I didn't serve. Dad was adamant about that when I was growing up. He (Cdr.USN-Ret) spent four campaigns in Korea based on the carrier Essex. He shipped out as an Ensign in '51, I believe, and continued to serve into the late 60s/early 70s when he returned Stateside, and when I was born in '72 he transferred to the Reserve while remaining in government service at HUD (he was also a CPA), and later the National Gallery of Art.
The few stories I got out of him - he did NOT like talking about his time overseas, and I never pressed him - he apparently worked with Intel, shadowing SAS troops on surgical strikes on things like bridges and roadways and runways, to verify for the Navy that the missions were successful. I have his personal Colt .38 revolver, and his USN shoulder rig for it. The rig was dyed black by the SAS because "that brown thing is going to get us all killed". Somehow they didn't get upset about the ivory grips, though...or, he had those made once he finished those types of missions. Not sure.
Hearing a little about how much dad did not like being overseas, and did not like what he did/saw while there, made my respect for those who serve grow even stronger. He loved the Navy, don't get me wrong, and he had nice enough things to say about Korea as a place and as a people, but he was locked into protecting his only son from ever being exposed to those not-so-good things. He had one brother, who purchased and gave him the .38 I now have, who was (I believe) killed in action as an FBI agent and I think that, combined with my being an only child, only strengthened his resolve to keep me out. We didn't always get along, but I always had (and still do) great respect for my father, and when he said he wanted me to go to school instead of joining up...I did what Dad said.
For those who have served - thank you for your service, and the dedication that goes with it. Some of us civilians understand, and appreciate it!
