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3/24/64—Arrived
Coronado Amphib Base for duty in Boat Training Team 7, same day as
returning from WestPac cruise aboard USS Oriskany, CVA-34. Reported
to a bare building with single desk being used as the Quarter Deck.
While waiting for rest of unit to arrive, was granted a short
leave.
5/28/64---Self
Protection and Survival Training completed and ordered to Danang for
duty with MST1-64. Our team consisted of Paul Sultaire, GMG-1
Jack Pratt, EN-1 James Warren, BM-2 Paul Harrell, EM-2
Budiongan, SK-2 along with myself. I remember arriving in Saigon
and we really had problems getting someone to help locate our unit
in Danang. During this tour, assigned to Engine Shop, performed
maint on PTF 3-4-5-6, assisted in the training of the Viet Navy and
made regular mail runs to the Air Force Base. PT 1 and 2 were old
gas burners from WW2 and due to heavy maint required to keep
running, shipped to Pearl Harbor where they were radio controlled
equipped and used for Submarine target drones. I had the task of
de-fueling prior to loading on the LSD for transport. One day we
were expecting a ship from Subic Bay with a replacement engine for
one of the PTF’s and I remember thinking, being there was no
American flags allowed, I didn’t want a trigger happy sailor on the
supply ship to start shooting as I pulled the Mike boat aside. To
solve this problem, we found a regulation boat American flag in
supply and after I pulled away from the pier, raised it to the top
of our radio mast. Must of worked, did not get friendly fire and
being supply would not claim the flag, I kept it and still have that
flag today. I like to say that I flew the first American Flag in
Danang.
11/64---Departed
for home base (Coronado) with original team where I helped test and
evaluate numerous type craft to see how they would fit in the Viet
conflict. Many a day spent in the back bay of San Diego testing the
boats. Those PBR’s were fun to play with.
5/65---Headed
back to Danang, this time the unit was Mobile Support Team 3, only
in country a few days then off to Subic Bay to test two new PTF’s
that had just been retro-fitted. Did you know that the original
PTF’s had a Mess area and Chiefs Quarters but was removed to add
extra fuel tanks? A good time running the boats through sea trails
and good liberty in Olongapo. On the way back to Danang, the Navy
had no scheduled flights, so we went to the Air Force base for a
flight home. Having to lay over, we decided we would go to the NCO
Club for dinner but when we arrived, was told only E-6,7&8’s
allowed. Micheal Belding, EN-1 was our senior team leader and being
we were in civilian clothes, he showed his ID and I don’t know what
he told the doorman, but we were allowed to enter and treated like
we were really somebody. That was my first experience sampling the
local sugar cane Rum and I might add, the last. Back to Danang to
complete our tour. One event that really stands out that took place
in Oct, one dark night we had a mission laid on for the Northern
sector and during engine run-up, the mission was cancelled without a
reason. A couple of days later, we learned that was the night the
USS Maddox had a shoot out with a couple of boats from up North and
it was believed the boats were laying in wait for our boats and
mistook the Maddox for us—this was when the war escalated and the
prices for everything went thru the roof due to the Marines coming
to the area. It really was a sight to see boat loads of battle
ready Marines storming ashore beside our base to be greeted by the
local Mayor and even a band with school children handing out
flowers, I don’t know what they expected, but I’m sure it wasn’t
that type of reception.
11/29/65---Departed
for home base, left Saigon in short sleeves and our plane was
re-routed to Long Beach due to fog in San Fran, had to wait a couple
of hours for customs to arrive. Here we are, midnight in Northern
Calif, temp in low 40’s and we all still have on short sleeve
shirts. I had a bottle of Jim Beam (duty tax free) and we went
behind the building out of the wind and passed it around to get some
anti-freeze circulating in our system. Three days, same clothes, no
shower and on the red eye to San Diego with a plane load of business
suit types folks who really gave us the stare. Now the unit was
called BSU-1.
A new shop had been build
and really a choice assignment hanging out with fine folks like
Chief Green, Tina Edwards, James Rose, James Thomas and my cousin
“Reb” Lawerence, to name just a few. During this period I worked
primary with the Bertrams, even had one blow me in the water causing
2nd degree burns on my arms and face. I knew the bilge
blower fuse was blown and even had one on order, but the Operations
Officer would not turn loose any funds to purchase local and ordered
me to go to Point Loma to refuel anyway. I’m glad I had entered
this in my Engineer Log prior to the accident. I often wondered why
there was no accident investigation convened, maybe because the 1st
Lt got caught with his pants down as the old saying goes.
A little known fact
regarding Chief Rose, he came to our unit from duty on the White
House Staff. One day he gets a call from DC and was asked to
recommend someone to fill a slot that was becoming available. He
asked me if I was interested in transferring to the DC area for some
outstanding shore duty but he could not tell me any details of the
nature of assignment. I couldn’t pass this up and after an
extensive back ground check, received orders in March, 67, for Naval
Admin Unit, Thurmont, Md. If you haven’t guessed, this is Camp
David, (White House Staff) and that starts another page in my 33
year career in the Military.
Jack Birge CWO-2 (US Army
Retired)
Crestview, Fl 850-902-3974
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