Ronald Wishman was born on April 6, 1945 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He enlisted in the US Naval Reserve at NAS Glenview Illinois in September of 1965. In November of the following year, he reported aboard the USS Intrepid where he was assigned to the Air Department, V-6 Division. During this period, Ronald was attached to both the aviation Ground Support Equipment and aircraft Engine Buildup Shops. He was also temporarily assigned to the ship's "Landing Party," which included two weeks of amphibious training with the ship's Marine detachment at Little Creek, Virginia.
In 1967, the Intrepid sailed to Vietnam for her second tour of duty in the Gulf of Tonkin. At this point, Ronald was transferred to V-4, Aviation Fuels Division, where he worked on the flight deck fueling aircraft. When the Intrepid deployed to Southeast Asia for her third tour of duty, Ronald was not aboard because he received orders to report to NAS Lakehurst. Until his separation in October of 1968, Ronald remained in New Jersey as a member of HC-4, Helicopter Combat Support Squadron.
Returning to civilian life, Ronald served a 5-year apprenticeship at Myshock Tool & Die in Milwaukee. Thereafter, AC Spark Plug, a division of General Motors, hired him to work as a journeyman Tool & Die Maker at its Oak Creek plant. For a goodly portion of his adult life, Ronald resided in Greendale, Wisconsin. He proudly served on the Greendale Veterans Memorial Committee.