TBS 2-67 Cruisebook_Updated_7Jan23

Christopher P. Jameson
Nickname: Chris
My Life Before Attending TBS: I was born In Long
Beach, Ca. the youngest of two children. We lived about
two blocks from the beach and we spent a good deal of
time there. My father worked for Douglas Aircraft Co.
and my mother was a stay at home mom. We moved to
Walnut Creek in northern California in late 1948 when
my father got a new job opportunity. It was a great
place to live as a kid because I could roam the hills,
orchards, and creeks and have a good time with my
friends. My father changed jobs and we moved to
Castro Valley, Ca. I got my first job outside the home at
age nine as a paperboy for the Oakland Tribune. I also
played sports in school. In late 1955, my father was
promoted and we moved to Dallas, Texas. In Dallas, got
another job throwing papers for the Dallas Morning
News as well as washing cars and mowing lawns to
make money. I attended Thomas Jefferson High
School . While in school, I ran cross country, ran track,
and worked on the school newspaper as a sports
writer. During this time, my father was laid off from
his job and my mother went to work as an
administrative assistant to help support the family. My
sister was in nursing school in Dallas. My parents
thought it would be a good idea if I went into the
service to get my enlistment out of the way.
One of my paper customers was a retired BG in Marine
aviation by the name of Max Volcansek who suggested
to my parents that I go in the Marine Corps. I didn't
know much about them other than what was in some
Second Platoon
books and what I had heard from General Volcansek. I
joined the Marine Corps on a 120 day delay program so
I could finish high school and graduate in June, 1960. I
attended boot camp at the MCRD in San Diego, Ca as a
member of platoon 250. Upon completion of boot camp
and ITR at Camp Pendleton, I was assigned to A-1-11,
an artillery battery, as a radio operator. During the
time I was a member of the battery, we made live fire
exercises at 29 Palms, Ca and landings from ships off
shore at Pendleton. I knew I wanted to go to college
and I had mentioned it to our battery education officer.
I had mentioned trying to get an NROTC scholarship
and he said he would keep it in mind. A few weeks later
just as we were getting ready for a 20 mile hike, he
asked me if I wanted to take the test for NAPS as
practice for the NROTC exam. I wasn't sure I wanted to
go to NAPS, but he said it could be considered practice
for the NROTC test and I would miss the hike. I chose
the test. While at the Division Prep School, I met Bill
McBride. We both passed the exam and ended up at
NAPS in Bainbridge, Md. While at NAPS, I met Helmuts
Feifs, Jack Richards, Sam Marrone, Guy Pete, Bill
Cowan, Ron Hartnett, and others. We were accepted
into the class of 1966. During my time at Navy, I got to
sail on the square rigged ship, USCG Eagle with Bill
McBride during youngster summer, be a member of
the plebe detail during second class summer, run
company cross country, be a member of the Foreign
Affairs Club, be the Company Commander of the 16th
Company, and graduate with a BS degree with a social
science major. After graduation, I served on the plebe
detail as a Marine Officer with Bill McBride and
Helmuts Feifs who were my roommates.
2‐55