~ Guest Commentary ~ The “Cold War” Veteran

By Peter A. Napolitano, AX2 – USN

The war in Vietnam ended officially for the United States on January 27, 1973. Over the next few years, our Nation struggled with recovering from a decade long unpopular war. Our returning veterans were never properly recognized for their efforts and sacrifice. By 1977, the last thing Americans wanted to hear about was their Armed Forces. The Draft was discontinued, military funding was drastically reduced, spare parts were difficult to come by and benefits were cut for newly enlisted personnel, referred to as the All-Volunteer Military.  Pay was low and difficult to retain experienced servicemen, bringing our readiness to an all-time low. Our military was still expected to protect the United States and to honor our commitment to NATO and our allies making for a dangerous situation. The events of the late 70’s and early 80’s as well as the election of Ronald Reagan resulted in a drastic change in our readiness, but it wasn’t until 2001 that VA benefits were restored and veteran status was applied to all that served. Those of us that served between post-Vietnam and the pre-Desert Storm eras represent our All-Volunteer Armed Forces, our “sometimes” forgotten Veterans but more importantly, our Cold War Warriors.

The 1970s was a “Golden Age” for the Soviet Navy in terms of tonnage and government focus, especially it’s submarine fleet. The Soviet submarine force was a potentially significant threat to NATO’s own naval forces, including its ballistic missile submarines, and its sea lines of communications. This placed dozens of Soviet ballistic missile submarines with multiple nuclear warheads off both our coasts. For my part, I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January of 1978 and left for basic training, two days before the “Blizzard of 78”. Like most of my peers at the time, I needed to make serious changes in my life. Like my father who served in the Army at the beginning of WWII, I also wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself.

I trained as an Aviation Anti-Submarine Warfare Technician. For eight years, I was assigned to various Navel Air Stations, domestic and abroad, that launched P-3 Orion ASW Maritime patrol planes armed with torpedoes, mines, anti-ship missiles and bombs. Our squadron’s mission, to find and track Soviet Submarines and if called on during war, to destroy them and protect our cities at all costs. Our squadrons would patrol for 14 to 18 hours non-stop in all weather conditions, searching for, finding and “poking” the Russian Bear like some bizarre form of hide and seek. This was a very dangerous game. No shots were fired but the wear and tear on the nerves of our aircrews, the equipment, as well as the stakes we played for were as real as any shootout. Not all my shipmates came home. Many of us served during peacetime with the same determination in support of providing a deterrence, all to ensure the safety of our families and friends back home. America slept easy not knowing the true dangers outside our borders and that the sacrifice to our personal lives and the burdens to our families was worth the effort and part of the job. We willingly manned the wall in defense of our Nation with no thanks expected. There are many examples of the dedication and commitment of the Cold War Warrior to protect our freedoms.

In closing, service to our Nation is both a privilege and an honor. I am forever grateful to the changes I experienced in my early life. It has guided me ever since and forged me into the man I am today. The Soviet Union is gone but has been replaced by new and equally terrifying threats that seek to establish themselves in the world. We seem to be entering a new cold war period but the likelihood that it could turn into a heated exchange is influenced by our indifference to domestic and world events. Our way of life is precious to all of us and will always need to be protected. So, in closing, Americans have paid the price for others liberty and freedoms around the world. Remember all our Veterans, living and deceased on November 11^th. God Bless America and forever preserve our Democracy.