On August 24, 2012, I received a letter from Anthony Francica and the following is what he wrote:
           
“I saw your web site with the names of the veterans who graduated from Hackensack High. Great work, would like to know more.I enlisted in the Navy in March of 1967 and went on active duty in July of 1967 till 1973. I had the honor of serving on the
U.S.S. Intrepid CVA11 in 1968 to 1969 and on the U.S.S. Sunbird ASR15 (Auxiliary Submarine Rescue) with Submarine Squadron 16. 
            Thank you, looking forward to hearing from you.”
Tony Francica

On Friday August 31, 2012, I called Anthony Francica to clarify some questions I had on the information he had written.  I asked him about CVA11 and what the initials stood for in reference to the Intrepid ship.
Anthony Francica said, “Carrier Versatile Attack and the 11 at the end represented the 11th Air Craft Carrier built.”  Yes, this is the same ship which is in New York City today. It is used as a Naval Museum and learning center as of August 2012. 

Anthony Francica is very proud of his naval career. He had graduated from Hackensack High School in 1967 and was an Italian immigrant when he had enlisted into the service before graduation at the age of only 17. Then upon graduation and reaching his 18th birthday, he then began his six year naval career. 
Anthony Francica said he became an American citizen a couple years after his service in 1976. 

While serving on the Intrepid, Anthony Francica said the planes would fly bombing missions over North Vietnam and they had lost a few pilots on missions sent from the Intrepid and had suffered through a few landing accidents.

Anthony Francica received the NATIONAL DEFENSE MEDAL,
NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION, and the VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL for his service.

Click here to view photos of Anthony Francica while he was in service. 

I had asked Anthony Francica if he had played any sports while at Hackensack High School and in a second letter, he states that he had “Played three years of Varsity Soccer, received the Bergen County Coaches Award, All County, and
Hackensack High School Hall of Fame in 1973.”

Anthony Francica had reached the rank of E-5 second class Petty Officer.
            The Intrepid is a Carrier Ship of the United States Navy
with a tremendous history of service and that is the main reason it was saved from the scrap heap and used as the museum it is today in New York City.

Please click here to view the information on the Intrepid service and the museum as it is today.  

Anthony Francica is part of the staff of the Intrepid today and gives tours on the Bridge of the Ship every Wednesday as of August 2012. 

Let us never forget the Sailors Sacrifice.      

Click here to view SECRETARY OF THE NAVY COMMENDATION and USS SUNBIRD COMMENDATION

Written by:
Bob Meli
September 2, 2012