Tony Rambonga,Jr.:
CLASS OF 1969
Edison High SchoolClass of 1969
Stockton, CA
Tony's Story
Life
When I graduated in 1969, I had know idea what I
wanted to do with my life. Our generation was at a
crossroad because of the racial strife that was happening across America and the War in Vietnam, so I decided to join the Marines with my cousin. My parents wouldn't sign my papers because they knew
what Marines did.(First to Fight) So I joined the Navy to see the world and some how find my way into the war, which I did when I volunteered for BUD/S during Boot Camp. Spent 24 weeks at Coronado and graduated with BUD/S Class 57 and then went on to the Combat Swimmers School. At the time, in order to be selected for SEAL training, you had to be in the top 2%, then the rest of us went to the UDT. The Combat Swimmers School was 8 weeks long and then they assigned us to the various UDT Teams in the far East. I was assigned to UDT13 in the Philippines. 6 months later was recalled back stateside for reassignment to SEAL Team 1 and as they say the rest is History. I did two tours of Vietnam with a Direct Action Platoon and then volunteered out and ...Expand for more
went back to the fleet aboard the USS Kittyhawk and finished my last two years in the Navy. After 10 years and three combat tours I was Honorably discharged from the Navy. I went back to school and got by BS Degree on the GI Bill and have been in the working force since. I have been working at the San Francisco VA Medical Center for the past ten years. I feel I have come full circle in my life, I have been single most of my life and I finally got married 12/18/2007. Life has been good. Have made contact with a classmate who I thought died in the war and another who retired as a Chief in the Navy. Who would have thought that I would have had a ride like this in my life?? If I had to do it again, I wouldn't change a thing. I'm also glad that I've gotten in touch with a lot of you upper classmates and to know how far us Soul Vikes have gone in life. I would like to dedicate my story to all the Soul Vikes who have already passed on to the other side. I still think of you and pray for you.
Tony Rambonga,Jr. (The Fish) Class of 1969, SOUL VIKES!
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