Dave R. Perry
Born and raised in Michigan, joined the Navy on my 18th birthday in April, graduated from high school in June and went to Great Lakes for recruit training. Went to Rhode Island for school, went to Oklahoma for school and went to Tennessee for more school. Spent my first two years in school. Got my first naval station as a “Aviation Electronic Technician, Navigation “. Was assigned as a radar navigater aboard an AD5W , a small single engined, big engine, prop plane. My squadron was VAW-11 (Carrier Early Warning Squadron) and we provided detachments of two or three aircraft to different carriers on their two or three month voyages. I was on five different carriers during my time in service. Sailed in the Pacific and visited Hawaii Guam, Iwo Jima, Japan. Hong Kong, and the Philippines. While flying in Guam, had a crash landing and dislocated both shoulders. Ended my service in the Philippines and took a slow boat to San Francisco and was discharged. Had fun, would go back if asked.
Story of your Coin: Given to me by Jon.
Coin Number: 862
Branch of Service: US Navy
Specialty Role: Carrier airborne navigation. Flying every day to provide early warning to the Carrier of approaching aircraft and ships.
Rank: ATN-3
State Represented: Usually drunk.
Dates of Service: June 15 1956 to June 17th 1960.
Units Served: VAW-11 main squadron in San Diego with various detachment names while assigned to a carrier.
Awards, decorations, citations & Operations: Being I was one of those people who constantly pushed the rules towards the point of insubordination, I never got any awards, except my schooling awards for excellence. My squadron commander always told me that, except for my being the only one who could repair most of the equipment, he would get rid of me. So I never even got a good conduct medal.
Gratitude:
