Gardner, William E.

Born in North Carolina with a fishing pole in one hand and a shotgun in the other. Graduated from North Carolina State College in 1963 with a degree in mechanical engineering, and immediately volunteered for the U.S. Navy/Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI. Commissioned as ensign in February 1964, and served two and one half years in the Civil Engineering Corp. Attended BUD/S Class 38 in August 1966. Served as Platoon Commander and Operations Officer in Underwater Demolition Team 22, Platoon Commander (deployed to Vietnam) in Seal Team 2, and Executive Officer of Underwater Demolition Tea...