Member Spotlight: September 2026

Mick Boll:

I’ve been a member of the Becker American Legion for 18 years. I have served as Adjutant, the Membership Director and for the past 10 years or more I have been the Gaming Treasurer. I am also a charter member of the Becker Sons of the American Legion. As an SAL member, I have been the Adjutant and Membership Director.

A short bit of info about my Naval service:

I joined the Navy Reserves in November of 1965 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I later transferred to Minneapolis Naval Air Base. In March of 1967 I received orders to report to Treasure Island Naval Base, San Francisco for active duty. I was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany CVA34.My job on the ship was yeoman for the three divisions of Boatswian Mates. The yeoman is the same as a company clerk.

The most tragic event that I witnessed firsthand was the USS Forrestal fire. On July29th, 1967 the Oriskany and Forrestal were running side by side, about to start flight operations. When, due to an electrical malfunction, a missile fired across the deck and into an aircraft loaded with bombs which exploded and started the fire. 134 sailors died because of the fire and 161 more were injured. It was one of the most tragic days in US Naval history.

In February 1968 we returned to San Francisco Naval shipyard for repairs. I was released from active duty in October 1968, after serving 18 months.

I’ve been a member of the Becker American Legion for 18 years. I have served as Adjutant, the Membership Director and for the past 10 years or more I have been the Gaming Treasurer. I am also a charter member of the Becker Sons of the American Legion. As an SAL member, I have been the Adjutant and Membership Director.