Rocky Spacco

Freedom Foundation Award, 1956

Rocky was born in the house on cottage street. He grew up during the depression and earned money delivering papers and shining shoes. When the war broke out he tried to join the service, but was told he was under weight. He was instructed to eat bananas and drink milk. When that didn't work he obtained a civil service job and spent a year in Hawaii rebuilding Pearl Harbor. Towards the end of the war he was able to enter the Navy by volunteering to take a draftees place.

Rocky and Olivia meet at a USO dance in Corpus Christi, Texas. She was working as a telephone operator and he was in the Navy, waiting to be assigned to a ship for sea duty. Rocky went to sea and wrote Olivia often about his love for her. When he was discharged from the Navy he traveled to San Antonio to marry Olivia who was staying with her grandmother. They were married in the court house on December 17, 1946. She was working as a bookkeeper; he was a clerk and office worker.

Circumstances led Rocky to re-enlist in the Navy. In 1952 he was shipped off to Korea. In Korea he came down with hepatitis and was sent to Japan to recover. While in Japan his family was able to join him. After Japan he was transferred to the USS Curtis and his family moved back to the states.

After sea duty the family was stationed in Fort Monroe, Virginia. After this tour they were transferred to the territory of Hawaii. They were in Hawaii for its statehood celebration.

The Navy's duty cycle required Rocky to take another tour at sea in 1962. He was transferred to the USS Vega. His final duty was at the Bainbridge Naval Training Center in Maryland. He retired as a Chief Petty Officer after 20 years of service. A house was built in Havre de Grace, Maryland where he and Olivia still live today. After his first retirement he went to work for the government, holding a civil service job. He is now fully retired and enjoys playing card, bowling and gardening. He also writes poetry for friends and family on special occasions.

Olivia - grandson Jesse - Rocky

Rocky and Olivia currently live in Havre de Grace Maryland Rocky can be reach via e-mail: RFSpacco@aol.com

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