So was my dad.
Same here. Dad was a U.S. Navy Signalman. He tried to join the Marines but the Recruiter told him he had enough Marines and told him he was joining the Navy. My Dad couldn’t swim a stroke until Boot Camp anyway. LOL
He served on multiple Ships including a Destroyer, Sub Chaser, LST and an Ocean Going Tug that was tasked with pulling disabled Landing Craft off the Beaches and Coral Reefs while under fire. He almost bought the Farm on that Ship.
He was at Iwo Jima as well and he survived the 1945 Typhoon that hit our Fleet off Okinawa. He told me even the old Sea Dogs were green and puking their guts out when that hit.
My Father’s older Brother was a Seabee. Navy all the way.
Mt Father died on October 26 at age 93. We found a few of his old Medals while going through his stuff. Never saw them before.