U.S. Navy Boot Camp Yearbook 1965 – Company 348 (The Anchor, San Diego)
Front Cover, Roster and Photos for Recruit Company 348 for 1965, United States Naval Training Center, San Diego, California. Company Commander: BTC W. T. Tanner. 74 Men Graduated. | GGA Image ID # 235abc3014
📖 Review & Summary
The 1965 U.S. Navy Boot Camp Yearbook, Company 348, “The Anchor” (San Diego), is a remarkable record of 74 young men who trained under the leadership of BTC W. T. Tanner (Company Commander) and LT H. W. Zimmerman (Battalion Commander). Published during the early stages of the Vietnam War buildup, this yearbook offers a clear snapshot of the Cold War Navy’s emphasis on discipline, efficiency, and esprit de corps.
For teachers and students, this document provides insight into the Navy’s training culture in the mid-1960s, highlighting both tradition and preparation for future conflicts.
Genealogists gain access to an important primary source—full rosters, complete with names and hometowns—that helps trace family naval service.
For historians, the inclusion of awards such as the American Spirit Honor Medal demonstrates the Navy’s continued focus on leadership and patriotism during a period of heightened global tension.
Veterans and their families will find pride and nostalgia in these pages, which document both the ordinary and outstanding members of Company 348.
Company 65 -348 Leadership
- Company Commander: BTC W. T. Tanner
- Battalion Commander: LT. H. W. Zimmerman, USN
Company 65 -348 Recruit Roster
Company 65-348 Recruits, Page 1 (BTC W. T. Tanner, LT H. W. Zimmerman, RCPO Dan L. Bailey, Honorman R. P Rodian, Jr. and Recruits (Allsop-Brahler)
- Dan L. Bailey
Recruit Chief Petty Officer - R. P. Rodian, Jr.
Honorman - E. A. Allsopp, Jr.
Chula Vista, CA - M. J. Anderson, Jr.
Las Vegas, NV - V. W. Bagwell
Dixon, CA - T. H. Barnes II
El Cajon, CA - Roger M. Barron
Norwalk, CA - Victor K. Been
Redlands, CA - T. L. Benavides
Los Angeles, CA - R. G. Brahier
Stockton, CA
Company 65-348 Recruits, Page 2 (Bridges-Emans)
- R. L. Bridges
Los Gatos, CA - Ronald W. Brown
Redlands, CA - R. G. Burgess
Whittier, CA - R. L. Burkhart
Van Nuys, CA - A. H. Caughey
Walla Walla, WA - R. C. Calvert
Oxnard, CA - George T. Cape
El Monte, CA - John P. Castle
Arleta, CA - M. L. Chappell
Dallas, CA - Richard D. Childs
Fresno, CA - S. L. Christophel
Glen Ellen, CA - Danny L. Clanton
Springfield, IL - D. E. Corcoran
Mitchell, SD - R. E. Corderman, Jr.
Boulder City, NV - Ronald J. Cormier
Los Angeles, CA - Gary W. Coshow
Fontana, CA - R. G. Currell
Atherton, CA - Ernest E. Earby
Sepulveda, CA - S. T. Elliott
Lompoc, CA - Robert E. Emans
Santa Susana, CA
Company 65-348 Recruits, Page 3 (Fairbairn-MacFarlane)
- R. E. Fairbairn, Jr.
Standish, CA - K. P. Fielding
N. Hollywood, CA - Wayne E. Frost
Encino, CA - James E. Fryer
Antioch, CA - Dennis E. Haas
San Rafael, CA - Richard A. Hagee
Albuquerque, NM - P. F. Heggemeier
Los Angeles, CA - L. C. Hernandez
Vidal, CA - R. C. Hernandez
Vidal, CA - E. W. Honermann
Adrion Bay, MN - M. M. Hoffard
Mentone, CA - William E. Jahn
Organe, CA - D. P. Johannessen
Compton, CA - V. C. Kesweder
Hawthorne, CA - Garnet J. Keyes
Salt Lake, UT - D. V. Leemhuis
Casselwood, SD - Jon M. Lennox
Sepulveda, CA - Lionel M. Lowe
Felton, CA - James M. Massey
Tucumcari, NM - L. MacFarlane
Oroville, CA
Company 65-348 Recruits, Page 4 (Mosley-Wallin)
- Milford E. Mosley
Sepulveda, CA - William L. Neeley
Saugus, CA - Milton H. Newell
Hacienda, CA - Eddie H. Nelson
Santa Susana, CA - C. F. Newcomb
Oxnard, CA - J. L. Noerenberg
Rushmore, MN - Patrick D. Park
Van Nuys, CA - William E. Ray
Fresno, CA - B. M. Redmond
Pico Rivera, CA - J. D. Schlenske
Great Falls, MT - C. L. Scott, Jr.
Norwalk, CA - Howell W. Scott
Saratoga, CA - James A. Smith
Chico, CA - Michael A. Snare
Long Beach, CA - R. L. Stinchcomb
Torrance, CA - R. A. Stokley
Reno, NV - T. G. Stricklin
Kansas City, KS - J. E. Testerman
Clearlake Oaks, CA - Jerry L. Turley
Tucumcari, NM - Edward L. Wallin
Kimball, NE
Company 65-348 Recruits, Page 5 (Werner-Woodworth)
- Kurt M. Werner
Palo Alto, CA - Thomas W. White
El Cajon, CA - Charles R. Wilson
Ridgecrest, CA - B. R. Woodworth
Whittier, CA
Navy Boot Camp Recruit Photos - Company 65-348
Company 65-348 Recruits, Page 1 (BTC W. T. Tanner, LT H. W. Zimmerman, RCPO Dan L. Bailey, Honorman R. P Rodian, Jr. and Recruits (Allsop-Brahler). | GGA Image ID # 235b00394d. Click to View a Larger Image.
Company 65-348 Recruits, Page 2 (Bridges-Emans). | GGA Image ID # 235b49c034. Click to View a Larger Image.
Company 65-348 Recruits, Page 3 (Fairbairn-MacFarlane). | GGA Image ID # 235b75014a. Click to View a Larger Image.
Company 65-348 Recruits, Page 4 (Mosley-Wallin). | GGA Image ID # 235b94b9e4. Click to View a Larger Image.
Company 65-348 Recruits, Page 5 (Werner-Woodworth) Plus 12 Scenes From Bag Inspection. | GGA Image ID # 235babc820. Click to View a Larger Image.
Company 65-348 Honors and Awards. | GGA Image ID # 235bc794b4. Click to View a Larger Image.
Captions for GGA Image ID # 235bc794b4
Top Row, Right: R. P. Rodian, Jr. - Honorman
Middle Row, Left: T. W. White - Academic Award
Middle Row, Center: T. L. Benavides - Outstanding Recruit
Middle Row, Right: T. G. Stricklin - Outstanding Recruit
Bottom Row, Left: Capt. Lockwood Presents Brigade Award.
Bottom Row, Center: American Spirit Honor Medal Being Presented to Thomas G. Stricklin by Capt. Lockwood.
Bottom Row, Right: Capt. Lockwood Congratulates Co, Commander W. T. Tanner, BTC as Battalion Commander LT. H. W. Zimmerman Looks On.
🌟 Noteworthy Images
1. Front Cover (GGA Image ID 235abc3014) – The defining visual identity of Company 348, symbolizing unity and pride.
2. Recruit Photo Pages (GGA Image IDs 235b00394d – 235babc820) – Individual portraits paired with names and hometowns, a vital genealogical tool.
3. Honors and Awards (GGA Image ID 235bc794b4) – Showcases the recognition of excellence within the company: Honorman, Academic Award, Outstanding Recruits, and the presentation of the American Spirit Honor Medal.
4. Scenes from Bag Inspection (part of Recruit Page 5, GGA Image ID 235babc820) – Provides a rare candid glimpse of daily boot camp life, making the book more relatable for modern audiences.
👥 Notable Individuals
Dan L. Bailey (RCPO) – Served as Recruit Chief Petty Officer, the highest recruit leadership role, responsible for company discipline and cohesion.
R. P. Rodian Jr. (Honorman) – Recognized for overall excellence among his peers.
T. W. White (Academic Award) – Demonstrated scholastic achievement in training, a reminder that intellectual skills were valued alongside physical discipline.
T. L. Benavides (Outstanding Recruit) – Chosen for exceptional qualities of leadership and performance.
T. G. Stricklin (Outstanding Recruit & American Spirit Honor Medal) – Distinguished himself as both an outstanding recruit and recipient of one of the Navy’s most prestigious boot camp awards for patriotism and leadership.
(Note: Many men in this company likely went on to serve in the Vietnam War, and some possibly had naval careers spanning decades. The awards noted here suggest future Navy leaders and dedicated servicemen.)
📘 Key to Officer, NCO, or Enlisted Ranks
LT – Lieutenant (O-3, junior commissioned officer rank).
USN – United States Navy.
BTC – Boiler Technician Chief (E-7, senior enlisted technical expert and leader).
RCPO – Recruit Chief Petty Officer (highest recruit position during training).
Honorman – Top-performing recruit of the company.
📖 Dictionary of Terms & Abbreviations
The Anchor – Title of the San Diego Naval Training Center boot camp yearbook.
American Spirit Honor Medal – A prestigious award recognizing a recruit for exceptional patriotism, leadership, and dedication; awarded to only one recruit per graduating company.
Academic Award – Presented to the recruit with the highest scholastic achievement.
Outstanding Recruit – Recognition for recruits who demonstrate superior performance and leadership potential.
Bag Inspection – A traditional inspection where recruits’ sea bags are examined for proper contents and orderliness.
🎓 Educational Relevance
Teachers & Students – Offers a case study of military training during the Cold War and Vietnam War buildup.
Genealogists – Provides detailed rosters with names and hometowns for tracing family military history.
Historians – Documents mid-1960s Navy training practices, awards, and leadership structures.
Veterans & Families – Preserves the memory of recruits and their achievements during a pivotal time in U.S. Navy history.
Cite this Page
Researchers, students, and genealogists may use the following formats when citing this page:
- Chicago Style (17th ed.):
Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives. 1965 U.S. Navy Boot Camp Yearbook | Company 348 “The Anchor” – San Diego. U.S. Naval Training Center, San Diego, California. Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.ggarchives.com/Military/NavyArchives/USNTC/SanDiego-TheAnchor/1965-Company-348-Yearbook.html. - APA Style (7th ed.):
Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives. (1965). 1965 U.S. Navy Boot Camp Yearbook | Company 348 “The Anchor” – San Diego. U.S. Naval Training Center, San Diego, California. Retrieved September 17, 2025, from https://www.ggarchives.com/Military/NavyArchives/USNTC/SanDiego-TheAnchor/1965-Company-348-Yearbook.html - MLA Style (9th ed.):
Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives. 1965 U.S. Navy Boot Camp Yearbook | Company 348 “The Anchor” – San Diego. U.S. Naval Training Center, San Diego, California, 1965. GG Archives. Web. 17 Sept. 2025. <https://www.ggarchives.com/Military/NavyArchives/USNTC/SanDiego-TheAnchor/1965-Company-348-Yearbook.html>.
Classroom Use (Simplified Citation):
Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives. 1965 U.S. Navy Boot Camp Yearbook | Company 348 “The Anchor” – San Diego. GG Archives.
Images contributed by Mr. Robert Burkhart
