Navy military

Fred Martin · Jan 28, 2011

I spent my time in the navy and had good duty, Tender duty. You had to shovel the coffee grounds away from it to get underway. An order came through the fleet requesting volunteers for duty in Viet Nam. I volunteered to go but, the BuPers said no, I was the sole surviving son of a deceased father. I was one month old when he passed away. I have made trips to the far east and the Mediteranean and didn't get to see any action...well almost none. We were in Formosa (now Taiwan) and the local kids (about 10 year olds) came around the ship on about four pieces of bamboo lashed together, and paddled with their hands. They would dive if you threw a coin in the water and along came some wise guy and tossed a motor armature down on one of the bamboo rigs. They all left but, when they came back, you couldn't walk up the port side of the ship...they had their sling shots and had gone to war with the US Navy. Thats all the hostilities for me. But, thanks to all the guys and gals who were not so lucky. Reading a post below reminded me of this. ohfred

Anonymous-0 · Jan 28, 2011

If you'da had to spend much time at sea you'd have been a dance partner for the marines on the boat. Count your blessings and thanks for your service....

Dave

Aaron Ford · Jan 28, 2011

I had a similar non-eventful military career. My closest call was when the reins were being turned over in North Korea. They took volunteers and had us packed up, but we never left the ground. I was an armament puke on A-10s. No secret clearance for that jet. Old technology and redundant flightcontrols were the name of the game. I love the sound of those turbofans...

Aaron

Ultradog MN · Jan 28, 2011

Just curious, what tender were you on?
I was on a couple of em.
AS16 and AR7

Goose · Jan 28, 2011

When were you on Taiwan? I was there in a Marine jet fighter squadron from August, 1958 to April, 1959 on a Nationalist Chinese Air Force Base by PingTung. There was a major confrontation between Nationalist China on Taiwan and Red China on the Mainland over the ownership and occupation of the Quemoy and Matsu Islands in the Strait between Taiwan and the Mainland.

We were unloading our Air Group's gear off of ships in the port of Kao-Hsiung on August 23 when Red China began saturation shelling and bombing of the islands. The Navy ships scrammed for the open ocean and scuttled us Marines on the dock with our gear. We had no choice but to move inland to the NCAF base.

Actually, between two deployments to the Middle East aboard aircraft carriers, plus assorted LST's, AKA's, and MSTS, I probably have more sea time then a lot of sailors.

Bartt · Jan 29, 2011

If you were military and missed being in combat, you didn"t miss a thing. 2nd/501st, 101st Airborne, Vietnam 1970. Thank you for your service. My brother was Navy. I spent 9 mos. in St Albans Naval hospital, Queens, New York. The Navy Corpsmen I met there were great to returning Vets. Have a Goodun.

Fred Martin · Feb 2, 2011

Hi Goose,
I was at one time parked right in front of the NC Army headquarters on an LSD (Alamo LSD-33). Had a whole bunch of steps leading up to the entrance if you remember. There was a bunch of shell scars and sand bags everywhere, probably put there by you guys who didn't have anything else to do (kiddin)...and a big old white Ro-Ho rooster standing bout half way up the steps. My first impression was "I bet this is a dandy army!" We off loaded them a couple of LCMs and a marine vehicle that I don't know the name of but, it had four big tractor like tires on the corners that motivated and steered it. I don't know how to spell it but, it was pronounced like Cow-Shung. Last rumor we heard was they were gonna invade the mainland with them. From there we steamed battle conditions in between them and the mainland...four on and four off...24/7 and ate box lunches on battle stations. I didn't think very many of us knew about the little Qumoy/Matsu incident except the locals and our ships crew. Had to be last part of 1959, first part of 1960. The only other thing I remember about that place was the real pleasant odor there. ohfred

Fred Martin · Feb 2, 2011

Hi UD
I was on two tenders also, the AD-23 Arcadia at Newport, RI and the AD-26 Shenandoah at Norfolk, Va.
What was the hull number on the Sperry in San Diego? A friend that I joined with was stationed on her, Wright, JL, EM ohfred
PS I was an MR (machinery repairman)

Fred Martin · Feb 2, 2011

Hi Dave,
You just reminded me of when we used to take on a fresh load of boot Marines who had never been to sea before. Come chow time, they would set their tray down and silverware and cup...and of course the sea being a little rough and something would start sliding off the table. By the time they grabbed it something else was going off the other side...next, someones tray went on the deck...and then one of 'em threw up! Oh what a mess and laughter to boot. I guess after we had a laugh or two, we showed them how to put their silverware in their shirt pocket, wet a napkin to put under the tray to keep it from sliding and set the cup on the tray. Why they were qualified for the FMF then...(Fleet Marine Force.) I used to have to go through their berthing spaces to take tank soundings and it smelled like arm pits and throw up. I wouldn't make fun of them, I'm just telling it like it was. We couldn't get along without them 'ol boys...they had it rough and we respected them for what they had to go through. God bless everyone of them. ohfred

Navy military

Fred Martin

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Anonymous-0

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Aaron Ford

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Ultradog MN

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Goose

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Bartt

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Fred Martin

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Fred Martin

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Fred Martin

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