"We embarked on an exercise to try and to see if we could capture downed pilots that may have gotten shot down in the gulf...as a radioman and also as a swimmer, we did some exercises where you would try and lasso the periscope to get pulled to safety."
-Radioman Second Class Peter W. Kendig, USN
The United States Navy Memorial Stories of Service Program is honored to announce the June 2018 story of the month has been selected to recognize the service of United States Navy Veteran, Radioman Second Class Peter W. Kendig. The United States Navy Memorial Stories of Service Program was privileged to interview Radioman Second Class Peter W. Kendig at the USS Spinax SS-489 reunion at Daytona Beach Florida in the fall of 2017.
Radioman Second Class Peter W. Kendig recalled vivid memories of his Sea Service and began his interview by sharing, "I joined the Navy in North Hollywood at the age of 17 and went to boot camp at San Diego." Upon completion of boot camp he was sent to Radioman A School at San Diego. His interest in ham radio as a child made the experience at Radioman A School a rewarding one. While at Radioman A School he decided to volunteer for the Submarine Service. When reflecting on the experience, he remarked, "When they asked in A school, where would you like to be assigned. I and a number of other people put in for submarines. I thought it would be exciting." He was then sent to the newly formed Ballast Point Submarine Base in San Diego. After working on different tasks including the organizing and developing of a library, he sought to change his assignment. Kendig shared, "After about six months I decide I wanted to go aboard a sub that was my avocation and went looking for a sub that needed a radioman and found the USS Spinax.”
Kendig joined the crew of the USS Spinax and went right to work. He shared, “I started right off working in the radio room. I ended up being right in the middle of the operation.” He spoke in detail about the challenges of serving as a radioman and difficulties to accurately send and receive message during poor weather conditions and different situations.
While on the USS Spinax, he not only served as a radioman but also was an experienced diver. While operating in the Tonkin Gulf he shared, "We embarked on an exercise to try and to see if we could capture downed pilots that may have gotten shot down in the gulf...as a radioman and also as a swimmer, we did some exercises where you would try and lasso the periscope to get pulled to safety." He reflected on the difficulties about such rescue exercises and also recalled fond memories of his time in the Submarine Service.
Part One Memories of San Diego, Radioman A School, and Joining the USS Spinax
Part Three Service on the USS Spinax During the Cold War and Conclusion of Service
Part Two Life on the USS Spinax and Service as a Radioman
The United States Navy Memorial honors United States Navy Veteran, Radioman Second Class Peter W. Kendig, featured within this series titled, Stories of Service, Story of the Month. Each month, this series honors a Veteran’s story recorded by the Stories of Service Program at the Navy Memorial. To learn more about this story and to explore the Navy Memorial archive, visit the Navy Memorial Stories of Service site at https://www.navymemorial.org/stories-of-service.