My decision to join the Navy was probably like others who joined, I didn’t want to be drafted into the Army. Also, my dad and several uncles were in the Navy during WW II, and I wanted to follow the military tradition that my family had. I also had an uncle who served in the Army during WW II, and my Grandfather was in the Army during WW I. I was also interested in the Navy and was mesmerized by the battleships and aircraft carriers. I wanted to be a Naval Aviator, which didn’t happen, but I came close as an aircrew member on EC/WC-121s. So, my best friend, Doug Austin, and I enlisted in the Navy and left for boot camp in San Diego on February 1, 1967. We were both tired of school and were looking forward to a change.