Tuesday, January 16, 1968

FATHER, SON REQUEST DUTY TOGETHER ON USS JOUETT

Clayton O. Childs, PC1, and his son David O. Childs, SN, both serve aboard the San

Diego-based guided missile frigate USS Jouett (DLG 29).

The elder member of the family is a Jouett Plankowner, having been aboard Jouett since

her commissioning Dec. 3, 1966. David, who was stationed aboard the USS Caddo Parish

(LST 555), applied for a transfer to his dad's ship.

The senior Childs is Jouett's Postmaster and, at 58 years old, is the oldest member of

Jouett's crew. David is presently assigned to the Deck Division in the Weapons Department

and hopes to follow his father's footsteps and become a Postal Clerk. David, at 21, is one

of the youngest members of the crew.

[Photo: Jenkins' whaleboat finished third.]

USS JENKINS' CREW THIRD IN REGATTA

The Pearl Harbor-based destroyer, USS Jenkins (DD 447) participated this year in the annual

Whaling Spree in Lahaina, Maui.

Although many activities were planned, the highlight was a whaleboat race in which the

Jenkins' crew participated. After only one hour of practice, the Jenkins' whaleboat was at

the starting line with the other entrants. At the sound of "Go", backs began to strain and the

small boat was on her way to the finish line.

As the race progressed, a plug worked loose in the bottom of the boat and water began to rush in.

Quick action on the part of RD3 Suddeth saved the day. He plugged the hole with his big toe, and

the race continued.

In spite of the lack of training and experience on the part of the Jenkins crew, the small boat was

third to cross the finish line.

FIRST OLYMPIAD HELD

USS England (DLG 22) edged out the destroyer USS Walke (DD 723) by four points with a total score

of 134 to capture first place in "Olympiad '68" held recently at the Long Beach Naval Station.

A late finishing, hard fought battle in the medicine ball volleyball contest in which England placed

first, gave her 25 points, enough to capture overall honors among the 32 ships and staffs

participating.

Independent Businessmen's Association (IBMA) president, Chet Baldwin, presented the first place

traveling trophy to Cdr. S.D. Landersman, Executive Officer of England. Cdr. R. Ennis, Commanding

Officer of Walke, accepted second place trophy from IBMA executive committee member Bill Brewer.

Third place award, presented by Joe Waddington, IBMA executive secretary, was presented to PFC

John L. Rico of the USS Galveston (CLG 3). Rico earned points for Galveston by placing second in

the marathon run.

"Olympiad '68" was the first of the planned annual Olympiad events to be held for cruiser and

destroyermen of Long Beach. The program was initiated by Rear Admiral Thomas J. Rudden, Jr.,

Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Group in an effort to promote esprit de corps and good fellowship

among units in Long Beach.

[Photo: PULL-USS England sailors trying their best in the tug-of-war. They came back strong in

other Olympiad events, capturing enough points to win the overall award.]

[Photo: CHESS-SN Ang of the USS Duncan plays chess against Lt. Hughes of ComDesRon 23 staff.]

USS JOUETT (DLG-29) 1968 CRUISE BOOK — PAGES 116-117

[Photo: Seaman David Childs in dress whites handing oversized letter addressed to "MOM CHILDS, 834 GOLDEN ROD DR., ESCONDIDO, CALIF. 92025" to his father PC1 Clayton Childs, also in dress whites, standing in front of USS JOUETT DLG 29 history board. Return address reads "USS JOUETT (DLG-29), FPO SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. 96601". An officer looks on.]

In addition to several sets of brothers, JOUETT numbers among her

crew a father-son combination. Here, Seaman David Childs hands a

homeward-bound letter to the ship's Postal Clerk, his father, PC1 Clayton

Childs.

For each of the 50,000 miles steamed, confi-

dence in the purity of boiler feed water is essential.

Feed water tests are conducted by the "Oil King".

[Photo: Sailor ("Oil King") conducting boiler feed water purity test, reaching up to equipment mounted on bulkhead in engineering space]

USS JOUETT (DLG-29) 1968 CRUISE BOOK — PAGES 64-65

PAGE 64:

SO FARE YE WELL, MY BONNIE GAL

I CAN NO LONGER STAY;

FOR I'M OFF ON A TRIP IN A GOVERNMENT SHIP

TEN THOUSAND MILES AWAY

OLD SEA SHANTY

PAGE 65:

[Photo: Sailor in dress blues kissing woman goodbye on the pier, crowd visible behind]

DEPARTURE

FOR

WESTPAC

[Photo: Group of wives and sweethearts waving goodbye from the pier, ship's superstructure visible behind them]

USS JOUETT (DLG-29) 1968 CRUISE BOOK — PAGES 66-67

PAGE 66:

After a welcome holiday respite from fleet exercises, shipyard availabilities, and

formal training ashore, which men of the JOUETT spent with their families and loved

ones, preparation for deployment commenced in earnest. Stores and supplies were

loaded aboard, all equipment was brought up to top condition, and the men, well-

rested and eager, returned from their Christmas leave.

[Photo: USS Jouett (DLG-29) at pier, hull number 29 visible, families and wives standing on the pier watching, bus visible in background]

On the morning of January 16, 1968, JOUETT cast off all lines, put both engines

astern, and backed away from the pier, leaving wives and children, sweethearts and

friends behind. The long months of training and preparation had borne fruit. For the

first time, DLG-29 proceeded to conflict, ready to serve.

PAGE 67:

[Photo: View from Jouett's stern looking aft across the wake at another warship following in formation, ocean sparkling with sunlight]