- Petty Officer Third Class Thomas A. Tramantano
In June of 2008, the United States Navy Memorial film crew had the honor to interview Thomas A. Tramantano, the President of the USS America Carrier Veterans Association, as well as a number of USS America Veterans, to archive their storie
s. Their reunion marked a historic announcement as well. A distinguished guest at the reunion’s banquet, the Secretary of the United States Navy, announced the building of a new ship to be named America. In October of 2014 the USS America LHA 6 was commissioned and in recognition of this historic event, the President of the USS America Carrier Veterans Association and the men of the USS America are being honored as the October Story of the Month.
The evening before the announcement of the USS America LHA 6, Petty Officer Third Class Thomas A. Tramantano recalled his service and memories aboard the USS America CVA 66. Looking back at his naval service Tramantano recounted, “Graduated high school at 17 years old in New York City. I, as well as any other young man at that time, realized that we would be drafted by the time we were 19 and a half…I had grown up on the water and I guess you could say it was in my veins and I decided to go into the Navy.” After attending boot camp at Great Lakes, Tramantano was sent to the Navy photo center in Washington D.C. and was rated as a lithographer. Tramantano remarked, “I was given the opportunity to start selecting my choices for my next duty station. Wanting to be a printer I put in for a large ship so my first choice was 
a carrier…found out I received orders... for the America…April 10, 1968 we set out for Vietnam, it was the first half of an around the world cruise…Life on board the ship was great for me…At the time, going on board at 19 years old after one line period in Vietnam, the average age on board the ship went to about 45. It matured you real quick.”
When recalling his fondest memory, he paused and thought for a moment about his experience aboard the USS America. His thoughts went directly to his shipmates and brothers, “My fondest memory on board the ship...I would have to say just the camaraderie between the people that… worked together. It’s always amazed me after all these years how you can take strangers and put them in a situation and there is an instant form of teamwork and bonding.”
To hear the story of Petty Officer Third Class Thomas A. Tramantano come alive, view his detailed experience that has been digitally archived by the Navy Memorial. The United States Navy Memorial honors Petty Officer Third Class Thomas A. Tramantano, 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.