Finally, retired-retired and time to enjoy life! Continue to enjoy the hobbies of model railroading and photography (with some success). Eleven (11) photographs published by the International Library of Photography. Have also won several local photo contests with cash awards, ribbons and photographs in local calendars... the "Bank of Wilmington" and the "WECT's Collector's Calendar(s)" 2005, 2007, 2010 and 2011. WECT is a local "NBC" TV station here in Wilmington, NC.
Other Comments:
RETIRED with Thirty (30) Years and Five (5) Days of continuous active duty service. That way..."no one uld say; I didn't do a full thirty. After retiring from the navy on 1 July 1987, I worked part-time and full- time teaching English conversation. Lived in Japan for a total of 18 years (3 tours of duty) plus 8 years after retiring. Taught English conversation in Japan for a total of 16 years. Also worked as a "U. S. Civil Service" employee in Japan for 5 years. Working in a military "post office" at the U. S. Naval Hospital, Yokosuka, Japan. Transfering to the United States in Febryuary 1995, (Civil Service) worked at the Marine Corps Logistic Base, Albany, GA... Branch Medical Clinic in the "Industrial Hygiene Department. As an "Industrial Hygiene Technician" for 6 1/2 years. Retired from Civil Service in December 2000, and then moved to Wilmington, NC in February 2001. Shortly after coming to Wilmington was employed by the "Wilmington Railroad Museum" for 4 1/2 years. As a "tour guide," "model railroad engineer/ maintenance person and worked in and managed the Gift Shop for a brief period of time. Stopped working for about a year. In April 2007 when the railroad museum moved to a new location, I returned and managed the gift shop until 2 January 2014. I have been a member of the Wilmington Railroad Museum since 1992. Also a member of the "Model Railroaders." A group of men who do the maintenance, up-grading, and operations of the three (3) major train layouts in the museum. The model railroaders in five (5) years have built and continue upgrade and improve two (2) "HO gauge" and one (1) "O gauge (Lionel)" train layouts in the railroad museum. There is currently some discussion about building a "G Gauge" train or (large scale) train to circle the Gift Ship, though we have a short run track now which the children love and are delighted to watch. I'm known as the "Lionel Train Guy." I've been a Lionel Train collector and operator for many year............Yes, I "Still Play With Trains" and enjoy the sounds, actions and operation of electric trains. ******SPECIAL EVENT****** The Model Railroaders of the Wilmington Railroad Museum on Saturday April 23,2011 attempted to set a new record for the longest model train as certified by "Guinness World Record's." The event was held at the Wilmington Convention Center in Wilmington, North Carolina, At 3:55 PM, Saturday April 23, 2011, the Guinness World Records was set for the world's longest model train (925.55 feet - 1,653 assorted railroad cars and 31 ALCO C628 Locomotives) and the most distance traveled 750 feet. In model length, the train was 190 feet longer than the battleship USS North Carolina. Which by the way... is here in Wilmington purchase by the children of North Carolina through a penny drive. Actual Train weight was 472 pounds (real weight 64,380 tons) Real Length 15.10 miles. Real engines would generate 93,500 horsepower combined. QUITE A DAY... to say the least. Additional, taught "English as a Second Language (ESL) at the local community college... "Cape Fear Community College :from November 2002 to May 2012. Classes were two (2) nights a week for three (3) hours Monday and Wednesday evenings 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Most of the students spoke Spanish (which I did not) ; however, I did have students from several European and Asian countries. I did teach English conversation in Japan for 16 years, so teaching in Wilmington at the community college really presented very few problems if any. Actually ...it was a lot of fun; however, I enjoyed teaching more in Japan to be perfectly honest. I finally decided... it was time to retire- retire and just sit back and enjoy life. So effective "2 January 2014" "I NO LONGERWORK nor am EMPLOYEED. This way a can do a little more photgraghy, play with trains and spend a little more time with my "Lady Friend (Peggy)." Met Peggy in 2009, on a blind date set up by one of my railroad friends and his wife. Peggy was a retired nurse (my Florence Nightingale) who also Line Danced ( for 20 years) three days a week at the Senior Center here in Wilmgton, NC
Peggy was never going to fall in LOVE, but she did and we had and enjoyed the most wonderful relationship a couple could ever possible have. I LOVE Peggy more than any lady I had ever in my life. She was the kindnest, most thoughtful person, had a heart of gold and she was always two steps ahead of everybody, never met a stranger and sweeter then sugar, and a TURE SOUTHERN COUNTRY GAL SMART as a whip and never stopped studying. Peggy could have been number one her graduating class from Nursing School, but she missed one question so another student could be number one in the class. Peggy was NOT A SELFISH PERSON nor did she seek fame and gorly.
Vietnam War/Counteroffensive Phase II Campaign (66-67)
From Month/Year
July / 1966
To Month/Year
May / 1967
Description This Campaign period was from 1 July 1966 to 31 May 1967. The growing Coastal Force devoted most of its attention to amphibious raids, patrols of shallow inlets and river mouths, troop lifts, and blocking support for allied ground sweeps. For instance, during Operation Irving in October 1966, ground forces and junk units in II Coastal Zone killed 681 Viet Cong troops. In addition, the junkmen established a government presence among the fishermen and provided them with medical services and other assistance. Sometimes the Coastal Force sailors convinced Communist soldiers to desert their units.
The enemy, who often attacked the 27 vulnerable Coastal Force bases, overran the triangular-shaped fortifications of Coastal Group 15 at Cua An Hoa in July 1965 and of Coastal Group 16 at Co Luy in August 1967. Other bases, however, withstood repeated assaults. In doing so, these facilities played a part in the allied effort that denied the enemy easy access to the coastal regions.
Viet Cong mines also took their toll of the command's MLMS fleet, which worked to keep open the shipping channel to Saigon. In August 1966 and again in January 1967, enemy mines sank an MLMS in the Rung Sat. The River Force did not fully employ its strength. The political troubles of 1965 and 1966 in the Republic of Vietnam, in which high-ranking River Force officers figured prominently, damaged morale and distracted personnel from their military mission.
The navy and the army rarely launched joint amphibious assaults against the Viet Cong. Operations reflected the River Force's lack of technically skilled crewmen, the poor maintenance and repair of river craft, and the absence of inspired leadership. Usually, only half of the command's units were ready for combat action, and many of these boats were committed by the army to static guard, resupply, troop lift, or other nonoffensive duties.
The reliance on defense over offense reflected the historic Vietnamese strategy of husbanding resources until there was clear advantage over an enemy. The Vietnamese Navy's River Force sailors often fought hard and bravely, killing many of the enemy and suffering heavy losses of their own, but their valor and sacrifice was not rewarded with strategic success.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
January / 1967
To Month/Year
May / 1967
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories This was my second tour in the GULF of TONKIN aboard the U. S. S. BON
HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31)
