Ed Wrona
Surgeon - Navy
I joined the Navy Reserve in April 1970 while still in school at Rio Hondo in Whittier, CA. My basic training was from July 1970 to September 1970 in San Diego, CA. During my reserve training I was taking classes related to security issues, with the anticipation of going into a security billet for long term service in the Navy. However, before going active, the investigation for a top secret clearance found that I had relatives in Poland. At that time it was a communist country so I could not proceed as planned. I went active duty on 5 May 1971 at the Long Beach Naval Station, then on 15 May 1971 was assigned to the guided missile cruiser USS Oklahoma City (CLG-5), flagship for the Seventh Fleet, home ported in Yokuska, Japan. I served as a Ship's Serviceman for two years onboard the Okie City, during which time we did three combat tours of Vietnam. The Oklahoma City, the guided missile frigate USS Sterett and destroyers USS Lloyd Thomas and USS Higbee were involved in the Battle of Dong Hoi, the first time U.S. warships faced an air raid since the end of WWII. The attack crippled the Higbee's 5 inch gun turret, impaired its steering and propulsion, and wounded 4 sailors on deck. The Oklahoma City sustained minor damage on its stern. The Oklahoma City received a Meritorious Unit Commendation in June 1972. I left the Oklahoma City on 31 March 1973 and was assigned to Naval Station Long Beach. I was discharged on 3 May 1973 as a Ship's Serviceman 3rd class. I was honorably discharged from the Naval Reserve on April 27, 1976. I married my wife Dianne on 8 April 1972 while on leave from the Oklahoma City and we have 3 children.
