Vernon enlisted on January 24, 1939, in New Orleans, LA. On the U.S.S. Mahan, he was a Seaman Recruit where he was in training and acting as an apprentice. While Vernon was on the U.S.S. Pecos, he was an Electrician’s Mate Third Class. The duties of an Electrician’s Mate are to oversee all operations of the ship’s electrical power systems. This includes all installations, maintenance, and inspection of electrical equipment. The third class, also known as the petty officer third class, is a slightly higher rank than just a seaman, but still under a petty officer second class.