May 28th, 2006
My name is Robert D. Pigg & I was 18 when I entered the Navy. I went to Boot Camp on Jan. 15th, 1936 in Norfolk, VA. I boarded the USS SLC CA25 in May or June of 1936 in Long Beach, CA. & served 3 years & 7 months.

I left the SLC in Dec. 1939 at Honolulu as a S2c [SLC records show S1c] from the 3rd Division.

Some of the names I remembers from the SLC are Joe Wood; Alexander; Ingram; Salmon from Idaho; Rayburn from Texas & Kronberger [made Lt. Comdr. Supply Corp.]

I also served on the USS MONTPELIER CL57 during WWII from Guadalcanal to Okinawa for about 32 months. I have 13 Battle Stars. I think the top commendation was the Navy Unit Citation for the Night Sea Battle at Empress August Bay off of Bouganville.

I am also a member of the Kamikaze Survivors Association. Our first Kamikaze attack was at Leyt Gulf, Nov. 1944 and occasional attacks through Jul. 1945.

My service ended on June 30th, 1966 after 30 years, 5 months & 15 days in the Navy. I was a master chief storekeeper. Made E-8 in 1958 and Eq. in 1959. I was located in Millingdose Naval Air Base, TH when I retired.

Six weeks after I returned I was hired by the Navy Ships Store Headquarters in Brooklyn, NY. I was a field operations specialist & in about 12 months I was promoted as the Senior Field Operations Specialist. We inspected Navy Exchanges & commissary stores located in the US and over seas.

I would like to add the fact that I was recommended for Warrant Officer in July of 1944, Ensign in 1948 & Lt. jg in 1958. I failed my physical examination then I passed my written exam for E-8 & E-9 in 1958. I was to be advanced to E-8 but failed my physical. I had a talk with the Dr. and he withdrew my physical failure. In 1959 I passed my exam for E-0 and the Dr. said nothing.

I was married on Dec. 1st, 1946 to a girl from Holly Hill, SC. I was almost 30 years old. Both of us were on the staff of Rear Admiral DuBose USN. I have one daughter, Melinda.

I really liked the USS Salt Lake City.

I'll be 90 my birthday anniversary [2006]

Sincerely, Robert D. Pigg