Posted 14 years ago
ttomtucker
(314 items)
My dad served in the Navy from 1939 to 1959 , He was 19 years old when he joined and was promoted Chief Mineman at age 22. He was serving on the USS Tern (AM-31) during the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec 7, 1941. Long about 1950 he ended up fighting in another war this time in Korea. In 1959 he decided to hang up his anchors and retire.
Beautiful display! I know you are proud of him, and you very well should be!! Wouldn't it be something if my grandfather and your dad had crossed paths in the midst of war?
ARBJacson, I do know by what my dad told me, It because he had 12 years of of good conduct or as he put it he never got caught in those 12 years.
I remember when we were stationed at NAD West Loch, TH in 1951 my dad started wearing his gold chevron, boy I thought that gold was so neat looking from the red chevron he had before. I remember when my dad retired he said leave it up to the Navy and come out with the super rates E-8 and E-9. He had made E-7 back in 1943. At his 12 years of service he turned down Warrant officer because he thought they were desk jockies.
AR8Jason, Since you have collected chevrons for the last twenty years. My had a grey uniform during ww2. The Navy only issued them to Officers and Chief's in june 1943 and they were abolished by 1946 for regular Navy and 1949 for reserves. Those chevrons are very hard to find in the Chief Mineman rate.
The chevron's were grey and made out of khaki, I think I have one I will post on my show and tell.
thank you, SCPODAN, Steeltoad63, vintagemad, Officialfuel, and AR8Jason