Construction Electrician 2nd Class John Lebens, US Navy Seabees, was born in 1945 eight days after his US Navy Seabee father, Carpenters Mate 2nd Class Mel Lebens was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division on Okinawa in preparation for the invasion of Japan. John grew up in Shakopee, MN and graduated from De La Salle high school in Minneapolis MN, Class of 1963. He attended the University of Minnesota and dropped out after the spring quarter in 1965. In August of that year he was drafted by the US Army but opted out to join the US Navy in September under the 120 day delay program.
Upon graduation from basic training at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, CA, as a Constructionman Apprentice, he was assigned to Construction Electrician “A” School in Port Hueneme CA (pronounced Y Nee Mee), Graduating “A”school with a Special Award Honor Certificate, he was assigned to Public Works, Lake Mead Base, and Las Vegas Nevada. After completing a one year tour of shore duty and advancing to Constructionman, he went on to Military Training at Port Hueneme CA and advanced in rate to Construction Electrician 3rd Class. His last tour of then, sea duty, was with Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 302, Cam Ranh Bay Vietnam. Arriving in Vietnam in December 1967 he remained in Cam Ranh Bay until February of 1968 when he along with 16 other Seabees were detailed to Dong Tam on the Mekong River which was the main base for Task Force 117, the Mobile Riverine Force. It was the first time since the Civil War that the Army and the Navy worked together. Their combined objective was to take control of Mekong Delta waterways. The Seabees at Dong Tam maintained the Navy side of the base, and when John left there in December 1968, he had advanced in rate to Construction Electrician 2nd Class. Returning to Cam Ranh Bay in January of 1969 he then went on to Seattle WA for Separation. John was Honorably Discharged from his six-year commitment in September 1971.
His decorations include the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with silver campaign star, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, RVN Gallantry Cross, RVN Civic Action Medal.
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