Vietnam Remembered

[EX-CG-GM]

Hans-

Remember this?

[vftb]

Yep; she was pretty wasn't she?  Kinda like "a face only a mother could love" but we loved her anyway.   \ 

[EX-CG-GM]

If function equals beauty, then she was downright lovely. 

Not fancy, not trendy, just one of those ships that never shines too much, never gets the Admiral's inspection, but always got the job done and brought the crew home safe.  The Blackhaw was one of my top two favorite ships.   

[vftb]

Got the admiral's attention enough to bring him over for one day, give us a dungaree inspection  ??? ???.  Still sure it was just to get his ribbon and maybe a months worth of combat pay.

[vftb]

Here's a Vietnam memory for ya; Vung Tao 11/69 

[EX-CG-GM]

Hey, I remember her!  But she was wearing a mini skirt when I met her in '71!   

Hmmm, wasn't it Vung Tau where the ABT (or ATB) bar was?  Alaska Tug and Barge?   

[vftb]

 

[vftb]

Hey, I remember her!  But she was wearing a mini skirt when I met her in '71!   Hmmm, wasn't it Vung Tau whee the ABT (or ATB) bar was?  Alaska Tug and Barge?   

  Yup, and many others.

[MarkW51]

One of the last Coasties headed to Vietnam for permanent duty was a TA (Stewardsman Apprentice) in my recruit company at Alameda. 

Although I never saw the light of Southeast Asia, my first duty station out of Radioman School was USCG Radio Station Adak in the middle of the Aleutian Chain where we received movement and weather observation reports from the Military Sealift Command ships sailing the Great Circle enroute to and from Southeast Asia.  All our communications were in CW (International Morse Code).  The crews of these ships were civilians, including the Radio Officers who were, in general, good fists - which meant that they were able to send code in an understandable manner and would send only as fast as the receiving operator could copy.

The Officer in Charge of our station, RMCS L.V. Frith had a standard of quality that demanded that we operators copy a message correct the first time.  That is where I learned how to concentrate for long periods of time and not let anything distract me.

On a side note, if any of you have a   picture of one of the Military Sealift Command transport loaded with 2 82 footer WPBs, I would consider it a favor if you would post it to this site.  If you cannot, please send it to me as an attachment on an email to mabwood AT gmail.com. (Substitute @ for AT in your message - I write it this way to keep the SPAM bots from using the address). When received, I will upload it to my Website server and post it here.

Thanks!

Mark

[vftb]

Mark, I don't have the picture you're talking about but have seen one somewhere.  You might check under the 82's here:

Coast Guard Pics

I'd do it for you, but it's going to be a short night with the time change and I have a long drive in the morning.  In other words, I'm hitting the pit real soon.

[vftb]

Ok; can't turn down a challenge.  This is close, still looking.

[MarkW51]

Good enough! Thanks pal.

Mark

[OFFSHORE DIESEL]

Hans:
I thank you also. I never saw that shot before. 82316 was my boat. CGC POINT MAST. She looks good in that shot. Then again I was pretty hot in 1965 if I don't say so myself.

Also thanks for trying to help with the minor details. I will figure this out stuff out sooner or later. Old snipes get in trouble when they take away our crayons and give us keyboards.

I know what you do for a living, how do you find the time to come here and help?

Diesel
NY

[vftb]

Hey Diesel.  I didn't take that picture, if you Google "Coast Guard Squadron One", this picture is on the site that pops up first.  Evenings and weekends; right now I'm fortunate because I have a WiFi connection where we are staying.

[LTGunner]

Hans (if I may call you Hans),

The picture you posted highlights the essence of these forums and helping shipmates out.  That’s a great pic of historical value.  Here’s a “New Guard” pic of the same basic concept:



OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (FOR RELEASE) AUGUSTA BAY, Sicily, Italy (March 19, 2003)--The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bainbridge Island (WPB 1343) is ready to be lifted from the motor vessel BBC Spain by a pair of heavy lift cranes. The cutter is one of four 110-foot patrol boats deployed to the Mediterranean in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. USCG photo by PA1 John Gaffney