 The enduring popularity of the series has made him a cultural icon.Gilligan served in the United States Navy with Jonas Grumby (the Skipper) during an unspecified war and saved him from being struck and killed by a runaway depth charge.Upon retirement, Grumby, described as "an old salt in these waters", used his savings to buy the "Minnow", and as the captain (or "Skipper" as he was nearly invariably addressed), Grumby hired his "little buddy", Gilligan, as his first mate.