Navy
David Smith served with the Army National Guard and the Navy. He had quite an interesting 10 years of service. Trained in the Navy as a Culinary Specialist then went to Submarine School. Serving on the Stonewall Jackson, USS leader, USS Avenger, The Iwo Jima and the USS Portland. After the Navy, David enlisted in the Army National Guard (Tennessee) and trained to be Military Police. Later, David transferred to the Louisiana NG in New Orleans.
Culinary Specialist 3rd Class John Forrest. John was one of my best friends during my school years and beyond. During his 4 years in the Navy, most of his service as a Cook was aboard the USS Demato, a destroyer. He had a Mediterranean cruise and saw quite a few ports including Halifax Nova Scotia, the Philippines, Puerta Rico, Jamaica, The Northern Atlantic, Norfolk, Boston and Bath Maine. Gone but not forgotten.
Signalman 3rd Class William (Bill) O’Brien. My father-in-law served in the Pacific in WWII. It seems his most important role was a Signalman aboard the SS Diamond, an oil tanker with the task of resupplying U.S. Warships in and around the Pacific. His specialty was signaling ships in to refuel using Navy Semaphore flags while on the tankers bridge. He was also trained to use lights or shutter Semaphores. With a Wartime Merchant ships communications certification. Bill played a vital role in the U.S. Navy’s efforts between 1943-1945. Amongst his most interesting documents is a letter from the White House, thanking him for his service to the Armed Forces to bring about the total defeat of the Japanese. Signed by Harry Truman. William H. O’Brien was a member of The Greatest Generation. Fair winds and Following Seas.
