Lee Hoffman's
U.S. Navy
Career Page

I served in the Navy for 21 years from 1956 to 1976.  During that time, I served at the following duty stations:

• RTC Bainbridge, Maryland, Company #56-087  (Boot Camp)
• Airman(P) School, NATTC Norman, Oklahoma, Company #22F, Barracks  #63   (Aviation Familiarization School)
• Aviation Electronics Technician (A) School, NATTC Memphis, Tennessee (Basic Electronics)
• Patrol Squadron NINE, NAS Alameda, California and NS Kodiak, Alaska (P2V-7 aircraft). I was assigned to the Radio/Radar Division as Supply PO, and was in crew 9 as ECM/MAD Operator.
• Heavy Attack Squadron THREE, NAS Sanford, Florida (P2V-3C, A3D-2, A3J-1, F9F, and R4D aircraft).  I was assigned to the Electronics Division, was TAD to the NAS AMD Electronics Shop assigned to the TACAN bench.  Following this I was assigned to the Line Division in charge of the Night Crew.
• Aviation Electronics Technician  School, NATTC Memphis, Tennessee
• Attack Squadron SIXTY-SIX, NAS Oceana, Virginia and with with CVW-6 in USS ENTERPRISE(CVAN65) (A4 aircraft).  I was assigned to the Electronics Shop until I was assigned to Quality Control.
• USAF Maintenance Analysis Course, Chanute AFB, Rantoul, Illinois
• Attack Squadron SIXTY-SIX, NAS Cecil Field, Florida and with CVW-6 aboard USS AMERICA(CVA66) (A4 Aircraft)
• Fighter Squadron ONE SEVEN FOUR, NAS Cecil Field, Florida (F8 aircraft) re-designated to Attack Squadron ONE SEVEN FOUR.  Assigned to the Electronics Division at first, I was transferred to Maintenance Administration as a Data Analyst.
• Attack Squadron ONE SEVEN FOUR, NAS Cecil Field, Florida (A7 aircraft)
• Operations Maintenance Division, NS Keflavik, Iceland (R4, R5, H34 aircraft)
• Management Analysis (O) School, NATTC Memphis, Tennessee
• Attack Squadron SEVENTY-TWO, NAS Cecil Field, Florida & with CVW-1 aboard USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CVA67) (A7 aircraft)
• Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Department, NAF Naples, Italy (H34, R5, R6 aircraft)

While in my first fleet outfit, Patron NINE, I was advanced to Aviation Electronics Technician Second Class Petty Officer.  I was advanced to Aviation Electronics Technician First Class Petty Officer while in Atkron SIXTY-SIX.  I changed ratings to Aviation Maintenance Administrationman while in Fitron ONE SEVEN FOUR and advanced to Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Chief Petty Officer while still in Atkron ONE SEVEN FOUR.

During assignments in Alaska, Iceland, and in USS John F. Kennedy, I was above the Arctic Circle and thus qualified as a Blue Nose three times.  I crossed the Equator four times while on a World Cruise in USS Enterprise as part of Nuclear Task Force ONE and thus became a Shellback.  I also qualified for the Golden Dragons when Enterprise crossed the International Dateline which (because we sailed west to east) makes me one day younger than I really am (well, on paper anyway).

I have dined in numerous countries including: Spain, France, England, Italy, Malta, Greece, Turkey, Germany, Iceland, Pakistan, Australia, and Brazil.  I have seen Russia (Siberia) from 5,000 feet over the Bering Straits while our squadron was assisting the USS NAUTILUS (SSN-593) in her first transit of the North Pole by sailing under the ice.

I served with some great men and women during my career.  Contacting other shipmates I have known during my career is something that makes my day. So if you think we served together, drop me a line at: lhoffman@acm.org.   

I am currently a member of Bluegrass Branch 284 Fleet Reserve Association in Lexington, Kentucky.  We meet at 1900 the 2nd Thursday of each month at the Ryan's Steakhouse (across Man of War from Hamburg).  Come join us. 

Some links to other Navy oriented pages:

• The VP-9 Website -- check out the latest reunion info -- also has a link to the official VP-9 website.
• The VP Navy Website -- check out any Patrol Squadron as well as other related outfits.
• The Official U.S.Navy Website -- find the history of your outfit or ship as well as the straight skinny.*
• The Fleet Reserve Association -- FRA represents all enlisted sea service personnel - Active, Reserve, and Retired.

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