Teddy Calkins
Charter Member - Navy
| 1026182 | Teddy | Calkins | 4/15/2013 |
https://www.wyomingnews.com/milestones/teddy-calkins/article_8e76f876-0263-5779-a3e7-b359c4a57d8a.html
1923-2012
Teddy J. Calkins, 89, of Cheyenne died Nov. 30 at his home.
VFW Frontier Post 11453
Monthly Newsletter
October 2011 Edition (Vol. 2)
(Article compliments of
Comrade Trustee Rex Daniels)
Comrade Trustee Rex Daniels)
May we ALWAYS remember that serving one's
country is the ULTIMATE expression of love
for family, friends and neighbors.
Teddy Calkins was born 9 February 1923. He
enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1941. He rose to
the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class and was
rated a Hospital Corpsman. As a medic he was
the primary caregiver and often the only
medical health care professional for sailors
aboard ship.
On 7 December 1941 the Japanese bombed
Pearl Harbor. Teddy was in the harbor,
serving aboard the USS Solace (AH-5), a
hospital ship.
The Solace sent motor launches and stretcher
parties to the burning USS Arizona to evacuate
the wounded and pull men from the water
which was covered in burning oil. After several
trips to the USS Arizona and the USS Virginia,
the boat crews then went to assist the USS
Oklahoma.
In early 1942, the Solace was ordered to the
South Pacific. This assignment took him to
Guam, New Hebrides Islands, New Caledonia
and the Fiji Islands caring for fleet casualties
and men wounded in the island campaigns.
In 1943 Teddy was given advanced hospital
training and assigned to a Garrison Beach
Battalion to assist in beach landing assaults.
While aboard the LST headed to Japan for a
planned invasion, bombs were dropped on
Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The ship continued
and set up station in Sasebo. After a short time
he returned to Pearl Harbor and was assigned
to the USS PC-487, a patrol craft designed for
anti-submarine warfare, convoy escort and
coastal patrol.
In Late 1947, he was separated from active
duty, moved back to Nebraska and became a
barber.
After a couple of short years of reserve duty,
he was called back to active duty and sent to
Japan. After 18 months in Yokosuka, he was
sent to Korea to work with the U.S. Marines.
While on maneuvers, he came down with an
illness that the Navy could not properly
diagnose. Now, as a patient, he was sent to
hospitals in Japan, Hawaii, California and
finally to Great Lakes. After 13 years of service,
he was offered an Honorable Discharge for his
medical condition.
In 1953, he went back to being a barber. He
lived in Colorado (Oak Creek, Leadville and
Fort Collins) before moving to Rawlins,
Wyoming. When he learned of a barber shop
for sale in Cheyenne, he bought it and moved
his business and family to Cheyenne. Teddy
finally retired in 1985.
He is a member of the Oddfellows and a
founding life member of VFW Frontier Post
11453.
A widower after 50 years of marriage, Teddy
met his present wife, Elaine, and has been
happily married for 15 years.
South Pacific. This assignment took him to
Guam, New Hebrides Islands, New Caledonia
and the Fiji Islands caring for fleet casualties
and men wounded in the island campaigns.
In 1943 Teddy was given advanced hospital
training and assigned to a Garrison Beach
Battalion to assist in beach landing assaults.
While aboard the LST headed to Japan for a
planned invasion, bombs were dropped on
Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The ship continued
and set up station in Sasebo. After a short time
he returned to Pearl Harbor and was assigned
to the USS PC-487, a patrol craft designed for
anti-submarine warfare, convoy escort and
coastal patrol.
In Late 1947, he was separated from active
duty, moved back to Nebraska and became a
barber.
After a couple of short years of reserve duty,
he was called back to active duty and sent to
Japan. After 18 months in Yokosuka, he was
sent to Korea to work with the U.S. Marines.
While on maneuvers, he came down with an
illness that the Navy could not properly
diagnose. Now, as a patient, he was sent to
hospitals in Japan, Hawaii, California and
finally to Great Lakes. After 13 years of service,
he was offered an Honorable Discharge for his
medical condition.
In 1953, he went back to being a barber. He
lived in Colorado (Oak Creek, Leadville and
Fort Collins) before moving to Rawlins,
Wyoming. When he learned of a barber shop
for sale in Cheyenne, he bought it and moved
his business and family to Cheyenne. Teddy
finally retired in 1985.
He is a member of the Oddfellows and a
founding life member of VFW Frontier Post
11453.
A widower after 50 years of marriage, Teddy
met his present wife, Elaine, and has been
happily married for 15 years.
THANK YOU TEDDY CALKINS, FOR
YOUR SERVICE
YOUR SERVICE
