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Around the world and back again
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Neighbors | Submitted.Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Richard Cole (left) with Walter Zyvith two years ago in Dallas, Texas. Cole was the co-pilot for Jimmy Doolittle in the Tokyo Raid.
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Neighbors | Submitted.Kruger Atkinson (left), Russ Jacobs and Walter Zyvith aboard the USS Enterprise in 1969. Jacobs introduced Zyvith to the Tokyo Raiders more than four years ago.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Boardman resident Walter Zyvith spent 20 in the United States Navy before his retirement in 1980. He was only 17 when he enlisted.
By SHAIYLA HAKEEM
Twice across the equator, navigating the Arctic circle and landing in Boardman, Ohio, was the route Walter Zyvith took back to his native state.
“In 1966, I made it all the way around the world,” he said.
Zyvith is a graduate of Youngstown East High School and grew up on the East side of Youngstown. Enlisting May 26, 1960, a 17-year-old Zyvith wanted to explore opportunities outside of the then, infamous steel city Youngstown.
“Living in Youngstown, it didn’t seem like a promising career working in the steel mill. It was not for me,” he said. Having a godfather who fought in WWII as a sailor inspired Zyvith to look toward a career in the military. He says that upon enlisting, he knew that it would more than likely suffice for his life career.
“My godfather was in the Navy for WWII and I guess always wanted to be in the Navy from when I was a little guy,” he said.
Zyvith traveled to locations such as Hong Kong, Kenya, Australia and Iceland to name a few. He also spent a lot of time with naval fleets.
“Compared to a lot of other guys, I probably didn’t have much terror, but I did have some terror on the [USS] Enterprise in 1969,” Zyvith said.
The day was Jan. 14, 1969. The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise was docked at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Due to the accidental detonation of a rocket, explosions erupted aboard the craft.
“Bombs were going off and about 26 people were killed in that conflagration. I didn’t like it much,” he said.
Zyvith, in 1980, retired from the Navy as a Senior Chief Petty Officer. For the past several years, he has been following the remaining members of the Tokyo Raiders. The raiders, originally totaling 80 men, took part in the Tokyo Raid of 1942.
He has recently returned from a Tokyo Raiders reunion at the Dayton Air Force Museum where he met with the remaining Raiders. Since his interest in the Raiders, he has become close friends with Jimmy Doolittle’s co-pilot, retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Richard Cole.
“He’s 94 years old and just as sharp as can be,” he said.
Zyvith currently resides in Boardman in the ranch style home of his dreams. He says he does miss the Navy, but is happy to be back with loved ones.
“I miss the people, but I don’t miss the separation from family and friends.” Zyvith said.