Memories of an Old Man is a series of memoirs written by West of 50 member, Ken Felts.
After junior college graduation in May 1950, I worked full-time for my brother at his service station. The Korean War started on June 25, 1950, and the military draft was reestablished. Former student friends were being enrolled and the rest of us knew our turn would come soon.
Ken Felts after receiving his Navy haircut in 1951
Two friends and I visited the Navy recruiter's office in mid-December, and we completed our application to serve, lying about the question of homosexuality. We were sent to Kansas City for induction, which included a physical examination. From there we went by train to boot camp located in San Diego, California. It was still winter back home in Kansas, but here, we were in beautiful summer-like weather. We were housed in open barracks with about fifty other inductees, mostly from Kansas and Missouri. Uniforms were provided, and everyone got a crew cut followed by a dental exam. I had all four wisdom teeth removed in just a few weeks.
New recruits quickly learned that they were in for a tough time. We began with learning how to handle our rifles and march as a squad. If you were at sea and had to save yourself, it was necessary for you to be able to swim. Most of us farm boys could barely cross a watering tank for cattle. We were taken to the base pool and immersed and quickly developed some skills. We were considered to be proficient when we could make it to the other side of the pool.
Six weeks later, we graduated and most of us were assigned immediately to duty stations. Because of our test scores, some of us were sent to schools for specialized training. I found myself in Corpsman classes, watching battlefield movies on treatment of fallen soldiers. I had joined the Navy because I did not wish to be in the infantry, and my job, if I finished training, would have been assignment to a platoon of soldiers. No thank you! I asked for a transfer.
The U.S.S. Swallow, AMS 36. This ship was Ken's home from 1951-1952 during the Korean War.
Considered one of the most disagreeable duties for Naval personnel was assignment to the minesweeping fleet during the Korean War. The only ships that were sank with loss of personnel during that conflict were six minesweepers. My new home port was Sasebo, Japan. My ship, the U.S.S. Swallow was made of wood so as not to activate magnetic mines and was 136 feet long and 36 feet wide. There were 4 officers and a crew of 26. The enlisted were all housed in one large room below decks, next to the engine room and food storage locker, and we all shared one toilet-shower area. The dining area was above decks. We usually spent three to four weeks at sea and then several days at home port for provisioning and refuel.