Class of: 1974
Brick: yes
Email: [email protected]

In January of 1966 when the war in Vietnam became “full blown,” my draft notice arrived. I took the papers to the Navy recruiter and enlisted in the U.S. Navy for four years, following in my older brother’s footsteps. Initially sent to Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois, I spent three months in recruit training and seven months in electronics and radar schools. The Navy then ordered me to an air fighter squadron at Key West Naval Air Station on Boca Chica Key. After 2 years, with 14 months left on my four-year enlistment, I hoped to receive orders to an aircraft carrier, the same as my colleagues. Instead, I was sent to combat duty as the senior Non Commissioned Officer to crew on a gunboat on the rivers and canals of Vietnam. My deployment included time at places with exotic names such as Cua Viet, Danang, Tan My, Hoi An, Chu Lai, Qui Nhon, Ca Mau, Nam Can, Song Ong Doc, Ha Tien, Chau Doc and Sea Float.

Of the four crewmates who trained together at Coronado, and Vallejo, California Naval Bases, I was the only one to return to the U.S.A. unscathed. Sadly, the others were either killed or medically evacuated. In those years of service, I was awarded ten medals, one for valor, and two uniform insignias. At Key West Naval Air Station, I earned a Sailor of the Month award.

Upon my separation from active duty, I returned home to Pittsburgh and attended college. I had somehow forgotten the icy cold snowy weather and longed to return to Florida. My enrollment at Stetson began in the fall of 1971. Majoring in Business Marketing, I graduated in 1974 and put my degree to use working for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. I earned four professional designations including a CPCU (the “CPA” of the insurance industry) and finished my career with Marsh USA after 35-years as an agent/broker. I lived in Charlotte, Florida (twice), South Carolina, North Carolina, Oregon, and back to North Carolina. In the past thirty years, I worked with Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops as a scoutmaster and with Order of the Arrow. I served as an area Boy Scout commissioner, and earned a Wood Badge (the Eagle award for adult leaders). Also, I worked on community and church committees. I served on boards with Rotary, Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts, my church, Young Artists Opera, North Carolina Youth Touring Theatre, and schools my four sons attended.