I Earned My Dolphins on My 23rd Birthday – April 20, 1985

It was one of the proudest moments of my life, and to this day, I wear my Dolphins with pride.

I served during the Cold War era aboard one of the “41 for Freedom” fleet ballistic missile submarines, from April 18, 1983, to April 18, 1989. I completed five Deterrent Patrols and was part of the crew that took the boat through the shipyard for refueling and refit. I was there during the missile unload and served on the combined crew for sea trials.

Among the many memories: I stood the watch during Thanksgiving and Christmas on patrol, and I was aboard when we took her down to test depth.

We celebrated that day in 1985 — my birthday — with gusto. And I’ll never forget it.

Thank you Shipmate7s of the USS Stonewall Jackson, SSBN 634 - the Stoney-J .