Sunday, May 26, 1968
[Page 131]. SUN. 26 MAY, 1968. ANCHORED IN HONG KONG. RAINY, ROUGH SEAS. 0840 — UNDERWAY FOR SUBIC BAY SET CONDITION III WATCH. 1245 — HOLIDAY ROUTINE. 1500 — SHORE BOMBARDMENT EXERCISES TEST FIRE GUN MOUNTS.
Original Logbook Page
From the ~Jun 1968 Familygram: "There were more than fifty ships in the harbor when JOUETT arrived with our crew smartly lined up at quarters. We moored to a huge anchored buoy right in the downtown section of the harbor. With our national flag flying from the flagstaff, we felt like personal representatives of the U. S. A." [Familygram]
From the ~Jun 1968 Familygram: The ship's song, flag, and nickname were officially chosen during the Fantail Frolic. Jouett became the "Jolly J." The song "The Frigate 29" mentions "Clem 2 and Big Mother" and the SAR callsign "Loveland." [Familygram]
Meanwhile in Hoi An — Bill's letter, 24 May 1968: While Mike was anchored in Hong Kong harbor buying a Super 8 camera, his brother was in firefights: "Boy we had some more hell here again the other night. There were fire fights all over the place. We were lucky only 5 rounds come up our way. It all lasted about on 1½ hours." That same day, Bill was messing with a blasting cap from a dud — "I got hit 23 times with shrapnel in the right arm and chest. I dug it all out and put some shit on it to help heal it up. I guess I wont try that again." A visiting Major told Bill's unit they "live like pigs and don't even act like Marines." It was 107° on the 20th. Bill signed off: "THEY CAN FUCK WITH ME ALL THEY WANT BUT THEY CAN'T STOP THE CLOCK." 276 days left in Nam & 15 months left in the Corps. I AM GETTING SHORT! HAHA. [Bill's letter to Mike]