Samuel Swenson Jr:  

Life of Samuel Swenson Jr. I was born in Tulare CA, Nov 4, 1939 and have been on the move ever since then. Moved to Hermiston OR. while My father was in the Merchant Marines on 3 ships during the war 1941 to 1945 where one of the ships was hit Japananies planes. It was hard for my dad to settle down in one place after the war. We moved to Tacoma WA 1945 to 1949, I went to Rogers Elementary Kindergarten, first, and second grades and lived on 2714 Cherry St. Tacoma WA I was 10 years old when we moved to Jamestown KS 1949 to 1950, My dad had two restraunts / taverns and also worked on my grandparents farm. We lived in downtown Denver where dad own a novelty shop, Went Cherry Creek Elementary School. Moved to Grand Junction, then to Monte Vista and Palisades CO from 1950 to 1951, Then on to Kennewick WA 1951 to 1952, Dad worked as a baker for Sigmans bakery From 1952 to 1954 we stayed Yakima dad worked for Sigmans bakery, We lived in Tieton picked apples, and Naches. We moved to Ellensburg WA, worked for Safeway bakery. We moved to Moses Lake WA from 1954 to 1955, My dad worked for Safeway as the manager of the Bakery. Then My Dad had the only bakery in Othello WA from 1955 to 1959. I played Football, Basketball, Wrestling, some Track and Baseball, also worked in the spud nut donut shop and Potato sheds in the summers. also worked for union pacific on refrigerator railroad cars. In School, I liked Coach Mel Thompson. I did not finish high school. I went into the Navy August 30, 1957 went through Boot Camp CO 329, San Diego CA Transferred to the USS Vega AF-59 until Nov 3, 1960 made BM3 Reenlisted Dec 1960 on Treasure Island. Transferred to Tachikawa Japan AFB assigned to Air Transport Squadron Seven Detachment 7 Alpha, (VR-7 Det "A") duties Bks MAA, armory, ASDO and flight attendant. I got my High School GED. It was then I Meet my wife Joan (Vikki) H. Buffington at the Tachikawa base exchange. I was going to watch a band play and she was there, We had great time and 6 months later on July 2, 1963 we were married. In 1964 I was transferred to Port Hueneme CA to the Seabees MCB-10. Later TAD to Guam for 6 months. Came home and 6 months later TAD to Okinawa then mounted out a ship and made over the beach landing with the USMC in Chu LAI Vietnam. Where our oldest girl Teresa was born Oct 7, 1965, She is married and has two girls and lives in Cheyenne Wells CO now and operates the Trails inn. I was assigned to US Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 10 we deployed to Guam for 6 months in 1964 I was a Barracks MAA and also painted the Fuel Pipeline and in 1965 the battalion made an over the beach landing with the Marines. While I was in Vietnam I was in security and also worked for Bravo Company. Also took care of the first Female in the Seabees Her name was Boo Boo and she was a Vietnamese Sun Bear that we donated to the San Diego Zoo. I Transferred to Naval Air Station Pensacola FL assigned to Port Services as AVR Rescue boat coxswain and pre naval seamanship instructor, Promoted to BM2, transferred to VADM Hayward staff as driver. Where my daughter Darlene Joelle was born Feb 6 1967. She is married and has son and has retired after 24 years in the Navy and E-7 (Navy Chief) living in Kapolei, HI with her husband who is an retired E-8. She is now working for the Navy again. Next duty ...Expand for more