February 2022 – Meldron Dave “Bill’ Worthy
U.S. Navy; Vietnam 1960-1987

Meldron Dave (Bill) Worthy was born and raised in Warren, Texas. After graduating from high school, he convinced his father to sign the paperwork to allow him to join the Navy on January 13, 1960 – his seventeenth birthday.

Bill’s Navy adventure began in Beaumont, Texas, and ended just over 27 years later when he retired from Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) in Millington, Tennessee. During that time, he served onboard thirteen ships, at three duty stations in the continental U.S. and one overseas duty station in addition to completing two tours in Vietnam.
Following bootcamp in San Diego, California, his duty stations included USS JOHN A BOLE (DD-755); USS TORTUGA (LSD-26); Electrician’s Mate (EM) “A” school in 1962; USS NORTHAMPTON (CLC-1/CC-1); divers’ school in Bangor, Washington in 1964; Reserve Fleet in Bremerton, Washington; EM “B” School in Great Lakes, Illinois; Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician School in Indian Head, Maryland; two tours in Vietnam; USS SPRINGFIELD (CLG-7); USS DAMATO (DD-871); USS CORRY (DD-817); USS YELLOWSTONE (AD-41); USS TICONDEROGA (CG-47); USS PROTEUS (AS-19); USS TIDEWATER (AD-31); instructor school then instructor duty at Great Lakes, Illinois; USS SUSTAIN (AFDM-7) in Norfolk, Virginia; diplomacy school then a tour of duty in Saudi Arabia; and finally NATTC Millington.

For his service to our country, Bill was awarded two Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, six Good Conduct Medals, Navy Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Ribbon, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam (RVN) Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, RVN Civil Action Ribbon, Navy Expert Rifle Medal, and Navy Expert Pistol Medal.
Following his military service, Bill worked for various employers including Mueller Brass, Grace Chemical, Walmart, and the Boll Weevil Project. He is happily married to the former Sue McPherson.

Senior Chief Worthy was nominated for Veteran of the Month by his brother-in-law, Chuck Raggo, the January 2018 Veteran of the Month.