My naval service began when I enlisted as a seaman recruit in the Naval Reserve in Jan. 1950 in Submarine Reserve Division 4-37, Philadelphia Navy Yard. I completed the Enlisted Basic Submarine School in July 1951 and was discharged from the Naval Reserves in Sept. to accept my appointment as a regular NROTC Midshipman at the University of Pennsylvania. Commissioned in June 1955, I began flight training at Pensacola. I was one of the last students to complete the entire Basic Flight Training syllabus in the SNJ (Texan), a vintage WW II propeller training aircraft. I completed my advanced jet training in F9F Panthers and received my wings in Dec. 1956. In early 1957 I reported to my first fleet squadron, VF-21 I at Moffett Field, California. It was one of the first squadrons on the West Coast to receive the new 1000 mph F8U-1, Crusader, the fastest camer based aircraft in the world at that time.
We didn't carrier qualify (CQ) in Advanced Training. No carrier was available to handle our jet aircraft. My only CQ was accomplished in Basic Training in the SNJ, on the USS Saipan, a straight deck escort carrier. My next CQ was in June 1958 in USS Midway, when I strapped on my F8U-1 Crusader and had my first jet arrested landing and subsequent catapult shot. In 1958 I deployed with VF-21 I on the USS Midway to the China Sea area off Taiwan in response to the Formosa crisis.
In VF-21 1, while attending the Naval Justice School, I met my Peggy one weekend, proposed two weekends later, returned to my squadron in Mar. 1957 and didn't see her again until Sept., a week before our wedding. They said it would never last. My bride and I have been together for 56 years (2013). Despite 18 moves and many deployments, we managed to raise four wonderful children; Linda, Robert, David and Frederick (2 PhDs, I MS, and 1 BA) and have been graced with four amazing grandsons.
Instructed in F-8 air-to-air gunnery at FAGUPAC and was privileged to fly many versions of the Crusader in six different squadrons over 14 years. My last flight was in Dec. 1970 as CO of VC-2, Oceana Virginia. I served as Air Operations Officer on the first mirror image staff, CRUDESFLOT 8. As Atlantic Fleet Air Ops., was heavily involved in planning and providing support for helicopter mine clearing operations in the Suez Canal and environs after the 1973 Yom Kipper War. After Naval War College, I joined the staff of the OJCS as Branch Head of J-5 R&D. My final tour was with the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency.
I retired in 1980 after 27 years of naval service; from seaman recruit to Captain in 26 years. What a journey it was. I miss all the people I have known as enlisted and officer. Their dedication and service to our Republic was unparalleled. But most of all I miss the shared élan and camaraderie integral to the navy fighter squadron. It is a rare thing indeed.