Dave L. Bundy, CTRCM USN Ret., 1958-1982


I entered the Navy in August of 58 and upon graduation from Basic I was assigned to the U.S.S. Des Moines (CA-134).  
I was assigned to the Signal Bridge and became an SM striker. I enjoyed being an SM, as eventually promoted to SM2.  
But, during the interim, as an SM we stood watches on the bridge in all types of weather.  It could get very uncomfortable 
on the bridge during foul weather.  We had a squared-away gang and was not allowed to wear dungarees even if we were 
painting.  Quite often during late, cold and tiresome watches a young 2nd class, in dungarees, would come up to the 
bridge saying he just wanted a breath of fresh air.  I got to know him as CT2 J.C. Sefter.  We met on liberty and got to be friends.
All I knew about CT’s were they stood watches inside and got to wear dungarees.  What an incentive!
I put the Des Moines out of commission in June of 61 and was assigned to U.S.S. Eaton (DDE-510).  My enlistment was to 
expire in August of 62 and during a counseling session was informed that I qualified for CT (Radio) school in Pensacola. 
My thoughts immediately went back to the care free CT in dungarees, standing watches inside a warm and comfortable 
space, had a lot of shore duty (SM’s were 6 years sea; 2 years shore) and I jumped at the chance.
I was accepted and received orders to Pensacola and from there to Kami Seya.  It took me a while to get authorization to 
change my crow from SM2 to CT2 and I hated wearing anything besides dungarees.  I spent a lot of time trying to explain 
why I was “in-the-tunnel” as an SM2.
One of the ironies of my changing rates was that I spent more time at sea as a CT than I did as an SM.
D.L. Bundy
CTRCM  USN Ret
Aug 58-Nov 82