Best Moment
Being assigned as Command Chief for the Reserve Center, active and reserve in 1985
Worst Moment
1990 - Being relieved of Command Chief duties by an E-9 (not a Master Chief) who let the Command Master Chief program AND the Chief's Mess go by the wayside.
Criteria
The Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal is intended to provide Naval Reservists an award which is the equivalent to the Navy Good Conduct Medal.
Criteria The Armed Forces Reserve Medal is awarded to United States Armed Forces Reserve component members (or former members) who complete (or have completed) a total of ten years service. This service need n... The Armed Forces Reserve Medal is awarded to United States Armed Forces Reserve component members (or former members) who complete (or have completed) a total of ten years service. This service need not be consecutive, if it was performed within a period of twelve consecutive years. For the purpose of this award service as a member of a Reserve component MoreHide
Chain of Command
Left active duty in October 1976....joined the Naval Reserve immediately. Was assigned to different units...USS Jason, MIUW teams, etc. in 1982 moved to Las Vegas,
Best Moment
Being assigned as Canning/Shipping Dept. supervisor
Worst Moment
Watching one of my crew smash the nosecone off of a standard missile while carrying it through a roll-up doorway on a forklift. Very fragile ceramic.....very expensive...
Best Moment
Getting released back to full duty in December, and getting assigned to WepSta Concord, CA
Other Memories
I was assigned to SHop 38B, the Gun and Launcher shop for six months light duty. I couldn't climb the ladders aboard ship, so I volunteered to be the permanent duty driver...drove a crewcab all day delivering work crews to various ships, and collecting them at the end of the day......a job none of them wanted anyway....
Best Friends
My future brother-in-law, MS3 Ralph Lease, who ended up in the bed next to me, and consequently met and married my wife's younger sister. They would come from Tijuana, where we lived to visit me. Ralph and Maria got married, and had some great kids. He and I even ended up both working for Immigration some years later, in the Chula Vista Border Patrol Sector. .... and My doctor...CDR Watkins....repaired my knees so well, I am virtually trouble free....and, for my three months of rehab, he put me to work as his office assistant/nurse...instead of condemning me to a janitorial job, like everyone else in rehab
Best Moment
When I was released from the Orthopedics ward and allowed to go home....After three months in plaster....just in time to have my daughter born at Balboa....For the few days she and her mother were in the hospital, I could go visit whenever I had a chance....
Worst Moment
Looking out the window of the ward, seeing the lights of Tijuana....but not being able to go home to see my family....I was actually in the hospital for about three days before I finally got word to my wife, who was pregnant, down in Tijuana. We lived there because she was waiting for Immigration to issue her a green card.
Other Memories
Sitting in a wheelchair, in my pajamas, attending the mandatory Vasectomy classes....with a half dozen couples....
Best Friends
Ed Schultz - GMM2 - Met Ed at Great Lakes in GM school.....ended up together on the Chicago....Both of us were made Work Center Sups as E-5's....steep learning curve. Ed and I did a lot of Motorcycle riding in SoCal.
Jose Adame - GMM2 - good guy....worked the launcher together
Best Moment
Was aboard two years....didn't like the big ship atmosphere, except for not having watches, or working parties.
Criteria The Meritorious Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself under combat or noncombat conditions by either valorous ... The Meritorious Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself under combat or noncombat conditions by either valorous or meritorious achievement which renders that unit outstanding compared to other units performing similar service, but not sufficient to justify the award of the Navy Unit Commendation. MoreHide
Criteria The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) is a decoration presented by the United States Navy to recognize members who have completed three years of honorable service. Medals awarded before January 1, 1996 r... The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) is a decoration presented by the United States Navy to recognize members who have completed three years of honorable service. Medals awarded before January 1, 1996 required four years of service. MoreHide
Best Friends
Tom Dietzman - GMG3 - we met back in Illinois at GM school...did a lot of motorcycle riding around Great Lakes, and in Sandy Eggo. Jim Czerwinski - GMM3 - worked on the launcher together, rode our motorcycles around SoCal. Harvey May - GMM2 - We went to GM school together, got assigned to the Wilson, drove out to California together...worked on the launcher together. Steve Fitzsimmons - FTGsn -Steve and I rode motorcycles all over California....Both of us retired as Sergeants on Sheriff's Offices
Best Moment
The whole cruise of 1971.....
Worst Moment
Being Quarterdeck PO, trying to "bong" the skipper (then Capt. Henry Mustin), not knowing the bell had been removed...I had the 1MC mike keyed when I yelled to the OOD...."There's no F#@ing bell!!"....the only person who DIDN'T hear it was the skipper....he was admiring his ship as he came up the pier......
Criteria The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in th... The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in the Marine Corps) and below who have actively participated in ground or surface combat. MoreHide
Criteria The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspa... The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspace; or, for any period of service during the same time period in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air spaces thereover and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. MoreHide
Criteria This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical l... This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Only members of the Armed Forces of the United States who meet the criteria established for the AFEM (Vietnam) or Vietnam Service Medal during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces; or 3. Did not complete the length of service required in item (1) or (2) above, but who, during wartime, were: a. Wounded by the enemy (in a military action); b. Captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released; or c. Killed in action or in the line of duty; or 4. Were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and who served a minimum of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during the period 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73. MoreHide
Criteria The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who, after July 1, 1958, participate in specified United States operations or those in direct support of the United Natio... The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who, after July 1, 1958, participate in specified United States operations or those in direct support of the United Nations or friendly foreign nations MoreHide
Description
Awarded to Henry B. Wilson, DDG-7 for operations off of Korea.
Criteria The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspa... The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspace; or, for any period of service during the same time period in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air spaces thereover and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. MoreHide
Criteria This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical l... This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Only members of the Armed Forces of the United States who meet the criteria established for the AFEM (Vietnam) or Vietnam Service Medal during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces; or 3. Did not complete the length of service required in item (1) or (2) above, but who, during wartime, were: a. Wounded by the enemy (in a military action); b. Captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released; or c. Killed in action or in the line of duty; or 4. Were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and who served a minimum of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during the period 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73. MoreHide
Best Friends
Tom Dietzman Harvey May Rod Baker Ron Peters
Best Moment
Graduation!!!!
Worst Moment
Finding out that those of us who were converted to GMM had to still extend for two years for a total of six years for our school, while the GMG's were not
Chain of Command
Gunner's Mate "C" school - MK11 Tartar Missile system
Other Memories
Harvey May and I both drew the Henry B Wilson, DDG-7 as our first ship, so we drove across country to my home in Mountain View, California. We enjoyed some leave time, then separately went to Sandy Eggo to get the ship. Unfortunately, the ship was still enroute to Sandy Eggo from a Wespac cruise. I bunked on the destroyer tender, USS Dixie for a couple of nights.
Description This Campaign period was from 1 November 1969 to 30 April 1970. The generally good performance of the Vietnamese Navy during the allied sweep into Cambodia motivated the transfer of significant operatThis Campaign period was from 1 November 1969 to 30 April 1970. The generally good performance of the Vietnamese Navy during the allied sweep into Cambodia motivated the transfer of significant operational responsibilities to the Vietnamese. The barrier along the Cambodian border was turned over to the Vietnamese Navy in March 1970, which renamed the operation Tran Hung Dao I. In May, Giant Slingshot and Sea Tiger became Tran Hung Dao II and Tran Hung Dao VII. The allied navies also launched Operation Blue Shark, a seven-month effort designed to strike at the Viet Cong command, communication, and logistics network (or infrastructure) in the mangrove swamps at the mouth of the Mekong River system, on the river islands, and along the river banks all the way to the Cambodian border. Coastal Surveillance Force PCFs landed SEALs and LDNN for swift, deadly attacks on the usually surprised enemy. The units often followed up on intelligence gathered by Naval Intelligence Liaison Officers (NILO) assigned to many of South Vietnam's provinces and operational areas.
Coinciding with the turnover of river and coastal fighting vessels in 1969 and 1970, the Navy transferred many of the bases from which they operated. The first change of command occurred at My Tho in November 1969. Then, in the last three months of 1970, COMNAVFORV placed the Phu Cuong, Long Binh, Kien An, Chau Doc, Tan Chau, and Ha Tien Operating Bases under Vietnamese control. The transfer of Sa Dec and Chu Lai the following spring completed the process. During this same period, the Vietnamese Navy took over the six Advanced Tactical Support Bases established on the Vam Co Dong and Vam Co Tay Rivers for the Giant Slingshot operation and two more on the Cua Viet River in I Corps. In addition, the allied naval service assumed control of the harbor defense posts of the Stable Door effort, the three existing coastal radar sites, and Market Time's coastal surveillance centers.
Meanwhile, the Navy deployed Seabee detachments throughout South Vietnam to construct logistic facilities at new and existing bases. Once the Seabees completed this work and U.S. leaders felt the Vietnamese could totally support their combat units, the Americans transferred the bases to their allies. In this manner, beginning in the spring of 1971, Rear Admiral Robert S. Salzer, the new COMNAVFORV, relinquished control of Cat Lo and An Thoi, two of seven primary Logistic Support Bases that provided allied naval forces with major vessel overhauls and other supply assistance. In the same period, the Vietnamese took charge of Ben Luc and Rach Soi, two secondary or Intermediate Support Bases. These installations handled minor craft overhauls and provided units with maintenance, administrative, financial, and supply support. The next incremental transfer occurred in September when the Dong Tam Logistic Support Base and eight Intermediate Support Bases were Vietnamized. ... More
People You Remember
Harvey May, Jim Cerwinski,
Memories
Constantly taking on bullets and fuel. Loved pulling into Subic and Yokosuka.
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
Lots of really good sailors.....
Being assigned as Command Chief for the Reserve Center, active and reserve in 1985
1990 - Being relieved of Command Chief duties by an E-9 (not a Master Chief) who let the Command Master Chief program AND the Chief's Mess go by the wayside.