By Navy Office of Community Outreach
A South Texas native is proudly serving her country at the largest Navy base in the world.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Melinda Torres, from Corpus Christi, Texas, currently serves aboard USS Oscar Austin, a destroyer homeported at Naval Station Norfolk.
Torres has served in the Navy for 3 years and works as a sonar technician that is responsible for maintenance and operation of sonar systems.
"The Navy has taught me to be flexible and understand not everyone comes from the same background," said Torres. "Diversity is a huge factor and you have to learn to come together."
The Destroyer is named after Private First Class Oscar P. Austin of the United States Marine Corps.
PFC Austin was killed near DaNang, Vietnam in February 1969 when he sacrificed his own life to save an injured companion. He has been recognized with numerous medals and decorations, including the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
