Joseph B. Akin, CT3 USN, 1951-1955


Finished high school in the North Georgia mountains and was running a bulldozer for 50 cents/hr 
at the Atlanta airport building new runways. The draft board was interested in sending me to Korea. 
We moved to Barnesville Ga where they had a military college. I wouldn't be drafted if I was in school. 
Was tired of school and only wanted to earn enough money to buy an old car.

Had to get up early to milk cows and then walk several miles on an unpaved road to Gordon college. 
The cadets were constantly admiring themselves in a mirror. Men didn't primp where I come from and there 
was talk of spitting on shoes. I was ready to deck anyone that spit on my shoes although it could get 
some of the mud off. I didn't like playing tin soldier and all my friends were back in N Ga.

Heard the Navy fed good and I was hungry. Told the recruiter that I could run a dozer but he didn't 
seem interested. Got to Bainbridge boot camp in April 51. It had just reopened and we were company 31.

Everyone was sent to Norfolk after boots to load ships, except I was sent to electronics school TI.

Was not prepared for ET school and struggled. It was only a review for the rest of the class. Pulled out 
of class and told I was being sent to CT school in Diego. Ask what a CT might be. "That's for dummies 
that ain't smart enough to be an ET." From there I was sent to Skaggs. Wanted to be a sea bee and they 
made me a bumble bee. Didn't appreciate how lucky I was to get training instead of scullery on a tin can.

Went to Japan on the Breckinridge and got to Kami Seya just after it opened. Things were SNAFU. Tried to 
look busy and stay out of the way. Assigned to sort messages. Didn't know what I was doing and got chewed 
out a lot. Tried to tell them I wasn't trained for it.

Took the test for NROTC and was selected. Flew back to Bainbridge for a delightful summer. Met an ensign 
with an MGTD. She didn‘t know we were not supposed to fraternize and I didn't tell. Reminded what it was 
like being a teenager and had enough Navy. Decided to serve out my hitch. To Guam on the Ainsworth. First job 
was climbing antenna poles. Enjoyed that. Spent a lot of time in the jungle and left sake for the Jap soldiers 
that watched me but never saw them. Was the official guide to Tweed's cave. Flew to Hong Kong twice in a PBM 
for R&R. Had to fill out a form about choice of next duty station. No one got their choice so I always put down 
Adak. They offered to send me to the rock if I shipped over. Out April 55. Didn't love every minute. Never much 
of a sailor. No tattoos, never been drunk and can't cuss worth a darn. Was a loner and don‘t recall anyone from 
the Navy except Ming, the dog.

Went to Ga Tech and then became an instructor FAA. Liked teaching but hated to fly airplanes. Back to the Far East 
in 62 to advise the USAF. "We ain't sending you over there to make friends, don't care how many you piss off or 
how many rules you break. Get the job done ASAP." Was to have the equivalent rank of captain. Was thinking Navy 
Captain but an Air Force captain is quiet less. When asked about the rank I held in the Navy, "Had two stars on 
my collar." They didn't know about my dress jumper and assumed admiral. Never wore the crow or ribbons. Worked 
out of Fuchu and that's when I learned to appreciate the Navy. "That ain't my job, "was all I heard. Saw some CT's 
there but they were afraid to talk to me. They may have just been R and rude.

Back to Ga Tech to work in nuclear research. Got into industrial electronics and worked with the static drives of 
very large motors. Always in situations over my head and got by on dumb luck. Nearly 80 and still going strong. 
The VA takes good care of me and get hugs from all the cute nurses. Have written a book that few will read about 
growing up in the Navy. 


Joseph B. Akin, CT3 USN, 1951-1955