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"I reported aboard NTC Great Lakes on March 16, 1957 in the middle of the night. We were herded into a barracks and had to find an open bunk in the dark since it was after taps. Most of us slept in our clothes. The next morning we were taken to…"
"Dear Jim,
I joined the BJC Great Lakes NTC in March of 1957 and sang with the group through Boot Camp and EM"A" school. We had to have known each other. Were you on the trip to Dallas to sing at the Easter service? Do you remember Mr. Sandager…"
I joined the BJC Great Lakes NTC in March of 1957 and sang with the group through Boot Camp and EM"A" school. We had to have known each other. Were you on the trip to Dallas to sing at the Easter service? Do you remember Mr. Sandager…"
"I reported aboard the Super Sara in September of 1958. The day after I came aboard she sank at the pier in Mayport. Went to the yards in Brooklyn. I was also aboard when she was rammed by the German freighter. I was a Nuclear Weaponsman assigned…"
"Hello fellow vertebrae in the backbone of the fleet!
I was a Nuclear Weaponsman 1957-1963. Got out an stayed out til 1978 went back in the Reserves as a BMSN and made Chief before I was high-year-tenured out at age 60 in 1998. Served in Coastal…"
I was a Nuclear Weaponsman 1957-1963. Got out an stayed out til 1978 went back in the Reserves as a BMSN and made Chief before I was high-year-tenured out at age 60 in 1998. Served in Coastal…"
"Martin,
Thanks for the note. I don't remember that name as being the conductor. I do remember the Dallas trip and not getting to sing for the Easter service but it seems to me that we did sing there on TV.
Do you remember singing in the large…"
Thanks for the note. I don't remember that name as being the conductor. I do remember the Dallas trip and not getting to sing for the Easter service but it seems to me that we did sing there on TV.
Do you remember singing in the large…"
"24 May 2011
Good morning! My name is Herb Harfst. I sang in the choir while in boot camp and EM "A" school at Great Lakes, March through August, 1957 It was a wonderful "getaway" from the drudgery of both! I even got out of "service week"…"
Good morning! My name is Herb Harfst. I sang in the choir while in boot camp and EM "A" school at Great Lakes, March through August, 1957 It was a wonderful "getaway" from the drudgery of both! I even got out of "service week"…"
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Location
Henrico, VA
Birthday:
October 2
Rank
Chief Petty Officer
Where were you or your family stationed?
Great Lakes, boot camp and EM"A" school, Sandia Base, Albuquerque, NM, SWULANT, USS Ranger, USS Saratoga, 17 years broken service, Coastal River Squadron 2, USS El Paso, USS Preserver, Special Boat Unit 20, Military Sealift Command, Inshore Undersea Warfare Group 2, USS Clark
Veteran of Foreign War
Desert Storm
Current Status with the US Navy
Retired
Start date of your service
March 15, 1957
End date of your service
September 30, 1998
Comments
Herb,
I am sure that our director was Mr. Marvin Genucci. A good director and a good guy.
I ended up going to Norfolk to serve as a Yeoman in commander Service Squadron FOUR. Our flag was moved from the USS VULCAN (AR 5). Then on to the USS TRUCKEE (AO 147). Then on to the USS AMPHION (AR 13).
I really loved the Navy as much as you said you did. I figured I was not a real sailor 'til I learned to drink black coffee & get tattoed. So I did both........Never Sorry!
I have spent a lot of time singing over the subsequent years with several groups and quartets. I'll always treasure my time with the Blue Jackets. Although, I did get into a couple of fist fights with a couple of Texans in our company when I missed service week to go fly to Dallas. It was worth it, even though I took a "whuppin"!
Mart
Hi Herb,
I was a member of the Great Lakes Blue Jackets during this time, and was mosty likely on that flight with you to Dallas. We did not get to sing at the Cotton Bowl at the Easter Service, as the weather was bad. I recall that our Navy pilot was a Chief Petty Officer. We also flew to Minneapolis that year, as well as to sing in Chicago a few times. Director was Mr. Marvin Genucci. A great experience!! We were singing a lot of South Pacific music back then. Also remembered "Let Us Break Bread Together On Our Knees", a beautiful Christian hymn.
We formed a barracks quartet: Haggard,-Colorado, Tenor, Nugent- Pennsylvania, Lead, DeYoung - Michigan, Baritone & Wright,- Nebraska, Bass. Great Life Changing memories.
Smooth Sailing, Mart De Young