Arenson Connection
While attending a gathering at Betty and Frank Arenson’s Valencia home last October, I was introduced to Roy Hermann and it was there that we discussed current events, community dynamics and his U.S. Navy service.

We finally followed up to discuss this veterans page over coffee at Mickey D’s on Soledad Canyon Road.

Automatic Patriot
Roy R. Hermann was born on one of America’s most infamous days, Dec. 7, 1941.

Hermann grew up in La Crescenta, California graduating from Glendale High School on June 19, 1959 and at age 17 he joined the U.S. Navy the very next month.

He was infatuated with military service since he was five years old because his father was a World War II Army Veteran and his uncle perished near Darwin, Australia when his Navy ship was bombed by Japanese aircraft. Hermann has his uncle’s Purple Heart.

Hermann proudly reported on July 13, 1959 for 10 weeks of boot camp at San Diego’s Naval Training Center.

Following a short leave of absence back home, he reported for 14 weeks of Interior Communication Electrician School.

Next, Hermann was assigned to Naval Station Treasure Island at San Francisco’s bay in January 1960.

“Upon arrival at my new barracks I was promptly ordered to the mess hall for 13 hours of pastry baking all the while wearing my dress blue uniform,” said Hermann.

USS Yorktown
In March 1960, Hermann flew out of Travis Air Force Base aboard a Lockheed Constellation (Connie) to Pearl Harbor for refueling on his way to Yokosuka, Japan.

Roy R. Hermann USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier

Before departing Hawaii, Hermann was rather baffled when he was issued a .45 caliber pistol becoming an armed courier with a briefcase handcuffed to his wrist.

Next stop was Wake Island for refueling, and then to Tagawa before arriving via a 90 minute bus ride to Yokosuka Naval Base where he released his mysterious briefcase to a Marine Sergeant.

At age 18, Hermann was in awe with his early experiences, but after he was bussed to the USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier in March 1960 arriving at 3 a.m., he stood in astonishment.

“As I stood alone in dark shadows on that dock, I was staggered with Yorktown’s massive size. It was clearly the largest thing I had ever seen,” said Hermann.

He noted that the USS Yorktown is six days older than him and after earning 12 World War II battle stars and five Vietnam War battle stars, it now serves as a museum in Charleston, South Carolina.

Atomic Veteran
Hermann served aboard the USS Yorktown for his entire remaining Navy service. He was responsible for maintaining the ship’s navigation equipment including charting tables, speed indicator, gyro compasses, etc.

Yorktown’s primary duty, with a fleet of 17 support ships, was anti-submarine warfare patrolling all over the Pacific. The ship made ports of call at Pearl Harbor, Okinawa, Subic Bay, Manila and Singapore among others.

Roy R. Hermann at Right Subic Bay

Hermann’s most memorable mission happened in May 1962 following the Soviet Union’s October 1961 callous violation of our nuclear testing moratorium.

Cold war tensions were accelerating when the United States responded with several nuclear blasts with Roy’s USS Yorktown anti-submarine force in support.

It was not announced publicly so Yorktown’s Combat Information Center and aircraft scoured the area to ward off unauthorized ships and aircraft.

“When that nuclear blast went off on May 11, 1962 we experienced two huge, noisy and unnerving shock waves providing quite a wild ride for a while,” said Hermann.

Honorable Discharge

Roy R. Hermann Medals

Prior to Hermann’s discharge, the Cuban Missile crises erupted and his service was extended for one year. However, President John F. Kennedy invoked his blockade strategy around Cuba and the Russians backed down, thus ending that crisis.

Hermann was honorably discharged Dec. 4, 1962 and immediately returned home. Three days later, he landed a job for several months with Libra-Scope Company as a mechanical equipment assembler.

He recalls working among numerous World War II Veterans including a number who were handicapped from horrific war wounds.

Next, Hermann went to Bobrick Washroom Company that dabbled with the defense industry until he pursued his college education at Glendale College.

One year later, IBM hired him as an office machine mechanic and after 30 years he retired at age 52.

But Hermann wasn’t about to waste time, so he attended a local picture framing school and soon opened his own business, which he still operates.

Extraordinary Love Story
In October 1963, Hermann was a part time gas station attendant in La Crescenta when a stunningly beautiful young woman named Suzanne Ensch pulled in for a fill up.

Roy R. Hermann & Suzy Wedding

As he dawdled filling her gas tank, checking her tires, washing her windshield, checking the engine oil, and all the while gawking at her, he doggedly asked for her phone number.

Soon, they met several times for coffee and then Hermann , who was love-struck and wanting to impress her, asked her out to see “How the West Was Won” at Hollywood’s Cinerama Dome.

Afterwards, they grabbed a bite to eat and Hermann, who was thoroughly smitten, abruptly proposed marriage. When she said yes, he didn’t waste any time.

Right then and there on Jan. 26, 1964, they went to Las Vegas and after purchasing a $10 marriage license at City Hall they were married for another $16.

Their son Eric was born May 8, 1968 and then along came their daughter Christine on Dec. 13, 1969.

Hermann and Suzanne moved to Canyon Country in August 1968.

Over the Years
Hermann handled office machine repairs and picture framing for Cal Arts. He also finished his AA Degree in Real Estate at College of the Canyons and he’s become quite an aficionado studying numerous naval warfare books. Hermann owns over 900 books.

His wife Suzanne became a Sunday school teacher 42 years ago at Church of the Canyons and these days they enjoy their family and church activities along with traveling.

Thank you Roy for your excellent service to our country.

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