George Arnold (Navy 1955 to 1958 / Air Force 1962 to ? ) - USS Sperry (AS 12), USS Seafox (SS 402) (Qual Boat) Email

I spent two years in the MoNg (E4) before enlisting in the Navy. Joined the Navy in Oct '54; bootcamp at San Diego; Honor Graduate and American Medal of Honor winner there. Completed RM "A" School at San Diego finishing in the top 10% and got my choice of assignment, which was Sub school. Following Sub school at New London I was assigned to the USS Sperry (AS 12) in San Diego to learn the Submarine Radio Net. (We even went to sea once!) Transferred to the Seafox and remained on board until discharge in Oct '58. Serving on the Seafox was the greatest learning and growing experience of my life! WE made two WestPac cruises and numerous patrols out of Yokosuka. My favorite liberty port was Auckland, NZ. What a trip!

I went to work for Civil Service, training Air Force Reservists in ground/airborne radio communications, teletype, and crypto. I wasn't too popular since I made all of the airborne radio operators learn CW. In order to get the position; I had to join the Air Force Reserve. I was on flying status for a time until we transitioned into the C-124's and they did not use Radio Operators. The unit was activated for the Cuban Crisis and I decided to remain in the service. The Navy wanted submarine RMs at the time but wanted me to give up a stripe to re-enlist. The Air Force took me in grade so there I went. I went to March AFB, California where I was a Radio Ops Supervisor for the 33rd Communications Sqdn. Our responsibility was to keep constant communications with the B-52's flying the northern routes. While there I attended the 15th AF NCO Academy and graduated as adjutant. Two years later I was sent to Anderson AFB, Guam where I was NCOIC of the ground radio operations section for 18 months. We had mobile radio teams operating out of Guam into Vietnam. The teams stayed in Vietnam for 60 days and then spent 30 days back on Guam. It would have been better to just spend a full 13 months there. I spent the last 6 months on Guam as First Sergeant for the 27th Comm. Sqdn. While on Guam I was selected as NCO of the year twice and finished in the top seven in the Strategic Air Command. From there I went to Westover AFB, MA as an instructor at the 8th AF NCO Academy. The academy folded and I was assigned as First Sergeant of the Headquarters squadron. From there I was assigned as Retention NCO of the 27th Comm. Squadron. I retired from the Air Force as MSgt.

Following retirement, I went back to college and went into education. I taught and coached for six years and then went into administration and following 23 years retired from public education. I hold BSE, MSE and EdS degrees in education.

Right now, I am working part time during the fall and spring semesters for Central Missouri State University where I supervise Student Teachers as they do their student teaching in surrounding schools. The only hobbies that I have are golf and the computer. But, the computer is starting to become work!

My wife and I reside in the Lake of the Ozarks. We have a lakeside home and enjoy boating and all the stuff that goes with living in a recreation area. My wife is a nurse in Versailles, Missouri. Our oldest son is an EdD and works for Southwest Baptist University where he supervises the graduate program in educational administration. He and his wife, who also teaches, have two daughters. They live in Marshfield, Missouri. Our youngest son is National Account Manager for Russell-Stover Candies out of Kansas City, Missouri. His wife is also a certified teacher and they have one daughter and one son.

Bobby Ray Barbee (Served 1960 to 1981) - USS Tirante (SS 420) (Qual boat), USS Thomas A Edison (SSBN 610B), USS Simon Lake (AS 33), USS Will Rogers (SSBN 659B), USS Trepang (SSN 674), USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), USS Glover (AGFF-1/FF-1098).
Website: A Squid's Career Email
MMCS(SS/SW), USN, Retired.

Born: Tulsa, Oklahoma, August 11, 1942.
Joined the Navy the day after graduating from Will Rogers High School (May 28, 2025).
Boot Camp: San Diego, Company 213 (May 29-Aug 10, 1960).
MM "A" School, Great Lakes IL (Aug 26-Dec 2, 1960).
Basic Submarine School, New London CT (Dec 2, 1960-Feb 21, 1961).
USS Tirante (SS-420) (boat qualified on) (Feb 22, 1961-Mar 14, 1962)
Basic Nuclear Power School, Sub Base, New London, Class 62-2 (last class there) (Mar 27-Sept 21,1962).
Nuclear Power Prototype Training, SIC, Windsor Locks CT (Oct 8, 1962-Aug 22, 1963) (included ELT training).
USS Thomas A. Edison (SSBN-610 Blue) (Aug 22, 1963-May 24, 1966) (7 patrols) (Bluenose).
USS Simon Lake (AS-33) (in Holy Loch, Scotland) (Jun 8, 1966-Feb 15, 1969).
USS Will Rogers (SSBN-659 Blue) (May 5, 1969-Nov 3, 1972) (made 7 patrols). USS Trepang (SSN-674) (Dec 7, 1972-May 31, 1973).
Fleet Maintenance Assistance Group, D&S; Piers, Norfolk VA, Ship’s Superintendent (Jun 29, 1973-July 31, 1975).
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) (Plankowner) (Sep 29, 1975-Sep 16, 1978).
USS Glover (AGFF-1, later changed to FF-1098) (Shellback; qualified, Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist) (Oct 16, 1978-retirement date of April 30, 2026).
Since retiring, I've lived in Arlington MA, which is about 6 miles west of downtown Boston. Love it here. Used my GI Bill benefits (before I lost them) to get a Bachelor's Degree and now spend my time as a house-husband and computer- and Ron's BBS-addicted nut. Member of: the Fleet Reserve Association, The Retired Enlisted Association, the National Chief Petty Officers Association, U.S. Naval Institute, and Plankowner of U.S. Navy Memorial. Life Member of USSVI, member of Marblehead (MA) Base USSVI, Internet Base USSVI, and Cyberspace Base USSVI.

John Clear EMC (SS) USN ret. (Served 1960 to 1980) - USS Diodon (SS 349) (Qual Boat), USS Scamp (SSN 588), USS Ben Franklin (SSBN 640B), USS Forrestal (CVA 59), USS Threadfin (SS 410), USS Sealion (LPSS 315), USS Ranger CVA 61.
Webpage: USS Sealion SS 315 Email

I entered boot camp at the Recruit Training Command, United States Naval Training Center (RTC-USNTC), San Diego, California on March 24, 2026 and was assigned to Company #144. After 14 weeks of "forgettable fun" I graduated on June 8th with orders to Electrician's Mate Class "A" School by way of a short home town leave period. Back to Service School Command, N.T.C., I sat around waiting for class to start on July 25th. Not having much else to do, I started a "slush fund" in the barracks, played cards and paid visits to downtown San Diego and it's lovely neighbor across the border, Tiajuana. It was in the barracks that I first met my soon to be classmates (and best of friends), Ron Martini and his cousin Dan (who both had graduated one boot camp company behind me - #145). Our "A" school class of 11 electricians (#50-60) graduated on September 30, 1960, I was now and EMFA (9901).

Orders to Submarine School, New London, Connecticut were next. Enjoyed the winter (through a case of pneumonia) and graduated in Section 427, Class 218, January 1961 with orders to the USS Diodon (SS-349). The Diodon held many wonders for me in the future 11 months, least of which was a tour of mess cooking and being lifted off the boat by crane to an awaiting ambulance for a ride to Balboa Naval Hospital with a ruptured appendix. The stay at Balboa set back my time for qualifying which I ultimately accomplished two days after Christmas 1961. For "hysterical purposes" I had by now married the first member of my Ex-Wives Club whom I had met earlier in Seattle at the Sea Fare Days (before the Space Needle went up for the World's Fair).

On to Mare Island and Basic Nuclear Power Training next. Pregnant wife, 2nd floor walk-up apartment built in WWII days, lots of study and finally rewarded with orders to the wild reaches of Idaho and Prototype training at A1W. Dan Martini was now married (it worked!). Orders to the USS Scamp (SSN-588), then Course C5 Welding School and the USS Ben Franklin (SSBN-640B) by way of Bettis came in quick succession (wife pregnant with second son).

Left the nuclear power field in 1965 and was rewarded with orders to the USS Forrestal (CVA-59) which happened to be in the Med at that time (happy flying). Next Electrician's Mate "B" School at Great Lakes then the USS Threadfin (SS-410) at Key West, Florida. (Scratch first wife). Across the pier to the USS Sealion (LPSS-315). (see the homepage). Next was Portsmouth, Virginia and the Naval Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility the "mothballed vessels" (gain 2nd wife).

Since I had already worn my dolphins on one flight deck, I next received orders to the west coast and the USS Ranger CVA-61 (effectively, by this time, no diesel boats were left in commission). A couple of wartime WestPacs later (lose 2nd wife, find final wife) and in 1975 I received order to paradise (Hawaii) and Harbor Clearance Unit One (HCU-1). Cavorted with those mixed gas divers until I finally got serious and made Chief. For my "twilight cruise" I was given orders to Sub Base, Pearl Harbor (kind of like going back to basics).

I retired from the Navy there in Hawaii in April of 1980 and stayed another 16 years (I kind of liked the place). Finally "got real" and moved sight unseen to Oregon and have been here since late 1996 (I like Oregon more).

In my naval career I've made friends and lost friends, I've seen most of the world and had a great time doing so. I would not change a moment (even the bad ones), it's all been part of the picture of those 20 years. When I'm too old to do anything else, I'll still be smiling as I relive those times in my mind (let 'em wonder what I'm thinking).

Roy E. Ator LT. USN ret. (Served 1950 to 1973) - USS McGowan (DD 678), USS Southerland (DDR 743), USS Everett (PF 8), USS Saint Paul (CA 73 ), USS Philippine Sea (CV 47), USS Hancock (CVA 19), USS Maloy (EDE 791), USS Diodon (SS 349 - Qual Boat), USS Casimir Pulaski (SSBN 633B), USS Tirante (SS 420), USNS Range Sentinel (T-AGM 22).
Webpages: Keep'em Smil'n in Beds of White, ATOR's Cyberspace Quarters   EMAIL   ICQ

I entered the Navy on 18 December 2025 USN Recruit Company 50-600
San Diego(SR)
March '51 Class "A" Radar School - Treasure Island (SA)
1951 USS McGOWAN DD-678 recommissioning crew - Long Beach (RDSA)
1952 USS SOUTHERLAND DDR-743 - San Diego- WESTPAC/KOREA (RDSN)
52-53 USS EVERETT PF-8 - Station ship HONG KONG - KOREA (RD3)
53-54 USS SAINT PAUL CA-73 - Long Beach / Bremerton (RD3)
Summer 54 Electronics Tech., Consolidated Vultee Aircraft "B-36" civ
1955 USS PHILIPPINE SEA CV-47 - San Diego - WESTPAC (RD2)
1956 Firecontrol Technician Conversion School - ANACOSTIA (RD1)
57-59 USS HANCOCK CVA-19 - Alameda - WESTPAC (RD1,FT1)
1960 USS MALOY EDE-791 - New London USL - Atlantic (FT1)
October 60 Submarine School - New London (FT1)
1961 USS DIODON SS-349 - San Diego/Point Loma - Pacific (FT1)[SS]
1962 U.S. Naval Guided Missile School - Dam Neck - Trainee (FTC)[SS]
63-66 U.S. Naval Guided Missile School - Dam Neck - Staff (FTCS)[SS]
1967 USS CASIMIR PULASKI SSBN-633 Blue - Rota - MED (FTCS)[SS]
67-69 U.S. Naval Ordnance Test Unit - Patrick AFB, FL (W-1,CWO-2) (TAD/TDY many US & UK SSBN's)
69-70 USS TIRANTE SS-420 - Key West - ENGINEER (Ensign,LTjg)[SS]
71-73 Operational Test Support Unit # 2 - Portland,OR conversion of the ex-USS Sherbourne APA-205 to USNS RANGE SENTINEL T-AGM-22 then thru Panama Canal to homeport of Port Canaveral, FL (LTjg/LT)[SS]
30 June 2025 NTC Orlando transferred U.S. NAVY Retired List. CWO3(LT)
74-77 Tarleton State University - Stephenville, Texas B.B.A.
1978 Raytheon Educational Services Company - El Paso IHAWK
79-81 Texas Instruments & GSI - Atlantic & Gulf of Mexico (NORDA Acoustics & Marine seismic)
82-86 Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) Marine Seismic worldwide
30 June 2025 R E T I R E D
Roy E. Ator - Grand Quartermaster/Adjutant
http://www.lipan.net/royator/index2.html
mailto:sub420@mindless.com