Saturday, March 30, 1968
In Port Yokosuka. Duty. Rain, Cool.
Original Logbook Page
From Mike's letter, 26 Mar 1968: "After the 2½ months of this cruise I am well convinced this isn't the life for me. Some of the nonsense and fools you have to put up really get under your skin during these days at sea." [Letter]
From Mike's letter, 26 Mar 1968: "Since I have last wrote we have had two fires here on the ship. One was in a radar power room and yesterday a transformer burnt up... Things like that can sink a ship just as well as anything else." [Letter]
From Mike's letter, 26 Mar 1968: "We left the Gulf of Tonkin Friday evening after 34 days up there." [Letter]
From the Apr 8 Familygram: "Vietnam, as you may know, was under the influence of the northeast monsoon during JOUETT's first period on station; rain, fog, and low visibility were standard during the five weeks we spent in Tonkin Gulf." [Familygram]
Letters
Mike Ducy to HomeMike to Home
Mar. 30, 1968
Yokosuka, Japan
Dear Mother + Dad,
I got a letter from you on Thursday the day we arrived and another one today. The package with the books and candy also came today. So it looks like mail is getting here real quick. I got one paper today dated Mar. 22, so you had better see if they have been cancelled.
Its Saturday evening here and I have duty today. It has rained most of the day and is rather cool outside. I had liberty the first two nights here and enjoyed a good steak dinner both times. Its a lot of fun to go out buying souveniers and jew down those peddlers.
I have sent some brochures on the stereo equipment I have bought. Save them for me. I have not got a turntable yet and may get one from Allied for a good price when I get back home. I can buy a cartridge recorder like yours for $34.00 and I'll get over to buy it next week. If you want to you can answer this with a tape and I'll send one back.
From what I have been able to pull out of the papers it looks like Decatur got beat out in the state tournament. Did they lose to Springfield? I have also noticed a lot of the guys Bill and I both knew have been either getting drafted or enlisting in the service. In a way it's nice to see someone else getting their share of time in this outfit. I would like for you to clip out the "Service News" sections of the review (Tuesday?) and send them to me.
Thanks for remembering to send the specifications on your tape recorder. I was almost sure what it was like but wanted to make sure before I got one.
The Easter bunny in the box was really a surprize. We hung it up in our working space. I wonder how long it will be there before some one makes us take it down?
I have signed up for an all day tour of Tokoyo tomorrow. Providing there is enough seats on the bus I'm all set to go. In case you're wondering Tokoyo is about 40 miles North of here.
As for as a slide projector goes, I plan on buying one here. I think one of those slide viewers would be better for Bill and they should sell for around $2.50. I am going to get one here and I will be all set for slides. I also bought a pair of 16 x 50 binoculars here for $17.50. I have made all of my purchases here on the base at the exchange. You are guaranteed of good merchandise at the best of prices.
There is some rumor that we may make a final stop here before we head back to the states. If there is anything you need or want let me know ahead of time and I'll bring it back. I really don't think we will be here again but who knows. Its 2200 miles from Subic Bay and 4 days, one way so any extra miles of travel by then may be discouraged.
This month is coming to an end pretty fast. We will be approaching the half way point in the cruise in a couple of weeks. After those 45 days since our last liberty it was good to get off the ship Thursday and get some of that good American beer for 15¢.
I hope you have good luck in the L.P.N. test. How's the cafeteria union panning out?
Well I have to go for now and write a couple more letters. I'll be looking forward to a tape from you. So long.
Your son,
Mike