Veteran's History Project: James R. Haddix

James R. Haddix

Petty Officer 3rd Class

United States Navy

1968-1972

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is one of many American Veteran accounts published in The Sidney Sun-Telegraph. The writer, who is from Sidney, is conducting the interviews as part of the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project.

James "Jim" Haddix grew up in Oshkosh. His father served in the U.S. Marines – and fought on Iwo Jima – and was the Veterans Service Officer there. He had uncles who all served in the "Corps" as well. Jim had tried college for a year. He thought he needed more life experiences and a goal to shoot for. It was a hard choice to either follow family tradition (USMC) or try the Navy. The Navy recruiter was there, first with the most to offer, and signed this young man into the service.

In his family, joining the military was a big deal. On the day he was to catch the bus in Chappell (so that he could go to Denver for his physical and testing), all available family members met in Oshkosh and drove him to Chappell to send him off. They missed the bus...DANG! They learned that the bus was headed for Sidney, so they raced west and their sendoff was there.

In Denver, he passed the physical and Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery of tests. Early the next morning, he and others were on a flight for San Diego, Calif. His first flight and first time in California. The recruits were bused to San Diego Naval Training Base.

As basic training was underway, Jim learned that the Company was looking for volunteers for the drum and bugle corps. He was a talented trumpet player and was accepted into this elite group. The standards of military appearance were very high here - much more so than other levels of early Navy life. Jim said he loved it and excelled in playing the bugle and marching and all it entailed.

An inspection was held that changed things. As an inspector moved through the lines of sailors standing at attention, he noticed that the zipper on Haddix' jacket was a little too high. He unzipped the jacket which revealed a slightly stained shirt – a stain that was permanently in the fabric of the shirt. The inspector began berating the young sailor, in his face, making quite an example out of him. Jim didn't see himself as such a lowly creature and responded to the inspector's claims. His response was not helpful.

In a matter of hours, Jim was no longer in the drum and bugle corps. His recruiting promises were scuttled. He completed basic training and was assigned to a ship, the USS Yorktown. He was now a cook. He did the best he could, but wanted more out of his situation. He wanted to be involved with the helicopter unit that was on the ship. How was a sailor with no "creds" to speak of, going to get to that kind of assignment?

After getting advice from family and friends and other sailors, the common idea was to apply for a school and work ones way up. Time and patience were not Haddix' long suits.

He got the names of the Navy chief(s) who could make things happen for him. With considerable courage, he approached several of his superiors as they dined, away from the normal sailors. He formally presented himself to them and asked for the name he knew. He then explained that he wanted to learn to be a crew chief in the "Black Night" helicopter squadron.

Some of those present had to ask just who he thought he was barging into their dining area and making such a request. As he stammered for an answer, one of the chiefs said that if a man had that much drive to be a crew chief, they should give him a chance. And they did. He was re-assigned to the Helicopter Anti-Submarine Four Squadron, and learned all he could about his new career. He had been to door gunner school, sonar training, rescue training, and maintenance training. He completed underwater demolition training and worked with Navy Seals. He shadowed another crew chief. In a fairly short time, Jim was adept at his being a crew chief.

In December 1968, just five months into his Navy career, his unit was involved in the sea rescue of Apollo 8. Quite a jump from preparing food!

The helicopter he was mostly working with was the SH3D, a "Sea King." It was built by Sikorsky Aircraft. It had the capability to fly at night, in all weather conditions. It was powered by twin gas-powered turbine engines. It could sustain flight for up to seven hours, with a max range of 700 miles. It could also carry conventional weapons – and nukes.

The HS4 Squadron was sent to the Gulf of Tonkin, off the coast of Vietnam. There was plenty of work. The unit rescued 24 downed airmen - the largest recorded by any squadron at the time. While deployed, he communicated with family mainly by letters. There was a ham radio connection that was made available for voice contact during the holidays. The work was conducted in 12 hours shifts - 12 on, 12 off. When on duty, each crew had to be ready to fly on a moment's notice.

Jim is a very talented guitar player. He used his music skills in the Navy as well. He took advantage of playing in bands that visited ships with the USO. He also used time off to travel to the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan.

He served on several different carriers. He was on the Bennington, the Hornet and the Ticonderoga, to name a few. More missions to assist with the sea recovery of Apollo 10, 11, 12 and 13 were completed. He was involved in historic work.

There were several events that happened and came to mind in the interview. One such occurrence had international implications. The chopper he was assigned to had started its return to the carrier. Unbeknownst to the chopper's crew, an uprising was taking place in a village on an island near Samoa. While flying over an area where coveted sea crabs were, it was decided that they could land on the beach and help themselves to some delicacies by taking some of the crabs back to the ship. While on the beach, several natives came at Jim and another sailor who were out of the aircraft. To offer some kind of defense, the other sailor handed out some literature about the "Black Nights" and gave them some cigarettes. The chopper (and crabs) made a hasty getaway while the natives took the flyers to local leaders...it could be said that the chopper and crew had invaded a sovereign land. "C'mon, man!" He said quite a bit of the proverbial matter hit the fans after that.

In just less than four years, Jim had made the decision to move on with his life, and leave the Navy behind. It was a different society then. Coming back to the U.S. wasn't at all the best experience he had ever had. He was still to sort much of it out.

He attended the Berkeley School of Music near Boston, Mass., and Chadron State College. He made his music career last while performing on the road with several different bands in the Austin, Texas area. Finally, he taught at Lodgepole for many years and is now retired.

Jim joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans.

Thank you so much for your service, Petty Officer Haddix!