Saturday, February 17, 1968

DD, SUB UNREP EXECUTED IN TONKIN GULF

Underway replenishments are a common sight on board CruDesPac ships, but the USS John A. Bole

(DD 755) accomplished an unusual "unrep" recently. She supplied the submarine USS Sterlet with

more than a ton of food and mail sacks while at sea in the Tonkin Gulf.

Ordinarily, subs must put into port for replenishment, thus losing valuable at-sea time when they

could be on patrol.

The Bole improvised the unrep with a manila highline attached to the sub's conning tower and

hand-pulled by the destroyer's crew. The Bole is a 23-year-old destroyer and the Sterlet is the

oldest operational submarine in the Pacific Fleet.

Lifeguard for the two ships during the unrep was one of the Navy's newest ships, the nuclear-

powered guided missile frigate USS Truxton (DLGN 35).

[Photo: SUBREP-Supplies are transferred from the USS John A. Bole (left) to the USS Sterlet in an

unusual underway replenishment in the Tonkin Gulf. The USS Truxton is in the background.]

FIRST DAY EXCITING FOR JOUETT, BUCKLEY

On their very first day on station the USS Jouett (DLG 29) and the Dennis J. Buckley (DD 808) found

themselves involved in Search and Rescue Operations (SAR) in the Tonkin Gulf.

Shortly before eight o'clock the first warning was received by Captain Arthur T. Emerson, ComDesRon 1.

An Air Force helicopter had suffered a serious engine casualty and had made an emergency landing less

than 20 miles from the enemy coastline. Buckley was immediately dispatched to assist the craft.

Carrier-based jets were called in to patrol overhead and a salvage ship was soon there.

The downed helo was in danger of capsizing in the turbulent seas, and danger of hostile attack remained

a possibility. While a repair party from Da Nang was on the way, USS Hollister (DD 788) had begun

manufacturing the needed part. Only five hours had elapsed when the giant helicopter rose from the water

under its own power.

Jouett received the next alert when the word came that one of our fighters had been hit and the pilot

was bailing out. Search and Rescue operations were underway as the San Diego-based Jouett turned into

the wind to launch the rescue helicopter. A second jet aircraft remained in the area to maintain a

vigilant protection and the stricken fighter splashed into the water fifteen miles from the hostile

coastline.

When the first rescue helo reached the scene, the pilot was floating on his back, with the inflated

orange lifejacket clearly marking his location. A crewman from the helicopter leaped into the churning

water to fasten the long hoist wire to the jet pilot and himself. A second crewmember pulled the two

men into the helo even as the rescue aircraft was clearing the area.

The pilot was obviously injured and this information was radioed back to the Jouett. He was tenderly

lifted from the helicopter and taken to sick bay where emergency treatment was given.

The injured man was taken to his aircraft carrier where complete hospital facilities were available.

COCHRANE HURLS AMMO AT SHORE

After providing gunfire support for friendly forces in Vietnam, USS Cochrane (DDG 21) has departed the

area, credited with a job well done.

Hurling more than 4,200 rounds of 5-inch ammunition during an eleven day period, the Pearl Harbor-based

Cochrane was credited with destroying or damaging more than 65 enemy gun emplacements and bunkers.

A 24-hour working day was nothing rare during this period, but the crew of Cochrane rose to the

occasion time after time. They were commended by the Tactical Commander for providing valuable

assistance to our forces ashore.

A Mardi Gras night was observed on the ship, with many gourmet dishes carrying out the New Orleans

theme. The sounds of the guns firing lent noise to the festivities, but the time for relaxation was

short.