LCDR Bob Prinselaar,USCG(ret) Home Page
Prior to entering the U.S. Navy in 1948,I had already traveled widely.Born in Panuco,Mexico,1929,my family moved to Holland in 1935,where I had to learn to speak Dutch,and become accustomed to Dutch ways.In 1938 I came to the States with my two sisters,and again had to learn a new language and new ways.I somehow lost my fluency in Spanish,but have retained fluency in the Dutch language.
As a young man I was fascinated by two things,horses,and sailing ships.I broke my own wild Mustang when I was 12,and then started working at various ranches whenever I was not attending school.I also managed to get a job as "Ordinary Seaman" on a 106 ft. Gaff rigged schooner,and started learning the trade of being a sailor.In January of 1948 I graduated from Hopland Union High School making my parents both heave a sigh of relief,and the following month I entered the Navy,going to San Diego for Boot training.
Although I was sent to submarine school in New London, Connecticut,which I wanted very much,I never received my qualification pin,because I was washed out because of my eyes,which were not 20-20.In 1948,that was a requirement. So I was transferred to the surface fleet,which started my career as a Boatswains Mate.
In my nine years in the Navy,I served on the following ships;USS Nueces APB-40, USS Watts DD-567, USS YOG-32, USS Gilbert Islands CVE-107, USS Midway CVA-41,and the USS Platte AO-24.I have literally seen most of the world, even making one round the world cruise on the Midway.
After leaving the Navy I went to college on the G.I. Bill, and managed to get my diploma in aeronautical Engineering.I then went to work in the civilian world.There was something missing however,and in 1967,after talking to both the Navy and the Coast Guard I became a U.S. Coast Guard Reservist with the rate of Boatswains Mate First class.One year later I became a Chief Boatswains Mate,something I have been immensely proud of to this day.Five years later I was given a direct commission to Lieutenant jg,and after that worked my way to Lieutenant Commander,which I retired as.
I am a veteran of the War in Korea 52-53,and have also participated in actions in the Formosa Straits,and further south.
Regardless of what I was able to accomplish in this life,I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my wife Corrie,who has been my Rock of Gibraltar,and the one person who I could always rely on to be there when I needed that support.If I have made her happy,then I can consider myself truly successful.
