NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Herbert Putnam served his country in the Navy as a seaman from 1952 to 1956, separating from the service as a fireman, first class. 

 

At 92 years old, he has a fabulous memory and a wonderful personality. 

 

He grew up in Clarksburg, graduated from Drury High School, and did his basic training at Naval Training Center Bainbridge at Port Deposit, Md., in 1952.

 

"It was like going to high school, meeting a lot of different people," he remembered.

 

Seaman 3rd Class Putnam would be assigned to the USS Fessenden, docked in Rhode Island, and graduated from communications electricians school at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois. 

 

"I spent my whole career in the hole taking care of the compass," he said.

 

Was he ever afraid? 

 

"Got really scared one night. We hit extremely rough water — high waves, wind — our seaman first class even got nervous and that really woke us young guys up," he said. "None of us had ever been on the water. Our job was to relieve our sister ship then go out on patrol. We always hit rough water in Cape Hatteras (of North Carolina.)" 

 

How were the holidays? 

 

"Didn't think of it. I had assignments and a routine so it was just another day for us. We always had pretty good food, fresh food, everyone wanted to be friends with the cook," he recalled. 

 

Entertainment? "No, we didn't have any entertainment. Only thing we had was movies which was better than nothing. I also palled around with a guy named Smitty. I didn't have any mentors," he said.

 

He shared this story. "My father had died and I received permission to go home. They strung a line from another ship so I could go onboard — all of a sudden the line went limp and I went in," he chuckled. "And boy that water was cold!"

 

"I had three older brothers that tried to get into the Navy and flunked the exam, then I come along, the youngest, and I get in. It gave me a little bit of satisfaction" he recalled, smiling. 

 

He spoke of the crew's camaraderie. "We were a happy crew. Everyone got along well. At

times we had a little problem with the first class seamen but it all worked out in the end."

 

His thoughts on service to his country and being a veteran? 

 

"It felt good, still does. I was no hero. I did my time and served my country," Putnam said. "I feel sorry for those that didn't serve or didn't get in. Serving really served me well — it made me grow up. I'm very proud of my service time."

 

Seaman Herb Putnam, thank you for your service to our great country.

 

Wayne Soares is the host of the popular new veterans cooking show, "The Mess Hall" that airs Saturdays on NBC's NECN at 9:30 a.m. He also entertains our troops around the globe and is the host and producer of the Vietnam veterans documentary "Silent Dignity – The Chapter That Never Ends." He can be reached at waynesoares1@gmail.com.