From "Striking Eight Bells: A Vietnam Memoir." “Bound for Vietnam and the Western Pacific Typhoon.” “Another story on what most Americans don’t know about the Navy’s role in the Vietnam War.” My ship’s passage, USS Rich (DD 820) from Norfolk, Virginia to Vietnam was making progress as we arrived early morning in Apra Harbor, Guam … Continue reading Big Ass Waves and Green Water
Posts and Stories
Some Relief at Watch Condition II
From "Striking Eight Bells: A Vietnam Memoir." “A story on what most Americans don’t know about the Navy’s role in the Vietnam War.” During early December 1972, my ship USS Rich (DD 820) had spent the previous five days attached to Commander Task Unit (CTU) 71.1.1 comprised of three ships, the USS Henry B. Wilson (DDG … Continue reading Some Relief at Watch Condition II
From the Panama Canal to Pearl Harbor.
Excerpts From: “Striking Eight Bells: A Vietnam Memoir.” A story about Navy destroyers being deployed from the U.S. Second Fleet, bound for Vietnam in 1972. My ship’s passage, USS Rich (DD 820) from Norfolk, Virginia to Vietnam was making progress, after our day spent transiting the Panama Canal our ship would be back underway the … Continue reading From the Panama Canal to Pearl Harbor.
Passage from Guam to Subic Bay
Excerpts from: "Striking Eight Bells: A Vietnam Memoir. U.S. Navy Atlantic Fleet destroyers make the long passage to Vietnam during late 1972. On November 15, after refueling the ship in Apra Harbor, Guam, USS Rich (DD 820) got underway at 1400 that afternoon and steamed back out to sea. Once the ship was in open … Continue reading Passage from Guam to Subic Bay
Stopover at Midway
Excerpts From: “Striking Eight Bells: A Vietnam Memoir.” A story about Navy destroyers being deployed from the U.S. Second Fleet, bound for Vietnam in 1972. My ship’s passage, USS Rich (DD 820) from Norfolk, Virginia to Vietnam was making progress as we arrived at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. During the early morning hours of November 3, … Continue reading Stopover at Midway
Cua Viet River and the DMZ
From: “Striking Eight Bells: A Vietnam Memoir.” “Another story on what most Americans don’t know about the Navy’s role in the Vietnam War?” My ship, the USS Rich (DD 820), was on deployment from our home-port of Norfolk, Virginia to the Western Pacific (WESTPAC). We had originally been assigned to the gun line just south … Continue reading Cua Viet River and the DMZ
Operations with CTU 71.1.1.
Excerpts From: “Striking Eight Bells: A Vietnam Memoir.” “Another story on what most Americans don’t know about the Navy’s role in the Vietnam War?” Many Americans probably believed that by 1972, the war in Vietnam was essentially winding down. However, for the U.S. Navy in Vietnam, 1972 would prove to be a busy year of … Continue reading Operations with CTU 71.1.1.
Final Summer for USS Warrington.
Expanded story from “Striking Eight Bells: A Vietnam Memoir.” USS Warrington, Her Final Fate. A Stark Reminder of What Could Happen! “Another story about the Navy’s role in the Vietnam War?” Many Americans probably believed that by 1972, the war in Vietnam was essentially winding down. However, for the U.S. Navy in Vietnam, 1972 would prove … Continue reading Final Summer for USS Warrington.
Passage to Vietnam in 1972
Excerpts From: “Striking Eight Bells: A Vietnam Memoir.” October 1972. Atlantic Fleet Navy destroyers deployed to Vietnam in time to take part in combat operations during the Vietnam Cease Fire Campaign 1972-1973. On the morning of October 17, 1972, my ship USS Rich (DD 820) departed our homeport in Norfolk, Virginia beginning the long passage to … Continue reading Passage to Vietnam in 1972
NGFS at MR1
Excerpt From “Striking Eight Bells: A Vietnam Memoir.” “Another story on what most Americans don’t know about the Navy’s role in the Vietnam War?” Many Americans probably believed that by 1972, the war in Vietnam was essentially winding down. However, for the U.S. Navy in Vietnam, 1972 would prove to be a busy year of … Continue reading NGFS at MR1
Striking Eight Bells: A Vietnam Memoir 