James Shepherd served as a gunner's mate in the Navy from 1970-1973. Shepherd is currently the American Legion Post No. 54 commander and the Sons of the American Legion commander.
James Shepherd, 64, of Saratoga joined the U.S. Navy in 1970. Born in Grants Pass, Oregon and having lived in Klamath Falls, the first major shock to his system he dealt with was traveling to Orlando, Florida for boot camp.
"I was from Oregon, this temperate place, and they sent me to Orlando where it's hot all the time." After boot, he went to Naval Station Great Lakes for gunnery school. On the north side of Chicago, Great Lakes' heat is not quite as stifling as that of Central Florida.
Shepherd joined the Navy in 1970 and stayed in the service until 1973. He was a GMG-3, or Gunner's Ma...
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