John is a native Washingtonian and prior to WW II John worked in the forest logging industry for a number of years and was a choke setter for six years. He learned, however, that the life expectancy of a choke setter was six years and figured it was time to get out of that profession.
John enlisted in 1941 right after the Pearl Harbor attack. After boot camp and Torpedoman school in San Diego, John volunteered for submarine service, was assigned to the USS Porpoise, one of the last riveted hull submarines.
On patrol Porpoise was damaged by depth charges, the riveted fuel oil tanks started leaking leaving tale tell oil slicks. She was sent to the yards for repair and then back into action.
Depth charged again, she again started leaking oil, so on return to port, the Navy decided to take the Porpoise out of action and use her for a school boat. John remained with Porpoise until the war ended. He left the Navy as a first class Torpedoman after the war.
John was a painter during his civilian work life. John is an active member of Lockwood Chapter, USSV WW-II and a plank owner of SEATTLE BASE, USSVI. He lives in Seattle with his constant companion Goldie, his Golden Retriever.