How I Ended Up On The Sailfish

By: Al Perez
I always had an interest in the Navy and all through high school read every book about Naval exploits during WWII I could get my hands on, especially those about the submarine service. I enlisted two months before graduation on a delayed entry. Besides, I wasn't going to college, and the only other option was to wait around and see if I got drafted and sent to Viet Nam. No thanks.

In basic I volunteered for subs. That was a mistake, I should have waited until I was in A school to volunteer. So instead of going to radio or sonar school (my highest test scores), I went straight to sub school as an FN. Out of sub school I got orders to the Dogfish in New London. Shortly after reporting aboard we left for the yards in Philly. While there I requested a rate change to SN so I could become a sonar striker. The paper work was in progress when I got orders to the Sailfish. I reported aboard 3 days before she left for Pearl Harbor. Once on the Sailfish it was straight into the engine room.

I've always maintained that given the same situation I'd make the same choices. I got an education in the Navy that I wouldn't trade for any college degree. We were fortunate to ride diesel boats and to be part of a great tradition that, unfortunately, no longer exists. We're pretty much the last of the breed.