- Joined
- Jul 11, 2004
- Messages
- 1,830
My neighbor , Walt, died at age eighty-eight . He finished high school & joined the navy . Evidently he was outstanding because he was mustanged into the officer class shortly after enlisting. The navy needed seasoned officers & it was expedient to promote that way,I guess. It was not a common happening .
He served on many ships ,among them were 2 battleships, the Texas & Wisconsin.In England during the buzz-bomb attacks,he was wounded but went to a private hospital because he planned on a naval career & didn't want anything that might get him a medical discharge. Ten medal man.
He made the Murmansk run,the most dangerous of convoy duties. After fulfilling his retirement obligations he retired to Deland Florida, got a teaching degree & retired from the school system.
He joined more civic groups than I knew existed & served his community as he had served his country.When 'Nam started the NAVSEC sent him a message to go to Norfolk & pick out any ship he wanted. He declined this most tempting offer [ Admiral could have been offered ] & stayed to help raise his 2 daughters.
When I moved in he came over to meet me. He saw my bumper decal ,stopped & shook his head. When I asked what was the matter ,he said "Cavalry ? Might not like you. I hate the cavalry " !
Laughing , he said "I was marching in the victory parade in New York City at war's end RIGHT BEHIND a cavalry troop !"
And what have YOU done for your country/community ?
Uncle Alan
He served on many ships ,among them were 2 battleships, the Texas & Wisconsin.In England during the buzz-bomb attacks,he was wounded but went to a private hospital because he planned on a naval career & didn't want anything that might get him a medical discharge. Ten medal man.
He made the Murmansk run,the most dangerous of convoy duties. After fulfilling his retirement obligations he retired to Deland Florida, got a teaching degree & retired from the school system.
He joined more civic groups than I knew existed & served his community as he had served his country.When 'Nam started the NAVSEC sent him a message to go to Norfolk & pick out any ship he wanted. He declined this most tempting offer [ Admiral could have been offered ] & stayed to help raise his 2 daughters.
When I moved in he came over to meet me. He saw my bumper decal ,stopped & shook his head. When I asked what was the matter ,he said "Cavalry ? Might not like you. I hate the cavalry " !
Laughing , he said "I was marching in the victory parade in New York City at war's end RIGHT BEHIND a cavalry troop !"
And what have YOU done for your country/community ?
Uncle Alan
