IN 1964, RE-ENLISTING FOR US NAVY RESCUE, ADVISOR DUTY

(HEARTS, MINDS, HANDS) HELP ING THE VIETNAMESE PEOPLE WAS EASY.

THE CORONADO US NAVY BASE COMMANDER STATED AT MY FIRST INTERVIEW:

MY LIFE CHANGED FOREVER THE DAY BEFORE I WAS SCHEDULED TO RECEIVE MY HONORABLE SERVICE DISCHARGE PAPERS FROM THE US NAVY. ABOARD THE USS PRAIRIE AD 15 (DESTROYER TENDER) THE SHOCK OF HEARING MY NAME OVER THE SHIPS LOUD SPEAKER DOUBLED WHEN IT ORDERED ME TO REPORT TO THE CAPTAINS QUARTERS. NEVER BEFORE ORDERED TO THE CAPTAINS HOLY GROUND. I THOUGHT THIS IS BAD! I WAS RIGHT, STILL SUFFERING 34 YEARS LATER. RUNNING TO THE CAPTAINS QUARTERS, I KNOCKED.

THE CAPTAIN & I KNEW EACH OTHER, AS I WAS THE SHIPS OFFICIAL JAPANESE INTERPRETER, I GOT TO WORK & PARTY WITH ADMIRALS, CAPTAINS, COMMANDERS & JAPANESE OFFICIALS, MAYORS AS LIAISON FOR THE OFFICERS & THE BEAUTIFUL JAPANESE WOMEN, THEY LOVED & DATED. AS A RESULT I FEARED NO OFFICERS OR AUTHORITY.I SIRED & SALUTED ONLY THOSE OFFICERS I PERSONALLY RESPECTED.

“I & YOUR DIVISION OFFICERS HAVE APPROVED YOUR REQUEST FOR ADVANCED DIVER TRAINING. WITH THE BEST OF RECOMMENDATIONS. CONGRATULATIONS & GOOD LUCK, WHATEVER YOU DO. THESE PEOPLE WANT TO MEET YOU,”I INDICATING AN ENSIGN & 2 ENLISTED MEN.