| |
|
Please describe who or what influenced your decision to join the Navy?
|
| |
I was a farm boy in southern WV in 1966. The Vietnam war was in full swing and all of our graduating class (for 1966) knew that we would be very soon draft eligible. I had a daddy and a brother that had served in the US Army and I knew somewhat of what they had gone through. My thought process at that particular time was to join the Air Force. Accordingly, I went to the recruiter's office and took the tests for the Air Force. I then skipped out on my recruiter and went to visit my older (Army) brother in New Orleans, LA. I stayed there after school through 1966 and part of 1967.
My folks back home (WV) got in touch with me and told me that the draft induction was nearing. I went back to my hometown (Princeton) and checked with the Air Force Recruiter and found that he had no billets open. He told me to go down to the Navy Recruiter and see Chief Bell. The Chief told me that he would accept my paperwork from the Air Force and would put me in Naval Aviation. With Army or Marine draft imminent, I decided to Go Navy. I did this to avoid being on the ground in Vietnam, I figured that the closest I come would be on a ship off the coast.
I was proud of my country and I wanted to serve and honor this great nation.
|
| |
|
Whether you were in the service for several years or as a career, please describe the direction or path you took. What was your reason for leaving?
|
| |
I went from being recruited to taking a physical and being sworn into the Navy in Ashland, KY. I then proceeded to Basic Training at Great Lakes, IL. From Basic, I was given orders to report for schooling at Aviation Ordnance 'A' School at Naval Air Technical Training Center in Jacksonville, FL.
Upon completion of Ordnance training, I was given orders to Naval Air Facility, Cam Ranh Bay, the Republic of Vietnam with Temporary Duty under instruction at Little Creek, Norfolk, VA. This was SERE School for survival training and simulated prisoner of war training (approximately 3 weeks). From SERE School I was given leave time and then started my journey to Vietnam - to McChord AFB, Seattle/Tacoma, WA - Anchorage, AL - Yokota AFB, Japan - Okinawa - Cam Ranh Bay, RVN.
All of a sudden I became aware of the saying, "The best-laid plans of mice and men often times go astray." I stepped off the plane and looked around and all I could see was sand, concertina wire intermixed with snow fencing, 40' guard towers, and a menagerie of the different uniformed military. It was hot beyond belief and it was raining with the sun shining brightly. I'll never forget my first thoughts upon debarking: "I am here for a whole year if I make it through it." I was in a Navy wool uniform (which was fine for Washington, Alaska, and Japan) and we had to sit and wait for the 6x6 truck to come and take us to the Naval Air Facility.
|
| |
|
If you participated in any military operations, including combat, humanitarian and peacekeeping operations, please describe those which were the most significant to you and, if life-changing, in what way.
|
| |
It took a few weeks to acclimate my self to the 'brand' new life that I now found myself in. This was almost like an unbelievable event in my life coming to fruition. We (other AOANs) (Aviation Ordnanceman Airmen) were given what I call little odd duty jobs to familiarize us with the surroundings. Then came the real jobs of being with an AO Petty Officer in the revetment area building up napalm, finning and fuzing 500 lb GP (general purpose) bombs, loading 20 mm and 40 mm belted ammunition on aircraft.
We were the Weapons Department and our responsibility was ordnance. We also had the duty of running the Armory and taking care of the weapons (rifles. pistols, machine guns, grenade launchers, and other armory equipment). I was assigned (this was after I was in-country a full year and was on my second tour of duty in Vietnam -- I had been promoted to AO2) as AO in charge of the Armory and we would issue weapons and gear to the Ready Defense Force of the Naval Air Facility. We would come under heavy rocket/mortar/artillery attack from the mainland onto our peninsula.
I believe the VC (Viet Cong) were obsessed with hitting the weapons dept /armory. On November 14, 1969, we came under attack and the base alarm siren was sounding and we were all ducking for cover as the rockets/ mortars/artillery came in and WENT OFF. As soon as the siren shut down we went from red alert to yellow alert and at that time began to issue weapons. We had a system that when the Ready Defense Forces came through the front door of the Armory, we put a helmet on his head, a flack vest on him, and as he went through, he received a rifle and a bandoleer of ammunition.
|
| |
|
Was there a particular incident during your service when you believed you were in a situation you might not survive? Please describe what happened and what was the outcome.
|
| |
On the night of the 14th of November, we were under rocket/mortar/artillery attack and when it subsided to where we could issue weapons, we did our job and armed the defense force. But Charlie (the Viet Cong) pulled one on us and restarted (resumed) their barrage. Our defense force was already deployed and on their way to bunkers when Charlie started up again. One of our force (Airman John William Fritter) had gone about 200 to 300 feet from the Armory when a 140mm rocket went off. He took the full impact of the explosion and was killed instantly; he had a buddy running beside him that was severely wounded.
I was to leave Vietnam on November 25, 1969, just 11 days later. We at the Armory had the duty of picking up the weapons of Airman Fritter and his buddy. What a gruesome (horrific) sight! In my mind, I will never forget that incident and I still have nightmares about it. I did not have any patience awaiting my transfer back to state-side. Those 11 days went "Oh SO SLOW".
|
| |
|
Of all your duty stations or assignments, which one do you have fondest memories of and why? Which one was your least favorite?
|
| |
US Naval Air Facility---Cam Ranh Bay, RVN
Only because of the men that I served with. They were all Navy sailors of the finest character. I can say honestly that they had my back and I had theirs.
Least favorite was the Saratoga after Vietnam.
Only because I was so doggone tired of being away from home and going on the Med cruise was not in my estimation warranted. But I had to fulfill my Navy obligation.
|
| |
|
From your entire service, including combat, describe the personal memories which have impacted you most?
|
| |
I learned a lot being away from my roots and so far away.
First in Vietnam and then in the Mediterranean, I could never get used to being away from loved ones. I guess I am only a homeboy and now thankful that 6 years of military obligation is fulfilled.
My brother, Harry, liked the US Navy life. He went in the year after I did. He served as an Aviation Ordnanceman for 27 years and came out as AOCM. (AO Master Chief)
I suppose some are equipped for life like that but I was not.
|
| |
|
What achievement(s) are you most proud of from your military career? If you received any medals, awards, formal presentations or qualification badges for significant achievement or valor, please describe how these were earned.
|
| |
I have a CAR, MUC, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign, Good Conduct, and National Defense.
I am most proud of the National Defense because I love this country and would live for her and die for her if it came to that.
I guess that the fact of being earned goes with the territory of being in the Armed Forces and being in places worldwide where they were earned by service.
|
| |
|
Of all the medals, awards, formal presentations and qualification badges you received, or any other memorabilia, please describe those which are the most meaningful to you and why?
|
| |
The National Defense Medal, for in it I see that I had a duty and responsibility to my country and that I went about to fulfill that with a commitment to the US Navy. Our greatest achievement in this life is to honor and care for our God, our family, and our country. I am very proud to have served my country on that basis, and I was one of those who served and had the privilege of coming home.
|
| |
|
Which individual(s) from your time in the military stand out as having the most positive impact on you and why?
|
| |
I have always been so impressed by the AO Chief Petty Officers that I had the privilege of serving with and taking orders from. The two Weapons Officers that I served under in Vietnam, both of them came up through the enlisted ranks and were Warrant Officers -- then Navy Lieutenants. Lt. Knight was there in 1967 - 68 and Lt. Buckley was there in 1968 - 69. They always impressed upon us the importance of working hard and punctuality. Do your job and do it well!
|
| |
|
Please recount the names of friends you served with, at which location, and what you remember most about them. Indicate those you are already in touch with and those you would like to make contact with.
|
| |
There are several that come to mind, but foremost is Ben N. Hardy. We were together in Basic Training, Aviation Ordnance 'A" School, SERE School, Naval Air Facility Cam Ranh Bay RVN, CVA/CVS Air-Launched Weapons School, and the USS Saratoga.
On board the Saratoga, Ben was in charge of the Forward Magazine Crew and I was in charge of the Aft Magazine Crew. We were both Special (nuclear) Weapons Loading Team (SWLT) team leaders.
In Vietnam, I served with Roger Caldwell, Richard Walker, Bill Boyd, and Mike Yearty. Caldwell was from California, Walker was from Texas, Boyd was from Massachusetts, and Yearty was from Georgia. Hardy was from North Carolina and I am from West Virginia. Through the years we have sort of lost touch, yet I think of them a lot.
|
| |
|
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 the military, I trained for and became a carpenter. I have worked at all phases of carpentry: framing, siding, interior trim, and cabinetry. I also worked for a while with the Carpenters Union doing concrete formwork.
I am currently doing some home repair jobs, remodeling and pretty much retired. I was a carpenter for 47 years.
|
| |
|
What military associations are you a member of, if any? What specific benefits do you derive from your memberships?
|
| |
I am a part of a Veterans Group. We talk about our experiences and what we each went through and what we are presently going through.
|
| |
|
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?
|
| |
|
Serving has given to me a wherewithal that I would never have attained and an approach to life that has served me very well.
|
| |
|
Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give to those who have recently joined the Navy?
|
| |
Work hard, obey orders, learn all that you can and give your shipmates a chance to be your friends. To quote the Bible: "He that would have friends must first show himself friendly."
|
| |
|
In what ways has TogetherWeServed.com helped you remember your military service and the friends you served with.
|
| |
I found on this website the young man that gave his life for our country.
He was Airman John William Fritter. We serve in Vietnam together.
Branch of Service: NAVY
Rank: AN
Panel/Line:16W, 74
Casualty Province: KHANH HOA
|
| |
| |
