The start of my Navy career.

In the summer of 1946.

My father was transferred to St Louis MO. I suddenly found myself in a small, different, farming district, high school. It was quite a change, from the coat and tie atmosphere of Scarsdale, New York. I was not challenged by the slower pace, and I guess I goofed off. My grades slipped, and I spent more time with horses than homework, in fact, one teacher suggested I was not college material. I was only really content when I was riding "Poncho el Diablo", a magnificent Palomino stallion, Registry #5.

One Friday night, I had met some friends and went to the movies. When I finally got home, my dad was waiting up for me and was rather agitated. "Here, Skip, read this. You've got 45 min to read this decide and decide your future." This is an application for a Navy college scholarship, and it has to be postmarked before midnight tonight, I only found out about it at the office today and I had to talk your principal into getting me a copy. The nut sat on it for 2 months, because, he said, none of his students were good enough to qualify for it. Some Principal he is! Well, at this period in time there were already clouds of war in Asia, It seemed just a matter of time till I it broke out, which meant the draft!

I took the papers up to my room and didn't read them. I thought to myself, If I get drafted, I'll end up in the army, sleep in a foxhole and eat out of a can. Same if I enlist in the Marines. I never did like to higher than I cared to fall, so that ruled out the Air Force. Now, the navy, that was a different story, you had a hot meal and a good bunk, until you get sunk, but the food is bound to be better in the wardroom, so what's the choice? It's the ROTC route for me! So I signed the papers in under 5-min. and took them back to Dad. That was quick, he said, as he checked to be sure all the signatures were right, and we left for the Post Office. There we found the postmaster out at the curb waiting for us. I guess you are the only one, Skip, But I'll wait a bit longer, guaranteed, it will be postmarked before midnight, as he noted the time received on the envelope. 2 months later, I received notification of when and where to take the test.

On the appointed day and time, several thousand young men arrived at the testing hall to take a test containing some 200 true or false, or multiple choice questions. We were allowed only 2-1/2 hours to complete the test, but we could leave as soon as we were done. To me, it was a snap, I was out in less than 1 hour. In the spring of 1948, my mother met me at the door, with a Navy envelope. When I opened it, I had passed, with a 96 percentile score! I was on my way to Dartmouth College, with a full scholarship, a book allowance, and $50.00 a month for room and board, I had it made!