This Deceased Navy Profile is not currently maintained by any Member.
If you would like to take responsibility for researching and maintaining this Deceased profile please click
HERE
Contact Info
Home Town Lawton, OK
Last Address Yokosuka, Japan
Date of Passing Dec 25, 1984
Military Service Number 44 330 143
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Other Comments:
Gil was my very good friend while we were stationed together at Fleet Activities, Yokosuka, Japan. I thank Gil for advancing my indoctrination into Japanese culture. Gil and his girl friend Chiyoko had me over to their house in Yokosuka many times. I recall that Chiyoko treated Gil as if he were a "King" and likewise Gil treated Chiyoko as a "Queen." They were two people deeply in love with one another.
Gil was just a good ol country boy from Oklahoma. His mannerisms, feisty attitude, and rough language turned alot of people off but inside that rough exterior of his was a heart of gold. Gil would do anything for you if you were his friend and most anything if you were not. He was a great guy and is missed.
Description This Campaign period was from 23 February to 8 June 1969. The overall composition of the SEALORDS task force in South Vietnam reflected the growing role of the Vietnamese Navy in the war. The newly elected administration of President Richard M. Nixon formally adopted as U.S. policy the Vietnamization program early in 1969.
The naval part of that process, termed ACTOV (Accelerated Turnover to the Vietnamese), embodied the incremental transfer to Vietnam of NAVFORV's river and coastal combatant fleet and the logistic support establishment. ACTOV was more than the provision of material, however, for the Vietnamese Navy needed training in the operation, maintenance, and repair of the U.S. equipment and in the efficient functioning of the supply system. Leadership skills at all command levels required improvement as did the general morale of naval personnel before the Vietnamese Navy would be able to fight on alone.
Spearheaded by the 564 officers and men of the Naval Advisory Group early in 1969, the U.S. Navy integrated Vietnamese sailors into the crews of American ships and craft. When sufficiently trained, the Vietnamese bluejackets and officers relieved their American counterparts, who then rotated back to the United States. As entire units came under Vietnamese Navy command, control of the various SEALORDS operations passed to that naval service as well.