Warrior
Tony Palm enlisted in the United States Navy in December 1974 while high school senior and reported for Recruit Training at RTC Great Lakes, IL in September 1975.
He reported to his first ship, USS Kalamazoo AOR-6 (a Wichita-class replenishment oiler) in April 1976. While attached to the Kalamazoo Palm changed his rating (MOS) to Signalman and deploymented to the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic. Additionally, he responded to a request for volunteers and spent nearly 4 months TAD onboard the USS Francis Marion APA-249 (a Paul Revere-class attack transport) on a joint NATO exercise in the North Atlantic.
Upon completion of his initial tour of duty, then a Signalman Second Class (E-5), he re-enlisted and reported to his hometown of Johnstown, PA in 1979 as a Navy Recruiter where he earned his first Gold Wreath for recruiting excellence.
Returning to sea duty in September 1981 on the USS Elliot DD-967 (a Spruance-class destroyer) he earned the Surface Warfare Specialist designator, qualified as a ship’s Conning Officer, and was promoted to the rank of Signalman First Class (E-6). While attached, the Elliot deployed to the Western Pacific for 7 months.
In 1985, Palm requested and was accepted to Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center (NDSTC), San Diego and began training April. He was dis-enrolled from the program due to “A lack of analytical ability” (according to his service record) in the 3rd week of training and was reassigned to the USS Acadia (AD-42) (a Yellowstone-class destroyer tender).
While attached to the Acadia, he responded again to a call for volunteers and on two separate occasions, spent a total of 5 months TAD onboard the USS Berkeley (DDG-15) (a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer). After completing his 5-year sea duty rotation, he reported to Fleet Combat Training Center Pacific for what was initially a 3-year shore duty rotation, but requested and was again accepted to Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center (NDSTC), Panama City, FL.
He graduated in September 1987 and was assigned to the USS Dixon AS-37 (an L.Y. Spear-class submarine tender) as a member of the famed Dixon Diving Locker where he preformed duties as an underwater mechanic and salvor. While attached to the Dixon, he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer.
Palm reported to NRD Washington DC later merged with NRD Philadelphia for his final tour of duty in 1992 as the Recruiter in Charge of NRS Lexington Park and in 1993 NRS Salisbury, MD. He earned an additional 4 Gold Wreaths for recruiting excellence and retired from active duty in October 1995.
His awards and decorations include the Navy Achievement Medal (3 Gold Stars), Good Conduct Medal (5 Bronze Stars), Humanitarian Service Medal, National Defense Medal, and various service and unit awards.
Tony is an avid sea kayaker and this past year completed his quest to cross the Chesapeake Bay. He often commutes to his office by bike and is now in training to complete the 184-mile Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Tow Path during a 3.5 day biking/camping adventure. He makes his home in Northern Virginia.
He reported to his first ship, USS Kalamazoo AOR-6 (a Wichita-class replenishment oiler) in April 1976. While attached to the Kalamazoo Palm changed his rating (MOS) to Signalman and deploymented to the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic. Additionally, he responded to a request for volunteers and spent nearly 4 months TAD onboard the USS Francis Marion APA-249 (a Paul Revere-class attack transport) on a joint NATO exercise in the North Atlantic.
Upon completion of his initial tour of duty, then a Signalman Second Class (E-5), he re-enlisted and reported to his hometown of Johnstown, PA in 1979 as a Navy Recruiter where he earned his first Gold Wreath for recruiting excellence.
Returning to sea duty in September 1981 on the USS Elliot DD-967 (a Spruance-class destroyer) he earned the Surface Warfare Specialist designator, qualified as a ship’s Conning Officer, and was promoted to the rank of Signalman First Class (E-6). While attached, the Elliot deployed to the Western Pacific for 7 months.
In 1985, Palm requested and was accepted to Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center (NDSTC), San Diego and began training April. He was dis-enrolled from the program due to “A lack of analytical ability” (according to his service record) in the 3rd week of training and was reassigned to the USS Acadia (AD-42) (a Yellowstone-class destroyer tender).
While attached to the Acadia, he responded again to a call for volunteers and on two separate occasions, spent a total of 5 months TAD onboard the USS Berkeley (DDG-15) (a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer). After completing his 5-year sea duty rotation, he reported to Fleet Combat Training Center Pacific for what was initially a 3-year shore duty rotation, but requested and was again accepted to Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center (NDSTC), Panama City, FL.
He graduated in September 1987 and was assigned to the USS Dixon AS-37 (an L.Y. Spear-class submarine tender) as a member of the famed Dixon Diving Locker where he preformed duties as an underwater mechanic and salvor. While attached to the Dixon, he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer.
Palm reported to NRD Washington DC later merged with NRD Philadelphia for his final tour of duty in 1992 as the Recruiter in Charge of NRS Lexington Park and in 1993 NRS Salisbury, MD. He earned an additional 4 Gold Wreaths for recruiting excellence and retired from active duty in October 1995.
His awards and decorations include the Navy Achievement Medal (3 Gold Stars), Good Conduct Medal (5 Bronze Stars), Humanitarian Service Medal, National Defense Medal, and various service and unit awards.
Tony is an avid sea kayaker and this past year completed his quest to cross the Chesapeake Bay. He often commutes to his office by bike and is now in training to complete the 184-mile Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Tow Path during a 3.5 day biking/camping adventure. He makes his home in Northern Virginia.