Expanded story 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 … Continue reading “This is Blackbeard.”
Posts and Stories
“Linebacker II at Hon La”
Excerpts From “Striking Eight Bells: A Vietnam Memoir.” "Hit and Run at Hon La." It was December 2, 1972. Our ship USS Rich (DD 820) was attached to the Commander Task Unit (CTU) 71.1.1, embarked on board USS Henry B. Wilson (DDG 7). CTU 71.1.1 was made up of our ship, USS Wilson (DDG 7) and … Continue reading “Linebacker II at Hon La”
On the Vietnam gun line.
Excerpts From “Striking Eight Bells: A Vietnam Memoir.” "Reality of life in Vietnam hits." Just off the coast of Quang Tri Province in the area of MR1, but very close to the DMZ, was a gun line position designated as, “Point Allison.” Naval gunfire in South Vietnam was under the control of the U.S. Marine … Continue reading On the Vietnam gun line.
Bound for Vietnam
Excerpts From: “Striking Eight Bells: A Vietnam Memoir.” “Transit to Vietnam via the Panama Canal in 1972.” The week after our ship USS Rich (DD 820) returned to Norfolk from six weeks of Refresher Training (REFTRA) in Guantanamo Bay (GITMO) preparations began for the deployment to the Western Pacific (WESPAC) and Vietnam, with a departure … Continue reading Bound for Vietnam
TU 71.1.1 – “The Battle of Brandon Bay.”
Expanded story 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.” Attack on Vinh by Task Unit 71.1.1 On 11 January 1973, another combat action occurred involving USS Cochrane (DDG 21), USS McCaffery (DD 860), and USS Turner Joy (DD 951) … Continue reading TU 71.1.1 – “The Battle of Brandon Bay.”
Task Force 77 & Task Unit 77.1.2
Expanded story from: “Striking Eight Bells: A Vietnam Memoir.” “Operation Pocket Money and Operation Custom Tailor.” “Another story on what most Americans don’t know about the Navy’s role in the Vietnam War?” Most Americans probably believed that by 1972, the war in Vietnam was essentially winding down. However, for the U.S. Navy in Vietnam, 1972 … Continue reading Task Force 77 & Task Unit 77.1.2
“North of the DMZ to Dong Hoi”
Expanded story 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?” 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 … Continue reading “North of the DMZ to Dong Hoi”
Operation Lion’s Den
Story expanded on 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 … Continue reading Operation Lion’s Den
The Cease-Fire, On To Hong Kong!
From: “Striking Eight Bells: A Vietnam Memoir.” "The Cease-Fire and Hong Kong's Mary Soo." “Another story on what most Americans don’t know about the Navy’s role in the Vietnam War?” For the crew of USS Rich (DD 820) January, 28 1973 had finally arrived. On the mid-watch, we brought the new day in with an … Continue reading The Cease-Fire, On To Hong Kong!
Task Unit 77.1.2 at Haiphong
Expanded story from: “Striking Eight Bells: A Vietnam Memoir." “Into the Lion's Den - another story on what most Americans don’t know about the Navy’s role in the Vietnam War.” For the U.S. Navy in Vietnam, 1972 would prove to be a busy year of conducting numerous and dangerous combat operations. On August 27, 1972 … Continue reading Task Unit 77.1.2 at Haiphong
Striking Eight Bells: A Vietnam Memoir 