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Arthur Geackel

Arthur Geackel Story

Arthur is a graduate of Lindenhurst High School class of 1963 where he majored in wood shop. He married his high school sweetheart Carole Louise Treharne on 22 May 1963.
He enlisted in the United States Navy under the “Kiddie Cruise” program on 26 July 1963. The program was available to high school graduates under 18 years old with an obligation to serve until their 21st birthday. Instead of a four year enlistment one could theoretically serve as little as three years. He completed four weeks of Basic Military Training at Naval Station Great Lakes, North Chicago, Illinois.
He proceeded on to Class “A” RM School as a Telegraphic-Typewriter Operator (Radioman) from 16 December 1963 – 17 April 1964. There he was trained on the use of the teletypewriter to send and receive encrypted typed messages through various communications channels. He was trained in various encryption methods to include Morse code.
After completion of his training Arthur was assigned to the FAU COMNAVAIRLANT, NAS, Norfolk, Virginia where he sent and received numerous top secret messages in direct support of the Vietnam War and day to day military operations. Eventually, he was assigned to the Crypto department which required a clearance above top secret.
During his tour at Norfolk Arthur became the father of two sons, Christopher Marc and Sean Charles.
Arthur was honorably discharged from the United States Navy on 29 August 1966 as an RM3 (E-4) earning the National Defense Service Medal. He and his family settled in Copiague, New York working for Russell Plastics Technology Company in Lindenhurst where he manufactured high performance plastics for the aerospace, defense and medical markets.
Arthur moved on to serve a career in the United States Postal Service for 30+ years. During his postal career he served in various positions and earned numerous Letters of Appreciation and postal accolades.
Along with his sons he had two daughters Tracy Ann and Catherine Mary. He also has six grandchildren Olivia Rose, Isabella Rose, Samuel Elijah, Eli Aaron, Sophia Rose and Sarah Ann. Arthur and his wife Carole are both retired and living in Mastic, NY.