This is an ex-Navy, old fart thing. I have a large collection of ball
caps ... mostly sports related or car related. I wanted to get a cap
representing each of the four Navy vessels that I was either assigned to
or spent any time at sea on during the 9 years I was on active duty.
Finally was able to get all four of them.

Left to right:

USS Pickerel (SS 524)

This sub was built late in WWII but not commissioned until 1949. It was
featured in the 1950's TV series, "Silent Service". At the beginning of
the show it could be seen breaching the surface at a steep angle in an
emergency assent. I only spent one day aboard it but made two dives and
a similar emergency assent. Was awarded "honorary" submariner
certificate and dolphins by the Captain. Great experience. Here's a
link to the old "Silent Service" show:


USS Lester (DE 1022) and USS Van Voorhis (DE 1028)

Most of my sea time was aboard these two destroyer escorts, a total of
about 2 and a half years. Logged lots of nautical miles under their
hulls while on them.


USS Surprise (PG 97)

Spent about two months (TAD duty) on this small patrol gunboat. This
class of Navy gunboats were originally designed for Vietnam coastal
patrols and was the newest of the vessels I was on, being commissioned
in 1969. It had two diesels for operating at slow speeds (14 kts) and a
gas turbine for high speed (over 40 kts).

Anyway, here are the hats:

https://tinyurl.com/knkbj2x

and here's a link to a YouTube video of the old "Silent Service" show:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1nESHgqAnY