Williams, Phil, Capt

Best Friends
As a Plebe (freshman) I was in the 12th Company and from Third Class (sophmore) year through my First Class (senior) year I was in the 28th Company.

My roommates through the years were Walt Barton, Doug Cho, Clay Dean and Craig Savage.  But all members of the Class of 1971 in the 28th Company were considered good friends.

Lecturers

As a Plebe being taken in by Professor Richard and Mary Megargee and their family (Marty, Ann and Michael) was special.  Having an Annapolis family reach out and adopt a Midshipman is a relationship that offers a substitute for home in many cases.  I maintained that bond with the Megargee family through my graduation from the Academy.  Later Professor Megargee took a position at the Naval War College in Newport, RI several years after I graduated.  In 1994 while on vacation in New England we spent some time with the Megargee family in Rhode Island.  After he retired Richard and Mary moved to the Tampa, FL area.  In December 2017 Richard died after a battle with alzheimer.  Mary now lives with one of her daughters in Tampa.

Best Moment
Plebe Year:
While the Naval Academy is not classified as a Boot Camp or a Basic Training station it was established for the training of future naval service officers – Navy and Marine Corps.  After reporting to the United States Naval Academy, we quickly bonded together for survival after haircuts, equipment issue, uniform issues, etc. and being sworn in as Midshipmen in the United States Navy.  Following the family good-byes, we moved into Bancroft Hall.  (NOTE: Bancroft Hall at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, is the largest single dormitory in the world.  Bancroft Hall, named after former U.S. Secretary of the Navy and famous historian/author George Bancroft, is home for the entire Brigade of 4,200 Midshipmen or 2 Regiments, 6 Battalions and 36 Companies (during 1967-1971) and contains some 1,700 rooms, 4.8 miles of corridors, and 33 acres of floor space.  All of the basic facilities and services that Midshipmen need for daily living are found in Bancroft Hall.  It is referred to as "Mother B" or "The Hall" by the all-male Brigade of Midshipmen.) Plebe Summer was spent teaching the former civilians, now Plebes, how to wear a uniform, memorize changing knowledge, become familiar with “Reef Points”, march, salute, do the manual of arms, etc. so they would be ready for the return of the Brigade of Midshipmen from their summer cruises at the end of Plebe Summer.  Several of us who had come from NAPS were sometimes given a pass on certain teachings because we already had been through either Navy or Marine Corps Boot Camp, plus many of the NAPSters were older than the Second Class who were on the Plebe Detail. 
 
After the Brigade returned my prior enlisted status sometimes became a disadvantage because some upper class did not view age or prior military or even combat service as an advantage to be utilized.  As new Plebes we were quickly integrated into the daily routine of come-arounds, chow-calls, keeping changing knowledge on the “tip of your lips”, knowing “Reef Points”, formations, “special” duties for the upper class, weekly parades, athletics and academics.  However, as Plebes we also created as much mischief as we could and had fun doing it.   Among the many “activities” we participated in or supported were:  a) Candy-striping the Virgin Cannons – although this was costly adventure for our class because enamel paint was used…not a smart move; b) “Bricking" an Upper Classman in the Mess Hall because of his latest date – a “humiliation” generally ordered by his Company Classmates; c) Short sheeting an upper classman’s rack when ordered to do so
; d) Using shaving cream to its best advantage; d) Always having water ready for an Upper Classman when ordered to do so; e) Attempting to humiliate an Upper Classman for any reason when ordered to do so; and f) Food fights in the Mess Hall – an event that occurred during Morning Meal before a major leave period (some of the upper class who really wanted to stay and eat breakfast would bring their rain gear to breakfast). 
 
Being granted Carry-on was a Plebe’s dream come true.  When Navy would win a football game the Plebes were generally awarded Carry-on by the Commandant of Midshipmen until lights-out on Sunday evening.  During our Plebe year, Navy beat Army in football and the Plebes were granted Carry-on until Christmas break by the Superintendent of the Naval Academy.  Also, I won a West Point B-robe from a West Point Plebe during my Plebe year that I still have.

To help relieve some of the stress associated with being a Plebe the Family Sponsor Program was available on a voluntary basis to link Plebes with families in the Annapolis area. Many Plebes requested to have a local family as a sponsor, so they could have a “home environment” and relaxing environment during liberty outside the Yard (the Naval Academy campus) on certain occasions.  I was assigned to Dr. Richard and Mary Megargee.  It was wonderful to be able to go to the Megargee’s home on Cherry Grove Street in Annapolis and relax.  The Megargee’s had 2 teenage girls and one son.  Dr. Megargee was a professor in the Naval Academy History Department during my time at the Naval Academy.  After I graduated the Megargees moved to Newport, RI where Dr. Megargee had accepted a position at the Naval Post Graduate School as a Professor.  Dr. Megargee died in December 2017 while  living in Tampa, FL after struggling with alzheimer’s disease.
 
Of course, during June Week 1968 the climbing of Herndon Monument to end Plebe (freshman) year was an event all Plebes looked forward to.  For the Class of 1971 Herndon Monument was the bridge we crossed to become Third Classmen (sophomore) and was a challenge we all looked forward to doing.  It was a slick and slimy 58 minutes challenge to remove the “Dixie Cup” on the top and replace it with a Midshipman cover.
 
Third Class Year:
Becoming a Third Class and going on Third Class Cruise following June Week was a terrific break from Plebe year and quite an experience.  Except for being onboard the YPs at the Naval Academy my Third Class Cruise was the first time I had been on a “real” ship.  A large group of the Third Class were gathered on Farragut Field and transported to our departure point.  My Third Class Cruise was aboard the USS Randolph CVS-15 that was then stationed at Pensacola, FL as a temporary replacement for the USS Lexington CVS-16.  (NOTE: the USS Randolph CV-15 was one of 24 Essex-class aircraft carriers built during World War II for the United States Navy. She was the second US Navy ship to bear the name, she was named for Peyton Randolph, president of the First Continental Congress.  The USS Randolph was commissioned in October 1944, and served in several campaigns in the Pacific Theater of Operations, earning three battle stars. She was decommissioned shortly after the end of the war and the Japanese surrender.  She was modernized and re-commissioned in the early 1950’s as an attack carrier (CVA), and then eventually became an anti-submarine carrier (CVS). In her second career she operated exclusively in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Caribbean. In the early 1960’s she served as the recovery ship for two Project Mercury space missions, including John Glenn's historic first orbital flight.) Its primary duty during the summer of 1968 was for carrier flight qualifications for the Pensacola Flight Training Program that many in the Class 1971 wanted to eventually be accepted into after our Graduation in June 1971.  Because the USS Randolph like the Lexington was built for WWII, it had a wooden flight deck.  During our Third Class Cruise, even though we were Midshipmen we were treated more like Navy enlisted personnel than Junior Naval Officers.  We lived in enlisted quarters with stacked 4-high bunk beds which was similar to what I had when I was on the USS Ogden LPD-5 going to Vietnam.  In addition, we were given a prime berthing location in the forward area of the USS Randolph near the catapult equipment.  The purpose of the cruise was to introduce us to the life of a seaman.  We performed many enlisted duties, plus we had a workbook of activities that had to be accomplished and signed-off by an appropriate senior enlisted crewman.  We ate in the enlisted mess area and stood watch as necessary.
 
Following our Summer Training adventures and a short Leave period, it was time to return to the Naval Academy and “Mother B”.  Being able to walk the corridors of Bancroft Hall without being harassed about what was the menu for the next meal or what were the movies in town was so relaxing.  The going philosophy was that a Third Classman was nothing more than a senior Plebe with continuous Carry-on.  A person to be seen and not heard.  Plus, we were expected to give some guidance to the new Plebe Class to help them make the transition into the Brigade.
 
Unfortunately, the Navy did not win the Army-Navy football game in 1968, but we were not Plebes so the impact was more an emotional let-down than a physical issue – no Carry-on for the Plebes.  One of the biggest changes in returning to Bancroft Hall after our Third Class Cruise was the change in Companies.  Former First Regiment Plebes were transferred to other Companies in the Second Regiment.  For us it was moving from 12th Company on the 3rd Deck in the 2nd Wing to 28th Company on the 6th Deck of the 4th Wing.  In making this transition we had to get associated with a new group of Upper Class Midshipmen from the Classes of 1969(First Class) and 1970 (Second Class).  We would stay in the 28th Company through our Graduation in June 1971.
 
Second Class Year:
My “Summer Cruise” was spent at the Naval Academy where I was on the Plebe Detail.  We had several summer classes in leadership and navigation that were required.  The Naval Academy Superintendent, Admiral Calvert, was part of the nuclear navy, and he allowed extensive recruiting by this branch of the Navy.  It was during this period that I had my first taste of being submerged in a submarine.  The USS Bang SS 385 provided an underwater adventure in the Chesapeake Bay, and the Navy started its “sale job” for the submarine service.  Later in July the USS Haddo SSN 604 arrived in Annapolis Roads (the Chesapeake Bay area off shore from Annapolis), and we were once again able to visit a submarine and go down to periscope depth in the Chesapeake Bay.  I gathered by this time that the Navy must really be hurting in recruiting for the submarine service.  I have my “Snorkel” cards to prove I was submerged.  During the academic year recruiting for various areas of the Naval Service were always easy to find but hard to avoid.  The USS Nathan Hale SSBN 623 appeared in the Chesapeake Bay and the “sales pitch” continued for the nuclear Navy.  When I was on the various subs, I always had a sly smile as I enjoyed the adventure but knew a career in the Marine Corps was in my future.
 
My academic year was a real struggle, but I continued to make progress with my GPA.  My Engineering classes were interesting, but I was always glad when they were completed.  Naval Navigation was also interesting, but I knew ships were “not my thing” so it was one of those required courses that I had to pass – pennants, Morse Code, celestial navigation, etc.  However, going out on the Chesapeake Bay in the YPs was fun, and I enjoyed playing the “Battleship and Aircraft Carrier” games.  Later when I was in Amtracs this experience with the YPs would come in handy as I was working with several Navy Amphibious ships in the Pacific when I was stationed at Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station with Delta Company, 3rd Amphibian Tractor Battalion, First Marine Brigade in Hawaii.
 
In the spring of 1970 I travelled to Colorado Springs and the Air Force Academy as part of the Academy Exchange Program.  While the Air Force Academy is beautiful, especially the mountain country, and modern in its architecture, it lacks the history and “romance” as well as the discipline that is found at both the Naval Academy and West Point.   The USAFA environment is military in nature, but it is definitely more casual than what I knew at the Naval Academy.   As a child I am glad I envisioned the Naval Academy as being in my future although I was enrolled in Air Force ROTC at the University of Georgia, and my uncle had a career in the Air Force.
 
Among the many pleasant memories of my Second Class year, the most memorable is the Ring Dance during June Week 1970.  In planning for the Ring Dance and being a positive person by nature - although I can also recognize the downside of almost any circumstance - when I ordered my First Class Ring I also ordered a miniature of my Class ring that I planned to use as an Engagement Ring for Ann.  Also, being a conservative traditionalist, I also called Ann’s parents and talked with her father and asked their permission to ask Ann to marry me.  With their approval, I moved forward and was hoping she would accept and be part of my life as a Marine Corps Officer’s wife.  I knew this was going to be a big decision for Ann.  She had been working at Trust Company Bank since her graduation from Samford University in 1969 and was developing a career.   I was hoping that over the past year she had considered her answer when the question was asked.  Then during June Week 1970 when the time came prior to going to the Ring Dance, I asked Ann to marry me.  I chose a quiet spot near the Reflection Pool across from Farragut Field but did not notice the trash can that was nearby.  Later “our trash can” became a joke between us.  After Ann said “yes” the rest is history.
 
First Class Year:
Following June Week 1970 the Class of 1971 headed-off to its various First Class Cruise assignments.  For me I was to report to the USS Little Rock CVG-5 that was in the Mediterranean Sea area.  The USS Little Rock was in fact the Flag Ship of the Sixth Fleet.  Its homeport was Gaeta, Italy which is north of Naples.  After we arrived in Gaeta we were transported to the USS Little Rock that was anchored off shore.  Once onboard we truly treated like Junior Naval Officers and part of the USS Little Rock’s Ship’s Company.  But also, we had academic naval assignments that we had to perform and once again workbook assignments to complete as part of our duties during our training.  Having never been to Italy or Europe for that matter, I was able to take weekend liberty and travel to both Naples and Rome.  Later when we were anchored off the coast of Greece, I was also able to take liberty in Athens. 
 
My First Class Cruise was an exciting adventure in many different respects.  One of the tragedies that occurred was a collision that the USS Little Rock had with a Greek destroyer during a nighttime NATO naval exercise.  It appears that the Greek destroyer miscalculated its position when it passed in front of the USS Little Rock.  I never heard the casualty count on board the Greek destroyer, but I am sure it was a significant number after seeing the damage to the USS Little Rock.  Because of our collision at sea and the need for the USS Little Rock to go into the dry-dock facilities in Malta for repairs, I had the opportunity to explore another country that I found to be very fascinating and full of history.  My only regret from my First Class Cruise was my failure to meet Ann in Rome as we had planned, so we could enjoy a “Roman Holiday” together.  In fact, because of the collision the USS Little Rock “went dark” and “disappeared” while it was being repaired.  Ann was waiting to hear from me when she was in Rome, but I could not contact her while I was at sea.   Before she continued her trip she contacted the US Embassy, however they would not tell her anything about the USS Little Rock or when it would return to Gaeta.  As I said we went “dark”.
 
Returning to the Naval Academy at the end of the summer and attacking our last year was a joy for the entire Class of 1971.  First Class year began in earnest when we were back at the Academy and was full of academics and sports, and of course the new Plebe class.  We were on the downhill stretch with many unique activities to enjoy throughout the year.  Ann was able to come north to Annapolis for the 1970 Army-Navy game.  If you have to win only two Army-Navy football games, it is your Plebe and your First Class years that top the list.  For my First Class year the Army-Navy win provided me with an Army Parka that I won from a West Point First Class WooPoo that I still wear to show-off the Navy win.  Both wins over Army had special meanings.  Although it is always better to win all 4 years against both Army and Air Force.  
 
During both my Second and First Class years, I was one of the Managers for the Navy Gymnastics Team and had the opportunity to travel to several away gymnastics meets.  Once again traveling to New England and West Point were places I had never experienced.
On Service Selection Night I was high enough in my Class Ranking to be able to select the Marine Corps and chose a July date to start The Basic School (TBS) at Quantico, VA.  Finally, Graduation on 9 June 1971 from the United States Naval Academy was a childhood dream come true and being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps was “icing on the cake”.  I truly believe that God led me down this path with its many twists and turns.  And I cannot thank Him enough for being with me.  From that day in Decatur when He answered my prayer and led me to enlist in the United States Marine Corps (Isaiah 30:21); to having Lt. Bob Shoff cross my path and show an interest after I joined the 9th Engineer Battalion that directed me to the Naval Academy Prep School; to my obtaining a Secretary of the Navy Appointment to the United States Naval Academy; and seeing me through my academic trials and tribulations at USNA; to helping me stand at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium and take my Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America as an Officer in the United States Marine Corps.
 
God knew my weaknesses in math and engineering, and He helped me survive having academics consume a great deal of my time during my First Class year.  However, one of my First Class joys was making the Dean’s Academic List my last Semester at the Naval Academy.  It culminated four years of being the “Little Engine That Could!”.
 

Worst Moment
Plebe Year:
During Plebe Summer when the Second Class Plebe Detail was trying to purge every one of their civilian habits and get us ready for the return of the Brigade of Midshipmen, there were several “activities” which were truly not on my “enjoyable” list.  Among the more annoying episodes were: a) Greyhound races; b) Chugging a Lea & Perron or Worchester Sauce cocktail at evening meal to the delight of the Upper Classmen; and c) Rigging a spoon was a real physical challenge.  Also, learning the items in “Reef Points” became a challenge for many.  Chow Call, keeping up with changing knowledge, newspaper articles, Navy athletic teams, meal formations, and the forever 3-inches on the front of your chair and braced-up with up with your chin pulled back as far as possible. 
 
When the Brigade returned, the First Class Midshipmen were added to the ones the Plebes had to please.  Among the special duties they especially demanded was closing their windows at 4:00 am during the winter months and avoiding the traps they set for their amusement if we woke them.  Besides ballroom dancing lessons, the Plebe Tea Fights (dances where you were "assigned" a partner by one of the Dance Committee members) were a Plebe’s worst nightmare during the Fall Semester.
 
Also, academics that centered on math and engineering were my biggest issue during Plebe year.   I worked out a deal with one of my Classmates who is a math wizard.  Doug Cho (eating cake above) was from the Republic of Korea Naval Academy and sometimes had problems with English, so he helped me with my math, and I helped him with his English.  It was a win-win situation for both of us.  However, I started too late for my Plebe year to keep my head above the 2.0 GPA.  With the conclusion of our Plebe year I received a letter “inviting” me to an Academic Board because of my poor math and chemistry grades.  Had I been dismissed from the Academy at that time because of academics, it would be back to Fleet as an enlisted Marine with the rank of a Sergeant, and my enlistment contract would have been extended by two years.  Fortunately, my academic deficiency (just below a 2.0 GPA) was not severe enough for dismissal, but it was “the Academy’s warning shot across my bow”.  The warning was received in earnest and during the remainder of my time at the Naval Academy I was in fine academic standing (above a 2.0 GPA) including my last semester on the Dean’s Academic List (above a 3.0 GPA).  Doug’s help would be needed many times before we graduated.
 
Third Class Year:
Academics were always my biggest issue during the year.  We had had a change of Command, and the new Superintendent, Admiral Calvert, wanted to leave his mark on the Naval Academy by transforming it to be more of an academic institution.  At the start of our Plebe year the academic requirements for all Midshipmen was that they had to choose a Minor in a specific area – for me it was a minor in Foreign Affairs.  Those who had taken advanced classes (AP) in high school or passed placement tests at the Naval Academy could transition their way into an academic Major program.  However, under Admiral Calvert starting with our Third Class year ALL Midshipmen had to plan a transition to a Major in a specified subject area starting in earnest with our Second Class year (1969-70).  Not being endowed with large numbers of mathematical or engineering genes or even being swift in the general math area, I chose to major in International Affairs.  However, because I was following a non-math major, I had to take a total of 3 semesters of a foreign language to compensate for the Academy’s math requirements.  When I was a freshman at the University of Georgia I had taken German, therefore I had opted for German as my Plebe year language requirement. 
 
Unfortunately, Navy did not win the Army-Navy football game in 1968, but we were not Plebes so the impact of the loss was not as bad.  However, whenever you lose to Army it leaves a sick feeling in your stomach.
 
Second Class Year:
The Class of 1971 was assigned to the Plebe Detail for the incoming Plebe Class of 1974.  Some of us stayed at the Academy on the Plebe Detail and took various courses that were required to be completed by the end of the summer.  While being on the Plebe Detail was a rewarding experience, it was trying to work with the incoming Class of Plebes and stay within the boundaries of discipline that presented the real challenge.
 
With the end of the Summer Plebe Detail responsibilities, and the return of the Brigade the academic year began along with football season.  Once again math and engineering were my biggest issues during the academic year.   Math subjects were a real nightmare for me.  Differential Equations, Advanced Calculus, you name it, and I was like a sinking ship.  German became my language of “choice” when I transitioned to the Major program at the beginning of my Second Class year with 2 years of Deutsch remaining.  The impact of the transition to the Majors Program on my Class schedule was significant, and I took 18 and 19 Semester Hours respectively.  I did validate a 3-hour course in American History that helped keep my grades above water.  Replacing some of my math and engineering requirements with German and non-centric math courses was a big help.  Also, I ended up taking 18 and 19 Semester Hours respectively.  I took Chinese as an elective but had to drop it because it got in the way of my German and Navigation.  To keep my grades where they needed to stay my Chinese was sacrificed.
 
And 1969 was another year when Navy did not win the Army-Navy football game.  However, although Navy did win the Gymnastics competition, my big disappointment was that the First Class Manager of the Gymnastics Team that I worked for got an “N-Star”, and I did not.  He was a First Class slackard, he did not do a great amount of work to support the Gym Team.  Along with the Plebes and Third Class who were also Managers, we kept him and therefore us out of trouble on more than one occasion.
 
First Class Year:
The Class of 1971 was the experiment in Academic Excellence for Admiral Calvert.  I was a good example of one of his guinea pigs as I suffered through the anxiety associated with mathematics, engineering and navigation course plus the increase in semester hours to fulfill the Superintendent’s academic dream for the Naval Academy.
 
Obviously, the Class of 1971 did such a fantastic job on the Plebe Detail for the Class of 1974 that the Naval Academy Commandant decided that the Class of 1975 needed our leadership too.  With that in mind we were assigned to the Plebe Detail again for our First Class summer.  Plus, the Class of 1971 and the Naval Academy Commandant, Captain Coogan, did not get along very well.  As a Class we had several other issues through our time at USNA.  Thus, our Class motto became “71 Bites The Bullet”.
 
My First Class Cruise was in the Mediterranean onboard the USS Little Rock CVG-5, the Flagship of the Sixth Fleet.  There were two memorable incidents during my time onboard the Little Rock.  The first incident was being on duty in the Engine Room working on my Cruise Workbook assignments and hearing the collision alarm sound, followed by “This Is Not A Drill”.  The USS Little Rock was doing night maneuvers with the Greek Navy, and a Greek destroyer miscalculated its speed when it cut in front of the USS Little Rock.  In the Engine Room we felt the impact, and I was glad to not see my feet become covered in water.  The Greek destroyer did not fair too well when the two ships collided.  I never did hear a casualty report for the destroyer, but it probably was not good.  For the USS Little Rock, the ship’s stem was buckled/cracked, and we were diverted to Malta for repairs.  Thus, my second incident arose with this plan of action for the USS Little Rock.  Ann was on a trip with friends, and we were planning to meet in Rome, Italy for a few days of sightseeing.  Gaeta, Italy was the Ship’s homeport, and I had already had arrangements for a weekend pass to travel to Rome.  However, because of the collision, the USS Little Rock as the flag Ship of the 6th fleet went “dark” as we were diverted to Malta for repairs.  The U.S. Embassy in Rome would not provide any information about the Little Rock’s location, and therefore Ann “lost” me.  It was not until her vacation was completed, and she was back in Atlanta, and my First Class Cruise was over, that she was able to discover all that had happened.
 

Other Memories

Plebe Year
12th Company was located on the 2nd Deck in a strategic location in Bancroft Hall.  Just off of the Rotunda and close to the Main Office.  Although we had to run (chop) every place we went inside the Midshipmen living areas of “Mother B”, we did not have a large number of stairs to go up and down.  In addition, we were one Wing away from Midshipman Oliver North who was in the 7th Company.  He was a First Class (Class of 1968) that many in my Plebe Class learned to avoid at all costs.  Also, when the Brigade returned we did not have far to move from our Plebe Summer location.  My room started out being a 4-man room that I shared with Walt Barton, Clay Dean and Craig Savage.  After the first semester, Craig had dropped out, and the 3 of us were moved to a 3-man room.
 
Not being the math wizard, I gravitated to excellence in my “bull” – English – courses.  One of the more interesting books I did a report on for my Composition and Literature class was “Looking Backwards” by Edward Bellamy.  The book was first published in 1888 and tells the story of a young American who, near the end of the 19th century, falls into a deep sleep and wakes up in the year 2000.  He finds himself in the same location (Boston, Massachusetts), but in a totally changed world.  While he was sleeping, the United States has been transformed into a socialist utopia. The book outlines Bellamy's thoughts about improving the future and includes a discussion of the major problems associated with capitalism.  What made this book so interesting was the author’s insight into the development of the future of the United States.
 
Third Class Year
Third Class Cruise was terrific and offered me many opportunities.  Although, the Navy and I did not get along when it came to my Cruise workbook.  When the Brigade returned the Class of 1971 had to establish relationships with a new set of Second and First Class in our new Companies. We looked forward to intramural sports and being invisible to the Second and First Class who were more interested in the new Plebe Class and the servitude they could provide.  However, this “invisible” status also made the year go by slower than expected.  Of course, seeing the Plebes from the Class of 1972 being run by the Second and First Class in the 28th Company put a new perspective on what it meant to NOT be a Plebe.  I got my bearings for maneuvering around the town of Annapolis and that helped me out tremendously.  Of course, being able to be with the Megargee family was that “taste” of home that The Yard could not provide. 
 
An interesting side to the organization of the Academy was the requirement to attend Church services – whether in The Yard at the Naval Academy Chapel or at a local church in town.  On Sunday mornings I chose to stay at the Naval Academy and attend Protestant Chapel.  Marching to Chapel every Sunday morning for Protestant Services was a given.  And the purpose of Chapel like the purpose of going to Chapel when I was at Parris Island was to “instruct” you in the ideals of ethics, honesty, brotherhood and morality.  And at Chapel the need for God as a Beacon in our lives as we moved along life’s path was preached.  I knew of God’s presence in my life because I was sitting in the Chapel at the United States Naval Academy.  What I did not know was the details of the plans that He had for my life in the future.  This is where you learn to understand that “patience” is a virtue and “impatience” can lead you astray and cause you to make unwise decisions.
 
Second Class Year
Shortly after June Week 1969 the new Plebe Detail for the incoming Plebe Class of 1972 began to come together.   The Plebe Detail was scheduled to have several classes to complete the summer academic requirements.  Working with the new Plebes brought back many memories of the summer of 1967.  But the added responsibility of the Plebe Detail required us all to make decisions about what was right and wrong and what actions from the past that we endured we could bring forward.
 
Following our Plebe Detail summer assignment, the Brigade of Midshipmen returned and as in past years academics, intramural sports, P-rades and liberty toped our activities list.  As for sports, I became one of the Managers for the Navy Gymnastics team.  I had been introduced to gymnastics when I was a freshman at the University of Georgia and truly enjoyed it.  But while I could do a few “tricks” on the floormat I would not be classified as a “gymnist”.  So as one of the Managers I was close to the sport and enjoyed being able to help the Navy team.  
 
First Class Year
After returning from First Class Cruise and being “top dog” was an interesting and new feeling.  But as in the past when the Brigade returned academics, intramural sports, P-rades and liberty topped our activities list.  As the First Class Manager for the Varsity Gymnastics Team I was able to do some enjoyable traveling to New England.  Unfortunately the Navy Gym Team did not beat Army, and I did not get an “N*” and this was a big disappointment.  And of course June Week 1971 was a fantastic time especially since Ann, her parents, my parents and grandparents and other friends were able to come to my graduation.  This graduation experience in 1971 was a little different from my Parris Island Graduation in 1965.
 
God had continued to help me keep my head above water in Admiral Calvert’s new academic sea.  While I continued to struggle with any topic associated with mathematics or engineering my liberal arts subjects helped my GPA improve above the 2.00 GPA marker.  And as I have stated before my last semester at the Naval Academy was by far my best academically.   “The Little Engine That Could” finally reached the peak of the mountain and crossed over the top – Graduation from the United States Naval Academy.  Also, I am sure that if the Navy Line officers had reviewed my various courses in engineering and navigation they were glad to see that I had chosen to return “home” to the United States Marine Corps during Service Selection Night.