Seal Beach Sailor excels on 'The Wheel'
1/13/2010
by Ensign Aaron Tanner
Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Public Affairs
SEAL BEACH, Calif. (NNS) -- A chief petty officer from Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach won big while appearing on the popular game show, "Wheel of Fortune," during an episode that aired in early January.

Chief Master-at-arms George LeTourneau began his journey to the television screen in October, having already earned a spot on the show's Armed Forces Week.

"It was a great adventure that I shared with my two other amigos last Friday," expressed LeTourneau. "It was just the 18 of us and all the geedunk (snacks) we could eat."

LeTourneau's competition included a Marine Corps gunnery sergeant and an Air Force airman who were selected to participate in the same show. The remaining 15 would air on different dates.

"Finally we were called up to play, and it was me, the gunny, and the airman," said LeTourneau.

Each contestant was introduced to the audience. When it was LeTourneau's turn, the host, Pat Sajack, congratulated him on his recent promotion.

"Yes, I am recently a member of the largest fraternity in the world, the Navy chief petty officers," said LeTourneau.

When the game began, LeTourneau quickly gained a respectable lead. "The first Toss Up went down and I buzzed in with about three letters on the board. Boom, I got the first one out of the way," he said.

LeTourneau won, including the bonus round and a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

"I had promised I would do my 'Salsarobics' moves if I won the Bonus Round, to which I held true. I even had Pat doing the 'Salsa G' with me on TV," said LeTourneau. "I gave Pat and Vanna a chief's coin from Seal Beach, and they thanked me."