After retiring from the navy (1977) and private sector (2004) and having been rated 100% disabled by the VA due to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam I decided to try my hand at writing. The progress in this challenging field so far has resulted in three self published works - 'Listening To Ghosts,' my autobiography, 'Fighting Bob,' a historical fiction novel which chronicles the adventures of my great-great-great grandfather Commodore Robert F. Stockton,  and 'Counting Coup: the Odyssey of Captain Tom Adams, a western adventure novel centered around the legendary scout and Indian fighter Kit Carson. In 1847 the Commodore helped redraw the map of the United States and its territories during the California campaign of the Mexican War by defeating the Mexican Army in southern California. His friend and scout, Kit Carson once referred to the Commodore as "the bravest of the brave," and Stockton's fearlessness, leadership and quick thinking in battle bore out Carson's assessment. To read 'Fighting Bob' and 'Counting Coup'  is to relive those exciting encounters almost as if one were actually there.  I currently reside in Jacksonville, Florida in close proximity to my three children, three grandchildren and my best friend Bowser, a rather large and amiable American Bulldog.

Many military and civilian awards for excellence including the Republic of Vietnam (South) Navy Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and Combat Action Ribbon. 'Listening To Ghosts' was awarded the 2011 Military Writers Society of America's Bronze Medal for writing, Military-Navy Category.