Russ Lattuca enlisted in the U.S. Navy right after graduating from Maynard High School in 1965. Trained in fire control, Lattuca was assigned to the USS LaSalle, an amphibious transport vessel. The LaSalle transported equipment and personnel to various parts of the Atlantic; it even picked up an unmanned Gemini test capsule that turned out to be part of an experimental spy program.

 

 

The USS LaSalle

 

The USS LaSalle picking up a Gemini test capsule

 

Article on the USS LaSalle colliding with an Israeli ship