This chapter of Doug's collection tells the story of
the deployment to Vietnam in 1967. We departed Mayport on the 7th of February in
company with the USS Bigelow (DD-942), USS Ault (DD-698) and USS McCaffery
(DD-860).
A quick stop for fuel on the 10th in sunny GITMO.
On the 12th
we transit the picturesque Panama Canal
At the end of the month we
get a few days in paradise - the Hawaiian Islands. We take a bus tour of Oahu and get our fill of Pineapple!
On March
7th, a quick stop at Midway Island to see the gooney birds!
Five weeks after leaving Mayport we pull into
Yokosuka for a bit of R & R.
Getting
everything into fighting condition and ready for our first assignment in
the combat zone.
On PIRAZ station with the nuclear
cruiser USS Long Beach.
Then on to
Operation Sea Dragon where the command ship was the USS Canberra (CAG-2)
and a few closeups of "the enemy!"
Yankee
Station where we provided security for the carriers as they sent
missions into North and South Vietnam.
Our
"Mates" on Operation Sea Dragon, the HMAS Hobart, if you look
close you can see SAC2 Colin Benporath!
A beautiful sunset over
'Nam.
The Fourth of July is spent relaxing in Hong Kong,
something we strongly recommend.
On our
patrols off the coast of South Vietnam we had contact with the many
patrol craft operating in the area.
On the way home we stop in San Francisco for a bit
more R & R.
September
4th and it is Pollywog Day.
The next day
we pay dearly as the Shellbacks get their revenge!
Back through
the Canal and home again in Mayport, mission accomplished!
Thanks to Doug for letting us borrow his slides and telling
part of our great story.
