean War. My Irish Family has served in every war the United States fought since the Revolutionary War. I also have a G-G-Great Uncle, William P. King, at 16, was the youngest man to die at the Alamo. All that said, I was faced with the decision of being drafted or joining. At 18, I still believed our country would never fight a war our leaders knew we would never win.

I was and still am a Flag Waving Patriot, so I always knew I would serve in the Armed Forces, the decision was, which branch? With the draft in full swing, it was a waiting list to get into every branch (except the Army). District Judge, and Navy Reserve Captain, Temple Driver was a family friend and was able to get me into the Navy. I was thrilled! Many have ask why I chose the Navy. I tell them, I listened to a young LT in the Colonial Navy, John Paul Jones, who said: "Sign on young man, and sail with me. The stature of our homeland is no more than the measure of ourselves. Our will is to keep the torch of freedom burning for all. To this solemn purpose, we call the young, the brave, the strong, and the free. Heed my call. Come to the sea. Come sail with me."

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 got my Novice Ham Radio Operator in 1958, I called my first Ham Radios, my "Magic Boxes." Before the Internet, cell phones, etc, there was way to meet people, in far away places. I spent almost every evening listing to and visiting with people all over the world. With a Novice Class License, I was restricted to low power (75 watts) and using Morse Code. It was my ability to send and receive Morse Code, that caught the eye of the Navy. I was instantly sent to Radioman School. That was not what my family wanted me to do. My Parents owned restaurants back home in Wichita Falls. They wanted me to take over the family business some day. Actually, I hated the Restaurant Business. I first started working in our Drive Inn Restaurant, called the "King's Palace" at 12. In High School, I also worked in the "King's Crest" (Steak House), by the time I graduated, I would rather go to Vietnam, than work another day in the family restaurants. The first ship I served on, was a WW-II Destroyer the USS Hyman DD-732.

After Radioman School (and a host of other "C" schools), I was selected to be a member of the Commissioning Crew of the USS Parsons DDG-33, (Named after William Sterling "Deak' Parsons, the ONLY Sailor to fly with Paul Tibbits, on the mission to drop the first Atom Bomb. CDR Parsons Armed the Bomb in Flight. I didn't know that at the time, but later, I met Paul Tibbits [a Ham too] and we spent several nights talking about that mission. I was transferred to the USS Bausell DD-845, and left on a WESPAC, to Vietnam. While in Vietnam, I was given TAD orders to TF-116 (PBR River Boats). I was in combat, but there are many more who served, who did much more than me. After Vietnam, I was given choice of duty and I chose Submarines. The picture here is of me in front of the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. My Aunt Marianna, who lived in Chandler Arizona, took the picture. I was returning from leave in Texas, heading for San Diego. Leaving on WestPac next week. This was the last picture taken of me before I left for Vietnam.

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?
While on the USS Bausell DD-845, we mostly did Gun Support for Marines, Search and Rescue missions to save pilots who were shot down. While in Da Nang Harbor, my Ham Radio experience sending and receiving Morse Code, was needed. I was given TAD orders and sent to TF-116 (PBR River Boats), based on the USS Garrett County (WW-II LST). I replaced another Radioman who was KIA. My job was to send "Grid Coordinates" to the fleet. These Coordinates were targets located by Marines and Seals. My job was to make sure I sent the correct Coordinates as fast as I could, so the enemy could not get a fix on our location. While on a mission, we were attacked by overwhelming forces. I was wounded, during the fight, this ended my duty on River Boats. I am the guy on the left in this picture. It was taken about 2 weeks after I arrived on PBRs (River Boats).

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Without question, it was recruiting duty. Near the end of my time in the Navy, I was assigned to NRD Dallas as a RDAC (Recruiting District Assistance Council). In FY 1993, I was honored by CNRC as RDAC of the year. I was awarded District and Area RDAC of the year several other times. As RDAC, I was honored to visit with young men and women about joining the Navy. I also visited with their parents, to help them with any fears they might have and share with them the awesome opportunities available for their children, who join the Navy. I also assisted with over 200 funerals of Navy and Marine Veterans. During the 1990s, there was little money available to provide a Military Honors for our fallen Veterans. Retired OSC John Skelton (also a RDAC) and I agreed, assisting with Military Honors at Veteran's funerals was the most rewarding assignment we ever had. Not only did we show the Navy in a good light, but Funerals are for the living, not the dead, that means, we had an opportunity to share Jesus with those morning their loss.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I was honored with being awarded a Bronze Star. I found it pinned to my pillow, along with a Purple Heart in a field hospital. The citation said, even though I was new to River Boats, (meaning, I didn't know what the heck I was doing) I showed courage and led by example, by continuing to fight even though I was wounded. I never thought my actions were worthy enough to be singled out for a Bronze Star. I knew many others, I felt did as much or more than I, and never given any award.

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?
Each award has its own story and all are a reflection of my life. Nothing in my entire civilian life compares with my Navy career. I think President John F. Kennedy (Fellow Irishman) summed it up best, when he said: "Any man who may be asked in this century, what he did to make his life Worthwhile, can respond with a good deal of Pride and Satisfaction, 'I served in the United States Navy.'"

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Without a doubt CWO-5 Hershel W. "Woody" Williams MOH, USMC (RET) has been the greatest influence in my life. I met Woody in the early 1990s at an Iwo Jima Reunion in Wichita Falls Texas. I was on the Committee that helped organized the event every year. At first I was attracted to his Medal of Honor, but within a few minutes, I realized I was in the presence of a man with great character, deep love of family and country, and an even greater love of God. We became, and still are, close friends and I found my self seeking his council for all kinds of things. The saddest day I remember, was two weeks after Woody and his dear wife Ruby celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. Woody called, and told me Ruby had died. He said, they were at Church earlier that evening, and when they got home, Ruby said she wanted to lie down and rest. Woody checked in on her about an hour later. He found her Bible open on her chest and she was gone. I could not choose a better way to go. Woody has been like a father to me, and I am not ashamed to say I love that man. 27 Medals of Honor were awarded for valor on Iwo Jima, today, Woody is the last Medal of Honor Recipient still living from that great battle. The photo is of Woody, my grandson Josey Epp and me. We were having dinner together in Dallas in 2009.

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?
The day I reported aboard the WW-II Submarine USS Blackfin SS-322. The XO was looking at my service record and noticed my family was in the restaurant business, so he ask me to make a fresh pot of coffee. Being brand new aboard, I took that order as a way to impress the XO. I took the 32 cup coffee pot (that looked like it had not been cleaned on the inside since WW-II) and spent about a half hour cleaning it. Then I filled it with, what I thought was fresh water, and made a fresh pot of coffee. Each Officer on the Submarine took a cup of coffee, shortly after drinking, they all got very sick. It turned out, I opened the wrong valve and filled the pot with sea water from San Diego Bay. No one at the time thought it was funny, but 40 years later, it does sound a bit funny. I have attached a picture of the USS Blackfin here.

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?
Before I joined the Navy, I really enjoyed my Ham Radio Hobby. Today I am retired, but still spend many hours everyday on the Ham Radios. I have attached a picture of the Ham Radios in our Motorcoach.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I am a member of many Veteran groups. Presently the groups that are helping Vietnam Veterans with their claims for Agent Orange are the ones I spend the most time with. I have serious health issues from Agent Orange, and as of today, I still have no Service Connected Benefits. Over 390 Vietnam Veterans die everyday from Agent Orange, nearly all without any Service Connect Benefits.

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 feel everyone should serve our Country in the Armed Forces. Every positive attribute in my life came from my time in the Navy. I know I would not be alive today if it were not for my training in the Navy.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
To me, there is no more noble a profession than the defense of liberty in a democracy. Keep the big picture in mind and the little problems will take care of them selves. Know that you are America's Greatest, and those of us who served before you, Salute You!!

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
Shortly after I joined Together we served, I was able to find old Shipmates I served with, many over 40 years ago. It has allowed me to keep in touch with some of the greatest men and women America has ever produced. God Bless them all!

DB 1/17/2017