Kendell O'Cheal Grissett

*Kendell O’Cheal Grissett*

I Kendell O’Cheal Grissett was born 13 November 1959 in New Hanover County Wilmington N.C. But I lived forty miles away in a small community called Cerder Grove in Supply N.C. I was born to my Mother Jeanette Grissett and Father Henry Smith. But my grandparents Johnnie E. Grissett and Dessie V. Grissett raised me. I went to West Brunswick High (Trojans) where I Played Junior Varsity and Varsity Football left Halfback, Safety & cornerback & for Baseball outfield. Also played Basketball on the ships team the USS Blue Ridge, also for PSD Pearl Harbor HI, PSD Cubi Point Philippines, and VS-37 Squadron at North Island in San Diego.

While growing up my most special times I had was when I played with all the little kids around the community & cousins. Across the road from my house in a field, we would all play baseball, football and at my house or over at Andres we would play basketball. I would keep stats just like in a real game, for everything we played! about every Saturday and Sunday we would play. Priscilla Herring, I called (Lynn Swann), Myrone Grissett (Coot), Michael Grissett, Tora Herring, Mathis Herring, Victor Galloway I called the (Fullback), Darren Bryant (Red), Anthony Bryant, Carlos Hewett, Spencer Fullwood I called (Spencer Haywood), Ronnie Bryant, Carnell Bryant (Pee Wee), and Jarvis Herring even though he was so little then, he would always run out there to play.

My Family/Siblings. My most favorite Aunt in the world is Bernette Grissett Green, Laura Grissett, & Aunt Ellen Daniels. My sisters Valeria M. Grissett and Samantha A. Grissett and she has been missing since 2009 until this day. Miche Smith (Meon), Melba Terrell (Melba Moore) Brothers Kendelon Smith and Kwana Smith.

My favorite cousin Pamela Green, & Latasha Ingram, Latior Green, Henry Barnett Jr, Nephews Tarrance Murray, Leon Grissett w/fam Shanise, Nehki, Nyree & Nyla.

Well, I joined the U. S. Navy out of AFEES in Hamilton N.Y on 23 Feb 1979.

My Commands: I want to RTC Great Lakes, IL (AKA) Great Mistakes. Ha! Ha! After Boot Camp I went to my first duty station:

Reported on 29 May 1979 to 7th Fleet Staff, onboard the USS Oklahoma City (CG 5) (AKA) Okie Boat last of the Wooden deck ship’s, in Yokosuka JA, six months later went to the

USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), then: USS Fort Fisher (LSD 40) on 18 Jun1981 in San Diego CA,

USS Pigeon (ASR 21) 09 Apr 1982 in San Diego CA,

USS Sterett (CG 31) on 27 May 1983 in Subic Bay Philippines

Personnel Support Activity Detachment Cubi Pt (PSD) on 06 Jan 1985 in Cubic Pt Philippines.

Air Anti-Submarine Squadron thirty-seven (VS-37) on 28 Jan 1988, which deployed on board the USS Independence (CV 62), USS Constellation (CV 64), all at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, CA,

Personnel Support Activity Detachment Pearl Harbor HI (PSD) on 02 Jun 1991 in Hawaii.

USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) on 23 Jun 94 also Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, CA.

Transit Personnel Unit Naval Station San Diego, CA (TPU) on 12 Jul 1996.

Personnel Support Activity Detachment Balboa (PSD) 06 Sept 1996. Last was:

USS Lake Champlain (CG-57) on 20 Jan 1997 all was in San Diego CA. Then I Retired on 28 Feb 1999 on board my last ship.

I am married to my wife Eleanor L. Grissett. I have two biological children, daughter Julieanne Clopino Grissett, (Princess), from a prior marriage, Son Kendell O’Cheal Grissett Jr. (KG2), for this marriage, plus 5 stepchildren. Jennlyn Clopino Ortiz. (Pumpkin) from a prior marriage, Leny Lubiano Estabillo, (Lot), Karren Lubiano Caparas, Mishiel Lubiano Estabillo, (Nikki), Oliver Lubiano Estabillo, (Coy). Other Grands, Mika Caparas, Kaelyn Caparas (Kay Kay), Phoenix Ortiz who just arrived.

For all who was present for this day, April 27, 2019.

Mr. Neil O’Connell – MC. Thank you for so much for what you did. when you mentioned my sea service, I never thought of it. It also said to me wow that was a lot of time at sea.

Mrs. Eleanor L. Grissett – Wife

Mr. Richard L. Arino Jr. – Grandson also who gave a great speech*****

Ms. Leny L. Estabillo - Daughter

Ms. Dianne L. Estabillo – Granddaughter

Mr. John L. Estabillo – Grandson

Ms. Trixy L. Estabillo – Granddaughter

Ms. Mharishiel L. Estabillo – Granddaughter

Mr. Mharvine L. Maglaya - Grandson

Mrs. Jennlyn C. Ortiz - Daughter

Mr. Carter Grey Ortiz – Grandson

Mrs. Marianne Hill – Friend

Mr. Jerry Hill – Friend and Coworker

Mr. Thomas W. McInerney – Friend and Coworker

Mr. Derric P. Melbourne – Friend

Mrs. Mary Jane Morales – Friend

Special Thanks To, Director of Operations Ms. Denise Larkins & Administrator Mr. Martin Gallegos for helping me a long on this educational trip. Ms. Rebecca Evleth who is handing the posting part onto the Mt. Soledad site that it is done correctly.

To the Quilts of Valor Foundation Awards Coordinators Ms. Kay Lettington & Ms. Ann Rehbein for the beautiful Quit.

To Ms. Wendi S. Lee Border Patrol Agent San Diego Sector for her support, guidance, and input on documenting my educational trip.

Bless you all for all that you do and have done and for your support for me and all the people that came before and the ones after me. Thank You all so very much for what you do.

Education: Cedar Grove Elementary School, Supply NC – 1966-1968, PS-56 School, Brooklyn, NY – 1969 – 2 Mos, 6 Days, Union Elementary School, Shallotte NC – 1969-1971

IS-33 School, Brooklyn, NY – 1972 – 9 Mos. Shallotte Middle School, Shallotte NC – 1972 – 1973, West Brunswick High School, Shallotte NC – 1974 – 1978.

Favorite# 7, AKA’s, Big O, Little Bit, Airgris and O’Shield.