By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach
INDIAN OCEAN - A native of Joliet, Illinois, serves aboard USS Hershel "Woody" Williams, an expeditionary sea base ship, currently conducting maritime operations off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa.
Seaman Samuel Martyka is a Joliet Catholic Academy graduate. Today, Martyka is serving as a boatswain's mate.
"I'm responsible for every day maintenance, to high risk evolutions, to putting the RHIB, a rigid hull inflatable boat, in the water," said Martyka. "I would describe it as a hard working and very rewarding job. I have always been one to work hard and once the job is done, look back on how it all looks and the accomplishes of not just myself, but my team. There is no "I" in the Navy, just a lot of hard working people striving to make their lives better and the people they serve around the world."
"I'm stationed on board the newest ships in the U.S. fleet, and we represent a Medal of Honor recipient," added Martyka. "Being able to carry on the fighting mindset and being peacekeepers for places that are not able to it for themselves, is very humbling to myself. The people I have the privilege to work with is great, from air department, combat systems department or supply, I know that they will have my back without a doubt. My department the is deck department, and we are a family who sweats and grinds through any obstacle that is places in front of us. There is no department like deck. We lead they way."
Martyka joined the Navy over two years ago to be part of the one percent who protect and serve the U.S.
"I wanted to see places that no one else my age has seen," said Martyka. "To be tested and trusted with situations you would not find most people being in during a normal day back home. I have a long family history of serving in the Navy, and i knew that was the branch that was calling me. I love where I am and the things I do every day, I regret nothing. Im thankful everyday to be here and do the work we do."
According to Martyka, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Joliet.
"Growing up in Joliet taught me a lot," said Martyka. "I went out and was able to get a job with a local company, the Dutch Barn Landscaping. The owners, Courtney Shilds and James Repka, taught me how to work hard and take pride in the work you do. Also, the high school that I attended Joliet Catholic Academy was a family. From the day i walked through the door freshman year to graduation day senior year, I knew everyone was looking out for my best intentions. Even the neighborhood I grew up in the cathedral area made me strong, neighbors knew me and I knew them, it's a safe community."
"The most valued thing I have learned is nothing is out of reach in the Navy," added Martyka. "The Navy will pay for school. It will send you to schools for your job. It will give you every ability it can to see you grow and becoming a leader. The leadership here is something that you will never be able to recreate. Its all about what you put into it, effort is everything. The Navy wants everyone to succeed, helping your shipmates is just like helping neighbors back home."
USS Hershel "Woody" Williams, homeported in Souda Bay, Greece, is named in honor of Chief Warrant Officer Hershel "Woody" Williams, a Marine who earned the Medal of Honor in the Battle of Iwo Jima, during WWII.
Williams is an expeditionary sea base (ESB) ship that provides the U.S. a forward deployed naval presence in Africa, as well as increased naval power through Navy and Marine Corps integrated operations, including Marine aviation and support to amphibious operations. Other operations and training capabilities the ship performs include support to special operations, command and control, and staging of equipment.
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
According to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, four priorities will focus efforts on sailors, readiness, capabilities and capacity.
“For 245 years, in both calm and rough waters, our Navy has stood the watch to protect the homeland, preserve freedom of the seas, and defend our way of life,” said Gilday. “The decisions and investments we make this decade will set the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century. We can accept nothing less than success.”
Though there are many opportunities for sailors to earn recognition in their command, community and careers, Martyka is most proud of being a plank owner and shell back.
"These are two very rare things for anyone in the Navy to achieve, let alone someone on their first command," said Martyka. "I have been able to get many qualifications for the Navy and many that will transfer to the civilian world when I'm ready to hang it up. Being on a deployment to Africa and pulling into port where no U.S. ship has pulled into in the last 10 years, is humbling. Being able to bring protection to other counties is what I signed up for. I have the best ship and crew I could ever ask for. Peace we seek, peace we keep."
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Martyka, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.
"Serving in the Navy means representing my family and the way I was raised," added Martyka. "I thank my parents for the hard working mentality and the support I receive every day. The Navy has opened doors to places and things that I never thought I would be able to reach. On the good day and the bad days, I will bleed blue with Navy pride every day. Honor, courage and commitment is now become a part of my core values in everything I do throughout my normal day."
