OLDNAVYMCPO
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
Although I have no intentions of watching the documentary on Viet Nam, thinking about that period in my life got my mind all riled up. Like most Viet Nam vets, that time in my life is filled with all kinds of mixed feelings and emotions, some good, some not so much. It was a tumultuous period that took a long time healing. Health issues, disrupted family life leading to divorce, child born with birth defects, all played a major role.
I'm currently reading a book on WWII about an epic Naval disaster involving three US destroyers and a typhoon that sunk all three. The WWII destroyers were the Spence, Monaghan and the Hull. Coincidentally the Hull and I have a connection from the Viet Nam days. Same name, different ship.
My last tour in the Tonkin Gulf, which I have posted about in a different thread, was aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation. In the last month of the deployment, I was ordered to NATTC Memphis for instructor duty. To expedite my transfer, I was flown by chopper to the USS Hull (DD945), lowered by wire to the tossing deck and man-handled aboard.
The USS Hull (DD945) was the fifth US destroyer to bear the name. The forth descendant (DD350) was the one sunk by a typhoon during WWII.
Aboard the Connie, I hadn't had a hot shower, hot meal or laundry in many days as we had been on "water hours" because of a fresh water issue. As a Chief, I was treated like a VIP aboard the Hull. Hot shower and hit the rack. When I awoke, all my laundry had been done, uniform pressed and even my shoes spit shined. In the Chief's mess, I was treated to four fresh eggs, all the bacon I could eat, hash browns and strong Navy coffee.
The next four days we spent running in high seas trying to escape the wrath of Typhoon Nora, the forth most intense cyclone on record. Winds up to 185 MPH. No watches allowed on deck during the worst of it, lashed down for the rest. Spent more time underwater than above.
For a carrier sailor, being aboard a destroyer in high seas is a real experience. I had been in the North Atlantic during winter storms, been through the Straits of Magellan and around the Horn of Africa but nothing compared to that typhoon.
We finally made Subic Bay and I was soon on my way to the States via Clark AFB.
I'll never forget that ride and will always have the greatest respect for destroyer sailors.
Photos
1. The Connie
2. My office when not on the flight deck, ( behind the balcony)
3. Me as a Chief on the Connie
4. Chopper leaving the deck
5. USS Hull (DD945)
I'm currently reading a book on WWII about an epic Naval disaster involving three US destroyers and a typhoon that sunk all three. The WWII destroyers were the Spence, Monaghan and the Hull. Coincidentally the Hull and I have a connection from the Viet Nam days. Same name, different ship.
My last tour in the Tonkin Gulf, which I have posted about in a different thread, was aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation. In the last month of the deployment, I was ordered to NATTC Memphis for instructor duty. To expedite my transfer, I was flown by chopper to the USS Hull (DD945), lowered by wire to the tossing deck and man-handled aboard.
The USS Hull (DD945) was the fifth US destroyer to bear the name. The forth descendant (DD350) was the one sunk by a typhoon during WWII.
Aboard the Connie, I hadn't had a hot shower, hot meal or laundry in many days as we had been on "water hours" because of a fresh water issue. As a Chief, I was treated like a VIP aboard the Hull. Hot shower and hit the rack. When I awoke, all my laundry had been done, uniform pressed and even my shoes spit shined. In the Chief's mess, I was treated to four fresh eggs, all the bacon I could eat, hash browns and strong Navy coffee.
The next four days we spent running in high seas trying to escape the wrath of Typhoon Nora, the forth most intense cyclone on record. Winds up to 185 MPH. No watches allowed on deck during the worst of it, lashed down for the rest. Spent more time underwater than above.
For a carrier sailor, being aboard a destroyer in high seas is a real experience. I had been in the North Atlantic during winter storms, been through the Straits of Magellan and around the Horn of Africa but nothing compared to that typhoon.
We finally made Subic Bay and I was soon on my way to the States via Clark AFB.
I'll never forget that ride and will always have the greatest respect for destroyer sailors.
Photos
1. The Connie
2. My office when not on the flight deck, ( behind the balcony)
3. Me as a Chief on the Connie
4. Chopper leaving the deck
5. USS Hull (DD945)
