Yeoman Petty Officer 3rd Class (YN-3) Bill Gordon CampbellReflections on this veteran's military serviceSubmitted by Bill Campbell
I was born and raised in Minnesota and after high school, I joined the Navy. I went to training in San Diego. After training, I went to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. I was at a BOQ (Bachelor Officer's Quarters), was off base for six months. Checked officers (both male and female) in and out of the quarters. It was similar to a hotel, a temporary housing location for officers. I went aboard the USS Durant DER (Destroyer Escort Radar), was sent to a station in the Northern Pacific. Watched for foreign subs and ships. Then to Seattle to decommission the USS Durant. Then 30 days leave. Next, reported to Long Beach, CA. Reported for duty aboard the USS Frank E. Evans (DD-754). Was a Yeoman (YN3) for Captain Executive Officer and 14 officers. Was in ships office until August 26, 1966. The USS Frank E Evans (DD-754) got cut in half in June 1968. My bunk and many shipmates went to the bottom of the South China Sea. 74 men and officers were lost.
I'm currently a resident of Lakewood and have been living here for 14 years. (Posted 2016) |