OI Division - Operational Naval Intelligence [ONI]
Completed basic training at US Naval Base over flow contonment area, "tent city." San Deigo, California 1958, completed weapons qualification with 1903 Springfield 30-06 [Expert Marksman], at Camp Pendalton, USMC. Issued .30cal Garand rifle and reassigned to USS Tingey [DD-539].
Assigned to USS Topeka [CLG-8],Light Guided Missile Cruiser 1960. Flew to Norfolk, Virginia, where I picked up the Cruiser. Sailed out of Norfolk on a diplomatic mission to Guantomino Bay, Cuba, then on to Pureto Rico, Curacica, through Panama Canal to Panama C.Z., to Columbia, then on to San Salvador, El Salvador, then to Acapulco, Mexico, then on to Long Beach, then to San Francisco, where she was home based and became known as "CLG-8 of the Golden Gate."
I was at the helm and piloted the Cruiser through the Panama Canal.
This photo was taken in Curacao in the Dutch Antilles.
Myself relaxing on the fantail, while crusing across lake on way to Panama Canal.
Myself [wallet showing] and the boys.
Myself saluting the world....
1961 I was assigned to the US Navy Training Facility, Treasure Isl, San Francisco, California. Completion Electronic Intelligence Course. Re-assigned to USS Oriskany [CVA-34] attack aircraft carrier. Operations - French Indo-China, which became Vietnam [police action]in 1964.
Here I am Age 20, French Indo-China, on R&R in Hong Kong, China
