Melvin E. Waterman A Veteran's Story

Melvin E. Waterman was born December 24, 1945 in Stronghurst, Illinois. He is one of ten children. Of the six boys, he is the only one to have served in the U. S. Navy. Two brothers, however, have served in the U. S. Army.

Waterman's father and grandfather, while being extremely patriotic, were unable to serve during war time due to having such large families. His grandfather had 16 children.

Upon graduation from high school in Media, Illinois in 1964, Waterman and a high school friend, Donald Pendry enlisted in the U. S. Navy Reserves in the "buddy system". When their basic training was finis...