Almost Heroes

Life aboard aircraft carrier during Vietnam War. I went to a very small high school in southern Ohio; I graduated from a class of 28 students. The Vietnam war was in full swing actually the war was about half over in 1969. Everyone who didn't go to college was being drafted, shortly after high school one of my brothers just got home from his second Tour in Vietnam and another brother was drafted and sent into Vietnam in the army. I got a ride into town one day and enlisted in to the Marine Corps and when my dad came to pick me up, I told him what I had done he said "what the hell was you thinking about son". I said if I got to go to Vietnam I want to Be prepared the best that I can be. After boot camp in California, I was stationed with the Marine Detachment aboard the U.S.S. Hancock CVA-19, the smallest, oldest carrier left in the Navy. I found out later how Battle worthy the ship actually was, I was definitely was in a whole new world! I came from a very large family nine brothers and five sisters and of the fifteen of us seven served in the Military three in the army, two in the marines, two in the navy. When I enlisted I weighed about 120 lbs and was about 5'9 inches, I knew this wasn't going to be easy but I also felt it was the right thing to do, this war sure as heck wasn't going anywhere soon. Very much, appreciate my experiences as a marine and my time on the carrier (The Fighting Hanna). I served two years aboard the carrier and two years at the Concord Naval Weapons station in California. I got married 6 years after my tour with the Marines. I have a daughter and a son and 3 grandchildren. I hope you enjoy my book. RUSSELL ENDERLE