- Name: David Wayne Hietala
- Location of Birth: Thief River Falls, Minnesota
- Date of Birth: February 6, 1966
- Date of Death: Still kickin'
- Parents: Harvey and Esther Hietala
- High School and Class: GED
- College:
- Highest Rank: SKC (Storekeeper Chief Petty Officer) - SKC/E-7
- Branch: Navy
- Other Branch:
- Date Sworn In: March 27, 1984
- Place Sworn In: Military Entrance Processing Station, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date of Discharge: September 30, 2007
- Place of Discharge: Naval Sub Base Bangor, Bremerton, Washington
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Units and Locations:
Start Date End Date Unit(s) and Location(s) Served March, 1984 June, 1984 Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois June, 1984 August, 1984 Naval Submarine School, Groton, Connecticut August, 1984 June, 1986 USS Alexander Hamilton, SSBN-617 (Gold) Submarine Ballistic Missile Nuclear Powered June, 1986 November, 1989 USS Florida, SSBN-728 (Gold) Submarine Ballistic Missile Nuclear Powered November, 1989 January, 1993 Strategic Weapons Facility, Pacific January, 1993 July, 1994 USS POGY, SSN-647 Submarine Nuclear Powered July, 1994 January, 1995 Commander, Submarine Group 9, Bremerton, Washington January, 1995 July, 1995 Submarine Squadron Seventeen, Bremerton, Washington July, 1995 September, 2001 USS Georgia, SSBN-729 Submarine Ballistic Missile Nuclear Powered September, 2001 September, 2004 Priority Material Office, Pacific, Bremerton, Washington September, 2004 September, 2007 USS Henry M Jackson, SSBN-730 (Blue) Submarine Ballistic Missile Nuclear Powered - Military Awards:
Submarine Dolphins Combat Pin
Navy Commendation Medal (2)
Navy Achievement Medal (5)
National Defense Medal
Expert Pistol Medal
Good Conduct Medal (6)
Sharpshooter Rifle Medal
Sea Service Ribbon
Strategic Deterrent Patrol Pin (19 patrols) - Military Highlights:
I entered the Navy shortly after my 18th birthday. Realizing I enjoyed the discipline instilled in me, I knew this would be my career.
I served on five different submarines during my 24-year career including four strategic deterrent platform ships (SSBN) and one fast attack (SSN). My career encompassed nineteen (19) strategic deterrent patrols and one (1) Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployment.
I retired in September of 2007, knowing that my brothers and sisters will continue our defense and we are in good hands.
"Fair Winds and Following Seas" - Wars Involved:
Gulf War/Global War on Terrorism - MIA / POW:
- Civilian Life:
I continue to support the Navy as a Department of Defense civilian employee providing logistics support to strategic weapons facility, Pacific, Bremerton, Washington--one of only two strategic programs stock points in the country. - Tribal Affiliation(s):