My career began on December 31,
1941
by Tudor D.
Thank you for the privilege of sharing my story. I was sworn in as an
Apprentice Seaman in the United States Navy at the Old Seaman’s Institute in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was December 31, 1941. I participated in the
Murmansk Patrols and the invasion of Africa and Casablanca. I later served on
the USS Halibut (SS 232) on its 5th through 10th war patrols. After World War II, I remained in the Navy and served on submarines. In April 1958, I was
accepted for Polaris Training School, in Sunnyvale, California. I graduated in
September 1958, and assigned to the USS Observation Island (EAG 154) to proof
Polaris launch system. At the time, I had the good fortune to work with Lockheed
engineers on the ship and in the shops at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Little did I
know, my future was being planted, and a new career was in the making!
We commissioned the USS George Washington (SSBN 598) on December 30,
1959, and proofed all 16 launch tubes and the remainder of the missile system.
We eventually loaded out the Polaris A1 missiles and went on patrol. We loaded
out in Charleston, South Carolina. Our skipper took us on the first patrol.
After more than 60 days at sea, in places unknown to the majority of us, we returned to New
London, Connecticut. After going through the boat with our reliefs, we were
assigned new orders. Some of us went on to more schools at Lockheed Missiles
and Space Company and other companies involved with the intricate parts of the
missile.
I was fortunate to be accepted by Lockheed. J.T. McFarlane, supervisor
at the office in Groton, Connecticut, explained my future, location of where I
would be assigned and other job details. I was assigned to Newport News
Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company and reported aboard in early 1961 with my
wife and two daughters in tow. We were on our way to more adventures with Lockheed.
The beginning of a second career was about to commence!
We had three shifts on the SSBNs, which we helped prepare for
commissioning. Three to five men were on a shift—depending on the amount of
testing to be performed. At times, the home office at Sunnyvale would send
assistance to support us on seven-day workweeks. We observed and supervised all
active/inert missile movements for testing in the 16 launch tubes in
preparation for sell-off by the shipyard to the Special Projects Office and United
States Navy.
I worked on the submarine tender USS Hunley (AS 31) as my first
assignment. The greatest feeling on the job effort was being at commissioning
ceremonies after many hours of testing, frustration with changes in operations
and performing SPALT changes—pride boiled over.
In 1972, I retired, though not for long. Lockheed called me back in
1976, and I was sent to POMFPAC in Bremerton, Washington, as the logistic rep between
POMFPAC, POMPFLANT, the shipyards, the training centers and Lockheed’s
Sunnyvale office. I had the good fortune of a two-year assignment at POMFPAC. I
witnessed its transformation into the Strategic Weapons Facility, Pacific
(SWFPAC). I was promoted to supervisor of warehouse operations, and then retired
in 1987.
How lucky we were as a family! So much good fortune was bestowed upon us.
Thank you, God, the United States Navy and Lockheed Martin!
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| Here I am in SWFPAC. |
