My Take on Our Military/Navy

[Richard C]

Yes, Dannyd - It was nice crossing the Pacific at high speed (34 kts constant) and not having to be refueled. It's funny how we would cross the dateline and lose a whole day (Sunday) going one way and then gain a whole day during the week (8 day week) coming back. One time we were side by side with the Enterprise and they had to take off at flank speed for some reason. They sent a message for us to get there when we could. We kicked it up to 34 knts at the same time as the Enterprise took off - and they disappeared over the horizon in 20 minutes!!! From the bridge I could just see the very top of the radar structure on the horizon. I couldn't believe it could be that fast - 30 plus knts top speed - yeah right! Yeah, Tonkin Gulf (Yankee Station) was boring most of the time. At night we were always at darken ship with dimmed running lights - we were yelled at by the watch for opening a door and letting out white light, but the Enterprise was lit up like Christmas with the hanger deck all nice an bright. We always thought the enemy would attack them first, but no planes ever came out to us, and I wanted to see another missile launch. The poor 1st division had to clean and paint the deck after a vertical launch - it really burned off the paint and deck tread.

 

[caryc]

Yes, Dannyd - It was nice crossing the Pacific at high speed (34 kts constant) and not having to be refueled. It's funny how we would cross the dateline and lose a whole day (Sunday) going one way and then gain a whole day during the week (8 day week) coming back. One time we were side by side with the Enterprise and they had to take off at flank speed for some reason. They sent a message for us to get there when we could. We kicked it up to 34 knts at the same time as the Enterprise took off - and they disappeared over the horizon in 20 minutes!!! From the bridge I could just see the very top of the radar structure on the horizon. I couldn't believe it could be that fast - 30 plus knts top speed - yeah right! Yeah, Tonkin Gulf (Yankee Station) was boring most of the time. At night we were always at darken ship with dimmed running lights - we were yelled at by the watch for opening a door and letting out white light, but the Enterprise was lit up like Christmas with the hanger deck all nice an bright. We always thought the enemy would attack them first, but no planes ever came out to us, and I wanted to see another missile launch. The poor 1st division had to clean and paint the deck after a vertical launch - it really burned off the paint and deck tread.

Hmmm...never thought about that.

 

[dannyd]

In 1992 a helicopter crew lost their way at night in the North part of Persian Gulf. We were the closest ship to them, but they couldn't find us. The ship C.O. was a private pilot, so he was going to save these guy's from going in water. We went to General Quarters, then turn on every light on on the ship.

The helicopter crew was able to find us, land and refuel. I can still see that pilot in my minds eye running by me to get to the head. He was a good office and pilot, always glad we were able to help them.

But, I always wondered how many miles away could the ship be seen.

 

[dannyd]

Yes, Dannyd - It was nice crossing the Pacific at high speed (34 kts constant) and not having to be refueled. It's funny how we would cross the dateline and lose a whole day (Sunday) going one way and then gain a whole day during the week (8 day week) coming back. One time we were side by side with the Enterprise and they had to take off at flank speed for some reason. They sent a message for us to get there when we could. We kicked it up to 34 knts at the same time as the Enterprise took off - and they disappeared over the horizon in 20 minutes!!! From the bridge I could just see the very top of the radar structure on the horizon. I couldn't believe it could be that fast - 30 plus knts top speed - yeah right! Yeah, Tonkin Gulf (Yankee Station) was boring most of the time. At night we were always at darken ship with dimmed running lights - we were yelled at by the watch for opening a door and letting out white light, but the Enterprise was lit up like Christmas with the hanger deck all nice an bright. We always thought the enemy would attack them first, but no planes ever came out to us, and I wanted to see another missile launch. The poor 1st division had to clean and paint the deck after a vertical launch - it really burned off the paint and deck tread.

If you read the history of Vietnam from their side the carrier's were off limits because they knew sinking one would basically start World War 3 on them.

Also, Unfortunately between the Forrestal, Oriskany and Enterprise we managed to kill 206 and injurer 618 without any assistance from the enemy.

 

[RC44Mag]

In 1992 a helicopter crew lost their way at night in the North part of Persian Gulf. We were the closest ship to them, but they couldn't find us. The ship C.O. was a private pilot, so he was going to save these guy's from going in water. We went to General Quarters, then turn on every light on on the ship.

The helicopter crew was able to find us, land and refuel. I can still see that pilot in my minds eye running by me to get to the head. He was a good office and pilot, always glad we were able to help them.

But, I always wondered how many miles away could the ship be seen.

Your skipper took a page out of history. WWII Battle of Philippine Sea Adm Mitcher lit up his carrier so the returning aircraft could find their way back to ship after bombing the crap out of the Japs. you likely know this but I just love this story. Saving American lives under treacherous conditions. For those that never heard it

World War II Diary: Remembering when the lights came on, 75 Years Later

June of 1944, exactly 75 years ago this month, marked one of the two great turning points of World War II. The first occurred during the late winter and early

www.northwestgeorgianews.com

 

[dannyd]

Your skipper took a page out of history. WWII Battle of Philippine Sea Adm Mitcher lit up his carrier so the returning aircraft could find their way back to ship after bombing the crap out of the Japs. you likely know this but I just love this story. Saving American lives under treacherous conditions. For those that never heard it

World War II Diary: Remembering when the lights came on, 75 Years Later

June of 1944, exactly 75 years ago this month, marked one of the two great turning points of World War II. The first occurred during the late winter and early

www.northwestgeorgianews.com

The second C.O. of the Normandy that did that, was one of best guy's I ever worked for or rode with.

 

[Watertender]

There was a gentleman who worked in a hardware store here who earned the Navy Cross at the Battle of Midway. He was flying an F4F Grumman from the Yorktown and ended up crash landing on the Hornet after shooting down 3 Japanese Zero fighters while being wounded in the process. He was commissioned as a Naval Aviator in 1941 before the attack on Pearl Harbor so he was one of the first into action. He ultimately retired as a Commander and died in 2005. You would never know when he was weighing out a pound of nails or selling you a tube of caulk that he was a genuine hero. It shocked a lot of people when they read his obituary. He was truly one of The Greatest Generation.

 

[g5m]

We had a house painter who had painted our house a couple of times who was a vet. One time he and I were eating lunch at a local mom and pop place and for some reason someone who had received a Silver Star was in the news. I mentioned that to him and he, said, "Gee, I have one of those". Obviously I asked him about it and he said his buddy was the radioman and was injured and out in the field of fire and he just went out to help him. He didn't think anything about it and was just trying to help his buddy.
He was awarded the medal in the hospital where he was treated after that incident. Very humble and nonchalant about it. He's retired now and we've kind of lost touch. Need to try to track him down..

 

[dannyd]

This is an interview with the Captain of the carrier that was relieved of command during the pandemic.

 

[MaxMan]

Dad was retired Navy. 22 years. I remember the ship tours and walking around the base in Key West. After he passed the Navy still helped mom a lot. There are assistance programs for widows of retired Navy personnel who served in combat.
Me? I was not built to government specifications.