Veterans History Project

When America’s politicians and military leaders took a break between ending the war in Korea and officially admitting involvement in Vietnam, a good deal of military work continued around the world. Surely, many men began covert and assisting assignments in Southeast Asia.

Others continued careers in the US and beyond.

Steven A. Green spent his young and growing years in Aurora, Neb. In that there aren’t a lot of lakes around Aurora, he still liked being around water. He loved watching the airplanes any chance he got. Before graduating high school, he liked the idea of naval aviation… the best of both worlds.

Steve’s older brother was in the US Army and assigned to the 82nd Airborne Infantry Division. He jumped out of a C47 into Germany in the largest military operation at the end of WWII. Steve’s other brother was kind of an ornery guy and with the direction of Steve’s father, joined the US Navy before even reaching age 17…

Steve went to the US Navy Recruiting Station at Grand Island, NE, where he signed up! Steve was needed on the farm for harvesting fall crops and on his mother’s birthday, headed to Omaha for final testing and the official physical exam. Steve’s scores on the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) were outstanding!

He was confused about his results at first and asked a Yeoman why his numbers weren’t like the other guys’? Would he get the school and work he wanted? The Yeoman calmed him down in saying that with his scores, he could get anything he wanted. After being sworn into the US Navy, Steve was soon on his first airplane ride… Omaha to San Diego.

The plane was filled with young guys when at 0100 hrs, the plane landed at the San Diego airport. A welcoming group met the recruits and took them to the Naval Training Center. The NCO’s told the new guys they needed 78 personnel to form a group. Once formed, the group was marched to their barracks.

To keep the standards up, the new guys were not allowed to sit on a mattress unless it was covered with a blanket… then to the chow hall… then haircuts came next where all 78 sailors-to-be received their buzz-cuts in 35 minutes! The CIP (Clothing Issue Point) was a long building. The inside was like an island. In the middle were shelving holding the items sailors would need. Forming the perimeter of the island were counter tops manned by personnel who issued items. New recruits would obtain a duffel bag or sea bag at the entrance and begin their trip around the island. The clothing that was issued the men had been preserved with moth balls… they smelled badly and so did the recruits! The boots/shoes Steve received were the best fitting footgear he had ever had.

Steve became the Company Yeoman during boot camp. No doubt because he brought skills to the group that few others had. A Company Yeoman was tasked with the chores of a clerk. He prepared the reports, filed all the enlistment packets, handled the mail, and tried hard to please the crusty WWII staff.

He had responsibility no other recruit had. Steve quickly learned new terms for sailors. Not always were they swear words, but they ate in a galley, a wall was a bulkhead, and one went to the head for relief!

Steve’s living arrangements were as expected from the US Navy: a recruit had to wash his own clothing and make it presentable for the next day. If the was job was sub-par and the uniform was not ready for inspection, the instructor would toss the dirty garment on the floor and the men would have to walk on it. There were 78 men on the ground floor of their barracks.

First thing every morning the recruits were awakened by an instructor rattling a night stick in an aluminum garbage can. Words expressing good morning were not heard. There was a quick saying used at first light, but it doesn’t need to be inserted here!

Steve attended all the training classes, in addition to being the Company Yeoman. The training was set to be nine weeks but resulted in being 13 weeks because of delayed starting and Christmas/New Years break. Steve was counseled by his Company Commander about his future.

The commander encouraged him to go into Aviation Electronics. It was cleaner work and he qualified for it. Of the 78 who started training with Steve, only two did not make the grade.

After graduating, Steve’s next stop was in Memphis, Tenn. Here Aviation Electronics School was conducted for 30 weeks. Steve had to leave training twice because of deaths of his grandfather and his father. With the help of a Navy Chaplain, who had to administer command influence and provided Steve some money, Steve got on the nearest Greyhound headed to Nebraska to be with his family.

Steve completed the training in Memphis then went back to San Diego (North Island) for additional classes.

The new training centered on learning about submarine detection, among other subjects. The three weeks was intense training. Often times there was on-the-job training in the air. The men found out about submerged listening devices and radar used to indicate the presence of an object under-water.

While learning what was required, the new sailors logged 1,000 hours flight time. Interestingly enough, all sailors were victims of air sickness – with the exception of their co-pilot. Finally, after about 19 months, training was over. WHEW!

There were three squadrons of planes and crew assigned to work out of US Navy bases in the Aleutian Islands. This was a five-month tour of duty. Steve was not impressed with the cold-weather gear issued by the US Navy. A Squadron Commander told the men that when their assignment was flying, it was going to be very cold. The crew members could use whatever else they had to stay warm. Due to a friendship between the Navigator and his Air Force Supply Officer buddy, new heavy parkas were obtained!

The work was out of Kodiak Island. The men stayed in warm barracks. They flew in and out of three different encampments. The work involved anti-submarine, anti-shipping and maritime reconnaissance. The planes the men flew was the Lockheed P2V-7… the Neptune. It featured twin (damned noisy) 3350 ci Rolls Royce engines. The creature comforts were few and far between.

Weather was something to deal with. When on the ground, if the winds got above 50 knots, crew members were directed to stay in the buildings where one was, until the winds died down. If one ventured out during white-out conditions, he could just as easily get into water on the small islands. Sailors could and did become frozen to death. NOT TO WORRY! During one such white-out, the med surveyed the situation with the weather.

They knew that the base theater was about 2 ½ blocks away. If they formed a single file line all the way to the theater building they could make it. It took the efforts of 50 men to complete the plan… they got to the theater in time to watch a John Wayne and Fabian in the movie “North to Alaska”!

Steve didn’t get to see any USO shows. About this point in time, a relationship with a pretty woman named Nancy blossomed into a marriage! She stayed in San Diego while he husband attended to his duties. Then back to Kodiak…

There were 2,000 men on the island. There were no Navy female personnel assigned to these locations. The Navy deployment was five months while the US Air Force time on the ground was 18 months. The Air Force did have some female Airmen sent there. When men hadn’t seen a woman for over a year, the mere sighting of one such service member caused quite a few men to lose their um, composure… to say the least.

Steve made some solid friendships while at this duty station. He knew that as a sailor served, he might be interested in going on to collage. Steve took advantage of this offer and was accepted for enrollment at the University of Nebraska.

The powers in the Navy allowed Steve an 84 day early-out so he could make the transition and be on his way. The GI Bill helped with tuition and college expenses.

After collage, Steve worked for the Lincoln Telephone Company for some time before opening his own avionics shop at the Lincoln Airport General Aviation area. He was an outstanding employee of Duncan Aviation where he mentored younger workers. He earned the “Leather Jacket” worn by senior Duncan employees.

It was clear that the enlistment in the US Navy was a very significant part of Steve’s life. He stayed in the Aviation field and electronics for his working life. He was very involved as a leader of young men in Boy Scouts and quite involved in Shriners and Masonic work.

AT-AX/2nd Class Steve Green, great job! Thank you for your service!