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Manuel enlisted
in tha U. S. Navy July 1959 in Dallas, Texas and attended Basic
Training
at the Recruit Training Command, San Diego, Ca. He was classified as a
SR in Weapons. |
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On graduating from
boot camp as a Seaman Apprentice he was assined to the USS VERNAN
COUNTY
LST 1161. He was assigned to the Deck Department and on being promoted
to Seaman in February 1960 began his career as a Boatswains-Mate. |
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As a Seaman Manuel
worked in the Deck Department, applying the painting skills he brought
from civilian life, He studied hard and began learning the many aspects
of being a Boatswain's-Mate. One of his duties was as a Bow Hook on an
LCVP, it was here that he decided he wanted greater responsibilities.
He
felt that he wasn't going anywhere as a Bow Hook on a boat. He ask to
be
given the duties and responsibilities of a Coxswain as he felt that he
could handle all the responsibility associated with the position. His
request
was approved and he began to learn the effects of water and
displacement
on boats. The Vernon County was scheduled to change homeports to Japan
and because he had just recently gotten married, and it was
LanShipRonFive
policy, " that no married seaman would go with the ship" he was
transfered
to the U.S.S. PAUL REVERE APA 248. He transferred in May 1960 |
