January 2024 – Bill Sexton
U.S. Navy, Vietnam 1965-1985
Bill Sexton was born 20 April 1946 in Providence, Rhode Island and graduated from Bramwell High School in Bramwell, West Virginia (WV). He began his Navy career on 28 September 1965 and completed bootcamp on 20 December – just in time for Christmas. Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 12 onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Norfolk, Virginia (VA) was his first permanent duty station. Shortly after arrival, he received orders to Aviation Electronics Technician (AT) A” School at Naval Air Technical Training Center onboard NAS Memphis in Millington, Tennessee (TN). After checking in, he found that his school had been changed to Aviation Machinists Mate – Jet (ADJ).
In December 1966, he graduated as a jet engine mechanic and accepted orders to Training Squadron (VT) 22. With the new year and new duty station came new challenges that Bill met head-on. He quickly met his ratings qualifications and soon qualified as Plane Captain. Thanks to his hard work and dedication, he was selected as Plane Captain of the Month. In 1967 he enthusiastically reenlisted for advanced training at ADJ “B” School after which he was assigned to Attack Squadron (VA) 56 onboard NAS Lemoore, California.
Bill deployed to Vietnam onboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61) from 1968 to 1970. He worked long hard hours
to ensure the safety of those who flew in the planes for which he was responsible. As Division Leading Petty Officer (LPO), he certified rebuilt jet engines. He quickly qualified as a flight deck troubleshooter and was promoted to Petty Officer First Class (E-6) in March 1970. Shortly afterwards, he was endorsed by his peers and the Chief Petty Officers for the USS Ranger Sailor of the Month
In 1971 he returned to Vietnam onboard USS Midway (CVA-41). He again displayed exceptional leadership. He excelled as power plant supervisor and as the LPO for the flight deck troubleshooters. He assisted with loading ordnance onto the planes. He was selected for instructor duty and returned to NAS Memphis where he helped design the training syllabus for aircraft engines on Navy training, attack, and fighter aircraft.
In 1976 he again deployed onboard USS Coral Sea (CV-43) – this time to the Western Pacific. On 16 September 1977, he proudly donned the uniform of Chief Petty Officer. He was assigned to recruiting duty in 1979, earning the recruiter “Gold Wreath” for excellence. His follow-on assignment was onboard USS Guam (LPH-9) during operations in Beirut, Lebanon. There he collaborated with the Marines to maintain their helicopters.
Bill received numerous awards for his service to our country. Among those awards are the Aviation Warfare Specialist breast insignia, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, five Navy Good Conduct Medals, five Navy Expeditionary Medals, National Defense Service Medal, two Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals, Navy Recruiting Medal w/Gold Wreath, Humanitarian Service Medal, three Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, and Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation.
After retirement from the Navy on 30 April 1985, he attended the University of Southern Mississippi, majoring in Business Administration. Though he enjoyed his schooling, family came first; so, he left college to better support his growing family. His civilian employment included shop supervisor for a local Chevrolet dealership. He eventually set his sights on the railroad where he qualified as an engineer with Norfolk Southern Railway. He retired after 21 years.
He is active as a Cub Scout leader and was a volunteer with the football and basketball programs at Athens High School in Athens, WV. He was a lay speaker for seven years with the Flat Creek Methodist Church in Shelbyville, TN. He moved to Covington is 2020 and is currently a member of Tabernacle Methodist Church. He is a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Bill was nominated for Veteran of the Month by Robin Wallace, the May 2021 Veteran of the Month.