Sailor Boy, Life Aboard the USS Frank Knox

Set in the early 1960's the story details the adventures of an eighteen year old boy who joins the navy in the hopes of receiving a lighter sentence for his drunk driving arrest. The boy chooses the navy because he is enticed by the colorful military posters which boldly stated "Join the Navy and See the World." After boot camp, the young man is stationed aboard the USS Frank Knox in Yokosuka, Japan, and bonds with his fellow shipmates. Mr. Anderson chronicles the daily life as a chief mess cook and a Boiler Tender aboard ship. The seemingly minor conflict with Master Chief Stewart becomes persistent and in the end develops to be rather truculent. Traveling to several exotic locals including Japan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Madagascar, Kenya and Australia, the young recruit experiences local life in each port and also describes the process of becoming a "shellback" after crossing the equator for the first time. Mr. Anderson has crafted a candid and reflective chronicle of naval life at the brink of America’s involvement in the Vietnam War. The many vivid images in "Sailor Boy" coalesce to create a text that is both informative and introspective.Anderson, Richard West is the author of 'Sailor Boy, Life Aboard the USS Frank Knox', published 2006 under ISBN 9781589093263 and ISBN 1589093267.