Stephen D. Sumrall FTG3

Steve Sumrall onboard his boat in 1967 and in September 2005

I began my Navy career as a Naval Reservist in May of 66’. After graduating “A” school as a Fire

Control Technician (FTGSN) I received orders to serve on PBR’s. I Trained with Lt. Charles Witt at

Mare Island for boat training and in the Philippines for jungle training. We were both assigned to

serve in My Tho, Vietnam mid. Feb. 67’. Lt. Witt became Commanding Officer of River Patrol

Section 531 and I was assigned as gunners mate to the 131 Boat of Riv. Pat. Sec. 532. I remained on

the 131 boat for the duration of my year in country. Mortality hit me between the eyes when Lt. Witt was

killed eight weeks later. I completed 226 patrols was under fire 19 times and earned the

Navy Achievement Medal with Combat “V”.

I completed my active duty TTY on the Light Missile Cruiser Oklahoma City and then on DD 782

USS Rowan in San Diego, CA. May 68’ as a FTG3.

The two years of service to this country were memorable to say the least.

My 34 year civilian career as a Mechanical Engineer includes companies in California and Washington

with the last being the Boeing Company. I returned to college for a degree in Civil Engineering and have

now retired from the Engineering firm CESNW Inc.