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John Altfeltis - Member since 1998
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John Altfeltis was born in Detroit, Michigan in January of 1946 but at the age of seven, his family move to Phoenix, Arizona because John had some health related problems due to the cold, damp weather in Detroit. The DRY Arizona climate was the perfect healing solution for John and he would no longer suffered from any health issues.
John joined the Naval Reserves at the age of 17 in January of 1963, between his junior & senior year of high school and attended Boot Camp on Coronado Island that same summer. Upon reporting for active duty in June of 1964, John was given what the Navy calls a “DREAM SHEET,” asking him what type of ships that he would like to serve on and John wrote, “Destroyer, Destroyer, Destroyer.”
John reported aboard the USS Morton, DD-948 in June of 1964, home-ported at 32nd Street Naval Base, San Diego and was immediately assigned to 1st Division (Deck Force) but became interested in visual signaling and would soon transfer from 1st Division into OC Division, striking for the rate of Signalman.
As a Signalman striker, John’s first taste of his new job was very demanding. As they left for a six month Westpac cruise, the USS Morton had been selected as screen commander for eight, US Navy Destroyers and one large Cruiser. All messages and maneuvering were done by flashing light, flag hoists and semaphore. John would go on to attend Signalman A School where he finished first in his class.
Shortly after the USS Morton arrived at Subic Bay Naval Base, she and the USS Edwards relieved the USS Maddox and USS Turner Joy, who had just been attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin. The USS Morton and USS Edwards resume Desoto Patrols in the Tonkin Gulf and came under attack by North Vietnamese gunboats the second night of patrol.
During the Vietnam War, John would go on to serve on two other US Navy Destroyers, the USS Porterfield, DD-682 and the USS Agerholm, DD-826. Both of these ships would do tours off the coast of Vietnam, conducting round-the-clock, Naval Gun Fire Support (N.G.F.S.) and Plane-Guard duty behind US Navy Carriers.
While aboard the USS Agerholm, stationed in the Gulf of Tonkin, John received orders to the USS New Jersey, BB-62, the only Battleship to serve during the Vietnam War. John attended Pre-Commissioning School for the BIG J in San Diego and then flew to Philadelphia to report aboard this MASSIVE Battlewagon. After her 3rd Re-Commissioning ceremony, the USS New Jersey would transit through the Panama Canal and arrive at her new homeport, Long Beach, California. It was during this time that John would marry his precious wife of 48 years, Joyce Lorraine Wilson but their time together would be very short lived. They were married in June of 1968 and the USS New Jersey was on the gun-line, off the coast of Vietnam in early September of 1968.
John mentioned that as a retired Navy man, he will always miss going to sea. Earlier this year John and Joyce vacationed in San Diego and they took the full harbor cruise. As they were heading outbound toward Point Loma, his heart began to race and his thoughts immediately returned to the days of his youth, stationed on ships-of-war, made of steel and heading into harm’s way. He didn’t want the tour boat to turn back but sadly, it did. Oh the days of our youth and the brave men we had the HONOR to sail and serve with, will always be a part of his most precious, inner memories. GO NAVY!
John joined the Naval Reserves at the age of 17 in January of 1963, between his junior & senior year of high school and attended Boot Camp on Coronado Island that same summer. Upon reporting for active duty in June of 1964, John was given what the Navy calls a “DREAM SHEET,” asking him what type of ships that he would like to serve on and John wrote, “Destroyer, Destroyer, Destroyer.”
John reported aboard the USS Morton, DD-948 in June of 1964, home-ported at 32nd Street Naval Base, San Diego and was immediately assigned to 1st Division (Deck Force) but became interested in visual signaling and would soon transfer from 1st Division into OC Division, striking for the rate of Signalman.
As a Signalman striker, John’s first taste of his new job was very demanding. As they left for a six month Westpac cruise, the USS Morton had been selected as screen commander for eight, US Navy Destroyers and one large Cruiser. All messages and maneuvering were done by flashing light, flag hoists and semaphore. John would go on to attend Signalman A School where he finished first in his class.
Shortly after the USS Morton arrived at Subic Bay Naval Base, she and the USS Edwards relieved the USS Maddox and USS Turner Joy, who had just been attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin. The USS Morton and USS Edwards resume Desoto Patrols in the Tonkin Gulf and came under attack by North Vietnamese gunboats the second night of patrol.
During the Vietnam War, John would go on to serve on two other US Navy Destroyers, the USS Porterfield, DD-682 and the USS Agerholm, DD-826. Both of these ships would do tours off the coast of Vietnam, conducting round-the-clock, Naval Gun Fire Support (N.G.F.S.) and Plane-Guard duty behind US Navy Carriers.
While aboard the USS Agerholm, stationed in the Gulf of Tonkin, John received orders to the USS New Jersey, BB-62, the only Battleship to serve during the Vietnam War. John attended Pre-Commissioning School for the BIG J in San Diego and then flew to Philadelphia to report aboard this MASSIVE Battlewagon. After her 3rd Re-Commissioning ceremony, the USS New Jersey would transit through the Panama Canal and arrive at her new homeport, Long Beach, California. It was during this time that John would marry his precious wife of 48 years, Joyce Lorraine Wilson but their time together would be very short lived. They were married in June of 1968 and the USS New Jersey was on the gun-line, off the coast of Vietnam in early September of 1968.
John mentioned that as a retired Navy man, he will always miss going to sea. Earlier this year John and Joyce vacationed in San Diego and they took the full harbor cruise. As they were heading outbound toward Point Loma, his heart began to race and his thoughts immediately returned to the days of his youth, stationed on ships-of-war, made of steel and heading into harm’s way. He didn’t want the tour boat to turn back but sadly, it did. Oh the days of our youth and the brave men we had the HONOR to sail and serve with, will always be a part of his most precious, inner memories. GO NAVY!
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Chapter Appreciation of John Altfeltis
On April 18, 2020 Stan Paprocki, Terry Ritenour, Steve Newton and Linda Ferguson presented John Altfeltis with a Plaque of Appreciation for the outstanding years of service being our Chaplain. John was also presented the Quilt of Valor from the Quilts of Valor Foundation by Steve Newton.