I reported to 346 Broadway, New York City on the morning of January 11, 1951, where I and a host of others were sworn into the US Navy. We boarded a bus that night and rode to Newport, Rhode Island. Where we formed Company 137.

Upon completion of Boot Camp, most of Company 137, (myself included) were assigned to the USS CABOT CVL-28. An Aircraft Carrier built on the hull of a light cruiser.

For the next three years and 10 months, this was my home.

We reported aboard in the Philadelphia Navy Yard, where the ship was being overhauled for re-commissioning after a tour of duty during WWII of the South Pacific.

After a shakedown cruise to Guantanamo Bay we became part of the Sixth Fleet in the Atlantic. Our Homeport was Quanset Point, Rhode Island. We did a Med Cruise stopping at Oran, Africa; Naples, Italy; Palermo, Sicily; Villafranche, France and Gibralter.

We spent ten months in Pensacola, Florida where we trained Pre-Flight Students, on Carrier landings.

About this time, the Korean Campaign was winding down. We were the only Navy Ship ever to dock at the Municipal Piers in Miami, Florida. A contingent from Ship's Company marched in honor of General DougLas Mac Arthur, who had been called back from Korea by President Truman. I marched with the group and passed inreview of the General and his wife. It was a proud moment.

With the end of the Korean contlict, our ship returned to Davisville, Rhode Island where we stayed until my discharge in November 1954.