"These Feet Don't Back Up!"

The sun comes up pretty early down in Southern Louisiana, but not before the hardworking souls that toil away over the lands to produce the nourishment required to live. You get used to the heat, the humidity, and even the insects, but you never get used to pains of hunger, especially when it is pain felt by those of your own family.

Fred Gill Jr. was born on October 19, 1923, just outside of Kentwood, Louisiana. Even before the Great Depression, life in the rural South was tough. Fred recalls, "If you didn't have a farm and work, you didn't eat." As a kid growing up, there wasn't much time to contemplate the problems outside his own. His entire world was his family and friends of that small country town.

Patriotism in rural America has always been strong. When the radio announced the attack on Pearl Harbor, Fred, just like every other red-blooded American was ready to answer the call, but leaving at that time would have put unbearable strain on the family. His father needed his help to feed his younger siblings. His mother was very ill. Fred's war was much closer to home.

The urge to serve our country was strong. After his mother's passing, and life started to stabilize at home, he was ready.

In late 1942, Fred made his way about 90 miles south to New Orleans where he ended up at the door of the Merchant Marine recruiter. He joined, and was assigned as a mess cook aboard a hospital ship. His ship was tasked with transporting our nation's wounded from front line locations back to the relative safety of more established hospitals. Fred's ship completed missions of mercy in both of the war's theaters; twice transporting wounded out of Casablanca, and after transiting the Panama Canal, many more points in the Pacific. Fred became a well-traveled Sailor who each day after the evening meal would help the nurses with their patients.

After victory was secured by the Allies, the need for a massive wartime Merchant Marine fleet was no longer necessary. The United States reduced the number of contracts, and suddenly many Merchant Seaman, just like those in the Armed Forces, were on their way back home.

The idea to join the Navy was first posed by Fred's brother, John. John was younger than Fred by a few years, and when he asked his older brother to go with him to New Orleans, Fred agreed.

As Fred and John walked into the Navy Recruiting Station, Fred immediately recognized the Sailor behind the desk. It was a friend from his hometown; they attended grade school together. He knew the sacrifices Fred had to make in his youth for his family, and he knew about his honorable service to his country as a Merchant Marine.

It was during the initial process of enlistment that John was found to be ineligible. Both brothers were understandably upset. Knowing they came in with the intent on serving together, his friend and recruiter took Fred aside and said, "Fred, you don't have to go through with this." Fred responded while pointing down at his feet proclaiming, "These feet don't back up!"

In August 1946, Fred arrived at the Navy's boot-camp in San Diego and after graduation was assigned to the Naval Construction Battalion Center at Port Hueneme, California. He would start his training to become a Machinist Mate (Construction Battalion - Equipment Operators).

Soon after completing school at Port Hueneme, ironically, Fred's first deployment with his construction battalion took him back to Morocco. To a small city on the coast just north of Casablanca named Port Lyautey (now known as Kenitra). Their assignment was to build the airfield for what would become a major United States Naval Air Station.

After his battalion's mission was completed in Morocco, Fred had the opportunity to deploy all over the world and he experienced many diverse cultures, and in 1965, Fred forward deployed with Mobile Construction Battalion Five to Vietnam. Based out of the city of Da Nang, he worked with rock crushing equipment. The crushed rocks were used to develop roads that were used by the allied troops to help the war effort.

In 1966, after a 20 year career full of adventure, he retired as an Equipment Operator First Class Petty Officer. Fred and his family moved to the small Navy town of Millington, Tennessee.

After arriving in Millington, Fred joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars North Shelby Post 7175 where he continues his lifelong pursuit of service to things greater than himself.

Our country continues to be strong and free only because men like Fred don't back up.

Update: It is with a heavy heart that I must report that Fred has passed away while at home with his wife by his side at 2208 CST, November 4, 2014. My he rest in peace.

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