Smith, Cliff, Jr., PO2

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
The Korean War was in full force and America needed more young men to enlist. I was enjoying my college years, but the draft was in effect and I was classed to be drafted into the Army. I had a choice of enlisting in the Air Force or Navy. I chose the Navy as I thought at that time I would at least have a nice bunk and three meals each day even if I was assigned to the War Zone. Sure enough, I was assigned to the USS Virgo (AKA20) which was an attack cargo ship.

We were all young and really didn't know anything else but to follow what we believed in, and that was a Free America. If the Korean War had not broken out I probably would not have been enlisted, but the War was the determining factor in my enlistment.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
Boarded a train and travelled to San Diego for boot camp training. This was a follow the leader training as we didn't know what reallly was going on. We ditched our civilian garments, put them in a bag and sent them home, and dressed in our new Navy dungarees. We were now in the Navy. Got our hair cuts and leaned how to form a company. We were company 03. Made it through boot and was assigned to First Class Yeoman school. Yes, I graduated 2nd in my class and was readily transferred to the Virgo. I spent my first three years aboard this ship and when the War was over I was transferred to the USS Sharps (AKL10) which was a small cargo ship carrying only food stuff supplies around the Pacific Islands of Guam and surrounding islands all the way to Japan and back to Guam, which was our home port.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
I was assigned to Sick Bay. We picked up wounded. cared for them and transported them to a hospital. Yes, one I remember well was lifted aboard. He was totally wrapped in gauze as he was burned. I fed him thru a small opening in the gauze over his mouth. He was still alive when we transferred him.

DID YOU ENCOUNTER ANY SITUATION DURING YOUR MILITARY SERVICE WHEN YOU BELIEVED THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY YOU MIGHT NOT SURVIVE? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME.
Yes. Sailing along off the Northern Coast and I was resting just behind the superstructure next to the gunnel when I spotted a mine about two feet off our side. Wonder why the lookouts did not see it. I ran to the Officer of the deck and reported it. He

Captain Sampson

informed the Captain who called someone who could shoot to bring an M1 and ammo, This person shot and shot but could not hit it. So, now called the 50 Cal gun crew. As they fired and fired and the ship circled closer and closer to the mine, guess what. The gun barrel was below the turrent wall when the Officer in charge gave the order to fire. His name I do remember {Lt English}. The whole thing blew up when they fired and knocked all of then out and to the deck. Here comes the medic crew with stretchers. I was on the wheelhouse deck and was looking down when they brought Lt English by and he had a great big smile on his face.

Now the Captain called a Destroyer. They arrived shortly and stalked this mine. Reminded me of a bird dog stalk. Slowly and slowly they approached the mine and when ready they fired one time with a three inch and blew it up. They headed away immediately and that was that. If we had hit that mine, us being loaded with ammo, I might not have survived.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
I fought for our Country and am proud I did.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
As the Virgo, with me aboard, sailed up and down the coast of Korea we were constantly on the lookout for mines. We used a paravane to search out and cut the lines and then detonate the mine as it floated to the surface. On one occasion I spotted a mine floating just alongside the aft port side. First a damage control guy tried to use an M1, but couldn't hit it. Then the 50 Caliber was manned and as we circled the mine the 50 caliber was used. As we circled closer and closer to the mine the gun barrel lowered below the gun turrent and when the trigger was pulled it blew up. All of the gun crew was injured and we called this a stupid mistake by the gun officer.. He was wounded severely.

We were going ashore in an LCVP and we pulled up alongside the gangway at the USS Ashtabula. Just as we came alongside the ship blew up. As I looked up I could see a lot of what looked like steam and many, many pieces of steel seammingly floating into the air. Suddenly this hot steam and these pieces of steel started hitting us. Funny, but this is the truth, as I had my head stuck under the little stairway a piece of angle iron hit the bottom of the LCVP, bounced to the gunnwale and proceeded to hit me in the rear. Eight men died that day and I cannot forget the image of two of them, all bloody and red, hanging from the superstructure.

I was designated the Confidential Material Yeoman for the Virgo. As we were loaded with various kinds of ammo it was one of my duties to carry the inventory information to the front lines just before an offensive charge. I guess this information was needed as we supplied the ammo for the fighting men that would carry out the orders. One time as I was using an LCVP it was the coldest time of the year and I got soaked to the skin. I transferred to a shore stationed duck and was able to get down to where the motor was located to try and stay warm, could not stay warm. Delivered the information to the Marine officer in charge. It was getting dark and I was to use infra-red flashlight to alert where I was so I could be picked up. I hid behind a big boulder, freezing to death, when finally late into the night I saw a faint red light out at sea. Was picked up and spent some time in sick bay recouperating.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I started out serving in the Sick Bay. Tended wounded that we transported to high line to get them to a hospital. One wounded was severely burned and was wrapped from head to toe. I fed him thru a small opening in the gauze with a straw. We transferred him to another ship that would take him to a hospital, hope he made it. I will never know, but I hope for him.

Then was ordered to establish a US Post Office aboard the Virgo. I did this and had a post office built to safeguard all mail. Then was promoted to Confidential Yeoman and delivered ammo info and mail to Korean shore locations. Climed rope ladders, hid behind large rocks waiting to be picked up. Sometimes late at night. Yes, I was young, strong and followed orders. Didn't know any better. I now feel very lucky to still be here at my old age, 91, and nobody still alive that I served with 1950 to 1954. Did not have a leave during the three years I spent on the Virgo during the Korean War.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
The most meaningful was the Presidential Citation and the South Korean Medal. This meant to me that someone was interested in what we were doing. My homecoming after the War was non-evemtful, no one cared what we had done. The Korean War fighting was over and that was the end of that, no one cared.

The Citation and the ribbons were the only things that I could be proud of, as no one was proud of me for serving from November 1950 til 1953, the end of the war, without being able to return to US until I was discharged in 1954.

Enough said.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
After service I went back to school on the GI bill. I worked a full time job and attended night school until I finished. I worked in the Corporate world until I retired in 1959. Since then I have lived on a farm in Norwest Arkansas and am now enjoying retirement.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Be patriotic to our country.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
It is hard to maintain a bond when you are as old as I am, now almost 83. Most of the people I served with now deceased and it is very hard to get in touch with the few that are still alive. I wish there was some way I could see the list of people who served on the Virgo from 1950 to 1953, during the Korean War.