I don’t know if this was a result of training, or just experience, but Dad became a boilerman and got a certificate to prove it.

(Seal of the United States Department of the Navy)

To all who shall see these presents, greeting:
Know Ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the fidelity and abilities of
Elvin Manuel Patrick, I do appoint him Boilerman Third Class in the

United States Navy

to rank as such from the sixteenth day of October nineteen hundred and fifty one.

This appointee will therefore carefully and diligently discharge the duties of the grade to which appointed by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto pertaining. And I do strictly charge and require all personnel of lesser grade to render obedience to appropriate orders. And this appointee is to observe and follow such orders and directions as may be given from time to time by superiors acting according to the rules and articles governing the discipline of the

 Armed Forces of the United States of America

Given under my hand at USS Roanoke CL 145, this sixteenth, day of October, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and Fifty One.

/sig/ J. W. Florence, Commander, USN, Executive Officer