“I had a lot of growing up to do and the Navy was the place to do it.”
Machinist Mate Third Class Edward A. Knox, USN
The United States Navy Memorial Stories of Service Program is honored to announce the February 2017 story of the month has been selected to honor the service of Machinist Mate Third Class Edward A. Knox. Machinist Mate Third Class Edward A. Knox was interviewed at the USS Harwood Association Reunion in Philadelphia Pennsylvania by the United States Navy Memorial Stories of Service Program.
Machinist Mate Third Class Edward A. Knox joined the United States Navy at the age of 17 and was sent to Great Lakes for Boot Camp. He recalled, “I had a lot of growing up to do and the Navy was the place to do it. Boot camp knocked a lot of bad out of me and knocked a lot of good into me.” Following Boot Camp, he was assigned to the USS Harwood DD 861.
Knox served on the USS Harwood from 1955 to 1959 and shared a unique perspective about destroyer life during the Cold War. He spoke fondly about the camaraderie of his shipmates and the closeness of the crew. While aboard he participated in Mediterranean Cruises, Midshipman Cruises, and interactions the Harwood had with Soviet Naval and Air Forces.
The United States Navy Memorial Stories of Service Program honors Machinist Mate Third Class Edward A. Knox, featured within this series titled, Tales from the Navy Log, Story of the Month. Each month, this series honors a Veteran’s story recorded by the Stories of Service Program at the Navy Memorial. To learn more about this story and to explore the Navy Memorial Tales from the Navy Log archive, visit the Navy Memorial Stories of Service site at http://navylog.navymemorial.org/stories-of-service
To view this interview please visit the USS Harwood DD DDE 861 Collection on the stories of service page.