Worst Moment I BAD DAYS: GUNFIRE IN SAIGON AND THAT EAST COAST ICE STORM OF JANUARY 1973.
I made it through Vietnam with hardly a scrap, except the two bullet holes in my jeep (June 1970-June 1971). I guess I'd have to say, that in Saigon there was gun-fire and then there was beingshot at. They are two entirely different things. The general rule, although not all that often, was -- "if it didn't hit you, it wasn't any of your business". My BEQ was the Capitol Hotel and I remember three different shootings that were close up. One was a South Vietnamese that shot up a jeep full of MPs. The Capitol Hotel was often refered to as the MPs BEQ. Two of us were about fifty feet away. The guy I was with was a Corpsman and ran to help. Another time I was in the ground floor EM Club when a shooter from the rooftop across the street shot up the front of the hotel while we were barricaded inside, waiting it out. The two rounds that hit my jeep were outside of a club after a fight. I was driving and one of the three guys with me had been hit in the face so hard it broke his jaw. I drove him to the hospital out near Tan Son Nhut Air Base where he was treated and then shipped off to Japan. I never saw him again. But, I recall we thought we had heard shots fired when we left the scene and the next morning there was a bullet hole in the back panel of the jeep and another splattered on the rear axle. When asked about it, I decided it would be a good time to keep my mouth shut.
Nearly two years later...as luck would have it...during the record breaking Ice Strom of January 1972, two of us made it as far as Raleigh before they closed the highways and train service. We missed ship's movement which was merely a five hour dependent's cruise out intothe Chesapeake Bay. We stood Captain's Mass without the ability to defend ourselves, even though we had turned ourselves in to the Recruiting Office in Raleigh. No matter, it cost me a stripe, and that's why I've had my crow tacked on TWICE.
Chain of Command
Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal Year Awarded 1981 Details behind Award: I served four years active duty USN 1969-1973. In 1974 I joined the Naval Reserve in LaCrosse Wisconsin. In 1977 I took an overseas contract with Lockheed Aircraft in Saudi Arabia resulting in inactive reserve time for two years. I rejoined the USNR in Dubuque Iowa, late 1979, and in early 1981 I left once again. This time for England and eventually settling in Phoenix Arizona where I did not reconnect with the Reserves. In total, I drilled for more four years of the eleven years of my Reserve Duty and was discharged for the third and last time in April 1983. I spent two weeks of active reserve duty four time: USS Pluck MSO-464 (1974), NTC-Great Lakes (1975), USS Francis Marion APA/LPA-249 (1976) and the USS Schenectady LST-1185 (1980).
Other Memories
Once again, life gets in the way. I left the Reserves for a second time and moved to England. I was unsuccessful in negotiating another overseas contract and eventually moved back to CONUS and took up residency in Arizona. We have been here ever since. I settled down and have spent the past couple of decades with a school district in Phoenix. Had I known I would be here this long I would have gone back into the Reserves... and made a go of it... but then... "You can't do everything. You can only try!" I believe my last discharge certificate was dated April 1983. That is why this file is listed 1980-1983. So, that said, I probably rate two hash marks and a Naval Reserve Good Conduct medal. Don't make no difference, but... One regret, I do wish I'd have sat the IC-2/PO2 exam. Life just got in the way.
To pass the time I set up a course and taught photography for anyone interested.
U.S. NAVAL RESERVE SERVICE: My reserve assignments: USNRC Dubuque IA, and the USS Schenectady LST-1185, National City CA.
I may also rate the Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal for my combined 4 years of enlisted service in the Naval Reserve: 4/1969-7/1969, 9/1974-8/1977 and 10/1979-11/1981.
Other Memories
US Naval Reserve Center, Dubuque Iowa. Navy Unit Commendation (NUC) Details behind Award: I received this ribbon ten years after serving in Viet-Nam. A Yoeman, with time on his hands, at the Naval Reserve Center in Dubuque Iowa, researched my file: Naval Advisory Group, Vietnamese Naval Shipyard, Saigon 1970-1971. To my surprise, one weekend, at morning muster, I was asked to step forward and our commanding officer pinned the ribbon on me after explaining the ten year delay. There was a round of applause. I don't believe that happens very often.
This was my last time at sea, summer of 1980. In 1977 I left the Naval Reserves due to a contract I took with Lockheed in Saudi Arabia. After I returned I went back to the University of Wisconsin in Platteville and re-upped one more time with the Reserves, this time with a unit in Dubuque Iowa. We were attached to the USS Schenectady (LST 1185). Several of us flew out to San Diego to pick up the Schenectady out of National City and spent part of our two weeks at sea. It was also my first time UNDER the Coronado Bay Bridge. Back in the spring of 1970 I attended SERE School and at the base on Coronado Island. We had to take Liberty Boats over to Broadway because the bridge hadn't been built yet. The Schenectady was used for target practice and sunk, by the USAF, in 2004. In late 1980 I once again packed up the Reserves and moved to England looking for work in the Middle East. Things didn't pan out and we moved to Phoenix where we have been ever since. I didn't get back into the Reserves. You can't do everything!
I left the Reserves for a two year contract with Lockheed Aircraft International A.G., LAIAG. I set up the media center of a technical school in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. When I returned I came back into the Reserves and drilled at Dubuque, Iowa. One of my regrets was that I didn't sit the PO2 exam.
Best Friends A comment on one of the people I knew back then, as a young man and fresh out of the Navy (I'd been a Boots on the Ground / Viet-Nam Vet.) I went to college and got a degree in Visual Communications. And just as I was graduating I was hired as the photographer for the largest hospital in Western Wisconsin. One of the physicians I worked with was Syrian, an ENT specialist (otolarygnology), ear,nose and throat... and a specialist as a plastic surgeon in facial reconstruction. He had been trained in London and then at the VA -- at the Virginia/Washington hospital with Vietnam burn patients. To me, years ago... Dr. Thabet Abbarah was one of the best.
Best Moment
I'm listing this as 1976/77 because I was assigned to the USS Francis Marion through my Reserve Center. As you know, once a year weekend warriors went on two weeks active duty. I remember when I was in the regular Navy what a pest the Reserve guys could be. Usually trying to be too helpful because they were board to death. So, when I was on my two weeks I either kept to myself or waited to be asked to do whatever was needed. But, this was a little different. Several of us flew into Norfolk, from La Crosse, Wisconsin, to pick up the ship. Little did I know that early the next morning we set sail, for GiTMO. Not again!! And on just a TWO WEEK assignment no less. USS FRANCIS MARION - RESERVE DUTY - TWO WEEKS 1976, Guantanamo Bay Naval Base (*GiTMO) in Cuba. 5 days of the 2 weeks USNR onboard the USS Francis Marion, an APA/LPA-249. Toward the end of 1976 I rode the Francis Marion from Norfolk to GiTMO on a two week Reserve cruise. It was in the late fall, nearly Christmas, of '76 and about a half dozen of us weekend warriors from western Wisconsin reported for duty in Norfolk on the attack cargo ship APA/LKA-249 Francis Marion. I had done my four years in the Navy back in the late 60's and early 70's, so, my reserve duty was voluntary, I needed the money, and I have to admit...it was an interesting way to spend a couple of weeks each year away from my mid-western job. The Navy seldom sent me to anything local and I would get a couple of weeks on either the east or west coast at government expense. It was a time in my life when simple pleasures amused me and this was one of those times because what I hadn't realize was that I had just reported on-board a ship that was pulling out of port and headed for Cuba. I was an IC3 and the IC Gang on this ship were about as laid back as any I'd ever worked with, which if you know anything about Interior Communications...we weren't exactly the hardest working group on any ship. Aside from fixing the occasional phone, one of our most important activities was scrounging around other ships trading movies and then showing the flick on the mess-deck in the evening. It was the only thing I remember accomplishing in the short period we had before leaving Norfolk...the day after we arrived. We left Norfolk and headed into the Atlantic. I remember a bit of rough weather and once after lunch I came up topside to some salt spray and a quick lean over the side. Lunch was over and I guess I didn't need it any more anyhow. I wouldn't call it seasick...just a little barf and it was over. By now I must have learned we were headed for Guantanamo Bay and within a few days we arrived to bask in the sun, far away from the frozen north of Wisconsin or the cold rain of Norfolk. Then it hit me...how are we going to get out of here? How long was the ship planning to be in GiTMO? There wasn't time to sail back to Norfolk and surly they realized we were just Reservists on a two week assignment. Not that I sat around worrying about it, after all, I was in the hands of our Uncle Sam and in case you ever doubted him...there was no need to for concern. On or about the 13th day of our two weeks we were told to pack our sea bags and head over to the airstrip. There on the tarmac in the pre-dawn was a large four engine turboprop Douglas DC-6 with #228 on the sides below the cockpit windows. As we settled down for our flight back to CONUS one of the crew told us this aircraft, number 228, dated back to the Kennedy Administration. The only thing I remember about the flight was the old prop-job was so noisy I had to take the cotton from the top of a bottle of aspirins and shove it in my ears in order to get some sleep. We landed in Atlanta and went through an intense customs search. They must have been looking for drugs because they examined each of the seams of my uniforms. Unable to find anything I was sent on my way with another airline ticket, home. The fun was over for another year. I always wondered what a trip like that must have cost?? I took a couple of nice shots which I will post of her along side a pier in Cuba.
Worst Moment
This would be my third and final trip to GiTMO. Fine with me.
Other Memories
Trivia... I have the song "Guantanamera" by the Sandpipers. The title, by the way... for all you GTMO sailors... the song translates to: "girl from Guantanamo".
*Also, I see Guantanamo abbreviated as GTMO and as GITMO, but, there is no letter i in Guantanamo. So, sometimes I use my own abbreviation: GiTMO as a happy medium.
My first Reserve duty was back down to San Diego with a minesweeper for two weeks: 1974, USS Pluck MSO-464. My second Reserve duty was the media center of the Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes. I was now working in audiovisuals and wanted to see how the facilities at my old Boot Camp worked. It was quite a disappointment: 1975, NTC Great Lakes Illinois. My third Reserve duty was to pick up a troop transport out of Norfolk and head for GITMO. Not bad for a two week assignment: 1976, USS Francis Marion APA/LPA-249, Sailed from Norfolk to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, GITMO.
Other Memories
I was one of those local photographers (years ago) Back in La Crosse, Wisconsin: President Ford was coming to town. I was the photographer for Saint Francis Hospital and I went to a the Republican HQ to ask about getting a press pass. Back in the mid '70's the paper work was rather simple and I have no idea if they even did a background check on me, but, I was given a press pass and when he flew into town I was at the airport to get a photograph of him. No, wait a minute... This is the President and it wasn't ... "just get a photograph of him". At the airport I had to present my press pass and was given access to the tarmac location where all of the rest of the press was waiting. There I stood, shoulder to shoulder with the press corps from around the country. AF1 landed and Mr. Ford came out and up to a microphone to gave us his welcome pitch and we snapped photographs. Then, I was whisked away with the rest of the folks... Without any choice I was escorted onto one of the waiting coach buses and road back into town in the motorcade... along a somewhat clandestine route over the river into Minnesota and back to the city auditorium. This had become a very interesting adventure and much more than I'd ever imagined. Now I was elbow to elbow with the press in the press box in front of the stage... snapping away with my somewhat meager equipment. At the end of the evening I walked home, rather pleased with the events of the day. The next morning a friend drove me out to the airport to retrieve my car.
Best Moment... Worst Moment... Same Moment... Boot Camp was the summer of 1969... Years later I was in a Reserve Unit in La Crosse, Wisconsin. I needed to do my annual two weeks of active duty and as I had recently graduated with a degree in audiovisuals I thought it would be interesting to see behind the scenes of the Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes. So I put in for duty and got it. Boy, what a disappointment... I bunked on base, ate in a chow hall and everyday I went to work to waste another day. I sat around with the other two techs, I assume they were Tradevmen (TD's, I was IC). They had a couple of half assembled 16mm projectors on their benches just for looks. I never saw them do any work on them. One day they handed me a 2 inch reel to reel video of Deep Throat which they feed onto a hugh Ampex console. It may have been the only video tape left in their library. What I had hoped to see was no longer being used, abandoned and back to live instruction. But, back in the late 60's when I went through boot camp we watched an endless array of prerecorded video presentations about... how to tie knots, what ship frame numbers are, how to do this and how to do that... I could hardly keep my eyes open. If I would have had tooth picks to hold the lids open I would have used them... Boring was just a kind way of putting it. And, if you were there you might have remembered the painting of a ship which was behind the instructors. A destroyer escort DE-1026. That, I had to have a picture of. So one day I set up my camera, pressed the timer and ran to position myself in front of the ship. Of course, first I had to clear the deck (studio) of piles of equipment, carts, boxes and junk. At least I got the shot. Me, in front of that painting of old DE-1026 on the wall of the Recruit Training Command - Great Lakes. Here is the photo of the painting for you to ponder. (it's also at NavSource Online: USS Hooper) This was just two weeks Reserve duty which I spent in the media center of the Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes. I was now working in audiovisuals and wanted to see how the facilities at my old Boot Camp worked. It was quite a disappointment.
Other Memories
From an old posting...
A Uniform Shop story for Mac... Originally Posted - May 22, 2012
Once upon a time... I mean, this ain't no bull... I was out of the regular Navy, and college, and working... finally! (mid-summer 1975).
However, I had joined the local Naval Reserve and needed to go on my 2 weeks of active duty. As I was now working in the field of audio-visuals I put in for RTC/GL (that's Recruit Training at Great Lakes) and was assigned to the television facilities at my old Boot Camp for a couple of weeks. On the weekend I drove up the coast of Lake Michigan and passed a VFW. As a member I stopped in for some refreshments. So, I sat at the bar talking to several old guys, comparing tattoos, when one of them wanted to know if I knew where he could pick up a Chief's uniform to wear in parades. "Well sure", and we jumped in his car, all four of us, and with my ID we entered Great Lakes Naval Base and went to the uniform shop where he bought the whole kit and caboodle. The old boy was looking mighty fine in his new outfit...and I'd bet it served him well. OK, this may not be the funniest story you've ever heard, but it was one of those GREAT NAVY DAYS.
I was an IC3 on reserve duty. The IC onboard the Pluck was a second class named Army. An easy name for a sailor to remember even after all these years.
Best Moment
This was a two week Reserve assignment in late December 1974, during my two week winter break. I was attending Western Wisconsin Technical Institute on the GI Bill and needed money bad enough to join a Reserve Unit in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The two week break in southern California was a welcome relief and as I had nothing better to do I stood duty nearly every day... I earned more money for taking guys duty than the Navy pay I received. Christmas and New Years, eve and day... None of the ships regular crew wanted to be onboard for those days in particular. Wooden Ships and Men of Steel, I mean Iron Men...well... wooden ships anyhow.
Stupid is, as Stupid does... Just four months before my enlistment was due to end, two of us took off for a long weekend from Norfolk to Anderson SC. A storm set in on the way and an ice storm, that is on the record books, froze us hundreds of miles away from our ship (Feb 1972). Carolina Coach and all railroad services had come to a standstill. We made Raleigh NC by hitch-hiking but by then the highways had been closed down. We turned ourselves in to a local Navy Recruiter but it was too late. Before we could reach Little Creek our ship had pulled out for a One Day Dependance's Cruise. We were charged with Missing Ship's Movement and I was busted from IC3 back to Fireman. (In case you have never stood a Captain's Mass, you're not given a chance for discussion or explanation). I was discharged a month early in June 1973 due to an upcoming six month Med Cruise. By August I was enrolled in a technical college and within a year, with an RE-1 code, I re-enlisted in the Naval Reserves where I took the IC3 exam (again) and had my crow tacked on... for the second time. I was about to take the IC2 exam when I was offered a contract in Saudi Arabia with Lockheed Aircraft. A few years later, after returning to CONUS, I re-enlisted, again, in the Naval Reserve. But before the exam for IC2 came along I had moved to England. And so... that is the reason I have to list myself as a Third Class, with 4 years active and 4 years total in the Reserves. Not that I'm complaining, life has been good to me and I've tried to return the favors. Steve
Other Memories
I was discharged from active service in June 1973. I started a two year technical college degree the first of September of that year. A year later, as I started my second year I re-enlisted, this time in the Naval Reserve, La Crosse Wisconsin. I drilled there for three years and did active duty on the USS Pluck (MSO-4640, at the Recruit Training Command - Great Lakes and finally the USS Francis Marion (LPA-249).
Criteria
The Vietnam Naval Service Medal is authorized to all naval Allied Personnel who are authorized the Vietnam Service Medal.
Comments Technically, this was awarded in January 1974 to all Naval personnel who service in Vietnam. I had been discharged from the Navy some 8 months by this time and DOD never recognized this award. My serv... Technically, this was awarded in January 1974 to all Naval personnel who service in Vietnam. I had been discharged from the Navy some 8 months by this time and DOD never recognized this award. My service in-country Viet-Nam was from June 1970 to June 1971.
There should not be any device on this medal or ribbon. It was given at the Honor level. Devices on this award are for 5, 10 and 15 years service in the Vietnamese Navy. MoreHide
SK3 Frank Rodriguez; EMFN Steve Lackner; ICFN Bill Beck and IC2 Charles Kenneth "Ken" Needels, Jr.; BT2 Bixler "Bix" Clark, the Oil King; DC3 Jim Wood, Goodman, Chuck Farnum (former HT's) Joe Castelli, EM3 Huck Aspuria, BM3 Tom Welch, FN A. Delgado, and our mailman PC3 Jerry Looney. A few other names: BMC Light, QMC Wurrlow, CWO Gaskins, EM1 Bill Hannigan, John Woodhouse and Eddie Perez. -- a few notes: Frank Rodriguez became a very successful owner of a dozen Ford Dealerships including at least one in China. I heard that both Ken Needles and Eddie Perez made Chief. And, one evening, around 1985, I was covering an event at one of the largest resort hotels in north-east Phoenix when I ran into our ship's cook, John Woodhouse. He was working as Chef at the hotel. I'm sure most of you know, Commander Vernon C. Smith became Rear Admiral Smith. Congratulations Skipper.
Best Moment
After a year in Viet-Nam I went to IC School and with my next orders... I was finally going to sea. I'd been in the Navy for two and a half years and I'd never been to sea, actually, I'd never been assigned to a ship until I got orders to the "Darlin' Harlan".
I asked the Personnel Office at NTC San Diego, "Where is the ship located?" and to my surprise they said "It's at 32nd Street, it's still being built". So, I put on my dress blues and got a cab to the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company and walked through their main gate. Some kind of foreman asked me what I was there for and I told him I'd come to see the Harlan County, "I've got orders to her". He gave me a funny look and said, "Come on, come aboard" and took me on a brief, but memorable, top deck tour of the ship. In the meantime I had orders back to Norfolk for Pre-commissioning and Damage Control School. It would be more than three months before I saw the ship again and this time it was in Long Beach for the Commissioning Ceremony, 8 April 1972. From there we degaussed the ship and filled her with diesel fuel at San Pedro, then headed to Sea. Our first stop was Acapulco Bay, Mexico. We then headed south and crossed the equator at 84°W, off the coast of Ecuador (Spanish for EQUATOR), and then north to enter the Panama Canal. From there we headed north through the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and up the Mississippi River to the port of New Orleans. Our next stop was Little Creek, our homeport. I was now a Plank Owner (ship's original crew) and a Shellback (for crossing the equator) on board the USS Harlan County, LST-1196, homeport Navy Amphibious Base Little Creek, VA. Next, we loaded cargo, the US Olympic Yachts, for what I consider the ship's maiden voyage; a journey across the Atlantic and North Sea to the Kiel Canal and onto Kiel Germany for the 1972 Olympic Games. Additional highlights included passing through the Strait of Gibraltar to our next stop, Barcelona, Spain, and then a port of call at the Azores before returning to Little Creek. Quite a first cruise! With my crossing of the Atlantic, and introduction to the Mediterranean Sea, I felt like I was now, truly "In The Navy".
Like most East Coast ships we made a few trips to the Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GTMO), and in June 1973 I was officially rung off the ship, ding-ding: "Loomis, Plank Owner, Departing" and honorably discharged, after my four year tour of duty. Now a civilian, I then put myself through a technical college on the GI Bill. But, I also spent time in a couple of US Naval Reserve units later on. There was something about putting that uniform back on. Those of you who have done it will know what I mean. Over the years in the Reserves I was assigned to three more ships and went back to sea with one that made a return to "GiTMO", one last time.
................. On the Harlan County LST-1196 -- trivia: Here's one for you... Crossing the Equator for the first time 6/72 off the coast of Ecuador at 84° West...
An interesting fact: 84 Degrees West is also the longitude of Harlan, Kentucky, the name sake of the ship; and Midland, Michigan, the hometown of our commanding officer Cdr. Vernon C. Smith. Coincidence? I wonder.
Worst Moment
I recall being in the Bermuda Triangle on the way down. It was the fall of 1972 and we were sailing from Little Creek to GiTMO. I remember it being so calm and windless that the water looked like glass. A small boat was adrift ahead of us and someone appeared to be waving a flag. It was a boatload of Haitians stranded in the calm. As we approached we could see that what they were waving was a mail bag. We put two LCVPs in the water and preceeded to investigate. Possibly because they were Haitians all we could do is render humanitarian aid. We offloaded fresh water and food and pushed off leaving them to their fate.
Trivia... I have the song "Guantanamera" by the Sandpipers. The title, by the way... for all you GTMO sailors... the song translates to: "girl from Guantanamo".
Also, I see Guantanamo abbreviated as GTMO and as GITMO, but, there is no letter i in Guantanamo. So, sometimes I use my own abbreviation: GiTMO as a happy medium.
Chain of Command
CDR (V.C.) Vernon Charles Smith (later RAdm.), LCDR John Henry Withers (XO) and LCDR Dean A. Ablowich (XO), LT Leonard Zuga (Engineering). -- Remember the Geedunk?: On "the Darlin Harlan" we called it "LaMonde's" in honor of the SK3 that ran it. We called it a lot of things, but like most sailors, the ones on the pier were called the Geedunk Wagon or Roach Coach.
Contact me if you have corrections. Thanks for stopping by. Steve
Other Memories
Our first Atlantic crossing: In 1972 I was a plank-owner onboard the USS Harlan County, LST 1196. We brought her from San Diego through the Panama Canal and to her homeport of Little Creek without incident. Our first major cruise was to take the US Olympic Yachts over to Kiel Germany. This was our first Atlantic crossing and less than a third of the way there we got the call... "Man Overboard"... Being a new ship and crew it seemed we drilled a lot, but, this one was for real. My Sea and Anchor and General Quarters station was the bridge. It was a great location and was where the action was, which really beat the IC shop (below decks - next to Main Engineering). By the time I made it to the bridge the ship was in a full speed turn. Everybody was hanging on for the ride. My job was to run the bow thruster so I stood next to the helmsman. As luck would have it... it was not a calm sea. Fortunately, one of the crew had seen him jump... just a white t-shirt and dungarees. White caps were everywhere and so was the old man. He ran from one side of the bridge to the other and binoculars seemed to be appearing out of the thin air. All those white caps looked like t-shirts and by now the old man was fuming. Then we heard the call... they had spotted him and our DC men suited up. They got him along side and with a diver in the water they fished him out. His feet never touched the deck as he was hauled to our small but dry brig. As we crossed through the English Channel a helicopter came out and landed on our deck just long enough to take him off our hands as we headed for the entrance to the Kiel Canal and sailed into northern Europe. .................... -- The North Atlantic on an LST: With their flat bottom they tend to bob like a cork anyhow. We were riding high with little or no cargo in deep swells. A couple of us went up on the upper con and lashed ourselves to the rail with our belts. The bow broke waves and appeared to go under. Anyhow, all those levels above the waterline we were soaked. The (Newport Class) LSTs were pure aluminum above the main deck. This made it more buoyant and, so they said, could take a 45 degree roll and right itself. As the IC of the bridge I manned the bow thruster. An easy job which gave me a great view. I do not recall ever seeing more than a 20 degrees, maybe 25, on that super sophisticated glass tubed bubble roll indicator on the bridge. Steve Loomis, USS Harlan County, LST 1196, end of '72. .................... -- Sailor vs Marine / Green Onion Bar, Virginia Beach. A marine and I entered the head at the same time for a healthy whizz. He unzipped and I grabbed the corners of my 13 button fly. Those thirteen buttons pop open as fast as any zipper... but of course when we were finished I had to button them up. As the marine washed his hands I buttoned and we left at the same time. He looked at me and said... "In the Marine Corps we're taught to wash our hands when we've been to the latrine". I looked back at him.. and said, "In the Navy we're told not to piss on our hands"................ -- IC Shop's Coffee Pot: My lead was a Second Class and he must have thought he was quite the coffee drinker because he bought one of those large coffee makers. It must have made two gallons of coffee at a time and he liked it strong. It was on most of the day and he would often point to it and say... "help yourself". It was bitter and almost thick. After a week or so I realized he just plugged or switched it back on every morning. When I looked inside it was full of mold. There were just two IC on the ship and I decided I was better off getting my coffee from the mess deck. Thanks just the same. ............ -- I also remember we had one of those "one day dependence cruises" on a fine calm day out of Little Creek. But, whoever was on the bridge seemed bound and determined to ride the crotch of the waves... and what seemed hours... our flat bottomed LST waddled through an ever sickening sea. By lunchtime there was puke everywhere. What I remember hearing over the 1MC was, something to this effect... "Now topside... Clean-up, Port and Starboard" .................... -- Giving it the float test. You would be amazed at how many things "don't float".
Other notes:
Best Moment
I was an original crew member, a Plank Owner, on the Harlan. I became a Shellback at 84 degrees west in mid June 1972 and was discharged from active duty in June 1973. Ding Ding, Loomis, Plank Owner departing...
Other Memories
Harlan County (LST-1196) : Harlan County (LST-1196) was named after the county of Harlan in Kentucky. She was laid down on 7 November 1970 at San Diego, Calif., by the National Steel & Shipbuilding Corp.; launched on 24 July 1971; sponsored by Mrs. Richard Capen; and commissioned on 8 April 1972, Comdr. Vernon C. Smith in command. Following commissioning, Harlan County was assigned to the Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet, and transited the Panama Canal en route to her home port of Little Creek, Va. In the years that followed, the tank landing ship alternated amphibious training operations along the east coast of the United States and in the Caribbean with regular, sustained deployments to the Mediterranean. This cycle continued into 1980.
Chain of Command
USS HARLAN COUNTY, LST-1196, Amphibious Force, US Atlantic Fleet. Amphibious Force, US Atlantic Fleet was organized 16 March 1942. This command was combined in 1975 with Cruiser-Destroyer Force, US Atlantic Fleet to form Naval Surface Force, US Atlantic Fleet.
Best Moment I served on the USS Buttercup* while enrolled in Damage Control School as part of the pre-commission for a ship. I never mopped the deck of the Buttercup, it was a damage control exercise where you learn to stop the leak or sink. Aside from my Navy "A" schooling, my SERE, Damage Control and Fire Fighting training were fantastic experiences.
*for those of you who never got the chance to ride the USS Buttercup, here is a brief explanation:
The USS Buttercup. This was an actual section from a heavy cruiser that was hinged and could be sunk by opening lots of holes in the hull and pipes. The plan was to use timbers, shoring, mattresses, pipe clamps and portable pumps to stop the leaks and keep it afloat. It provided actual hands-on with hazardous work in flooded compartments.
Other Memories Precommissioning Detail (PRECOMDET)
When I first saw the USS Harlan County she was still being built at National Steel and Shipbuilders in San Diego. So to get ready for this new ship I was sent all the way to Norfolk to join the majority of the crew and attend Pre-Commissioning School, Fire Fighting and Damage Control Training. The DC training took place onboard the USS Buttercup, a 24' by 48' free-floating surface-trainer/damage control simulator. Upon completion we flew back to California for the commissioning ceremony. The rest is a Sea Story.
USS Harlan County, LST-1196. Commissioned 8 April, 1972. I was a Plank Owner on the Harlan. To ready the crew we attended pre-commissioning and damage control school, including firefighting training, in Norfolk. It was great information to have. Everyone should experience it. The USS Buttercup is the name of the Navy Trainer, shipboard compartments which are used to simulate damage conditions such as flooding, burst pipes, etc.
Criteria The Vietnam Staff Service Medal was a military award of South Vietnam which was issued between the years of 1964 and 1973. The medal was awarded in two degrees and presented for exemplary service whil... The Vietnam Staff Service Medal was a military award of South Vietnam which was issued between the years of 1964 and 1973. The medal was awarded in two degrees and presented for exemplary service while performing military duty on the staff of a major Vietnamese military command. To be awarded the Vietnam Staff Service Medal, a service member must have performed at least six months of military duty, while serving on a military staff, with such performance being above and beyond that which would normally be required for the position. The Vietnam Staff Service Medal was presented in two grades for such service with the first class grade for officers and the second class for enlisted personnel. The two different grades were annotated by border coloring on the medal�s ribbon, the first class being green and the second class blue. MoreHide
Comments Foreign Award - Personal Decoration
RVNN: Republic of Viet-Nam Navy:
Staff Service Medal, honorary grade
2nd Class/enlisted (blue border)
Awarded to members of Advisory Units working with Vietnamese Nava... Foreign Award - Personal Decoration
RVNN: Republic of Viet-Nam Navy:
Staff Service Medal, honorary grade
2nd Class/enlisted (blue border)
Awarded to members of Advisory Units working with Vietnamese Naval staff. The Second Class is for Enlisted and awarded at the "Honorary Grade" level. The back of the medal reads: "THAM MUU BOI TINH" and means "Warfare Tactics Advising". I received this from the Vietnamese Naval Shipyard Command for the year I worked with them in Saigon.
Here is a "sign of the time"... (1971):
I received my citation from the Vietnamese Naval Command that was printed on a spirit master/ditto machine. It was for the Republic of Viet-Nam's Navy Staff Service Honor medal and the bluish lettering of the citation had a red rubber stamp added to the bottom making it 'official'.
SECOND AWARD, October 1972:
I received this medal, not once, but twice. Once in 1971 while working in the Vietnamese Naval Shipyard and again, nearly a year and a half later, in 1972 when a second citation caught up with me in the Atlantic fleet. The second one was from the Vietnamese High Command in Saigon and represented on my ribbon rack with the Vietnamese Anchor attachment. Unlike the first award for my work as a "statistical advisor" this one was for my job as one of the main couriers with my unit. We were always armed when carrying documents to the US and RVN Naval Headquarters, out to the MAC-V offices at Tan San Nhut airbase and of course mail runs to and from the shipyard to COMNAVFORV.
This second award was from the Vietnamese Navy High Command was sent on to the ship I was serving on, the USS Harlan County. The XO presented me with a ditto copy of the award and apologized that the medal and its certificate were missing. What can I say?!
What may be important to one person isn't necessarily important to anyone else. Saddly, the Navy never bothered to enter the second award on my records. For as highly as awards are rated it seems odd that the process can be done so poorly.
Fact: When I was awarded this decoration I was the youngest and lowest ranking person to ever receive it. At 20 I was not old enough to be in the Vietnamese Navy... their draft age was 21. It's ironic, but the fact remains, I eventually received this rather rare decoration twice.
To date only a very few other NTWS members show this award. I list all of them as "Shipmates". MoreHide
Description The 1972 Summer Olympics (German: Olympische Sommerspiele 1972), officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 tThe 1972 Summer Olympics (German: Olympische Sommerspiele 1972), officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11, 1972.
The sporting nature of the event was largely overshadowed by the Munich massacre in which eleven Israeli athletes and coaches and a West German police officer were killed by Black September Palestinian terrorists.
The 1972 Summer Olympics were the second Summer Olympics to be held in Germany, after the 1936 Games in Berlin, which had taken place under the Nazi regime. Mindful of the connection, the West German Government was eager to take the opportunity of the Munich Olympics to present a new, democratic and optimistic Germany to the world, as shown by the Games' official motto, "Die Heiteren Spiele", or "the cheerful Games". The logo of the Games was a blue solar logo (the "Bright Sun") by Otl Aicher, the designer and director of the visual conception commission. The Olympic mascot, the dachshund "Waldi", was the first officially named Olympic mascot. The Olympic Fanfare was composed by Herbert Rehbein, a companion of Bert Kaempfert.
The Olympic Park (Olympiapark) is based on Frei Otto's plans and after the Games became a Munich landmark. The competition sites, designed by architect Günther Behnisch, included the Olympic swimming hall, the Olympics Hall (Olympiahalle, a multipurpose facility) and the Olympic Stadium (Olympiastadion), and an Olympic village very close to the park. The design of the stadium was considered revolutionary, with sweeping canopies of acrylic glass stabilized by metal ropes, used on such a large scale for the first time.... More
Memories Kiel Canal and Kiel, Germany, Olympics 1972. My ship, the USS Harlan County LST-1196, delivered the Kiel Canal and Kiel, Germany, Olympics 1972. My ship, the USS Harlan County LST-1196, delivered the American Yachts to Kiel, Germany, in late July for the 1972 Olympic Games. We arrived via the Kiel Canal which runs from the North Sea, under Denmark, to the port city of Kiel on the Baltic Sea. The yacht races were held there on the northern coast at Kiel, whereas the hostage situation was south in Munich.... More
Best Friends
My list... of people I remember from Vietnam.
I hope most of the names are correct...
RVNN Captain Doan Bich, VNNSY yard commanding officer. RVNN CDR Vo Som, SN Ha and Ung Fu.
NAG: Captain Shaver; CDR Cameron Mixon, CDR Lovett; LCDR Robert Teague; LCDR Fenick; LCDR David Kalb; LT A.D. Leone; LT Hearn; LT Gunderson or Gannon (also our barber); WO Dills; WO Dickerson, LCDR Hogg and counterpart LT Hia: MCPO/EM (SS) Merlin, EM, electrician; EN-1/CPO Bill Wood; GM-1 Bill Dewitt; GM-2 Mathews; GM-2 Lloyd Warren; YN-1 Paulson; YN-1 Smith; PN-3 Dave Lange; PN-3 Chadwick; PN-3 Bruce (Butch) Lindsay; BM-1 LaForte; PO-1 Guy; PO-1 Jackson; PO-1 Masterson; PO-1 Lewis; Thornson; Truly; Jolly; Geremo; Richter; Thornson; Bosley; RVN SN Ha; RVN CDR Vo Som; Ung Fu.
SERE: CPO Carter; Rick Miller.
Hometown people I met: Glen Wright and Dave (Matherson?)
Best Moment
Saigon naval shipyard The 57-acre Saigon Naval Shipyard, located on the southwest bank of the Saigon River about 30 miles from the South China Sea, represented the largest single industrial complex in South East Asia. The shipyard had been created by the French in 1863 as a major repair and resupply base. In 1969, 1,800 men were employed there, repairing and overhauling vessels, enabling the VNN to maintain its continuous patrols of the coast.
Chain of Command
MAC-V Vietnamese Navy Naval Advisory Group (Senior Naval Advisory Unit, Vietnam) We came under MAC-V, Military Assistance Command Viet-Nam as advisors to the Vietnamese Naval Command and the Vietnamese Naval Shipyard Command in Saigon. The shipyard included Fleet Command at the north end. Our advisory unit managed the shipyard shops and repair facilities which included a major training commitment. Naval Supply also occupied facilities in the Yard. Fleet Command. The VNN Fleet Command included the "blue water" ships of the navy. It was organized into two flotillas: a patrol flotilla made up of PCEs, MSCs, PGMs, LSSLs, and LSILs; and a logistics flotilla made up of PCs, MSCs, PGMs, LSMs, LSM{H)s, LCUs, LSTs, AKLs, YOGs, and YRs. (See glossary for definition of abbreviations). The Fleet Command was directly responsible to the VNN Chief of Naval Operations for the readiness of these ships and craft. The Fleet Commander assigned and scheduled ships to operate in the Coastal Zones, Riverine Areas and the Rung Sat Special Zone. When deployed to those areas, the ships changed operational control from the Fleet Commander to that of the respective zone or area commander. When deployed, the ships operated from the following ports: I Coastal Zone - Danang II Coastal Zone - Nha Trang/Qul Nhon III Coastal Zone - An Thoi/(Phu Quoc Island) IV Coastal Zone - Vung Tau/Can Tho/Chau Duc Rung Sat Special Zone - Nha Be Saigon Naval Shipyard. The 57-acre Saigon Naval Shipyard, located on the southwest bank of the Saigon River about 30 miles from the South China Sea, represented the largest single industrial complex in SEASIA. The shipyard had been created by the French in 1863 as its major repair and resupply base in SEASIA. In 1969, 1,800 men were employed working six days a week, repairing and overhauling vessels ranging front the largest in the VNN (328-foot LST) to the smallest (35-foot LCVP). The shipyard's primary mission was support of the VNN enabling it to maintain its day and night patrol of the over 1,100 mile RVN coast line. The shipyard was equipped to perform the most complex kind of repairs including overhaul. A ferro-cement construction project was completed late in the year. The first ferro-cement PCF and Viper came off the line in December. The shipyard was heavily committed to training programs to fill the critical job vacancies which existed during the year. Training. The VNN training establishment consisted of a Training Bureau located at VNN Headquarters; Training Centers located in Saigon, Nha Trang, and Cam Ranh Bay; and All Fleet Command ships were homeported in Saigon normally returned there after deployments. Overhauls, major repair, and maintenance of Fleet Command ships were accomplished at the Vanal Shipyard and the YR 9601 in Saigon. The shipyard was capable of performing major overhauls on any ship in the VNN, The YR 9601 (Floating Workshop) was equipped to perform all repair and overhaul work except shaft, screw, and underwater hull work. Normally the YR was reserved for PGM repair support, however, "ship-to-shop" repairs were accepted from other ships. Flotilla I - Patrol Ship; Flotilla I was composed of 41 patrol ships. They were organized into four squadrons. The patrol types included LSSLs and LSILs which were normally operated only in Riverine Areas or the Rung Sat Special Zone; although, on accession, they were assigned the four coastal zones. Such duties included gunfire support for the coastal groups or other units requiring assistance, PSYOP light logistic/personnel lift missions and patrol of MARKET TIME stations. These operational commitments required 50 percent of the patrol flotilla be deployed at all times. To meet that requirement, normal patrol routine was 40 days at sea for PGMs and 50 days for LSILs, PCEs, PCs, and MSCs. Fleet Command patrol ships assigned to the riverine areas provided naval gunfire support as well as patrolling the main waterways in the riverine areas. They enforced area curfews and conducted light logistic personnel lift. One river patrol unit was assigned as convoy escort on the Mekong River to and from the Cambodian border. Flotilla II - Logistic Ships. Flotilla II was composed of 14 logistic ships which were further divided into two squadrons. The primary employment of these ships was to support the naval unit, and bases throughout RVN. Logistic ships were under the administrative control of the Fleet Commander, and under the operational control of the VNN Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics who acted upon orders from the Central Logistics Command of the JGS.
Other Memories
My FPO address, 96626, included NAG-VNNSY. It stood for Naval Advisory Group - Vietnamese Naval Shipyard. (Co-Van, Hai-Quan Cong-Xuong) For years I have heard the term "Think Outside The Box". Are you kidding, I'VE LIVED OUT SIDE THE BOX. I believe my tour in Viet-Nam was my way of Walking The Walk and Talkin' The Talk. As a Viet-Nam Vet I took some crap when I returned. Just three months before I 'returned' home John Kerry had testified before Congress. I considered him a traitor then and a snake in the grass today. For years I kept my service to myself. Not any more. I've concluded that those who gave me the most crap were full of it themselves. They couldn't carry my sea bag.
SAIGON NAVAL SHIPYARD, as of DECEMBER 1969 (aka: VNNSY, Vietnamese Naval Shipyard) The 57-acre Saigon Naval Shipyard, located on the southwest bank of the Saigon River about 30 miles from the South China Sea, represented the largest single industrial complex in SEASIA (South East Asia). The shipyard had been created by the French in 1863 as its major repair and resupply base in SEASIA. In 1969, 1,800 men were employed working six days a week, repairing and overhauling vessels ranging from the largest in the VNN (328-foot LST) to the smallest (35-foot LCVP). The shipyard's primary mission was support of the VNN enabling it to maintain its day and night patrol of the over 1,100 mile RVN coast line. The shipyard was equipped to perform the most complex kind of repairs including overhaul. Two ferro-cement construction projects were completed late in the year. The first ferro-cement PCF and Viper came off the line in December. The shipyard was heavily committed to training programs to fill the critical job vacancies which existed during the year (1969). VNN: Vietnamese Navy RVN: Republic of Vietnam PCF: Swift Boat Viper: Experimental replacement for River Patrol Boast (PBRs) I arrived the first of June 1970 and then the ferro-cement Viper II and ferro-cement Yabuta Junk projects were underway.
This ain't the worst story, just one of those stories? I never built any houses, but the CBs did. One day I was sent along with a duece and a half full of men, over the Saigon River to a village where the CB's were building small concrete block houses for Vietnamese families who had their village burned to the ground by the VC. My job was simply to hand out clothing from the boxes we had brought along. The Vietnamese women had sort of lined up behind the truck, and about the third thing I pulled out of a large box was a long, red evening gown. I looked at this tiny little Vietnamese woman and she looked at me. At that point I think both of us were wondering, who in the *fuck sent this stuff to Vietnam? So, I simply waved to them to help themselves. At least that solved MY problem. (*dickens . . . there, can you still say that? You will have to pardon me, I WAS IN THE OLD NAVY)
Chain of Command
The shipyard was established in 1884 with the dry dock construction starting in 1886.
And my situation there would have to qualify as a one-off assignment.
I was in-country for one year, to the day and I never took an R&R. Mainly, because the subject never came up.
As odd as that sounds, I didn't have a 'normal' chain of command. On my fourth day in Viet-Nam I was sent TDY to the Vietnamese Naval Shipyard there in Saigon and was given a job that lasted my entire tour. Most of the people I went through SERE training with were sent to SeaFloat/SolidAnchor located near the bottom of IV Corps. However, I was assigned to the Naval Advisory Group in the shipyard where I reported directly to the Planning Advisor, LCdr. Robert Teague. His tour ended about half-way through mine and his replacement inherited me. So, possibly due to that timing, and the fact that I was in a department of two, and that on average I was fifteen years junior to the rest of the Naval Advisors.
Most of our 22 enlisted were E6 and above. The 12 officers were Warrents, LDO's and senior... such as the OX, a full Commander, and our CO, a full bird Captain. However, I've never felt slighted, because I spent my entire year there in Saigon and I had access to a jeep when I needed a vehicle overnight.
Not bad for a twenty year old E2. They gave me full Seaman, E3, a month after I arrived and that's how I left.
Other Memories
I was a wash-out from a ballistic missile program, and so I requested river patrol duty in Viet-Nam. Ten days later I was in SERE training and landed in Saigon as an undesignated E2. After a month my pay went up, they had made me an E3, Seaman 1st, and a year later that is how I left with orders to another Class A school. I didn't make E4 until I got to the fleet. No problem, but as I understood it, if you were in the Army and in Viet-Nam you were automatically made a Spec 4 or equivalent. Personnelly, I made out with duty in Saigon in the shipyard. I was having the time of my life. No regrets. We would occasionally have Spooks in and around the yard, so I was told. Actually, I was told to avoid anyone packing a 9mm, rather than a 45. Whether that was true or not really didn't matter to me. However, several of my room-mates (6 of us to a room) at the Capitol Hotel BEQ in Cholon were CB's, or claimed to be. They were hot shit about being over into Cambodia, it must have been late June or early July of 1970. They were claiming to be one of the first over the border. . .blah blah blah. . . and don't tell anyone or we'll have to kill you. All that kind of crap. You all know, some stories are more believable than others, and some are almost too good to be true. The following took place sometime between my being a two digit midget, and not giving a shit, and a one digit with paranoia. - Toward the end of my tour I'd gotten to know Saigon pretty well. I have a good sense of direction and had driven most major streets and half the alleyways by then. Anyhow, about then we had gotten a new Yeoman, PO1, and he and I went out on the town. The drunker we got, the squirrelier he got with his talk of being a CIA undercover spook. To me, it sounded like a bunch of bullshit, you know, Sea Story material. But, pretty soon we were doing stuff like front door back door in and out of bars and hotels. I will admit, he knew the alleyways and fire escapes as we would go in the lobby and out the second or third floor back to a bar for a drink and he was off again. We had managed to cross half the downtown of Saigon when we hit TuDo Street. By then, I was getting tired and just wanted to get laid. This was one of those parts of town I knew like the back of my hand and told him it was time to part. The last time I saw him he was getting into one of those blue and white Renault cabs. The next morning I showed up at the shipyard which was about a half mile off TuDo. He never showed up. Ever. The word I got was that he had his wedding ring finger cut off in order to steal the ring and rob him. There wasn't much I could say or do. He was twice my age and after all, we seemed to be living his big adventure, not mine. At least I got laid.
Saigon, early 1971... Vietnamization is underway... (Vietnamization n. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. program of turning over to the South Vietnamese government responsibility for waging the conflict, in order to implement withdrawal of U.S. military personnel) ie.. we were letting them take over their war... One morning a memo came around from the Vietnamese Naval Command, ATTENTION DRIVERS... Translated, it stated: Anyone driving vehicles belonging to the South Vietnamese Government must have a valid Vietnamese Driver's License. I worked in the Vietnamese Naval Shipyard in Saigon, just off Tu Do Street, and was attached to the Senior Naval Advisory Group - Viet Nam, which assisted in the management of the shipyard. The chain of command was one thing and our attempts at Political Correctness was another. The way it worked was, we turned over vehicles to the Vietnamese by the shipload, however, as Advisors, they saw our roll as working FOR them, the Vietnamese. Result.. Our jeeps were hand-me-downs, registered as PROPERTY OF THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT, and we carried a list of serial numbers of vehicles we were authorized to use. Now back to the memo... The Planning Advisor, LCDR Bob Teague, my boss, looked at me and said... well let's go get the paperwork done... and we climbed into a jeep and I drove over to City Hall. We went up to the second floor and presented our papers to a clerk at a counter. An older lady looked over the memo and Teague's license and then to mine. I had a Wisconsin, and an Army/Navy driver's license. (Actually, my Army license had the word NAVY written over ARMY. This was done by some old Sergeant at the Saigon Motor Pool who might have been trying to be funny... hard to tell). The old lady looked at my stuff, then up at me and over to Teague, like he was my father or something, and said, ''I'm sorry, but he is not old enough to drive". I was 20 and the Vietnamese full license, over 50cc's for motor-bikes, required you to be 21! (just like their draft age!). I thought Bob Teague was going to drop dead.. He just couldn't stop laughing. They finished up his license and we left. I climbed back behind the wheel and drove back over to the shipyard. On the way, Teague would break out in laugher and after we got back to the office he told the story to everyone, laughing every time... Of course it didn't matter. I drove all over Saigon, up and down to Long Binh and Bien Hoa and Nha Be. Thirty some years later, in some old officer's club or seaman's home, Bob is most likely still telling tales of Saigon and I hope he's still laughing at this one. Steve Loomis, Co-Van, Hai-Quan Cong-Xuong US Naval Advisory Group, Vietnamese Naval Shipyard, Saigon, June 1970 - June 1971 FPO San Francisco 96626.
Best Moment
Saigon Naval Shipyard The 57-acre Saigon Naval Shipyard, located on the southwest bank of the Saigon River about 30 miles from the South China Sea, represented the largest single industrial complex in South East Asia. The shipyard had been created by the French in 1863 as a major repair and resupply base. In 1969, 1,800 men were employed there, repairing and overhauling vessels, enabling the VNN to maintain its continuous patrols of the coast. Senior Naval Advisory Group Viet-Nam, Vietnamese Naval Shipyard Saigon (1956-1973). My main job was to analyze data in reports from all of the shops in the Saigon Shipyard and produce charts and graphs to graphically represent the findings. June 1970 to June 1971. I received weekly reports from each shop manager and with the aid of a translator I compiled the data by specific ship and manpower expended per shop/work area. Our commanding officer used my charts at weekly management meetings with the top naval brass in Vietnam at NAVFORV headquarters. The data was used to assist in long term projections of manpower workforce needed to overhaul the Vietnamese Naval fleet. I was awarded the Vietnamese Staff Honor Medal 2nd Class and the Navy Medal of Achievement with combat V for this work. I worked for LCDR Robert Teague and later LCDR Fenick. They were in charge of Planning in the shipyard. The shipyard was the largest training and manufacturing facility in Viet-Nam.
Worst Moment
Naval Advisory Group, Vietnamese Naval Shipyard Saigon RVN, 6/70-6/71. Campaigns #13 and #14: #13) Sanctuary Counteroffensive (1 May-30 June 1970) #14) Vietnamese Counteroffensive (l July 1970-30 June1971) Phase VII.
Chain of Command
Attached to the Senior Naval Advisory Unit Viet-Nam located in the Vietnamese Naval Shipyard, Saigon. Two campaigns yealds two campaign stars; between 7 June 1970 to 7 June 1971. Sanctuary Counteroffensive (Army, Navy, USAF, USCG): May 1 to June 30, 1970 Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase VII (Army, Navy, USCG): July 1, 1970 to June 30, 1971 I never found the Navy to be very good about explaining things like campaigns or stars that one would rate. I served in Viet-Nam for one year, to the day. for the rest of the time I was on active duty I wore one star to signify that year. I would spend the rest of my enlistment in schools or on the East Coast. I believe some sailors wore a star for each WestPac Cruise. Anyway, today, in a shadow box on the wall I have two stars on my Viet-Nam Service ribbon and medal. Campaigns 13 and 14. Note: Like the Vietnamese, I hyphenate the word Viet-Nam because it is a combination of two words. It's a personal preference. ................... Like watching an artist at work... Saigon was a perfect hunting ground for 'comshaw artists'. It was an amazing sight and I was so green they issued me fatigues so I would blend in. I did a lot of driving around Saigon, up to Long Binh and Bien Hoa and down the road to Nha Be. My second trip to Nha Be was with two other older members of our unit. Woody did the driving and I rode shotgun. We had a case of Johnny Walker in the back with one of our Chiefs. We got to the base and parked in back of several tin sheds. I stayed with the jeep and as boxes arrived I packed them into the back. Dozens of cases of frozen steak, whole hams, hamburger and other supplies. It fulled the back of our jeep and Woody jumped in and we took off... The Chief?.. Oh yeah, he drove the second jeep we had just acquired!! The first stop back in the shipyard was the paint shop for new numbers on the front and rear bumpers of our shinny new vehicle. Lesson Number One. Always check the jeep next to you when you park...to make sure your numbers and theirs don't match. Any questions??
Other Memories
Some said I was crazy, I had no idea of how lucky I was about to be,... when I received my orders for Viet Nam. I was a Seaman Apprentice. The orders read: RIVER PATROL -- VIETNAM. During the spring of 1970 I was sent to the Navy's Counter Insurgency training in San Diego (Coronado Island), Camp Pendelton and Camp Horno (USMC weapons training), and Warner Springs (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape laboratory). Most of the schools, especially the SERE training were classified. SERE was conducted by the Fleet Airborne Electronics Training Unit, Pacific. Our instructors included Navy SEALs and an escaped prison of war, named Doug Hegdahl, who had done time in North Vietnamese camps including the Hanoi Hilton. Training consisted of classroom language school, social and political indoctrination, weapons and hand to hand combat, plus tips into what plant life will or will not kill you while you are surviving in the jungle and how to get maggots to eat an infection which you will most likely have.. and could save your life, or limb. In all, the training lasted over a month. If you haven't yet guessed.. the survival, evasion, resistance, and escape laboratory were not classroom but actual in the field exercises. We survived on the land.. tried to evade capture, were captured, and tortured in a simulated prisoner of war compound known as Warner Springs. My mission.. Training for patrol boats from a place called Sea Float/Solid Anchor. I was nineteen. I once heard that Congress tried to outlaw the Navy's SERE School, back in the mid 70's due to the number of deaths which occurred at the Laboratory. Not all Navy personnel in Viet Nam attended SERE school. It was intended for personnel who were in hazardous (most likely to be captured) situations, like open top gunboats.. patrolling from the delta south and along the coast. Most people, including other branches of the military seem to have little or no idea of how much the Navy did and the extreme hazards which surrounded their activities. But, there is a twist to the story.. We flew into Saigon and reported to the Navy's guest house.. The Annapolis Hotel. At this point we attempted to adjust our biological clocks, etc., and, to get some sort of value from you the Navy would send you out TDY (temporary duty). At the end of the week, I was assigned to the shipyard. By mid-morning I was standing in the admin office of the Senior Naval Advisory Group, Vietnamese Naval Shipyard (SNAG/VNNSY).. Most of the men were milling about a large trash can full of iced down beer. It was Saturday and the Advisors were about to have their weekly meeting. From the middle of the office an officer approached me. His rank was Lieutenant Commander and on his jungle greens it said TEAGUE. He looks at me, above the left pocket of my fatigues it says US NAVY above the right it says LOOMIS... "So, LOOMIS, where did you come from?" TEAGUE turns out to be the Planning Advisor of this unit. I was an E2, Seaman Apprentice, and had never spoken to an officer of this rank before.. I told him.. "Wisconsin".. Next he asked what kind of courses had I taken in high school, it was pretty obvious I wasn't old enough to have been to college.. I told him I'd taken college preparatory math, science and drafting courses. He was interested in the drafting classes and I told him "I'd really enjoyed both technical and architectural drafting". He then took me down the hall to his office to show me some graphs and charts and asked if I thought I'd like working on them.. He had been diagramming the progress of the ships and the manpower to repair them on some sheets of graph paper and wanted me to develop larger wall charts with a more professional look to them. So... I was assigned to the shipyard, SNAG/VNNSY, Co-Van (advisor). And for the next year, I worked with translators, Vietnamese civilians and Naval personnel to develop charts and graphs depicting the hours of manpower expended on every class of ship in the Vietnamese Navy. Our commanding officer, a full Captain (06), used my charts weekly at the Admiral's Management Information Meetings at the US Naval Headquarters. So.. what happened to the gun boats you say... ?? Lets put it this way, I wasn't complaining.... Brown Water Navy took huge losses during my tour. When we lost boats we also lost crews. So, here I was, wearing a black beret of an advisor, even the sign under the windshield of my jeep said "CO-VAN".. It allowed me into almost any area of Saigon without question. I carried papers allowing me to wear civilian clothing and was not subject to curfew. The Advisory Unit was expected to mingle with the Vietnamese Naval Command, and to entertain them.. Stories onto themselves, but lets just say.. we had enough booze to trade for anything we wanted. Whiskey could get you jeeps, steak, well... most anything!! And it did. There were 34 officers and enlisted advisors in my unit. 12 officers. 22 enlisted. All senior Naval personnel.. To my knowledge, I was 14 years younger than any other man in the unit... And the lowest ranking person to receive the South Vietnamese Staff Honor Medal. So.. how could this be?? The rest of the story.... In my ninth month in country, Robert TEAGUE, was due to rotate back to the states.. or the fleet.. By now I had his old office and shared it with two female translator/interpreters. One afternoon, just before Bob Teague was due to leave he stopped by my office. Leaning against the door jam, he said... "You know... My first wife was redhead named Loomis....." and he walked away. Somewhat shaken, I realized that one summer morning, in an office full of old advisors, Bob Teague had taken me under his wing and most likely, he saved my life. With a good cigar and a tall glass of bourbon, I toast Bob every year on Veterans' and Memorial Days along with a long look back as I reflect on those events of forty years ago. Steve Loomis, USN Wherever you are, LCDR Robert Teague, THANK YOU. I will always be grateful to you for giving me the opportunity to work, with you, in the Vietnamese Naval Shipyard in Saigon. In all likelihood, I owe you my life. I've worked hard ever since and I am sure you would be proud of my accomplishments, (a red-head named loomis). I believe I also owe him a thanks for the Navy Achievement Medal with combat "V" and most likely the Vietnamese Staff Honor Medal that I received for my work that year. I left Viet-Nam as an unrated E3 with orders to IC A School. ..................................... In my dreams... I left Saigon in early June 1971 and have returned over and over in my sleep. Usually dark shadowy dreams of night and alleyways, like a black and white movie. I vividly remember saying to myself, in my dream, "I can't believe I'm back". So, one day I did, I went back. I went back because I could. On 9/11 2003 my flight from Singapore dropped through the clouds and landed in Saigon. In a way, I felt like I was home. I had been so familiar with the streets of Saigon and much of Cholon, that I could find my way around, night or day. Yet, seeing it again, not much had changed. I wandered the streets of both cities, crossing my own path over and over. It felt like I was walking in the footprints of my own youth. I located many familiar places; where I used to live in Cholon; side streets and temples in Saigon; I even photographed places I had photographed over 30 years earlier. The reward for me was that I had gotten it out of my system because, the dreams stopped. I haven't been back since, not even in my sleep. 2011 update... The dreams are back. Although pleasant enough, their back.
Criteria The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces in the grades of lieutenant commander (or major) and below. It is awarded for meritorious service or achieveme... The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces in the grades of lieutenant commander (or major) and below. It is awarded for meritorious service or achievement in either combat or noncombat based on sustained performance or specific achievement of a superlative nature but which does not warrant a Navy Commendation Medal or higher. It may not be awarded for service involving participation in aerial flight after January 1, 1969. MoreHide
Comments Naval Advisory Group, Vietnamese Naval Shipyard, Saigon 1970-1971. Something that makes my award interesting is that I did not receive a Combat Actions Ribbon, but was awarded a Combat Distinguishing ... Naval Advisory Group, Vietnamese Naval Shipyard, Saigon 1970-1971. Something that makes my award interesting is that I did not receive a Combat Actions Ribbon, but was awarded a Combat Distinguishing Device on my Navy Achievement Medal and its Ribbon. My combat distinguishing device was authorized as signed by Rear Admiral R. S. Salzer, Commander Naval Forces Vietnam.
I have been asked by several people... "How is it you have a Combat "V" and do not show a Combat Action ribbon. There are two answers. The first is: Because my citation lists it. Second: I was never in a position to return fire, which is the requirement for the CAR. If just being shot at... I would have qualified at least three times.
My Navy Achievement Citation reads:
The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Achievement Medal to STEVEN DENNIS LOOMIS for service as set forth in the following citation.
"For professional achievement while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against the north Vietnamese and Viet Cong communist aggressors in the Republic of Vietnam from June 1970 to June 1971. While serving as a statistical advisor to the Vietnamese Naval Shipyard, Seaman LOOMIS performed his duties in an exemplary manner. He assisted the Planning Advisor in obtaining and analyzing invaluable information from Vietnamese reports. His efforts in systematic information evaluation resulted in significant improvements in the advisory effort to present crucial information, in succinct form, to higher authority. He singularly demonstrated outstanding initiative and ingenuity in his recommendation for revised Management Information Center briefings. Seaman LOOMIS provided immeasurable service to the Vietnamese Navy by helping to develop the vehicle by which to assimilate abstracts of valuable, high-level data, and giving shipyard officials viable and comprehensive information to lead on to improved repair techniques and self-sufficiency in fleet maintenance. Throughout his tour, Seaman LOOMIS performed under the threat of enemy terrorist, rocket and mortar attacks. His exemplary professionalism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized. ("V")
For the Secretary of the Navy
R. S. Salzer
Rear Admiral, U. S. Navy
Commander U. S. Naval Forces, Vietnam
Note: This is how it appeared in a Home Town Release, in the newspaper after I returned home. That was also the first time I had seen the wording for an award I was told I was going to receive. In the actual citation, delivered to me by the commanding officer at Service School Command in San Diego, the word Seaman had been changed to Fireman because I was now attending IC-A School, Interior Communications Electrician which is an Engineering Rate in the Navy.
After leaving Viet-Nam and arriving home I was surprised to find a HOME-TOWN NEWS RELEASE in the local paper. My Navy Achievement citation had been printed, word for word. It was pretty cool in one way... as I had yet to see it because the award had been sent on to my next command. The down side... were some comments I got from former classmates. More than one called me a 'baby killer'. After all these years I now realize how jealous those failed guys must have felt and the easy thing was to try and take it out on me... the man in uniform. They, and one S.O.B. in particular, hadn't the faintest clue as to what I had achieved. It's that old 'one rotten apple' story, one in every crowd.
A funny thing happened when I reached my next command... You really shouldn't wear something that has not been awarded to you...yet... Here is my story:
When I was leaving my command in Viet-Nam I was told I was receiving this award. When I got home the entire write up of the award appeared in the local newspaper. It had been sent by the Navy as one of those Home-Town news releases. So, I knew I had been awarded it and when I got to my next command, not knowing much about presentations, I purchased a NAM ribbon. I was at NTC San Diego attending BE&E school before going on to IC 'A' school. I was sitting in the self-paced class when the Chief in charge came over to me with a chit and said I was to report to the office of the Commanding Officer. He looked at my ribbons and said "Are you getting another of those" pointing to the Navy Achievement ribbon. I said, "No, I knew I was getting it". Of course he said I shouldn't be wearing it until after the ceremony. I was an E3 Fireman at the time. The next day I showed up and now it had a "V" attached to it. When he came over to me I wasn't sure what his reaction would be. He simply shook my hand and said "congratulations". He was pretty decent about it, considering. -- Shortly after that my photo and award appeared in the base newsletter. MoreHide
Criteria The Navy Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself by outstanding heroism in action against an enemy (but not suff... The Navy Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself by outstanding heroism in action against an enemy (but not sufficiently to justify the award of the Presidential Unit Citation). It may also be awarded to a unit that distinguishes itself by extremely meritorious service not involving combat (but in support of military operations), which renders that unit outstanding when compared to other units performing similar service. MoreHide
Description I believe many of us were unaware of this award, and I appear to have rated it twice.
Award Period: 16 March 1966 to 30 June 1971 (see attached image)
and the second for the . . .
Award Period: 10 Ma... I believe many of us were unaware of this award, and I appear to have rated it twice.
Award Period: 16 March 1966 to 30 June 1971 (see attached image)
and the second for the . . .
Award Period: 10 May 1965 to 28 March 1973 (shown below and image attached)
Technically, I received this award in 1980. The award was given to both the Naval Advisory Group and the Naval Support Activity which we reported to, above them was MAC-V, Military Assistance Command Vietnam. I may rate the award twice because of the two units being recognized. I only list it once however.
I owe my Navy Unit Commendation (NUC) to a Navy PN in Dubuque Iowa. The award should have been dated 1971... read on... LOL
I received the ribbon ten years after serving in Viet-Nam. A Personnelman, with time to spare, at the Naval Reserve Center in Dubuque Iowa, researched my file: Naval Advisory Group, Vietnamese Naval Shipyard, Saigon 1970-1971. To my surprise, one weekend at morning muster, I was asked to step forward and our commanding officer pinned the ribbon on me after explaining the ten year delay (July 1980). There was a round of applause. I don't believe that happens very often.
Here is the citation: (Naval Advisory Group, Viet-Nam for service from 10 May 1965 to 28 March 1973)
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY--WASHINGTON
The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION to:
THE NAVAL ADVISORY GROUP, VIETNAM AND THE MARINE CORPS ADVISORY UNIT, VIETNAM for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For exceptionally meritorious service from 10 May 1965 to 28 March 1973 in connection with combat operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam. During this period, advisors from the Naval Advisory Group and the Marine Corps Advisory Unit, attached to Commander United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, provided guidance and assistance to the Vietnamese Navy and Vietnamese Marine Corps throughout the Republic of Vietnam. These advisory teams successfully achieved the transition of the Vietnamese Navy from a fledgling force of 8,000 men to a strong, dynamic, and aggressive force of 42,000 men; concurrently, the Vietnamese Marine Corps was reorganized into a first-class combat force. Participating in hundreds of combat, psychological and pacification operations, U.S. Navy and Marine Corps advisors contributed to the high state of training and readiness of the Vietnamese Navy and Marine Corps and their notable record of achievement. Through a concerted effort, the ACTOV (Accelerated Turnover to Vietnamese) Program was completed and all logistic and intermediate support bases were turned over to the Vietnamese Navy. The courage and devotion to duty displayed by U.S. Navy and Marine Corps advisors throughout this period reflected great credit upon themselves and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and United States Naval Service.
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
Description Two Navy Campaigns (13 and 14). June 1970 to June 1971.
#13 Sanctuary Counteroffensive (Army, Navy, USAF, USCG): from 1970-05-01 to 1970-06-30
#14 Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase VII (Army, Navy, USCG):... Two Navy Campaigns (13 and 14). June 1970 to June 1971.
#13 Sanctuary Counteroffensive (Army, Navy, USAF, USCG): from 1970-05-01 to 1970-06-30
#14 Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase VII (Army, Navy, USCG): from 1970-07-01 to 1971-06-30 MoreHide
Criteria The Vietnam Staff Service Medal was a military award of South Vietnam which was issued between the years of 1964 and 1973. The medal was awarded in two degrees and presented for exemplary service whil... The Vietnam Staff Service Medal was a military award of South Vietnam which was issued between the years of 1964 and 1973. The medal was awarded in two degrees and presented for exemplary service while performing military duty on the staff of a major Vietnamese military command. To be awarded the Vietnam Staff Service Medal, a service member must have performed at least six months of military duty, while serving on a military staff, with such performance being above and beyond that which would normally be required for the position. The Vietnam Staff Service Medal was presented in two grades for such service with the first class grade for officers and the second class for enlisted personnel. The two different grades were annotated by border coloring on the medal�s ribbon, the first class being green and the second class blue. MoreHide
Comments Foreign Award - Personal Decoration
RVNN: Republic of Viet-Nam Navy:
Staff Service Medal, honorary grade
2nd Class/enlisted (blue border)
Awarded to members of Advisory Units working with Vietnamese Nava... Foreign Award - Personal Decoration
RVNN: Republic of Viet-Nam Navy:
Staff Service Medal, honorary grade
2nd Class/enlisted (blue border)
Awarded to members of Advisory Units working with Vietnamese Naval staff. The Second Class is for Enlisted and awarded at the "Honorary Grade" level. The back of the medal reads: "THAM MUU BOI TINH" and means "Warfare Tactics Advising". I received this from the Vietnamese Naval Shipyard Command for the year I worked with them in Saigon.
Fact: When I was awarded this decoration I was the youngest and lowest ranking person to ever receive it. At 20 I was not old enough to be in the Vietnamese Navy... their draft age was 21.
To date only a very few other NTWS members show this award. I list all of them as "Shipmates".
Here is a "sign of the time"... (1971):
I received my citation from the Vietnamese Naval Command that was printed on a spirit master/ditto machine. It was for the Republic of Viet-Nam's Navy Staff Service Honor medal and the bluish lettering of the citation had a red rubber stamp added to the bottom making it 'official'.
SECOND AWARD, October 1972:
I received this medal, not once, but twice. Once in 1971 while working in the Vietnamese Naval Shipyard and again, nearly a year and a half later, in 1972 when a second citation caught up with me in the Atlantic fleet. The second one was from the Vietnamese High Command in Saigon and represented on my ribbon rack with the Vietnamese Anchor attachment.
This second award was from the Vietnamese Navy High Command was sent on to the ship I was serving on, the USS Harlan County. The XO presented me with a ditto copy of the award and apologized that the medal and its certificate were missing. What can I say?!
What may be important to one person isn't necessarily important to anyone else. Saddly, the Navy never bothered to enter the second award on my records. For as highly as awards are rated it seems odd that the process can be done so poorly.
Fact: When I was awarded this decoration I was the youngest and lowest ranking person to ever receive it. At 20 I was not old enough to be in the Vietnamese Navy... their draft age was 21. It's ironic, but the fact remains, I eventually received this rather rare decoration twice. The back of the medal reads: "THAM MUU BOI TINH" and means "Warfare Tactics Advising".
To date only a very few other NTWS members show this award. I list all of them as "Shipmates". MoreHide
Criteria
The unit citation of the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal was awarded certain units by the Vietnamese government for meritorious service during the period 1 March 1961 to 28 March 1974.
Description This ribbon was awarded to all US Naval Forces that served in country Viet-Nam by the Vietnamese Congress in January 1974. The level of this award was a "Unit Award". - Note: I did not know I rated th... This ribbon was awarded to all US Naval Forces that served in country Viet-Nam by the Vietnamese Congress in January 1974. The level of this award was a "Unit Award". - Note: I did not know I rated this award until I joined TOGETHERWESERVED, 10 years ago.
. . . . . . . . .
There were two additional Vietnamese awards bestowed on all U.S. Naval Forces who served in country. They were the Republic of Viet-Nam Navy Service Medal, honorary grade/no attachment, and this one, the Civil Actions Ribbon, which uses the 1st Class, officer level, ribbon framed with palm attachment. They were given to us as a Thank You by the Vietnamese Congress at the conclusion of the Peace Talks 1/'74. These are not on my DD-214 because they were awarded after I had been discharged.
also...
VIETNAMESE AWARD TRIVIA: the device on several RVN ribbons.
To my knowledge the Vietnamese never wore the "twig" on their ribbons or medals. It was one of those American mistakes and almost everyone still wears the twig. It should have been a Palm Leaf. I have examples of both, a made in Vietnam Palm Leaf device and the twig that most Veterans wear. But, when our congress bailed on Vietnam there wasn't anyone in our goverment that really cared about little mistakes. MoreHide
Chain of Command The original advisors were MAAG, Military Assistance Advisory Group. When MAC-V replaced MAAG in 1962, the Naval Advisory Group also came under MAC-V, Military Assistance Command - Viet-Nam. Naval Advisory Group (NAG) reported to: Naval Forces Viet-Nam (COMNAVFORV) which came under: Military Assistance Command Viet-Nam (MAC-V) This structure was the same for Naval Support Activity (NSA). Additionally, as Advisors to the Vietnamese Navy we reported to them. Of course, that was not an official standing, they were our counterparts. At least that is my understanding.
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More fun with guns -- tongue-in-cheek.
VIETNAM: Half of the time I rode shotgun, other times I drove, because I could drive a stick shift.
I remember... at least one of our jeeps had a machine gun post mounted center behind the front seats. I don't ever remember seeing it being used, but heard several accounts of picking up the FNG officers out at the airport and their wide-eyed wild-ride through Saigon just to shake them up.
Other Memories People and Places: THE BLUE DIAMOND.
I turned 20 on my way to Viet-Nam. Many of my experiences were "firsts" for me, mostly good, some bad. The people I met were all "one of a kind" and so were many of the places. I was on my own most of the time, and many of the restaurants I tried I did so by myself and so they stick in my mind, even their names. A particular one was THE BLUE DIAMOND (photo file attached); a left over from the Colonial French, it could have been anywhere back in France, but it wasn't. It was on TuDo Street in Saigon.One day I wondered in and sat at a small table with it's white linen tablecloth. A waiter came over and asked me what I'd like to order. I hadn't a clue and sensing that, he recommended the French Onion Soup. It was my first time and it would become the benchmark for the rest of my life. It was so perfect, and so French - there in Saigon, the Paris of the Orient.I've heard there is now a hotel in Saigon with the name Blue Diamond. I doubt than any of their guests will have quite the experience I had, sitting there in my jungle green combat fatigues, so long ago. - - - BTW: In case you were wondering about their upper sign: KIM CUONG. It is not the name of a Chinese owner, as I believe the restaurant was still run by an old expat Frenchman. In fact, Kim CÆ°Æ¡ng Xanh is Vietnamese for BLUE DIAMOND.
Description This Campaign was from 1 July 1970 to 30 June 1971. In July the Vietnamese Navy assumed sole responsibility f or the Ready Deck operation, which was given a Tran Hung Dao designator like the other forThis Campaign was from 1 July 1970 to 30 June 1971. In July the Vietnamese Navy assumed sole responsibility f or the Ready Deck operation, which was given a Tran Hung Dao designator like the other former SEALORDS areas. Also in July, the U.S. Navy ceased its combat activity on I Corp's Cua Viet and Hue Rivers. The Americans then transferred the last combatant vessels of Task Force Clearwater to the Vietnamese. A final turnover of river craft at the end of 1970 enabled the Vietnamese Navy to take charge of the Search Turn, Barrier Reef, and Breezy Cove efforts deep in the Mekong Delta. Except for continued support by HAL-3 and VAL-4 aircraft and SEAL detachments, the U.S. Navy's role in the SEALORDS campaign ended in April 1971 when Solid Anchor (previously Sea Float and now based ashore at Nam Can) became a Vietnamese responsibility.
The Vietnamese Navy, which grew from 18,000 men in the fall of 1968 to 32,000 men at the end of 1970, instituted organizational changes to accommodate the new personnel, material, and operational responsibilities. The Vietnamese grouped their riverine assault craft in riverine assault interdiction divisions (RAID) and their PBRs into river interdiction divisions (RID) and river patrol groups (RPG). They also augmented the existing RAGs and coastal groups, the latter now consolidated into 20 units for lack of sufficient patrol junks.
This dramatic change in the nature of the allied war effort reflected the rapid but measured withdrawal from South Vietnam of U.S. naval forces. NAVFORV strength dropped from a peak of 38,083 personnel in September 1968 to 16,757 at the end of 1970. As Admiral Zumwalt transferred resources to the Vietnamese Navy, he disestablished U.S. naval commands and airlifted personnel home. With the redeployment of the Army's 9th Infantry Division and the turnover of 64 riverine assault craft in June 1969, the joint Mobile Riverine Force halted operations. When the Riverine Assault Force (Task Force 117) stood down on 25 August 1969, it became the first major naval command deactivated in Vietnam. By December 1970, COMNAVFORV had transferred to Vietnam the remaining river combatant craft in his command, which included 293 PBRs and 224 riverine assault craft. That month, the River Patrol Force was disestablished and the Task Force 116 designator reassigned to Commander Delta Naval Forces, a new headquarters controlling SEAL and naval aircraft units still in-country.... More
People You Remember My Unit was the Naval Advisory Group in the Vietnamese Naval Shipyard, Saigon RVN. 6/70-6/71. CampaiMy Unit was the Naval Advisory Group in the Vietnamese Naval Shipyard, Saigon RVN. 6/70-6/71. Campaigns #13 and #14: 7 June 1970 - 7 June 1971. #13. Sanctuary Counteroffensive (1 May-30 June 1970) #14. Vietnamese Counteroffensive (l July 1970 - 30 June1971) Phase VII.... More
Memories Calling MARS Back in Viet-Nam you could stand in line to make a call home if you had an hour to waitCalling MARS Back in Viet-Nam you could stand in line to make a call home if you had an hour to wait for a Navy MARS patch. I believe it stood for Military Affiliated Radio Station. I think the system is still in use. I made one call during the entire year I was over there. Looking back I have no regrets. We were adults and on our own. No computer, so no email. If you wanted mail you wrote letters. And the games we played were for keeps. ...................... MAIL CALL - CARE PACKAGES In fact, I didn't receive many letters and I only recall one Care Package. It was from my older sister. As was the custom.. I opened it in the office and eager hands helped themselves. I remember comments like... "these are really good" as your cookies evaporated before your very eyes. I am sure I got one or two, but... there was also a tin of candies in that box and that was mine. For some reason I kept the tin container and put any number of things in it.. and at the end of my tour it made its way into my seabag with keys and other small items inside of it. Over the years it kept showing up. Sometime a quick memory of that Care Package would cross my mind and that tin was saved from the trash once again. As I thought about it last night... I wondered, could I still have that old thing laying around? Less than five minutes later I had found it AND it's lid. It was half full of electrical parts and screws. Isn't it funny how some things just seem to stay with you? Kind of like "rosebud". ................................... The final irony... it was the VC who lost the war. In 1975, a year after the Peace Agreement was signed, North Vietnamese troops surrounded Saigon, overwhelmed the Army of the Republic of Viet-Nam, overthrowing the government of South Viet-Nam. But it was the Viet Cong who lost the war. Positions and property were taken by officials from North Viet-Nam. The VC were NOT included in those benefits and the war trophies. After all of their efforts, they were considered as traitors to their own country. No one can ever trust a traitor.... More
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
Description Two Navy Campaigns (13 and 14). June 1970 to June 1971.
#13 Sanctuary Counteroffensive (Army, Navy, USAF, USCG): from 1970-05-01 to 1970-06-30.
#14 Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase VII (Army, Navy, USCG)... Two Navy Campaigns (13 and 14). June 1970 to June 1971.
#13 Sanctuary Counteroffensive (Army, Navy, USAF, USCG): from 1970-05-01 to 1970-06-30.
#14 Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase VII (Army, Navy, USCG): from 1970-07-01 to 1971-06-30.
This award, along with the RVN Campaign medal and the RVN Gallantry Cross ribbon, were presented to me in our Admin Office at the Shipyard in Saigon before the end of my tour. There were no campaign stars attached to the medal or it's ribbon at the time, so I placed one small bronze star on them thinking they represented my single tour. There should have been two such stars for the two campaigns which I served during. Ironically, the Navy forgot to list my Vietnam Service Medal and the two campaigns I served in on my DD-214 when I was discharged. How this could be overlooked is kind of funny, as I was personally decorated by the Vietnamese Navy with the RVNN Staff Service Medal.
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I've mentioned this before, that my Viet-Nam Service Medal and my two campaign stars (13 & 14) were not listed on my DD-214 when I was discharged in June 1973. Funny as I served in country from June 1970 to June 1971 and received the Vietnamese Staff Medal along with a Navy Achievement with "V". However, I did receive the medal itself before leaving Saigon. It was made in Viet-Nam, has a blank back and the dragon is not behind the bamboo but in front of it. I believe the dragon and bamboo design were the same as the seal of the President of South Viet-Nam. I bought a US made medal after I returned to CONUS when I had the tailor at the Exchange in San Diego stitch my medals onto a single bar but kept the other one as a souvenir. I never bothered to have my DD-214 corrected. I figure, you either knew you were there--- or you weren't. Steve Loomis, Naval Advisory Group Viet-Nam. MoreHide
Criteria The Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of Sout... The Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of South Vietnam. The actions cited are for the same services that would have resulted in the award of a Valorous Unit Citation by the Army or a Navy Unit Citation MoreHide
Description RVN Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross)
Foreign Award - Republic of Viet-Nam
Gallantry Cross Ribbon framed with Palm
Co-Van Hai-Quan Cong-Xuong
(Advisor) (Navy) (Shipyard)
FIRST AWARD: Awarded 21-... RVN Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross)
Foreign Award - Republic of Viet-Nam
Gallantry Cross Ribbon framed with Palm
Co-Van Hai-Quan Cong-Xuong
(Advisor) (Navy) (Shipyard)
FIRST AWARD: Awarded 21-Nov-1968 to 21-Nov-1970.
SECOND AWARD: 01-Jun-1965 to 30-Apr-1972.
Awarded to my Unit in November 1970, and again, in 1972.
THIRD AWARD: Awarded to every Allied nation which provided military support to Vietnam between 1 March 1961 and the fall of Saigon in April 1975, by the Republic of Vietnam Congress, January 1974 as per the Agreed Upon Cessation of Hostilities, following Ratification of the 1973 Peace Agreement.
Originally awarded to my command, then again (the Vietnam Gallantry Cross Meritorious Unit Citation with Palm) was issued to every Allied nation which provided military support to Vietnam between 1 March 1961 and the fall of Saigon in April 1975. The unit decoration thus became the most commonly awarded Vietnamese decoration to foreigners, second only to the Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Vietnamese Medals Requirements: This award was given as a Thank You from the South Vietnamese Government to all US Navy personnel that served in-country. From a list of: Medals Awarded to All or Groups of Foreign Civilian or Foreign Military Personnel By the Republic of Vietnam Congress, January 1974 as per the Agreed Upon Cessation of Hostilities, following Ratification of the 1973 Peace Agreement.
VIETNAMESE AWARD TRIVIA: the device on several RVN ribbons.
To my knowledge the Vietnamese never wore the "twig" on their ribbons or medals. It was one of those American mistakes and almost everyone still wears the twig. It should have been a Palm Leaf. I have examples of both, a made in Vietnam Palm Leaf device and the twig that most Veterans wear. But, when our congress bailed on Vietnam there wasn't anyone in our goverment that really cared about little mistakes. 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
Description Foreign Award - Republic of Viet-Nam:
Naval Advisory Group, Vietnamese Naval Shipyard,
(Co-Vấn Hải-Quáºn Cong-Xuong)
Saigon Viet-Nam from 6/70 to 6/71.
I qualified for, and was presented, this award... Foreign Award - Republic of Viet-Nam:
Naval Advisory Group, Vietnamese Naval Shipyard,
(Co-Vấn Hải-Quáºn Cong-Xuong)
Saigon Viet-Nam from 6/70 to 6/71.
I qualified for, and was presented, this award after serving six months in-country, June to December 1970.
Viet-Nam Campaign Medal became the most commonly awarded Vietnamese decoration to foreigners. MoreHide
Description This Campaign period was from 1 May to 30 June 1970. The allied push into Cambodia during the spring of 1970 brought the SEALORDS forces into a unique operational environment. At 0730 local time on 9 This Campaign period was from 1 May to 30 June 1970. The allied push into Cambodia during the spring of 1970 brought the SEALORDS forces into a unique operational environment. At 0730 local time on 9 May, 10 days after ground troops crossed the border, a combined Vietnamese-American naval task force steamed up the Mekong River to wrest control of that key waterway from North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces.
The flotilla, led by a Vietnamese naval officer, was composed of American PCFs, ASPBs, PBRs, HAL-3 and VAL-4 aircraft, Benewah, Askari, Hunterdon County, YRBM 16, YRBM 21 and 10 strike assault boats (STAB) of Strike Assault Boat Squadron 20, a fast-reaction unit created by Admiral Zumwalt in 1969. The Vietnamese contingent included riverine assault craft of many types, PCFs, PBRs, and marine battalions.
Naval Advisory Group personnel sailed with each Vietnamese vessel. By the end of the first day, Vietnamese naval units reached the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, while to the south the combined force stormed enemy-held Neak Luong, a strategic ferry crossing point on the river. For political reasons, no U.S. personnel were allowed past Neak Luong, midway to Phnom Penh.
Although the American component pulled out of Cambodia by 29 June, the Vietnamese continued to guard the Mekong and evacuate to South Vietnam over 82,000 ethnic Vietnamese jeopardized by the conflict.... More
People You Remember Naval Advisory Group, Vietnamese Naval Shipyard, Saigon RVN. GMG1 Bill DeWitt, EN1 Bill Wood, GMG2 WNaval Advisory Group, Vietnamese Naval Shipyard, Saigon RVN. GMG1 Bill DeWitt, EN1 Bill Wood, GMG2 Warren, Nguyen An Tuyet, SN Ha, LCDR Bob Teague, LCDR Finick, Lt Leone, MCPO EM Merlin, LT Herrin, YN1 Smitty, BM2 La Foote, GMG2 Matthews, CWO Dills, SK3 Boswell, LT Garrett, YN1 Paulson, ... More
Memories Campaigns #13 and #14: 7 June 1970 - 7 June 1971. #13. Sanctuary Counteroffensive (1 May-30 June 19Campaigns #13 and #14: 7 June 1970 - 7 June 1971. #13. Sanctuary Counteroffensive (1 May-30 June 1970) #14. Vietnamese Counteroffensive (l July 1970-30 June1971) Phase VII.
The Legendary Viper Project. I have a series of photos of the Vipers built in the Vietnamese Naval Shipyard in Saigon by the US Naval Advisory Group. I was fortunate to be a member of this group. They are in my photo album toward the back. They are rare photos of the Viper 1 and 2 boats built in the Saigon Shipyard. I also started a thread somewhere called Viper Ferro-Cement Boats of Viet-Nam.
MAAG - MACV MAAG (Military Assistance Advisory Group) became MACV (Military Assistance Command - Viet-Nam) including NAG (Naval Advisory Group).
Thanks for stopping by. Steve
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Just a fond memory... As part of an advisory unit in the Saigon Shipyard we would host parties for the Vietnamese on their Admiral's Barge. I remember one night, standing on the back of the barge in the dark, handing bottles of Johnnie Walker to a PBR crew that slid up alongside. The next day, that LONE PBR would represent the final large hand over to the Vietnamese Navy. It was late December 1970. Cheers.... More
I enlisted on the 24th of April 1969 while still in High School. It was the Navy's CACHE Program and gave me 90 days to finish school before reporting for Active Duty. I went on active duty in early July 1969. First stop was Camp Moffet, in WWII barracks, before being assigned to a Boot Company. After some research I found out my company number was 450 (CPO Lutz). According to my DD-214 I started on 16 July 1969, although I remember arriving on 7 July. Furthermore, by the time we landed on the moon (20 July 1969) we were settled in and allowed to watch the landing coverage on TV. Half the guys were USNR and seemed to know what was going on. I had NO IDEA. When our Company Commander told us to call him SIR and not CHIEF, I don't know why. He didn't even look like an Indian! I had no background or real knowledge of the Navy let alone rank etc., I guess that was what I was there for.
I qualified for the fleet ballistic missile program and received a security clearance. I was told you had to have a 121 IQ to get into the program, rumors, possibly. I had pneumonia while there and I wasn't a great student. They dropped me from the program, so I volunteered for duty in Vietnam. 10 days later, I was in SERE school and on my way to Saigon. I have a combat "V" on my Navy Achievement medal from that year in Nam. I don't think IQ had anything to do with that.
Best Friends
Edit: I was fortunate to locate one of the other sailors in my boot-camp company on LinkedIn: Michael Grimm. He confirmed our company commander and number.
Hi Steve, I don't know how long it's been since you asked this question. I don't get to LinkedIn very often anymore. Let's see our Boot Camp company was 450 and our company commander was CPO Lutz. "Lutz's Lifers". I've still got my boot camp "Year Book". After Great Lakes I went to NAS Memphis for electronics A school. Then ended up in a VP squadron for the remainder of my time. We deployed to Iceland three times during my tour. Married my shop chief's little sister. Five sons later... we had our 50th Anniversary last summer.
Other Memories
RTC, Recruit Training Great Lakes.
I enlisted on the 24th of April 1969 while still in High School. It was the Navy's CACHE Program and gave me 90 days to finish school before reporting for Active Duty. I went on active duty in early July 1969. First stop was Camp Moffet, in WWII barracks, before being assigned to a Boot Company 450 and our commander was CPO Lutz. "Lutz's Lifers"... According to my DD-214 I started on 16 July 1969, although I remember arriving on 7 July. Furthermore, by the time we landed on the moon (20 July 1969) we were settled in and allowed to watch the landing coverage on TV. Half the guys were USNR and seemed to know what was going on. I had NO IDEA. When our Company Commander told us to call him SIR and not CHIEF, I don't know why. He didn't even look like an Indian! I had no background or real knowledge of the Navy let alone rank etc., I guess that was what I was there for.
Other Memories I enlisted on the 24th of April 1969 while still in High School. It was the Navy's CACHE Program and gave me 90 days to finish school before reporting for Active Duty. I went on active duty in early July 1969. First stop was Camp Moffet, in WWII barracks, before being assigned to a Boot Company. In fact, I don't remember the company number, I believe it was 440 something, either 446 or 449, but I could be mistaken. According to my DD-214 I started on 16 July 1969, although I remember arriving on 7 July.
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
Description I consider this another Viet-Nam reminder. The National Defense Service Medal was awarded due to the war in Viet-Nam as the years of the award confirm: awarded from January 1, 1961 to August 14, 1974.... I consider this another Viet-Nam reminder. The National Defense Service Medal was awarded due to the war in Viet-Nam as the years of the award confirm: awarded from January 1, 1961 to August 14, 1974. I received mine in the summer of 1969 while in Boot Camp at Great Lakes, Ill. - - If you're looking for an opinion... here's mine.
I feel it should be standard issue upon completion of Boot Camp, the way mine was in the summer of 1969. I know full well why I received it. It was due to a national emergency called "The Police Action in South Vietnam", aka the Vietnam Conflict or as we called it... the War in Vietnam; it was another one of our countries non-declared wars.
By the way, the Vietnamese called it the American War, as opposed to their earlier French War.
If you've been on active duty in the US Military you should qualify for a National Defense Medal, but then that's just my opinion. MoreHide
I BAD DAYS: GUNFIRE IN SAIGON AND THAT EAST COAST ICE STORM OF JANUARY 1973.
I made it through Vietnam with hardly a scrap, except the two bullet holes in my jeep (June 1970-June 1971). I guess I'd have to say, that in Saigon there was gun-fire and then there was beingshot at. They are two entirely different things. The general rule, although not all that often, was -- "if it didn't hit you, it wasn't any of your business". My BEQ was the Capitol Hotel and I remember three different shootings that were close up. One was a South Vietnamese that shot up a jeep full of MPs. The Capitol Hotel was often refered to as the MPs BEQ. Two of us were about fifty feet away. The guy I was with was a Corpsman and ran to help. Another time I was in the ground floor EM Club when a shooter from the rooftop across the street shot up the front of the hotel while we were barricaded inside, waiting it out. The two rounds that hit my jeep were outside of a club after a fight. I was driving and one of the three guys with me had been hit in the face so hard it broke his jaw. I drove him to the hospital out near Tan Son Nhut Air Base where he was treated and then shipped off to Japan. I never saw him again. But, I recall we thought we had heard shots fired when we left the scene and the next morning there was a bullet hole in the back panel of the jeep and another splattered on the rear axle. When asked about it, I decided it would be a good time to keep my mouth shut.
Nearly two years later...as luck would have it...during the record breaking Ice Strom of January 1972, two of us made it as far as Raleigh before they closed the highways and train service. We missed ship's movement which was merely a five hour dependent's cruise out intothe Chesapeake Bay. We stood Captain's Mass without the ability to defend ourselves, even though we had turned ourselves in to the Recruiting Office in Raleigh. No matter, it cost me a stripe, and that's why I've had my crow tacked on TWICE.
Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal Year Awarded 1981 Details behind Award: I served four years active duty USN 1969-1973. In 1974 I joined the Naval Reserve in LaCrosse Wisconsin. In 1977 I took an overseas contract with Lockheed Aircraft in Saudi Arabia resulting in inactive reserve time for two years. I rejoined the USNR in Dubuque Iowa, late 1979, and in early 1981 I left once again. This time for England and eventually settling in Phoenix Arizona where I did not reconnect with the Reserves. In total, I drilled for more four years of the eleven years of my Reserve Duty and was discharged for the third and last time in April 1983. I spent two weeks of active reserve duty four time: USS Pluck MSO-464 (1974), NTC-Great Lakes (1975), USS Francis Marion APA/LPA-249 (1976) and the USS Schenectady LST-1185 (1980).
Once again, life gets in the way. I left the Reserves for a second time and moved to England. I was unsuccessful in negotiating another overseas contract and eventually moved back to CONUS and took up residency in Arizona. We have been here ever since. I settled down and have spent the past couple of decades with a school district in Phoenix. Had I known I would be here this long I would have gone back into the Reserves... and made a go of it... but then... "You can't do everything. You can only try!" I believe my last discharge certificate was dated April 1983. That is why this file is listed 1980-1983. So, that said, I probably rate two hash marks and a Naval Reserve Good Conduct medal. Don't make no difference, but... One regret, I do wish I'd have sat the IC-2/PO2 exam. Life just got in the way.