Veteran's History Project

The Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

Brian Walter interviewed with all branches of the military when he was seventeen years old. It was his considered opinion that the US Navy had better opportunities for him. In addition, his father and older brother had been sailors.

Brian took advantage of the delayed enlistment program. He could sign up before his senior year then join the ranks of the military forces… which is what he did. Sure he passed the physical exam, but his scores on the other tests were impressive. The Navy needed young men like this! When he went off to “boot camp” he was an E-3 (most are E-1).

Brian and about twenty others were provided air transportation to San Diego, CA. Their trainer was a First Class Petty Officer as their leader.

One item to check off the list of things to do was the military haircut. Brian’s hair had grown to his waist line. In line at the “clip joint” he was paired up with another recruit who also had long hair. They would be first in line. Brian thought that was an early accomplishment. After getting their haircuts, he and his new buddy were allowed to remain in the barber shop and sweep up the floor after every other man was shorn…

Brian had new terms to learn… walls were now bulkheads, floor was the deck, ceiling was the overhead, the bed was a rack, the bathroom was the head. Don’t forget, the first thing out of their mouths was either “yes sir” or “no sir”!

This particular group of recruits were named the “Marauders” and had a flag drawn up to signify the same. Brian was the flag-handler or guidon-bearer. The length of this training was sixteen weeks. When the first piece of training was completed and Brian now could have his uniform rank as an E-4.

Next was the classroom work in “A” school. While still at the Navy Training Station in San Diego, he learned the basics of electronics. After four weeks, he was sent on to Code School – where the knowing Morse Code was at hand. In Code school, one had to have the skill to transmit and receive the information at a rate of 50 words per minute. Because of his capability and academic excellence, he graduated with another promotion. If one is counting, Brian has been on active duty in the Navy for about twenty-five weeks and is now an E-5 (an NCO!).

The next point of interest is a long, diagonal trip across the United States to New London, Connecticut. This is a training installation offering instruction on Submarines to men who volunteered for that career choice. In one instance, six new sailors were given a tour of a sub. Although it was an older model, it was remarkably short on available space.

Brian was assigned submarine duty right away. His first ship was the Guardfish, a 594 class bearing a hull number 612. A point to make was about the “Thresher”… the ship that was made before the Guardfish. When it went to sea to complete seaworthiness tests, design, mechanical and operational malfunctions came about and the Navy’s first nuclear submarine sunk to the ocean’s floor. About 100 men lost their lives.

The first destination while Brian was aboard this submarine was a trip back to San Diego, CA, not by air, but to the Caribbean thru the Panama Canal, and on.

The submarine went to sea soon enough. The mission was one of search and destroy. It was assigned to a Battle Group and their main task was to make sure no other subs sneaked up on the Battle Group.

Brian was a radioman for the sub. There were four men in this assignment. They worked for six hours, take twelve hours off. For rest, the men slept in a “rack” that wasn’t exactly theirs. One slept his allotted time, and exited the rack so someone else could sleep there.

This submarine was 289 feet long, 32 feet at its tallest point. It was under the command of a sailor who wore the rank of a Commander. Most of the time, the Commanders were prior enlisted men who became officers (Mustangs). In that they knew what the enlisted men were doing and feeling, these officers were very good at what they did.

Brain was well tested for the challenges of claustrophobia. He was comfortable with the situation. He did bang his head and shins. If a proficiency test was pulled on the men and every second counted, movement had to be through the hallways of the submarine. Often, the sailor would go through a hatch (door) that was lower on top and higher on the bottom of the entryway. One had to time this move just right… duck and turn your head and lift your leading foot quite a bit and move through it. If you didn’t do one or the other moves, you would be barkin’! Brian learned early on that the top of the door is not moveable. He ended up in the infirmary with head trauma.

In their off-time, men usually read books, played cards, or watched some closed-circuit TV and movies. There was a stair master, a rowing machine, and an elliptical trainer. There were washing machines and dryers.

He was aboard a submarine when it crossed the 180th parallel… the equator. A ceremony MUST take place at this point in one’s Naval career. Prior to the actual crossing, one is a slimy pollywog or wog. After a bit of time hazing, harassment, and otherwise being messed with, one becomes a Shellback”. The above description is an understatement.

Over a twenty year career, Brian served on several different submarines. He was at sea and in the deep for fifteen years. He earned a chest-full of medals and ribbons signifying a solid career of service to America.

First Class Petty Officer Brian Walter, you did what was asked of you and so much more! Thank you for your service!