Ships
 | Hauling ROKs
Fight deck of the Iwo Jima 1969.
Posted by Wayne Stafford on 2010-07-23 |  | HMM-164 being externaled by CH-53, USS Tripoli 7/67
Comment by: Mac McGin on Sep 4, 2006 07:30 PM
Wonder where that helicopter came from that day. I hooked up a CH 46 to a 53 on July 25, 1967 up on the DMZ after we removed the 46 blades and defueled the a/c and attached the sling. a Memorable day!
Comment by: Norman L. Clark on Feb 8, 2010 04:04 PM
In July of 1967 HMM164 was on the Tripoli but this is not the Tripoli. It is either earlier and the Princeton or another ship. The Tripoli had a white deck in July of 1967. HMM265 came aboard the Tripoli in July and HMM164 off loaded to Phu Bai. I was the Boeing rep at this time.
Comment by: Chuck Nowotny on Jun 2, 2010 07:46 AM
Actually this is the Vally Forge {LPH 8}and the plane on the sling is YT-6 circa March 1968. She was deposited on the foredeck and was there just in front of the island when the Crash occurred in June.
Incident Date 680602 HMM-265 CH-46A 152545+ Crash aboard the USS VALLEY FORGE (LPH-8)
Her last combat mission was on January 19, 1968 and after losing her blade tips and after I replaced the forward rotor blades, the APP took a dump. Then after replacing her APP the rear tranny went KAPUT. For years I thought she had been sent to PAR or flat out cannibalized but until I developed my slides and turned them into digital photos and saw her being towed out of harms way immediately after the bird that was chocked down and tried to lift off.
Posted by A.R. Tafoya on 2010-07-08 |  | "NO SLEEPING IN THE CATWALKS!"
We Marines just drove those poor Sailors crazy.Photo is of a HMM-363 Marine resting ( we don"t sleep on duty) during a lull in Flight Ops aboard the Iwo Jima, Spring 68. Photo by HMM-363 ( Avionics) Combat Aircrewman ( second tour) Robert Greer.
Posted by Admin on 2010-07-03 |  | HMM-362 & VMO6 aboard LPH-8 / USS Valley Forge 1965
Photo by Sgt. Wayne "Chunk" D. Bachiniski, F/O & R/O for H-2-3, 65-66. This photo shows two VMO6 UH-1E Hueys and one Navy UH-34D along with two of HMM-362s UH-34Ds aboard the LPH- 8 / USS Valley Forge 1965.
Posted by Admin on 2010-06-28 |  | U.S.S. IWO JIMA (LPH)
HMM-363,(UH-34Ds) The Lucky Red LIons, worked off the(LPH) U.S.S. Iwo Jima for the Spring of 1968, while supporting Hue, Khe Sanh and other operations.( Navy photo)
Posted by Admin on 2010-06-19 |  | USS Vancouver LPD 2
Summer 1968 HMM 265. I can remember flights out to this ship but have no idea what the mission was.
This ship is the Vancouver, LPD-2 I believe. Seems like when the bomb dump down at Chu Lai blew, they lost some sort of calibration device for A6s. I want to think the only other one available was with the CAG . We picked it up and took it to Chu Lai. 36 years sort of rusts the memory stick. Jim Kizer // Jim Kizer [jmkizer@frontiernet.net]
I was a pilot in HMM 265 from Jan 69-Sep69…a FAC with 3/26 Oct, Nov, and then transferred to DaNang when real short in Dec. We flew exclusively H-46A models in the squadron during my term... the highest Bureau No. was 152XXX. So, the 154824 was most probably a CH-46D. If it was in HMM 265, it was later than Sep 69. Jim Berg, President Matson Multi Media 403 E. Ramsey #101 San Antonio, TX 78216 210.349.3674 210.340.5710 fax www.matsonmultimedia.com
Could be the USS Dubuquw LPD-8 off Cua Viet summer of 1968 Semper Fi Bob // SemperfiE5@aol.com
From: Beverly Martinson , Dec 16, 2005 11:21 PM
I believe that ship is the USS Cleveland. It floated around with us while we were on the LPH 2 Iwo Jima.
Thanks, Rick Martinson, HMM 265, 1969
Comment by: HMCM Robert Syler, USN-RET on May 18, 2006 06:54 PM
This is a nice picture of the flight deck port side of USS Vancouver LPD 2. As member of 1st Battalion 9th Marines, I flew off this ship on Operation Deckhouse V in January of '67. We were the first "round eyes" in the Mekong Delta in over 20 years. Vancouver was a nice ship...airconditioned and comfortable. The keel was laid in 1960 so it was really a new ship for that period of time. It was launched in '62 and decomissioned in '92...kind of sad that it only served 30 years. Kind of like myself...30 years, '64-'94.
Comment by: DONN STOFFER on Nov 17, 2007 01:41 PM
This is the USS VANCOUVER LPD-2 . I am a Plank owner and serverd on her from commisioning to Sept. 1966. You can go to www.donnstoffer.com for more pictures.
Comment by: Daniel Miller on Mar 18, 2010 12:11 PM
I was on the Vancouver as a member of 3rd Plt A Co. 5Th Engineers attached to 3rd Blt 26th Marines in the fall of \'66; It was a nice ship...better than the Valley Forge, which we were on also...brought back a flood of memories.
Posted by Fred Pratt on 2010-05-10 |  | HMM-263 aboard USS Okinawa
April-July 1967 Submitted by Ray Kelley D/1/3
The blade man is Clp.Roger Tate. The fellow with the hand on the hip, at the rear of the craft, is Cpl. Ron Sallee. The flight suited one atop is Cpl.Jimmie Fralin. // Jimmie L Fralin [fralinj@basf-corp.com]
The opening morning of "operation Beau Charger", the 1st helicopter assault of the dmz (as told to us). The marine on top is 1st mech, pfc Hill. The marine "pinning the blades" (far side) Cpl. Gary Flansburg. This plane was the 3rd bird in the initial assault. The first 3 sustained heavy casualties, extensive battle damage, but made it back to the ship. this bird returned with all the fuel cells hit, leaking badly, and the sailors tried to shove it over the side, but were met with "strong opposition". //Gary Flansburg [gary.flansburg@western-equip.com]
Comment by: Russell Thompson on Nov 2, 2006 08:33 PM
I was attached to this unit as truck mechanic. I also flew in Op Beavercage. I do recall that the Navy did want to deep six a couple of birds.
Posted by Cpl. Beddoe on 2010-04-18 |  | On The Tripoli
Summer 1968, HMM 265. Is that jeep actually going to fit in there?Posted by Fred Pratt on 2010-04-14 |  | HMM-264 UH-34D goes overboard, 1966 (2 of 2)
Dennis V. Cooper was a member of Kohler"s Klowns HMM-365 that served in Vietnam from Sept 64 until Sept 65. He and I were sent to the east coast upon return to the world as members of HMM-264. he was serving as crew chief on 85 that day flying off the USS Okinawa. His plane was not spotted to the liking of the crew of the Okinawa and they requested that the pilot pick up and move more toward the edge of the ship. When they picked up, the wind or ship or aircraft shifted, who knows for sure, and the left gear went over the side. The pilot was not able to recover and the aircraft fell over the side. Coop was not able to get his belt off before the aircraft hit bottom but was able to get out a window and pop his vest. If anybody knows the whereabouts of Coop, please contact George McKee Submitted by: George McKee Relocated from COMBAT PHOTOS by George T. Curtis / OCT 2002
Comment by: Wally Beddoe on Mar 8, 2006 08:44 PM
see also image 1 of 2
Comment by: Kenneth C. Alvers on Jun 30, 2006 09:49 PM
I remember this incident as though it was yesterday. I was on Fire Watch at the time of the accident. I remember running to the side where the Chopper went in. We tossed life rings in towards the point of entry hopeing everyone on board could retrieve one. I never new the true outcome of the accident, or how many Marines were on board the chopper, and would like to know if someone has the answer. I think of this on occasion and hope everyone made it out of the water ok.
Shipfitter 2nd Class
USS Okinawa LPH3
1965-1969
Comment by: Eric on Oct 21, 2006 03:00 AM
so sad...
Comment by: george mckee on Aug 17, 2008 07:33 AM
sorry, i have never read comments on pic of overboard aircraft. in answer to question. the aircraft was a full bird that day. we were bringing the grunts aboard from exercises ashore. all crew members made it out. coop went to the bottom before getting out and suffered eye and ear damage. i can still see his ever present vacuum bottle popping to the surface. i don't remember exact number of grunts lost but four comes to mind. it was a reinforced platoon which meant they had a mortor team. one of them had the mortor base tied on his back and actually made it to the surface but couldn't stay up. the seal team aboard was in the water almost immediately or the loss might have been greater.
Comment by: James Sparrow on Feb 9, 2010 12:28 PM
Holy Crap!! I was one of those grunts that day. We were members of Lima Co. 3rd Bn. 6th Marines.We lost four guys that day as I remember. They were a 60 machine gun crew. The crew leader's name was DeBenitto from Phily. He was also the Co. swimming insturctor. Real sad. His a-gunner was from Camden N.J. and they competed against each other in High School football. We had a mock burial at sea for them. A Marine burgler was flown in from somewhere. This all happened off the coast of Viegues P.R. I belong to the USS Okinawa Assco. and they have no record of this in thier Ship history.
Comment by: george mckee on Feb 27, 2010 06:04 PM
i am so aware the report on this incident doesn't seem to exist. coop was airlifted to nearby airforce base for treatment. they too appear to have no record. coop tried to file for benefits later in life but even with photo evidence and my notorized letter attesting the accident, he wasn't able to get help as up to the time i lost contact with him. very glad you made it out.
Posted by Admin on 2010-04-03 |  | HMM-264 UH-34D goes overboard, 1966 (1 of 2)
Dennis V. Cooper was a member of Kohler"s Klowns HMM-365 that served in Vietnam from Sept 64 until Sept 65. He and I were sent to the east coast upon return to the world as members of HMM-264. he was serving as crew chief on 85 that day flying off the USS Okinawa. His plane was not spotted to the liking of the crew of the Okinawa and they requested that the pilot pick up and move more toward the edge of the ship. When they picked up, the wind or ship or aircraft shifted, who knows for sure, and the left gear went over the side. The pilot was not able to recover and the aircraft fell over the side. Coop was not able to get his belt off before the aircraft hit bottom but was able to get out a window and pop his vest. If anybody knows the whereabouts of Coop, please contact George McKee Submitted by: George McKee Relocated from COMBAT PHOTOS by George T. Curtis / OCT 2002
Comment by: Wally Beddoe on Mar 8, 2006 08:43 PM
see also image 2 of 2
Posted by Admin on 2010-04-03 |  | HMM-261 EM-15, UH-34D LPH-8 / 1965
Great photo sent to me by Cpl. Gary Seaford of Bravo Battery 1-12 (65-66). This clearly shows how it looked when the A/C went down the center flight deck elevator.
Posted by Admin on 2010-03-31 |  | HMM-362 aboard ship
LPH-8, USS Valley Forge, October 66 in Danang Harbor. This was the beginning of 3 months journey for HMM-362 to Okinawa, the Phillipines and numerous operations in Vietnam including Deckhouse V where John Mooney was killed. The Valley Forge was only one of many ships we were aboard during this period. updated from email on 16 Feb 2003 It may have been the Hancock or the Princeton. I do believe it was the Princeton not the Valley Forge. I took pictures of both Aircraft Carriers with our '34 aboard. Those mountains you see in the background is the shore of the Philippines. Memory fades but I have the copy. Robert D. Nickens Gunner
I was with HMM-362 on LPH-8 from Jan.66-until we disembarked and awaited the Princeton in March 66. I do not remember a turret gun of that type on the Valley Forge during my stay on board. Nor does one show up in any of my pictures. Bob Patrick
the guns were there from 1964 on http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/u100000/u104168.jpg // and still there in 1968 http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/h96000/h96947.jpg // Semper Fidelis George T. Curtis MGySgt USMC Ret
I served as Air Operations Officer on USS Princeton (LPH-5) from 1965 to 1967 and I have several pictures of Princeton in my cruise book. The radar and communication antennae arrangement on the “island” is different on each ship. The arrangement shown in this photo is definitely that of the USS Valley Forge (LPH-8), not the USS Princeton (LPH-5).
William Richards, CDR, USN (Ret)//William Richards [wlrich@adelphia.net]
Comment by: Joseph Williams on Dec 1, 2009 02:03 AM
We were on the Iwo Jima When we lost John, I was his crew chief on that terrible day. Joe
Comment by: Richard Cole ABH-2 on Mar 16, 2010 09:20 PM
This is the Valley Forge. I server as a Flighjt Deck signalman on the Valley from 1962-1966. The guns were quite loud during the firing exercises we had. My brother was the gunner on this forward mount. Can't say I miss them firing. We both lost our hearing from the loudness and closeness during general quarters.
Posted by User Deleted on 2010-03-18 |  | USS NEW JERSEY Vietnam and more
The USS New Jersey provided excellent Fire Support for many other operations after September 1968. Photo enhanced by John P. Dillighan. The USS New Jersy also provided Fire Support for the 22 MAU (HMM-261) in Beirut 83-84.
I personally used fire support in 1966 on a search and destroy mission from the New Jersey, quite a show. Enjoyed your site. D.Boundy former G-2/7 // Hog Wash [hogwash@ec.rr.com]
This photo is was taken after 1983 and was provided by the USN PR dept.
Thanks The giveaway is the Phalanx (Close In Weapon System)on the left side of the bridge (the white dome-topped cylinder with the barrel facing outboard). Regards Adrian Webster Australia
Comment by: Dennis Mannion on Feb 5, 2008 07:43 AM
Every time I see this picture and the posts that go with it, I KNOW that there is an error. The USS New Jersey did not arrive off the coast of Vietnam until the late in Sept68. I was part of a Naval Gunfire FO team in a small observation post north of the Cua Viet River called Oceanview. Our team was scheduled to use the NJ when she first came onto the gunline 30Sept68, but at the last minute the mission was passed on to an AO. We provided ground comm between the ship & the AO. The comment by D. Boundy G 2/7 is not accurate unless he mistyped the date. He says that he used the NJ in 1966. Absolutely was not possible...unless the rounds from the NJ came from Philadelphia! Dennis Mannion
Posted by Admin on 2010-03-11 |  | USS SANCTUARY VIETNAM 68
Great photo of the USS Sanctuary in Vietnam 1968.
All squadrons took the seriously wounded to the BIG "S"
On hot days the ships Corpsmen would meet the Helicopters and give us enought cold soda for the crew. On bad days we got more cold soda than we wished for.
Posted by Admin on 2010-03-07 |  | VMO-6 aboard USS Duluth (LPD-6)
VMO-6 detachment landing aboard the USS Duluth July/August 1967 for an amphibious operation.
Photo submitted by
Cecil J Smith
Hamburg, NY
cjsmith@adelphia.net
Posted by User Deleted on 2010-02-27 |  | Repose
In flight passing the hospital ship USS Repose in Da Nang harbor. 1967 "Picture by Bob Houston"
Found your website by . Scrolling through the pictures when I came to this one it was like getting hit with I don't know what. 7Jun04 ceased to exist. Suddenly, it was shortly after Tet of 68 and the Repose was riding at anchor in DaNang Harbor just as she is in the picture. I'd just been medevaced to the Repose with Malaria and Dysentery. Almost a month later I left the Repose and returned to my unit. I still haven't fully gotten it back together after seeing that picture. I printed a copy of it. It's gonna be framed and put up on the bulkhead with some other things I have. Semper Fi, Frank Walker (USMC - 3/62-11/82, RVN - 6/67-7/68) //Frank Walker [fwalker1@tampabay.rr.com]
had eye surgery on the Repose in 1965 while the ship cruised up & down the coast about 25/30 miles out...was transferred to Oakland, CA to recooperate,,,,couldn't see well enough to sight my weapon...so they sent me home.... Dick Kindelspire MCB#3 US NAVY SeaBee // Dick [dick@gohighspeed.com]
Before the repose, there was the HOPE. sister ship to the Repose. this was during 1964 and 1965. I left viet nam for the last time in july of 1966. left many friends there to finish telling the story. great pics. navy from 1963 to 1966. U.S.S. WINSTON AKA94. felipe salazar [felipeyana@sbcglobal.net]
From: , Tuesday, December 13, 2005 2:10 PM
July of 1967, HMM 363, Capt. Rat fell off the side of the USS Repose. I was the Corpsman on the medivac. Our wheels touched the ocean. Capt Rat over boosted and slammed on to the helo deck. We had 6 wounded marines from Delta Med , we pulled out the IV's and put life jackets on all the stretchers. We flew back to Dong Ha with the chip light on. Would like to know the Crew Chief and Capt Rat's name. Was a hairy ride that night. -Doc Mac
Comment by: jaime brown on Jul 7, 2007 10:08 PM
that is a great pic of the repose. My grandfather was on the repose in 1945 to 1947 I have lots of pics of the inside of the ship as was as the outside that he took, jaime brown
Posted by John Dullighan on 2010-02-25 | | Repose
In flight passing the hospital ship USS Repose in Da Nang harbor. 1967 "Picture by Bob Houston"
Found your website by . Scrolling through the pictures when I came to this one it was like getting hit with I don't know what. 7Jun04 ceased to exist. Suddenly, it was shortly after Tet of 68 and the Repose was riding at anchor in DaNang Harbor just as she is in the picture. I'd just been medevaced to the Repose with Malaria and Dysentery. Almost a month later I left the Repose and returned to my unit. I still haven't fully gotten it back together after seeing that picture. I printed a copy of it. It's gonna be framed and put up on the bulkhead with some other things I have. Semper Fi, Frank Walker (USMC - 3/62-11/82, RVN - 6/67-7/68) //Frank Walker [fwalker1@tampabay.rr.com]
had eye surgery on the Repose in 1965 while the ship cruised up & down the coast about 25/30 miles out...was transferred to Oakland, CA to recooperate,,,,couldn't see well enough to sight my weapon...so they sent me home.... Dick Kindelspire MCB#3 US NAVY SeaBee // Dick [dick@gohighspeed.com]
Before the repose, there was the HOPE. sister ship to the Repose. this was during 1964 and 1965. I left viet nam for the last time in july of 1966. left many friends there to finish telling the story. great pics. navy from 1963 to 1966. U.S.S. WINSTON AKA94. felipe salazar [felipeyana@sbcglobal.net]
From: , Tuesday, December 13, 2005 2:10 PM
July of 1967, HMM 363, Capt. Rat fell off the side of the USS Repose. I was the Corpsman on the medivac. Our wheels touched the ocean. Capt Rat over boosted and slammed on to the helo deck. We had 6 wounded marines from Delta Med , we pulled out the IV's and put life jackets on all the stretchers. We flew back to Dong Ha with the chip light on. Would like to know the Crew Chief and Capt Rat's name. Was a hairy ride that night. -Doc Mac
Comment by: jaime brown on Jul 7, 2007 10:08 PM
that is a great pic of the repose. My grandfather was on the repose in 1945 to 1947 I have lots of pics of the inside of the ship as was as the outside that he took, jaime brown
Posted by John Dullighan on 2010-02-25 |  | 17th WestPac Cruise of USS Princeton LPH-5 sence commissioned in 1945
Posted by Joseph Sheible on 2010-02-21 |  | USS Princeton LPH-5 Off DMZ Vietnam 1968
Posted by Joseph Sheible on 2010-02-21 |  | USS Princeton LPH-5 DMZ Vietnam 1968
Posted by Joseph Sheible on 2010-02-21 |  | USS Princeton LPH-5 1968
Posted by Joseph Sheible on 2010-02-21 |  | USS Sanctuary.
Big white boat with a little place on the back where you were supposed to try and land, delivering the wounded. This ship rotated with the USS Repose. In addition to medical help, women and ice cream were also reported to be aboard.
Comment by: Van Scheurich on Apr 10, 2007 02:07 PM
I was a patient aboard this fine ship in Feb to Mar 1968. Served with the 3rd.Bn.,1st. Marines, machine gunner and these Naval Corpsman and Officers saved my life. I don't know about the ice cream being aboard the ship but the Naval Commander who saved my life was a female officer and a damn good one. Thank you Navy.
Posted by HMM-362 History Project on 2010-02-10 |  | TONKIN GULF CLUB PATCH
My Tonkin Gulf Yatch Club Patch I got while serving as a Crew Chief with HMM-363s LUCKY RED LIONS UH-34Ds aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) Spring (TET) 68. The patch is for service with the Blue Water Navy - Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club United States Seventh Fleet "Ready Power For Peace" The seventh Fleet Arrived in 1951. and Departed in 1975. With a total of 8784 Days of Active Service. Most Marine Helicopter Squadrons worked off one of the Seventh Fleets Ships in Vietnam. This patch represents service on one off those Seventh Fleet Ships out of the Tonkin Gulf.
Posted by Admin on 2010-02-09 |  | HMM-363 / YZ-14 / LHP-2 / USS Iwo Jima 68
This photo was sent to me by Bob Greer, Combat Aircrew ,HMM-363 ( Avionics) 67-68. The photo shows how it looked when the side elevators were used aboard ship.
The gunner is riding brakes and I think the Crew Chief is looking for land. This photo of HMM-363s UH-34D /YZ-14 was taken aboard the LPH-2 / USS Iwo Jima in 1968.
Posted by Admin on 2010-01-23 |  | LPH-4 USS Boxer & HMM-265
1968
Thanks to Harry O. Lindback for Ship ID.
From: ONPHOTOG1@aol.com, Friday, November 04, 2005 8:18 PM, The photo of the Boxer in DaNang harbor was taken in May '66. I was in HMM 265 when we deployed to 'Nam. Half the squadron was sent to set-up at Marble Mountain (they flew in) and the other half loaded the Boxer at Norfolk (Planes, trucks, heavy gear etc.,etc.) and embarked in April. We sailed East...'cross the Atlantic, through the Med, down the Suez Canal, up the Red Sea to the South China Sea. We "officially" off-flew on May 22, 1966., Paul R. ("PR) O'Neill, Cpl.-Motor T section/Gunner - HMM-265
Comment by: Fred Pratt on May 4, 2006 02:31 PM
Sorry, but the above comment is not correct. I took this picture, but I wasn't in Vietnam in 1966 and the name Boxer doesn't ring a bell. This picture would have to have been taken between January 1968 and February 1969 (my tour), most probably in the summer of 1968. We deployed on the Tripoli that summer to Cubi Point, however I can't actually say that it's the Tripoli in this picture, as we bounced around quite a bit. ---Fred Pratt
Comment by: Bernard Harrison on Jun 5, 2006 01:32 AM
On closer look it looks like an 8 on the side iof the island which would be the be the Valley Forge which was in RVN in 69. It's the ship HMM 165 left country on.
Comment by: Dan Garcia on Jan 20, 2010 06:19 PM
Well ,just want to say, I was on USS Boxer when we went there. That is the old rust bucket Boxer. That is Da Nang Harbor. I was there. Worked in V-1 the flight deck. That was Marble Mountain.The Tripoli was built as an LPH. The Boxer was a converted CVA straight deck carrier . Which is what is in that picture. Just thought I would add my 2 cents. Was a very important time of my life. Thanks and God bless all that never came home!
Posted by Fred Pratt on 2010-01-21 |  | U S S REPOSE HOSPITAL SHIP
U S S REPOSE HOSPITAL SHIP Submitted by:"DOC" Hackworth , Relocated from COMBAT PHOTOS by George T. Curtis / NOV 2002
From: Edler, Jon M , Dec 16, 2005 1:02 PM
I found this photo a couple of years ago on the web site. I am the corpsman standing with hand on hip watching the helo leave the flight deck. When flight ops where taking place, we always had 2 to 6 corpsman at the ready to carry liters to triage and stay with the patient until they where admitted to a ward or surgery. I am currently an RN at the Thomas Creek VA Hospital in Amarillo Texas.
Jon Edler RN former HM2
Posted by Admin on 2010-01-18 |  | U S S REPOSE HOSPITAL SHIP
U S S REPOSE HOSPITAL SHIP
Submitted by:"DOC" Hackworth , Relocated from COMBAT PHOTOS by George T. Curtis / NOV 2002
Posted by Admin on 2010-01-18 |  | The Repose 1968
Posted by Granville Schultz on 2010-01-18 |  | UH-34 APPROACHING REPOSE
UH-34 approaches the hospital ship Repose, April 1966
Submitted by:Bob Carroll
Posted by Cpl. Beddoe on 2009-12-25 |  | Flight Deck Crew
The Navy had a rule about dressing Marines funnie on there Flight decks. L to r Waving Cpl John F. Munch,Cpl James D. Shelton, Cpl Ronald L Buester, and LCpl Kenneth D. Tiger With HMM 163 Aboard the Iwo Jima LPH 2 in 1965
Comment by: James Mansfield on Dec 4, 2007 04:21 PM
You know I never thought about it until I saw this photo, but we never got the funny t-shirts when we went onboard for her trials in 1961. Didn't get them on the "Happy Valley" (Valley Forge) for the SEATO games along the same time line. I Believe the Valley was the one where we were task to put the troops into the mountains at night. Don't tell the Army, they still think they were the ones who dreamed up helicopter assaults, poor saps still don't have it together.
Posted by Ed Briscoe on 2009-12-17 |  | Hmm-164 aboard the USS Blueridge, Operation "Eagle Pull"
Posted by User Deleted on 2009-11-06 |  | LPH-5 / USS Princeton Patch
HMM-363 (Fall 68) as well as other Squadrons served aboard the Princeton
Posted by Admin on 2009-10-30 |  | HMM-164 USS PRINCETON MARCH 1967
Submitted by FARLEY
Comment by: Scott E Dodson on Oct 26, 2009 05:47 PM
I was on the Princeton with Foxtrot Company 2nd Bn 3rd Marines in 67.
Posted by Admin on 2009-10-27 |  | VMO-6 aboard USS Okinawa (LPH-3)
Supporting an amphibious operation aboard the USS Okinawa July/August 1967.
Photo submitted by
Cecil J Smith
Hamburg, NY
cjsmith@adelphia.net
Posted by User Deleted on 2009-10-17 |  | Navy ship off of Ky Ha
This picture was submitted by Tom Warning. It was taken from Ky Ha in January of 1967.
Additional comments by John Robertson: "I was there, I have similar pictures. I think I have a blanket from that boat, we got on board and salvaged what was left? I was assigned to MABS-36 and fle w 80 missions with HMM-165 as a door gunner on CH-46. 66-67"
EMAIL on 5 March 2003: The USS Mahnomen Count, LST-912 was forced into the rocks at Chu Lai, Dec 1966, by a Typhoon. The ship was commision in 1944 and earned 4 Battle Stars during WWII. She was stuck by a Kamikaze, Jan 1945, killing 4 men and injuring 4 other. She was deployed to Vietnam in 1965. Her job was to haul supplies from Japan and the Phillipines to Vietnam. During her time in Vietnam she earned Two Battle stars. During the attempts to refloat her, one of her crew was killed. She was finally stripped and abandoned in January 1967. Larry Hickman, USS Hickman County, LST-825
I remember this ship very well. It provided a memory that I will always remember. HMM-165 was given the mission of hoisting a injured sailor from the deck of the ship. As we were hovering over the ship and lowering the basket The spray from one of the waves that can bee seen coming over the bow came up in to the rotors. It felt like blade had hit a brick wall and the CH-46 might shake itself to pieces. Fortunately it didn't. DStew23318@aol.com
I remember this ship well. It was a part of LST Sqadron Two, a sister ship to my ship, USS MONMOUTH COUNTY (LST 1032). We either entered Chu Lai very shortly after it happened or it occured as several LSTs lost anchors while anchored during the typhoon, as we were. I have other pictures of it and a friend here in my home town was aboard the salvage vessel assigned to free it. The ship was filled with bags of cement from Kaoshiung, Taiwan, as we were, to build the Chu Lai Air Field. Of course, grounding and taking on water did not fare too well with the cement. It eventually had to be cut up and removed and what could not be cut up, was blasted apart. Raleigh Perry, rperry@mindspring.com
From: redhogg1@alltel.net, Dec 18, 2005 11:05 AM
Please direct me in the way to possibly get more photos of the ship and or the demolition of her to send to my father-in-law Earle Kalmbach (KB), he was one the 6 or 8 men that cut her up. If you can please send me the photos and I will be sure to send them to him.
Thanks for your help. Allen Gage
Comment by: John Homan on Sep 7, 2007 10:31 AM
I served at the Naval Supply Facility in Chu Lai from August 1966-67. On my one day off I took a couple of pictures of this LST at least a couple of weeks after in broke up on the rocks. I was on my way hitchhiking and walking to the USO down the coast. One of my brothers is putting my Vietnam pictures on a CD for me, so I don't have it available to post yet.
Comment by: Philip L. Eastman on Sep 30, 2009 11:27 AM
Aboard the USS Monmouth County LST-1032;
We saw the ship and almost joined it on the rocks at Chu Lai. It was early in the am (0300) when GQ sounded as we broke free from our anchorage, managed to get the diesels fired up and maneuver away from danger. My "Memo Book" has a date of Jan. 1967 in it.
Eastman EM3
Posted by John Barber on 2009-09-30 |  | LCPL James "Smiley" Seimears HMM-363 USS Iwo Jima 1968
Photo of LCPL James "Smiley" Seimears Crew Chief YZ-18 taken aboard the IWO JIMA in the Spring ( TET ) of 1968 by L/Cpl George T. Curtis Crew Chief YZ-14 HMM-363s LUCKY RED LIONS.
Posted by Admin on 2009-09-27 |  | HMM-163 1965
Ed Clem, Cpl. York, and Ken Pratt on the Iwo Jima Submitted by Dennis Vinson, ncmule@smnet.net
Comment by: Kenneth Pratt on Aug 29, 2009 05:21 PM
I believe the guy partially hidden behind Ed Clem is Dale Bockness. Ken Pratt
Posted by Cpl. Beddoe on 2009-08-29 |  | HMM-165 Coming aboard LPH-8, February 1968
HMM-165 Coming aboard LPH-8, February 1968
Joe Reed HMM-165 "67-"68 jrcr@adelphia.net
Comment by: Van Scheurich on Apr 12, 2007 02:06 PM
The photo shows a date of Feb68. The unit I was with was 3rd.Bn., 1st. Marines, Special Landing Force, USS Valley Forge. This picture was taken during operations along the Cua Viet River areas, "Jones Creek", etc. I remember real well, I was medivaced to the Valley Forge and entered the door that is open to the right of the coning tower. I was with L/Cpl Perez from Texas, both sqd. ldrs and wounded at the same time.
Posted by Admin on 2009-08-10 |  | H-46 & USS Sanctuary
A H-46 leaving the USS Sanctuary circa October 1968.
Posted by User Deleted on 2009-07-19 |  | LPH-8 Crew Quarters, lft to rt: Reggie Brown, Fred Wayand, Joe Reed and Mike Bumpus, February 1968
LPH-8 Crew Quarters, lft to rt: Reggie Brown, Fred Wayand, Joe Reed and Mike Bumpus,
Joe Reed HMM-165 "67-"68 jrcr@adelphia.net February 1968
Posted by Admin on 2009-07-17 |  | USS_Okinawa
Feb 1969
USS Okinawa
You have to look closely at this shot to realize what it really is.
This picture was taken while I was laying in the "Catch Nets" at the Bow of the ship. I used to jump down into the nets to find a place to be by myself.
The USS Okinawa breaking water somewhere off the coast of Viet Nam.
Lcpl Dave Shoopman
Hmm-362
d_shoopman@yahoo.com
Posted by Dave Shoopman on 2009-07-08 |  | Iwo Jima Flight Deck Crew
Met these guys on mess duty. They were a regular Laurel and Hardy.
Posted by Wayne Stafford on 2009-07-06 |  | USS NEW JERSEY
If you got a chance to see or hear this , you would never forget it! Photo enhanced by John P. Dillighan. The "Jersy" also provided support for the 22 MAU ( HMM-261) Beirut 83-84.
Posted by Admin on 2009-05-20 |  | Hospital Ship HELGOLAND from Hamburg Germany "They treated the enemy"
The Hospital Ship HELGOLAND from Hamburg, Germany was in Da Nang Harbor in 1969, it was there to provide free care to anyone that needed it. The ship was shut down because it was treating the VC & NVA wounded, Like they thought all those multiple gunshots wounds were normal!
Comment by: Doug Kibbey on Sep 11, 2006 03:43 PM "Helgoland" today plies the waters as the "Galapagos Legend" after a full refit. I sailed with this vessel amongst the Galapogos Islands in 2004 for a medical congress. It carries just under 100 passengers and had been beautifully refitted (just "Google-image" search for Galapagos Legend"). On a tour of the bridge, I spotted another pic of it in DaNang harbor in ~'67 or so and commented to the Captain that I'd been based about 30 miles NW of there during the war myself... leading to an unrestricted tour of the engine and engineering spaces, nearly as clean as a kitchen. Doug Kibbey - 11D, 17th Cav., 101st Abn. and 2/11th ACR, Thua Thien and Hau Nghia Provs.
Comment by: "Doc" Davison on Jan 8, 2008 04:03 AM
I was onboard the Helgoland in 1969. Just as a visitor. Was a beautiful ship. Was told not to visit in U.S. Uniform as it treated everyone, VC and NVA included.
Posted by Admin on 2009-04-20 |  | HMM-363s "LUCKY RED LIONS" on LPH5 1965
Aboard the Princeton
U.S. Navy photo
Posted by Admin on 2009-03-03 |  | USS NEW JERSEY
The NJ doing her thing for the better good of us ALL! Photo enhanced by John P. Dillighan.The "Jersy" also served the 22 MAU ( HMM-261) in beirut 83-84.
Posted by Admin on 2009-02-28 |  | U.S.S. Repose
photo taken by L/Cpl George T. Curtis HMM-363 Crew Chief while taking two wounded NVA officers from KHE SANH.
26th Marines wanted the NVA officers to recieve the best care as he was giving good intel to 26th Marines. This was a tough decision and there was some arguing going back and forth among the crew.as we left wounded Marines at KHE SANH to bring these two officers and the guards to the Hospital Ship.
Comment by: Bob Canape on Dec 4, 2008 02:57 PM
March 4 1969 head wound near An Hoa spent a few weeks on the Repose- this is the first I've seen the exterior. They kept me alive.
Posted by User Deleted on 2008-12-04 |  | Aboard the USS Princeton August 1965
Posted by Ed Alexander on 2008-11-08 |  | USS Princeton August 1965
Comment by: hong ting loij on Mar 8, 2006 02:06 PM
the dog ran fast
Posted by Ed Alexander on 2008-11-08 |  | EM-14 on USS Lake Champlain 1957
EM14 unloading 261 squadron members on the USS Lake Champlain in 1957 enroute to the Med. Crewchief Dick Murphy.
Posted by Richard L. Murphy on 2008-11-06 |
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