A SPECIAL SECTION OF
FALL ISSUE 2013
Robert Horton shares experiences of serving in Navy, Air Force By AMY HANSEN
OST news editor ahansen@osceolaiowa.com
As a veteran of the United States Navy and Air Force, Robert “Bob” Horton, 83, has quite a few stories to tell about his life experiences. However, Horton’s story begins in Osceola, where he was born and raised. Horton graduated from high school in 1948, and joined the Navy when he was 17, but had to wait until he was 18 to be sworn in. After Horton completed basic training, there was no position available in the Naval Aviation Cadets for six to 10 months. Horton chose the other option of going into
the Navy’s radio-operator school. He also signed up for submarine duty for extra money. “I had a chance to take a tour on a submarine, and that didn’t really appeal to me,” Horton said. “I couldn’t even walk standing up.” For a period of time, Horton was stationed on a Navy destroyer in California. After being discharged from the Navy, he returned to the family farm in Osceola. Air Force While on the family farm, Horton said he decided he “didn’t want to be a nursemaid to hogs and cows.” That’s when he decided Please see HORTON, Page 2