Criteria The U.S. Navy has issued two marksmanship ribbons: the Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon and Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon, since 1920. The pistol ribbon is currently awarded for qualification on the B... The U.S. Navy has issued two marksmanship ribbons: the Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon and Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon, since 1920. The pistol ribbon is currently awarded for qualification on the Beretta 9mm pistol, while the rifle ribbon is currently awarded for qualification on the M14 and M16 assault rifle variants. The Navy issues the marksmanship ribbon in three levels, that of Marksman, Sharpshooter, and Expert. The basic ribbon is awarded for the Marksman level while the specific Marksmanship Device is awarded for qualification as a Sharpshooter or Expert. Those receiving an Expert qualification receive the Marksmanship Medal, in addition to the Marksmanship Ribbon. MoreHide
Best Friends
CS3 Roberts letting me cook for the crew on some weekends while we were in port.
Best Moment
Being a Russian Troller Chow Time Highest shooting score with 40mm for a MSO on West Coast. Ships Battle effiency E
Worst Moment
Tyhoon at sea FIRE IN THE PORT SWEEP LOCKER Also had one in the port sweep locker while in the yards. I had finished with all my ammo boxes and had them put back on the ship. I was working in the port sweep locker after that. Had re-varnished all the cabinets & other painting......Tore out the old tile floor and was laying a new one.......Tar adhesive was spread on deck and tiles had to be heated with hand torch that used white fuel.....Plunger was not working proper........Hailed down BM2 Whitney and asked if they had another torch I could use because this one was FUBAR. Whitney said he could fix the one I was using....He started pumping it and the plunger came out and white gas and flames went every where. He tried to put it out with my shirt which was laying there and that didn't work. By that time I was heading up the ladder and to the quarterdeck. Picked up the large fire extinguisher from there as I hollered to the QD watch Fire in the port sweep locker & this ain't no F'n drill. By the time I got back to the sweep locker BM1 Burris was standing there and snatched the extinguisher from me and went down the ladder & put out the fire. He was just about ready to go on liberty and was wearing his dress whites......They wern't so white when he came back up. If he had let me go on down with it and put the fire out he wouldn't have gotten all dirty...LOL I was just wearing dungarees & T-shirt. Burris had to play hero as always. Wonder if he got a medal for that? Had to re-do everything I had already gotten done in the sweep locker.
Chain of Command
CO Lt.Comander T.S. Witherow XO Lt. Lynch
Other Memories
1966 LOYALTYNEWSLETTER The USS LOYALTY (MSO 457) is back in Subic Bay after her second patrol along the coast of Viet Nam She now has 6 days to get ready for a shorter third patrol after which she will head for dry dock and some well deserved extended beach timeo LOYALTY'S most recent patrol lasted exactly one month from the day the ship left Subic bay to the day she pulled in again, and although there were not as many' junks encountered as on our first patrol, the men of the LOYALTY were never at a loss for things to do to keep busy. The patrol was memorable for many reasons. It was the last patrol for two "old vets LTJG Satterthwaite and LTJG Jamison It was the first patrol aboard the LOYALTY for two new officers, ENS McGRUTHER and ENS Whitman both of whom reported aboard only hours before the ship got underway. Mr.McGRUTHER relieved as the Supply Officer and MR.ABBATE moved from Supply to Operations Officer. Mr. Whitman relieved as Engineering Officer Upon our return to Subic Day both Mr.Satterthwaite and Mr. Jamison were piped over the side as they retired from active duty andreturned to the US. LOYALTY hit trouble within hours of the time she left, as the winds blew aan the seas rolled, and many of the crew headed for thegunwales and were sea sick in a very unroyal and unsalty manner Naturally those who lasted the storm had the delight or jeering the rest, and such hardy souls as GIBSON SN, WHITNEY BM2, and KENNEDY EM2 were noticed leading the chorus of catcalls Northway EM2, complained that the weather was to rough Unfortunately this weather was the straw that broke the camels back, and the red-bearded STODDARD CS2" had to be transferred off the ship due to chronic sea sickness The entire crew joined in wishing him good luck, and all aboard shall miss him most sea sick of all was not any man however, but our mtotor Whaleboat The MwB perked up on occasion but usually picked the most embarrassing times to get sick, inc1uding the time which left the Captain stranded ashore for hours after a liaison meeting" The boat took a severe chewing-out for that one After three rough days in transit across the South China Sea, Most of the crew had regained their sea legs and the sight of land again was reassuring. even if it was Viet Nam. We were all set to dig in and board junks By the hundreds, but junks were simply nowhere to be found' this time Scattered fisherman Who ventured out far enough to be picked up were stricken With fear at the sight of the ferocious...looking DAVISON DC2, leaping aboard cormplete with 45 and flak jacket Others of our crew waited armed along the sides ready tor any suspicious move by the fishermen, but the most menacing move any or them ever made was to reach out gratefully for cigarettes offered them The lack of junks to board gave us a chance to catch a full night's sleep on occasion, but never did we really relax" Loyalty Newsletter Page 2 BURRIS BM2, and his band of deck seamen showed the seventh fleet how as on three successive occasions LOYALTY broke her own record of best time rigging to fuel from the USS CHIPOLA. NORTHWAY EN2, complained that the engineers were doing all the work and the deck hands were getting all the credit But, the engineers got their chance when LOYALTY carried out her 4-hour full power run Credit was due all down the line for an outstanding performance, and the hard work of MillER EN3, HARRIES FN, ENGLERT ENFN, and PETERSON FN, was as important as the planning at the highest level ORNELAS SK3, proved himself a jack of all trades as he switched with ease from Boatswain's Mate of the watch to a regular CIC watch stander, while still keeping up his primary duty as assistant storekeeper ROBERTS SN, assumed in fine order the work and responsibility heaped upon him by the loss of STODDARD CS2 and PETTERs SN, showed noticeable improvement as a helmsmen. WEST STS2, claimed thet title of RT King of the Pacific and MURPHY RD3, turned in an excellent job in CIC. PURRCELL QMl and BURRIS BM2, proved themselves excellent ship-handlers in their somewhat navel roles asenlisted underway OOD'S FLEETWOOD RD2, when asked if he would like any- thing put in this release said, "A'aaaaaaah, wait one." , The campain for "Mr Beautiful Beard" continued, hotly contested by RICHARDSON YN2, SHELL EMFA,' JOHNSON BM2, ROSENBERG RD3, and of course the Smith Brothers" DAVISON DC2 and PETERSN FN, The cruise was navel for another reason at 0012 on June the 2nd, Am RIGHT SN, was noticed not to have a smile on his face He quickly recovered. The usual strains of a long patrol told as fuel began to run low at one -- point, To our pleasant surprise Holiday Routine was called one aftermoon to slow down and conserve fuel. Who could complain? NORTHWAY EN2 could;he had the watch" JACOBSON EN3, kept the evaporator working like a champ and water hours were never near being necessary But the boilers were in an ornery mood all trip and several times just flat out refused to put out hot water NORTHWAY offered to trade both boilers off for a bale of clean rags several times but no one would take them A middle-of-the week HoLiday Routine in eary July was welcomed, and in recognation of his bad luck and hard work NORTHWAY was granted exclusive rights to 08:30 Holiday Routine Quote 'Luke' "Either they want something out of me or they're making fun of me, No matter; at 0900 we began an approach on an Oiler for fuel and Holiday Routine was Over "More Benefits Shortly after the arrival aboard of a new but over-Sized ship's bell, WATT the super-cook, was seen slinking around the fantail with possible ideas of using the bell for a oneway BT drop.. Leemsmen BELEW EM2 considered taking a refresher math course after the XO asked him to," 53/64 once during an UNREP. Mr JAMISON respectfully declined to give a lecture on safe shiphandling after almost shaking hands with the helmsmen of a Panamanian freighter one night in the middle of the South China SEA. The weeks at sea began to tell as more equipment went down and stores dwindled Subic BAY was a welcome haven, but repaired and replenished we are ready and anxious to go to sea again. Time passes quickly at sea and when our upcoming patrol is over our deployment with the Seventh Fleet will be more than half over. PRESENT MARKET TIME OPERATION LOYALTY has been on Market Time only two weeks and she has been working hard During her first two weeks at the Market. LOYALTY has fired 540 rounds of 40 MM, 1380 rounds of 50 caliber" and 83 rounds of 30 caliber ammunition at various targets., LOYALTY'S boarding and searching crews have detected 914 junks invetigated 401 junks.. and boarded 239 junks 84.7 hours ot these two weeks have been devoted to boarding alone" This is actual time on board the junks and does not involve time going to them or returning On 14 April LOYALTY detected 181 junks, investigated 72 and boarded 69 This involved 14 hours of boarding time. During her free time LOYALTY has been involved in 3 refuelings 1 rearming, 2 lightline transters, 2 boat transfers, and spent half a day in NhaTrang exchanging Laison Otficers., MIGHTY MINESWEEP SILLENCES VIET CONG GUNS -- On 6 April 1966" LOYALTY was patrolling approximately one mile off the beach inspecting junks., At 2055, LOYALTY attempted to stop a junk tor inspectionby flashing her signal light When the junk failed to stop, LOYALTY fired a few warning shots with one ot her fifty caliber machine guns. Immediately after the warning shots were fired, LOYALTY was taken fire from the beach by what was believed to be a thirty-seven millimeter gun LOYALTY answered this fire with her forty millimeter gun and one fifty caliber machine gun LOYALTY pounded the beach for about twenty minutes and the thirty-seven millimeter only fired a few rounds before it was silenced .The amount of damage done by LOYALTY was unknown. LOYALTY SUPPORTS ARMY -- On 8 April 1966 at approximately 1800 LOYALTY received a call from an Army L-19 spotter aircraft saying that she was under tire from four Viet Cong on the beach and requesting that LOYALTY assist her LOYALTY arrived at the scene 20 minutes later Four Viet Cong could be seen hiding behind some rocks at the waters edge and just above them appeared to be some camoflage netting" LOYALTY commenced fire with her forty millimeter, fifty caliber. and thirty caliber machine guns LOYALTY fired 20 rounds of 40 MM 850 rounds of fifty caliber and 750 rounds of thirty caliber., When LOYALTY ceased firing the camoflaged netting was destroyed three Viet Cong were confirmed dead and the fourth was probably killed FlNAL STORY FOR END OF LOYALTY'S DEPLOYMENT U.S.S LOYALTY (MSO 457) is heading home to her home port of LongBeach, California, almost ten months after her departure early last February, She will not be home for another two weeks yet, but the end is now in sight. In the time 'that she has been gone she has visited , the Philippines. Japan, Taiwan, Okinawa. and Guam, and has included Nha Trang, Da Nang, Vung Tau and An Thoi as her ports of call in South Vietnam. Most of her deployment was spent on patrol off the coast of South Vietnam as a unit of Market Time operations In all, from the day she left Subic Bay for her first patrol until her return to Subic after the last patrol. a total of" five, LOYALTY spent 84.3% of the days underway, spent 125 days on Market Time. travelling 20,160 miles during those patrols, and at one time or another was within view of the entire coastline of the Republic of Vietnam Also during that time she was involved in 107 underway replenishments of one form or another, making rendezvous with everything from Vietnamese Navy Junks and US Coast Guard Cutters to the big US fleet oilers, reefers, and cargo and ammunition ships" LOYALTY served in many capacities, delivering messages. shuttling personnel, relaying ammuniton and mail, ! providing stores and repair parts, administering aid to US and Vietnamese wounded, and contributing to the United States people to people program Operationally she investigated almost 1000 junks provided gunfire support, served as a communications command ship, chased down countless unidentified contacts, took part in one Fleet Mine Test, and as a grand finale participated in a dramatic but exhausting search and rescue mission From Long Beach to Long Beach LOYALTY will have spent 245 out of 309 days At sea from a total or 79.28% She wil have travelled some 41,653 miles She will have used 398,516 gallons of fuel worth $99,629. In the area of communications she will have received 3,718 messages and sent 1,553 Her crew will have seen nearly a 35%, turnover of personnel with 24 enlisted and 3 officers having left. Almost one half of her crew (a total of 30) have been advanced in rate. Along with hundreds of dollars of souvenirs and gifts, LOYALTY sailors will be bring home some memories to last a lifetime, The midnight GQs the successful firefight with the beach 'Which resulted in three Viet Cong kills, the "attack" when she screened junks, the hundreds or junks and trawlers inspected, the action filled patrols and the long lonely ones. They will remember the long hours and hard work, but they will remember too that LOYALTY always met her com-mitments, was always ready to go and had less equipment down for less time than any ship of her type. It has been a long and hard de-ployment, but one of which all aboard can be proud. Robert Gladwin RD3 I had been on the Loyalty about 6 weeks as the leading CS and aslo senior supply type, we were getting ready to deploy to market time and the skipper informed me that since we didnt have a ships bell, I should order one to be picked up in subic, needless to say I got right on that. If you knew our skipper it was the best thing to do. I found the description and ordering info for ships bells and fired off an order. After a lengthy Market time we arrived in Subic for upkeep and liberty. The following Sunday I had the duty as supply PO and duty cook, when the quarterdeck watch, (we were tied up Chinesee style so the QD was on the fantail.) said I had some stores on the pier. Since we had already loaded groceries and most all other parts and things I was curios as to what it was. When I arrived on the QD I found a small supply warehouse tractor and trailer with a crane waiting for me. On the trailer was a box about the size of a small car, after seeing this I called the OD and he (without looking at anything) told me to get it onboard and sign for it, which I did. After the tractor and crane left the OD came to the OD and said lets have a look. We took the top boards off and lo and behold it was our bell, from a ww2 cruiser. Had we tried to put it on the ship it would have tipped use over. To top it off the supply depot wouldn't take it back so we did our entire deployment with the da** thing on the fantail until we got back to Long Beach. BGWatt MSC RET USN
Criteria The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in th... The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in the Marine Corps) and below who have actively participated in ground or surface combat. MoreHide
Criteria The 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
Criteria The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspa... The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspace; or, for any period of service during the same time period in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air spaces thereover and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. MoreHide
Criteria 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
Best Friends
All my brothers with Camp Tien Sha Security
Best Moment
Flying back home & knowing I survived!
Worst Moment
Helping un-load wounded ambushed Marines from dust off while visiting a buddy at Danang hospital!
Other Memories
Camp Tien Sha the First Year 1965 -1966 An old abandoned French Camp taken over by the USN By Darwin McKee, aka "Mac" The first year on Tien Sha was 16 to 20 hour days, 7 days a week. Was there 10 months before I got a hot shower. Lots of C- Rats. First chow hall was powdered this & powdered that and really not as good as the C-Rats. I was with Camp Security. If we wern't on perimeter watch or on occasional patrols including Monkey Mt. which was just a path to follow on it. We would be filling sandbags , building bunkers, helping with construction of towers & re stringing wire as the old French fence could be kicked over almost anywhere. Camp in the beginning was no more than a fire camp as a buffer for Danang. New barracks were being built at the end of 66 for to house Navy Hatch teams. We had no Marines on the Camp as they were needed elsewhere at this time. No Vietnamese on camp after daylight working hours. Most of the old French buildings on the camp were not occupied for a long time and all needed to be repaired or torn down. Beer & pop was free and was drank warm as there was no ice or refrigeration. We spent a few weeks in Coronado Ca. getting indoctrinated to going in country (Vietnam) Then several weeks at Camp Pendleton Marine Base for weapons training and grenade chunking. Loaded on to C-130 troop transport to fly to Nam. Flew in to Wake Island. Was supposed to be there 17 hours but had to stay for 3 1/2 days. Nothing on Wake except air strip, chow hall, barracks and the Drifters Club which was opened 20 hours a day. Beer & mixed drinks were cheap. I spent $80.00 while we were there. Club closed from 0400 to 0800 to swab it out. At 0400 we would crawl out on the beach and sleep till sunrise. Head to the chow hall for breakfast, shower & back to the Drifters club. Flew out of wake to Clark AFB in Philippines. Chow & fuel and back in the air. Flew in to Danang & circled the air strip a few times. The pilot then informed us that would be landing as soon as they got the burning chopper off the runway. My first thought was if they can hit that chopper how in the hell are they going to miss this big ass tub. Landed without incidence. First thing you notice when we unloaded out the back of the plane was the smell. Hard to describe it but after a few days in country you get used to it stinking like crap. Spent the first day at the White Elephant (HQ for NSA) spent the first night on the USS Navarro a troop transport anchored in the harbor. Next day got orders to Tien Sha back in the bush from Danang and next to Monkey Mountain, Son Sa village and China Beach. We were the first ones in there to start the rebuilding process of the camp. I was assigned to Camp Security. Most fire fights took place at night. Mostly took sniper fire. I had a VC open up on me with an automatic weapon from an abandoned Buddhist temple once while I was running to my red alert bunker and he sprayed around 10 rounds that hit right in front of my feet. I dove to the ground and crawled in behind a stack of plywood and commenced to empty two 20 round clips from my M-14 into the old temple. Also had a grenade bounced off my bunker one night with the pin left in it Camp came under siege just once. There was a report of a very large group of VC & NVA moving towards Camp Tien Sha from the other side of Monkey mountain. There was only about a hundred on the Camp at this time. Camp CO called for Naval call fire. A Cruiser and a couple Destroyers opened up from the Danang harbor. They were lobbing ordinance unto the other side of the. mountain. Jet fighters from Danang then came in and commenced to give Charlie what for. Bunkers would shake when the Navy was shelling the enemy. Long story short, they never made it to Camps side of the mountain. Camp Tien Sha was latter a huge facility. Was being built up to house Navy hatch teams. (aka) Cargo handlers. Son Sa Village was a small fishing village off of China Beach. Camp Tien Sha was right beside the village. We did swim out to a few gun boats anchored off China Beach a couple times. Climbed up on board and shot the bull with the guys on the Gun boats. Sand sharks would swim up right along side of you and you could reach out and stroke their dorsal fin. I once was at the Danang hospital to visit a friend when a dust off full of wounded Marines came in. I helped haul stretchers in to the ER. They were all in critical shape. Don't know how many of them made it. Vietnam & Camp Tien Sha during my tour was Long days & nights, insects, snakes, hard work, bad chow, cold showers, hot & humid days, cold & wet monsoons, sometimes a little female companionship, fear , laughter, sadness, anger, regret, but a lifetime of memories & brotherhood with those you served with and even those other veterans that you didn't serve with. I lost 35 pounds during my tour. I wouldn't take a million bucks for the experience and wouldn't take 10 times that much to do it again.
Description This campaign was from 25 December 1965 to 30 June 1966. As the war continued, the Navy continued to patrol the coasts and rivers in brown water operations. Minesweeping craft begin patrolling the LonThis campaign was from 25 December 1965 to 30 June 1966. As the war continued, the Navy continued to patrol the coasts and rivers in brown water operations. Minesweeping craft begin patrolling the Long Tau River leading to Saigon to keep that vital waterway open to merging traffic.
Navy patrol craft worked to keep Vietnamese's harbors open and safe in operation stable door. Navy helicopters called Seawolves began supporting the newly arrived Navy PBR in Game Warden missions.
On 1 January 1966, the Sea Force was renamed the Fleet Command and reorganized along functional lines. Flotilla I, comprised the submarine chasers (PC) and escorts in Squadron 11, the motor gunboats in Squadron 13, and the large support landing ships (LSSL) in Squadron 15. The minesweepers in Squadron 17 were responsible for sea patrol, inshore patrol, river patrol, and minesweeping duties, respectively. Flotilla II controlled Squadrons 22 and 24, which consisted of the Vietnamese Navy's landing ships and craft, coastal oilers, and other vessels providing logistic support.
Throughout this period, the Vietnamese Navy continued to suffer from serious deficiencies. Perhaps the greatest was the careerism and interservice political activity of many naval officers, which hamstrung coordination and cooperation in operations and lowered the morale and motivation of naval personnel. The emphasis on politics disrupted the training of sailors, many already educationally unprepared in the technical skills essential for the operation of complex vessels, weapons, and equipment.
Aside from the political factor, training in gunnery, seamanship, and communications skills was hurt by the Vietnamese stress on instruction at shore-based schools, rather than on board ships. Unfortunately, few Vietnamese sailors were released from operational duty to receive training ashore.
At the same time, the Recruit Training Center at Cam Ranh Bay, the Advanced Training Center in Saigon, and the Naval Training Center at Nha Trang, which included the Naval Academy, were hard-pressed to handle the great number of men entering the service during this period. Some relief was afforded by the training of Vietnamese officers and men on board U.S. naval vessels and in the United States. The quality of training improved somewhat as a result of these measures and the hard work of many Vietnamese sailors and American advisors.
The material condition of the navy raised even more serious concerns. Officers and men in the operational units often showed little regard for the maintenance of their ships and craft. Compounding the problem was the inability of the ship and boat repair facilities to cope with the growing backlog of work orders generated by the increased tempo of the war and the doubling in size of the navy.
The lack of skilled workmen severely hampered operations at the Eastern Repair Facility at Cuu Long near Saigon and the Western Repair Facility at Can Tho, which handled River Force and Coastal Force work. The same condition existed at the smaller establishments at Danang, Cat Lo, Qui Nhon, An Thoi, and Rach Gia, which supported the Coastal Force exclusively. A number of these repair operations barely functioned.
... More
People You Remember
Camp Tien Sha Security 65-66 NSA Da Nang
Criteria The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspa... The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspace; or, for any period of service during the same time period in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air spaces thereover and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. MoreHide
Criteria This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical l... This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Only members of the Armed Forces of the United States who meet the criteria established for the AFEM (Vietnam) or Vietnam Service Medal during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces; or 3. Did not complete the length of service required in item (1) or (2) above, but who, during wartime, were: a. Wounded by the enemy (in a military action); b. Captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released; or c. Killed in action or in the line of duty; or 4. Were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and who served a minimum of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during the period 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73. MoreHide
Description This campaign was from 25 December 1965 to 30 June 1966. As the war continued, the Navy continued to patrol the coasts and rivers in brown water operations. Minesweeping craft begin patrolling the LonThis campaign was from 25 December 1965 to 30 June 1966. As the war continued, the Navy continued to patrol the coasts and rivers in brown water operations. Minesweeping craft begin patrolling the Long Tau River leading to Saigon to keep that vital waterway open to merging traffic.
Navy patrol craft worked to keep Vietnamese's harbors open and safe in operation stable door. Navy helicopters called Seawolves began supporting the newly arrived Navy PBR in Game Warden missions.
On 1 January 1966, the Sea Force was renamed the Fleet Command and reorganized along functional lines. Flotilla I, comprised the submarine chasers (PC) and escorts in Squadron 11, the motor gunboats in Squadron 13, and the large support landing ships (LSSL) in Squadron 15. The minesweepers in Squadron 17 were responsible for sea patrol, inshore patrol, river patrol, and minesweeping duties, respectively. Flotilla II controlled Squadrons 22 and 24, which consisted of the Vietnamese Navy's landing ships and craft, coastal oilers, and other vessels providing logistic support.
Throughout this period, the Vietnamese Navy continued to suffer from serious deficiencies. Perhaps the greatest was the careerism and interservice political activity of many naval officers, which hamstrung coordination and cooperation in operations and lowered the morale and motivation of naval personnel. The emphasis on politics disrupted the training of sailors, many already educationally unprepared in the technical skills essential for the operation of complex vessels, weapons, and equipment.
Aside from the political factor, training in gunnery, seamanship, and communications skills was hurt by the Vietnamese stress on instruction at shore-based schools, rather than on board ships. Unfortunately, few Vietnamese sailors were released from operational duty to receive training ashore.
At the same time, the Recruit Training Center at Cam Ranh Bay, the Advanced Training Center in Saigon, and the Naval Training Center at Nha Trang, which included the Naval Academy, were hard-pressed to handle the great number of men entering the service during this period. Some relief was afforded by the training of Vietnamese officers and men on board U.S. naval vessels and in the United States. The quality of training improved somewhat as a result of these measures and the hard work of many Vietnamese sailors and American advisors.
The material condition of the navy raised even more serious concerns. Officers and men in the operational units often showed little regard for the maintenance of their ships and craft. Compounding the problem was the inability of the ship and boat repair facilities to cope with the growing backlog of work orders generated by the increased tempo of the war and the doubling in size of the navy.
The lack of skilled workmen severely hampered operations at the Eastern Repair Facility at Cuu Long near Saigon and the Western Repair Facility at Can Tho, which handled River Force and Coastal Force work. The same condition existed at the smaller establishments at Danang, Cat Lo, Qui Nhon, An Thoi, and Rach Gia, which supported the Coastal Force exclusively. A number of these repair operations barely functioned.
... More
Memories Camp Tien Sha the First Year 1965 -1966 An old abandoned French Camp taken over by the USN By DarwinCamp Tien Sha the First Year 1965 -1966 An old abandoned French Camp taken over by the USN By Darwin McKee, aka "Mac" The first year on Tien Sha was 16 to 20 hour days, 7 days a week. Was there 10 months before I got a hot shower. Lots of C- Rats. First chow hall was powdered this & powdered that and really not as good as the C-Rats. I was with Camp Security. If we wern't on perimeter watch or on occasional patrols including Monkey Mt. which was just a path to follow on it. We would be filling sandbags , building bunkers, helping with construction of towers & re stringing wire as the old French fence could be kicked over almost anywhere. Camp in the beginning was no more than a fire camp as a buffer for Danang. New barracks were being built at the end of 66 for to house Navy Hatch teams. We had no Marines on the Camp as they were needed elsewhere at this time. No Vietnamese on camp after daylight working hours. Most of the old French buildings on the camp were not occupied for a long time and all needed to be repaired or torn down. Beer & pop was free and was drank warm as there was no ice or refrigeration. We spent a few weeks in Coronado Ca. getting indoctrinated to going in country (Vietnam) Then several weeks at Camp Pendleton Marine Base for weapons training and grenade chunking. Loaded on to C-130 troop transport to fly to Nam. Flew in to Wake Island. Was supposed to be there 17 hours but had to stay for 3 1/2 days. Nothing on Wake except air strip, chow hall, barracks and the Drifters Club which was opened 20 hours a day. Beer & mixed drinks were cheap. I spent $80.00 while we were there. Club closed from 0400 to 0800 to swab it out. At 0400 we would crawl out on the beach and sleep till sunrise. Head to the chow hall for breakfast, shower & back to the Drifters club. Flew out of wake to Clark AFB in Philippines. Chow & fuel and back in the air. Flew in to Danang & circled the air strip a few times. The pilot then informed us that would be landing as soon as they got the burning chopper off the runway. My first thought was if they can hit that chopper how in the hell are they going to miss this big ass tub. Landed without incidence. First thing you notice when we unloaded out the back of the plane was the smell. Hard to describe it but after a few days in country you get used to it stinking like crap. Spent the first day at the White Elephant (HQ for NSA) spent the first night on the USS Navarro a troop transport anchored in the harbor. Next day got orders to Tien Sha back in the bush from Danang and next to Monkey Mountain, Son Sa village and China Beach. We were the first ones in there to start the rebuilding process of the camp. I was assigned to Camp Security. Most fire fights took place at night. Mostly took sniper fire. I had a VC open up on me with an automatic weapon from an abandoned Buddhist temple once while I was running to my red alert bunker and he sprayed around 10 rounds that hit right in front of my feet. I dove to the ground and crawled in behind a stack of plywood and commenced to empty two 20 round clips from my M-14 into the old temple. Also had a grenade bounced off my bunker one night with the pin left in it Camp came under siege just once. There was a report of a very large group of VC & NVA moving towards Camp Tien Sha from the other side of Monkey mountain. There was only about a hundred on the Camp at this time. Camp CO called for Naval call fire. A Cruiser and a couple Destroyers opened up from the Danang harbor. They were lobbing ordinance unto the other side of the. mountain. Jet fighters from Danang then came in and commenced to give Charlie what for. Bunkers would shake when the Navy was shelling the enemy. Long story short, they never made it to Camps side of the mountain. Camp Tien Sha was latter a huge facility. Was being built up to house Navy hatch teams. (aka) Cargo handlers. Son Sa Village was a small fishing village off of China Beach. Camp Tien Sha was right beside the village. We did swim out to a few gun boats anchored off China Beach a couple times. Climbed up on board and shot the bull with the guys on the Gun boats. Sand sharks would swim up right along side of you and you could reach out and stroke their dorsal fin. I once was at the Danang hospital to visit a friend when a dust off full of wounded Marines came in. I helped haul stretchers in to the ER. They were all in critical shape. Don't know how many of them made it. Vietnam & Camp Tien Sha during my tour was Long days & nights, insects, snakes, hard work, bad chow, cold showers, hot & humid days, cold & wet monsoons, sometimes a little female companionship, fear , laughter, sadness, anger, regret, but a lifetime of memories & brotherhood with those you served with and even those other veterans that you didn't serve with. I lost 35 pounds during my tour. I wouldn't take a million bucks for the experience and wouldn't take 10 times that much to do it again.... More
Best Moment
Competing my mess cook obligation & being assigned to NTC Security-Base Police
Worst Moment
Not getting a ship when new orders came in. Got orders for NSA DaNang, Vietnam. and to Camp Tien Sha Security.
Other Memories
TJ Mexico. Does the Jockey Club ever ring a bell anyone.P.S. Too the Marine I belted there one night and started a small riot. I appologize. (NOT!!!) Sure was a fun night anyway.
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
CS3 Roberts letting me cook for the crew on some weekends while we were in port.
Being a Russian Troller Chow Time Highest shooting score with 40mm for a MSO on West Coast. Ships Battle effiency E
Tyhoon at sea FIRE IN THE PORT SWEEP LOCKER Also had one in the port sweep locker while in the yards. I had finished with all my ammo boxes and had them put back on the ship. I was working in the port sweep locker after that. Had re-varnished all the cabinets & other painting......Tore out the old tile floor and was laying a new one.......Tar adhesive was spread on deck and tiles had to be heated with hand torch that used white fuel.....Plunger was not working proper........Hailed down BM2 Whitney and asked if they had another torch I could use because this one was FUBAR. Whitney said he could fix the one I was using....He started pumping it and the plunger came out and white gas and flames went every where. He tried to put it out with my shirt which was laying there and that didn't work. By that time I was heading up the ladder and to the quarterdeck. Picked up the large fire extinguisher from there as I hollered to the QD watch Fire in the port sweep locker & this ain't no F'n drill. By the time I got back to the sweep locker BM1 Burris was standing there and snatched the extinguisher from me and went down the ladder & put out the fire. He was just about ready to go on liberty and was wearing his dress whites......They wern't so white when he came back up. If he had let me go on down with it and put the fire out he wouldn't have gotten all dirty...LOL I was just wearing dungarees & T-shirt. Burris had to play hero as always. Wonder if he got a medal for that? Had to re-do everything I had already gotten done in the sweep locker.
CO Lt.Comander T.S. Witherow XO Lt. Lynch
1966 LOYALTYNEWSLETTER The USS LOYALTY (MSO 457) is back in Subic Bay after her second patrol along the coast of Viet Nam She now has 6 days to get ready for a shorter third patrol after which she will head for dry dock and some well deserved extended beach timeo LOYALTY'S most recent patrol lasted exactly one month from the day the ship left Subic bay to the day she pulled in again, and although there were not as many' junks encountered as on our first patrol, the men of the LOYALTY were never at a loss for things to do to keep busy. The patrol was memorable for many reasons. It was the last patrol for two "old vets LTJG Satterthwaite and LTJG Jamison It was the first patrol aboard the LOYALTY for two new officers, ENS McGRUTHER and ENS Whitman both of whom reported aboard only hours before the ship got underway. Mr.McGRUTHER relieved as the Supply Officer and MR.ABBATE moved from Supply to Operations Officer. Mr. Whitman relieved as Engineering Officer Upon our return to Subic Day both Mr.Satterthwaite and Mr. Jamison were piped over the side as they retired from active duty andreturned to the US. LOYALTY hit trouble within hours of the time she left, as the winds blew aan the seas rolled, and many of the crew headed for thegunwales and were sea sick in a very unroyal and unsalty manner Naturally those who lasted the storm had the delight or jeering the rest, and such hardy souls as GIBSON SN, WHITNEY BM2, and KENNEDY EM2 were noticed leading the chorus of catcalls Northway EM2, complained that the weather was to rough Unfortunately this weather was the straw that broke the camels back, and the red-bearded STODDARD CS2" had to be transferred off the ship due to chronic sea sickness The entire crew joined in wishing him good luck, and all aboard shall miss him most sea sick of all was not any man however, but our mtotor Whaleboat The MwB perked up on occasion but usually picked the most embarrassing times to get sick, inc1uding the time which left the Captain stranded ashore for hours after a liaison meeting" The boat took a severe chewing-out for that one After three rough days in transit across the South China Sea, Most of the crew had regained their sea legs and the sight of land again was reassuring. even if it was Viet Nam. We were all set to dig in and board junks By the hundreds, but junks were simply nowhere to be found' this time Scattered fisherman Who ventured out far enough to be picked up were stricken With fear at the sight of the ferocious...looking DAVISON DC2, leaping aboard cormplete with 45 and flak jacket Others of our crew waited armed along the sides ready tor any suspicious move by the fishermen, but the most menacing move any or them ever made was to reach out gratefully for cigarettes offered them The lack of junks to board gave us a chance to catch a full night's sleep on occasion, but never did we really relax" Loyalty Newsletter Page 2 BURRIS BM2, and his band of deck seamen showed the seventh fleet how as on three successive occasions LOYALTY broke her own record of best time rigging to fuel from the USS CHIPOLA. NORTHWAY EN2, complained that the engineers were doing all the work and the deck hands were getting all the credit But, the engineers got their chance when LOYALTY carried out her 4-hour full power run Credit was due all down the line for an outstanding performance, and the hard work of MillER EN3, HARRIES FN, ENGLERT ENFN, and PETERSON FN, was as important as the planning at the highest level ORNELAS SK3, proved himself a jack of all trades as he switched with ease from Boatswain's Mate of the watch to a regular CIC watch stander, while still keeping up his primary duty as assistant storekeeper ROBERTS SN, assumed in fine order the work and responsibility heaped upon him by the loss of STODDARD CS2 and PETTERs SN, showed noticeable improvement as a helmsmen. WEST STS2, claimed thet title of RT King of the Pacific and MURPHY RD3, turned in an excellent job in CIC. PURRCELL QMl and BURRIS BM2, proved themselves excellent ship-handlers in their somewhat navel roles asenlisted underway OOD'S FLEETWOOD RD2, when asked if he would like any- thing put in this release said, "A'aaaaaaah, wait one." , The campain for "Mr Beautiful Beard" continued, hotly contested by RICHARDSON YN2, SHELL EMFA,' JOHNSON BM2, ROSENBERG RD3, and of course the Smith Brothers" DAVISON DC2 and PETERSN FN, The cruise was navel for another reason at 0012 on June the 2nd, Am RIGHT SN, was noticed not to have a smile on his face He quickly recovered. The usual strains of a long patrol told as fuel began to run low at one -- point, To our pleasant surprise Holiday Routine was called one aftermoon to slow down and conserve fuel. Who could complain? NORTHWAY EN2 could;he had the watch" JACOBSON EN3, kept the evaporator working like a champ and water hours were never near being necessary But the boilers were in an ornery mood all trip and several times just flat out refused to put out hot water NORTHWAY offered to trade both boilers off for a bale of clean rags several times but no one would take them A middle-of-the week HoLiday Routine in eary July was welcomed, and in recognation of his bad luck and hard work NORTHWAY was granted exclusive rights to 08:30 Holiday Routine Quote 'Luke' "Either they want something out of me or they're making fun of me, No matter; at 0900 we began an approach on an Oiler for fuel and Holiday Routine was Over "More Benefits Shortly after the arrival aboard of a new but over-Sized ship's bell, WATT the super-cook, was seen slinking around the fantail with possible ideas of using the bell for a oneway BT drop.. Leemsmen BELEW EM2 considered taking a refresher math course after the XO asked him to," 53/64 once during an UNREP. Mr JAMISON respectfully declined to give a lecture on safe shiphandling after almost shaking hands with the helmsmen of a Panamanian freighter one night in the middle of the South China SEA. The weeks at sea began to tell as more equipment went down and stores dwindled Subic BAY was a welcome haven, but repaired and replenished we are ready and anxious to go to sea again. Time passes quickly at sea and when our upcoming patrol is over our deployment with the Seventh Fleet will be more than half over. PRESENT MARKET TIME OPERATION LOYALTY has been on Market Time only two weeks and she has been working hard During her first two weeks at the Market. LOYALTY has fired 540 rounds of 40 MM, 1380 rounds of 50 caliber" and 83 rounds of 30 caliber ammunition at various targets., LOYALTY'S boarding and searching crews have detected 914 junks invetigated 401 junks.. and boarded 239 junks 84.7 hours ot these two weeks have been devoted to boarding alone" This is actual time on board the junks and does not involve time going to them or returning On 14 April LOYALTY detected 181 junks, investigated 72 and boarded 69 This involved 14 hours of boarding time. During her free time LOYALTY has been involved in 3 refuelings 1 rearming, 2 lightline transters, 2 boat transfers, and spent half a day in NhaTrang exchanging Laison Otficers., MIGHTY MINESWEEP SILLENCES VIET CONG GUNS -- On 6 April 1966" LOYALTY was patrolling approximately one mile off the beach inspecting junks., At 2055, LOYALTY attempted to stop a junk tor inspectionby flashing her signal light When the junk failed to stop, LOYALTY fired a few warning shots with one ot her fifty caliber machine guns. Immediately after the warning shots were fired, LOYALTY was taken fire from the beach by what was believed to be a thirty-seven millimeter gun LOYALTY answered this fire with her forty millimeter gun and one fifty caliber machine gun LOYALTY pounded the beach for about twenty minutes and the thirty-seven millimeter only fired a few rounds before it was silenced .The amount of damage done by LOYALTY was unknown. LOYALTY SUPPORTS ARMY -- On 8 April 1966 at approximately 1800 LOYALTY received a call from an Army L-19 spotter aircraft saying that she was under tire from four Viet Cong on the beach and requesting that LOYALTY assist her LOYALTY arrived at the scene 20 minutes later Four Viet Cong could be seen hiding behind some rocks at the waters edge and just above them appeared to be some camoflage netting" LOYALTY commenced fire with her forty millimeter, fifty caliber. and thirty caliber machine guns LOYALTY fired 20 rounds of 40 MM 850 rounds of fifty caliber and 750 rounds of thirty caliber., When LOYALTY ceased firing the camoflaged netting was destroyed three Viet Cong were confirmed dead and the fourth was probably killed FlNAL STORY FOR END OF LOYALTY'S DEPLOYMENT U.S.S LOYALTY (MSO 457) is heading home to her home port of LongBeach, California, almost ten months after her departure early last February, She will not be home for another two weeks yet, but the end is now in sight. In the time 'that she has been gone she has visited , the Philippines. Japan, Taiwan, Okinawa. and Guam, and has included Nha Trang, Da Nang, Vung Tau and An Thoi as her ports of call in South Vietnam. Most of her deployment was spent on patrol off the coast of South Vietnam as a unit of Market Time operations In all, from the day she left Subic Bay for her first patrol until her return to Subic after the last patrol. a total of" five, LOYALTY spent 84.3% of the days underway, spent 125 days on Market Time. travelling 20,160 miles during those patrols, and at one time or another was within view of the entire coastline of the Republic of Vietnam Also during that time she was involved in 107 underway replenishments of one form or another, making rendezvous with everything from Vietnamese Navy Junks and US Coast Guard Cutters to the big US fleet oilers, reefers, and cargo and ammunition ships" LOYALTY served in many capacities, delivering messages. shuttling personnel, relaying ammuniton and mail, ! providing stores and repair parts, administering aid to US and Vietnamese wounded, and contributing to the United States people to people program Operationally she investigated almost 1000 junks provided gunfire support, served as a communications command ship, chased down countless unidentified contacts, took part in one Fleet Mine Test, and as a grand finale participated in a dramatic but exhausting search and rescue mission From Long Beach to Long Beach LOYALTY will have spent 245 out of 309 days At sea from a total or 79.28% She wil have travelled some 41,653 miles She will have used 398,516 gallons of fuel worth $99,629. In the area of communications she will have received 3,718 messages and sent 1,553 Her crew will have seen nearly a 35%, turnover of personnel with 24 enlisted and 3 officers having left. Almost one half of her crew (a total of 30) have been advanced in rate. Along with hundreds of dollars of souvenirs and gifts, LOYALTY sailors will be bring home some memories to last a lifetime, The midnight GQs the successful firefight with the beach 'Which resulted in three Viet Cong kills, the "attack" when she screened junks, the hundreds or junks and trawlers inspected, the action filled patrols and the long lonely ones. They will remember the long hours and hard work, but they will remember too that LOYALTY always met her com-mitments, was always ready to go and had less equipment down for less time than any ship of her type. It has been a long and hard de-ployment, but one of which all aboard can be proud. Robert Gladwin RD3 I had been on the Loyalty about 6 weeks as the leading CS and aslo senior supply type, we were getting ready to deploy to market time and the skipper informed me that since we didnt have a ships bell, I should order one to be picked up in subic, needless to say I got right on that. If you knew our skipper it was the best thing to do. I found the description and ordering info for ships bells and fired off an order. After a lengthy Market time we arrived in Subic for upkeep and liberty. The following Sunday I had the duty as supply PO and duty cook, when the quarterdeck watch, (we were tied up Chinesee style so the QD was on the fantail.) said I had some stores on the pier. Since we had already loaded groceries and most all other parts and things I was curios as to what it was. When I arrived on the QD I found a small supply warehouse tractor and trailer with a crane waiting for me. On the trailer was a box about the size of a small car, after seeing this I called the OD and he (without looking at anything) told me to get it onboard and sign for it, which I did. After the tractor and crane left the OD came to the OD and said lets have a look. We took the top boards off and lo and behold it was our bell, from a ww2 cruiser. Had we tried to put it on the ship it would have tipped use over. To top it off the supply depot wouldn't take it back so we did our entire deployment with the da** thing on the fantail until we got back to Long Beach. BGWatt MSC RET USN