Veteran Salute: Putting construction skills to use with the Navy

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Chief Petty Officer Lucky Towne served under not just one, but two branches in the military for a total of 24 1/2 of service. Abroad and at home, he brought his skillset and a can-do attitude wherever need be.

Inspired by an unlikely source, Towne joined up with the Marine Crops. in the early 1960's

“My history teacher was a Marine," Towne said," He fought on Okinawa. Us guys in the history class, we all love history. When we get on the topic of the Marine Corps. the class was over.”

As a Truck Driver, Towne transported vital supplies like food and ammo to outposts and base camps across Vietnam.  

Corporal Lucky received that nickname from surviving an incident during his second tour.

“I had machine gunners on my truck, I was six trucks back and I hit a landmine," he said. "I landed out on a rice patty, and there were several guys killed on it. I just lost my hearing for a while.”  

Even after that injury, his commitment to finishing the job stayed strong. His time in the military didn't end with his service overseas though.  

“I was down in Santa Fe working," Towne said, "and this guy comes up to me and says, 'What do you think about joining the Navy in the reserves?' So we went down there in enlistment, and the recruiter said, ‘well we’ve got to give you a test.’ Well the test was on concrete. I was pouring concrete all the time, so the test was pretty simple.” 

With an aptitude in handywork and construction already, Towne would become a Chief Petty Officer with the Navy. He's lead projects all across the country.

“I was over my men," He said, "and when we went to Bennington Georgia they had a bunch of projects. I had to make sure everyone was doing the right thing and everything. My last year, the sent me to Hawaii, and they wanted me to pour two missile pads."

Other projects the Chief oversaw included building military offices and conference rooms, putting on the finishing touches for warehouses, and roofs on buildings.

That leadership throughout his service led him to earning quite the prestigious award.   

“In 1986 they gave me Sailor of the year," Towne said. "One of the things, our Master Chief come down here from Kansas City, he told the Chief he says ‘I want the guy that’s the most busiest around here.’ They said oh, that’s Towne.” 

His nickname and skillset transitioned into his civilian life as well, he'd operate "Lucky's Construction" in Topeka for 54 years.