I Joined the Navy in 1976, shortly after graduating from LaCrosse Logan High School. After my initial
training in San Diego as a Submarine Sonar Technician, I served 15 months aboard the Submarine
Tender USS Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16), home ported in Lamadallena Italy. After the Gilmore, I
returned to San Diego for advanced training before my next destination, USS Puffer (SSN 652) in
Pearl Harbor.
training in San Diego as a Submarine Sonar Technician, I served 15 months aboard the Submarine
Tender USS Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16), home ported in Lamadallena Italy. After the Gilmore, I
returned to San Diego for advanced training before my next destination, USS Puffer (SSN 652) in
Pearl Harbor.
January 3rd 1981, was a typical Saturday duty day. I musterd aboard at 0700, and was assigned the
1200 to 1800 Topside Security watch. About an hour after I assumed the watch, a nice young lady on
vacation from Canada, was attending an open house on a destroyer across the bay. She spotted the
submarines and somehow managed to make it over to the submarine base, stopping at the first
submarine she passed to ask for a tour. We were married 10 months later. Over the next three years,
the Puffer averaged more time at sea than any ship in the fleet (226 days per year), not to mention
the time away from home in foreign ports. Somehow though, we still managed to start a family with the
birth of Gwen in 1982 and Tim in 1983. Through all this We stayed married!!!
1200 to 1800 Topside Security watch. About an hour after I assumed the watch, a nice young lady on
vacation from Canada, was attending an open house on a destroyer across the bay. She spotted the
submarines and somehow managed to make it over to the submarine base, stopping at the first
submarine she passed to ask for a tour. We were married 10 months later. Over the next three years,
the Puffer averaged more time at sea than any ship in the fleet (226 days per year), not to mention
the time away from home in foreign ports. Somehow though, we still managed to start a family with the
birth of Gwen in 1982 and Tim in 1983. Through all this We stayed married!!!
After leaving the Puffer in 1984, I did a tour as an instructor at the Naval Submarine Training Center
Pacific. During this tour, I attended night classes at Wayland Baptist University and obtained my
Bachelor of Science in Technical Management.
At the end of my instructor tour in 1987, I was accepted into the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI),
Acoustic Intelligence (ACINT) Specialist program. This part of my career started with a brutal 18 month
qualification program which I completed in 12. Once qualified, I deployed as the ONI representative on
14 submarine special operations in 7 years.
For my final tour I served as the Atlantic Submarine Force Lead Acoustic Analyst in Groton
Connecticut until retirement in 1996.
Pacific. During this tour, I attended night classes at Wayland Baptist University and obtained my
Bachelor of Science in Technical Management.
At the end of my instructor tour in 1987, I was accepted into the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI),
Acoustic Intelligence (ACINT) Specialist program. This part of my career started with a brutal 18 month
qualification program which I completed in 12. Once qualified, I deployed as the ONI representative on
14 submarine special operations in 7 years.
For my final tour I served as the Atlantic Submarine Force Lead Acoustic Analyst in Groton
Connecticut until retirement in 1996.
| Campbell Clan & Air Force One, Hickam AFB 1985 |
| Dan & Angie piping over the side, 2 Aug 1996 |
| Eternal Father, Strong to save, Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, Who bid'st the mighty Ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep; O hear us when we cry to thee, for those in peril on the sea. Lord God, our power evermore, Whose arm doth reach the ocean floor, Dive with our men beneath the sea, Traverse the depths protectively. O hear us when we pray, and keep Them safe from peril in the deep. |
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Copyright 2007, Daniel J. Campbell, All Rights Reserved