11/18/2025
We're so grateful to Bob Sample, Navy veteran, and ALL veterans for their service to the country! Read more about Bob's experience in the following interview:
How did you decide to go into the Navy?
Bob’s answer will surprise you! “I didn’t want to lay in a fox hole,” he replied! Before entering the military Bob took “normal training” in order to teach school in the country. He taught 1st-4th graders for a year. As a pathway to enrolling in the navy, he went to Hastings, then was sent to Grand Island to board a train headed to San Diego for boot camp. Bob was selected to oversee his company when the sergeant wasn’t there. He had the responsibility of marching the group to breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Did your company have a cadence for marching?
Oh, yeah. It went like this: “I had a girl when I left here, right, left, right, left….”
What’s a fond memory from your days in the military?
Bob explained how he met some close friends in the navy. To this day they still talk on the phone. Bob was stationed in Chincoteague VA and his friend (Dick) lived in NJ. On weekends Bob would visit and his friend’s dad gave him a job on the weekends. Jacksonville, Florida also held many good memories for Bob.
Can you tell me about your training and your job?
“After boot camp, I was at a class A school in Memphis, TN then was transferred to a squadron in Florida. Then after a year, I was transferred to an aircraft carrier. Our carrier completed a goodwill tour of Europe. We saw everything!” Lisbon, Portugal and Naples, Italy were two destinations Bob visited.
“My job was Aviation Metal Smith, 2nd class. I worked on the hydraulics of the airplanes on my aircraft carrier. The name of our carrier was the Coral Sea CVA-43. Sixteen airplanes were kept on our carrier and 3,000 men lived on it.”
Wow! How did they feed 3,000 men every day on that carrier?
“They had a BIG kitchen!”
Do you have any difficult memories from your time in the Navy?
“No. I was glad to go into the Navy, and I was glad when I got out.” Bob related how he never got into any trouble, so he didn’t have any bad memories. Mr. Sample had an affinity for keeping his nose clean, so to speak. In fact, Bob received a ribbon for good conduct for his 4 years in the service. Additionally, he received a ribbon for national defense. With a generous spirit, Bob’s uniform was donated to the Omaha Community Theatre.
Who was commander in chief while you served?
President Harry Truman.
Did you have any family members who served in the military?
“Yes,” he replied. Bob went on to tell how his dad was drafted into the army at the start of WW2. The World War was a motivator for a lot of people to enlist to defend against our national enemies. The biggest motivator for Bob and his friends was the draft, however. Enlisting meant you could choose when to begin your service. “The draft would have caused you to go to Korea 100%,” Bob continued. “Everyone of my friends in high school joined the military after high school.”
We are grateful to Bob and others like him who gave of themselves to ensure protection for our country! His service promoted freedom for all of us at home as well as abroad. Today Outreach takes a moment to honor Bob’s efforts and we give thanks to have the opportunity to serve him and his family. Well done, Bob!
