Friday, June 21, 1968
At Sea, SAR Station. AAW Station, 19th Parallel. Condition III Set. Warm, Sunny. 0900 — Holiday Routine. 1300 — Turn To.
Original Logbook Page
From the Jul 1 Familygram: "On 21 June, JOUETT was paid a great honor and enjoyed a rare privilege when she was visited by three of the most important U.S. Navy Commanders in the Pacific Fleet... Admiral John J. HYLAND, USN; Vice Admiral William F. BRINGLE, USN; and Rear Admiral Ralph W. COUSINS, USN... He predicted that in years to come they would be happy and proud to know that they had served their nation when it needed them." [Familygram]
Meanwhile in Da Nang — Bill's letter, 21 June 1968: While three admirals were visiting Jouett to congratulate the crew on the Medal of Honor rescue, Bill was on mess duty: "Sounds as if you poor squids had a little action up your way. Just make sure you get those MIG pilots back safe and fuck the others (ha ha.)" He'd seen Bob White from back home, now in the Seabees in Hoi An. Shopping for a Sony 907 tape recorder from an Allied catalog ($34.50) — PX had one for $31 but 3–4 month wait: "So I said fuck that!" Enclosed the $30 he owed Mike. Signed off: "Be good and don't 'fall off the ship.'" [Bill's letter to Mike; water-damaged scan, fully legible]
Letters
Bill Ducy to MikeBill to Mike
21 June 68
Da Nang
Mike,
Sounds as if you poor squids had a little action up your way. Just make sure you get those MIG pilots back safe and fuck the others (ha ha.)
Here is that money order for the 30 bucks I owe you. I finely got to a post office to get it made out.
Now Sam is in Da Nang back at the Bn. area. I am on 30 days of mess duty, and Sam really skating. I have the mid duty, and all of my work is done by 8:30 PM. I can't really bitch because no one fucks with me, and the one thing I can't stand is to get fucked with.
Do you remember that Bob White me and Carter, Angle and Penny hung around with and drank together? Well I saw him in Hoi-An, his in the Seabees. He gave me a Allied catalog. I am going to order a Sony 907 tape recorder, it only cost $34.50. I also checked at the PX for one and it cost $31.00 but would take 3-4 months to get to me. So I said fuck that! What do you think about it? OK ya you know that walkie-talkie we bought (C-555) well they've got them for $11.00 now each. If you want to look at this catalog I'll send it. Just let me know.
Well I am going to go for now, I'll write again soon. Be good and don't "fall off the ship."
P.S. I almost forgot Little Brother
Connie wanted your Bill
address, so I gave it to her.
Has she written yet? Just wondering.
OVER
Original Scans
Vigilance Magazine
Vigilance — Page 29Cruiser-Destroyer Group, August 1968
CRUISER GETS UNIT AWARD
The Navy's Meritorious Unit Commendation was presented to the crew of the USS Canberra (CA 70) by
RAdm. S.H. Kinney. Canberra, then designated CAG 2, was cited for "meritorious achievement in
connection with military operations against enemy aggressor forces in Vietnam."
The citation read in part: "Throughout her tours on the gunline, Canberra supported the forces
ashore with effective and devastating gunfire. Her fire support of many operations.. resulted in
the infliction of severe damage upon the enemy."
SEAFARERS INITIATE 27 MEMBERS
During a recent deployment, a unique organization was founded on the USS Saint Paul (CA 73), "The
Seafarers' Club".
There is only one requirement for membership in this exclusive club, and that is to have a minimum
of 15 years of sea duty. Twenty-seven crewmembers of this 1,100-man cruiser, ranging from Captain
to Second Class Petty Officer, represent more than 425 years of sea service.
A ceremony took place on the forecastle of the veteran cruiser during a brief lull in naval gunfire
operations off the coast of Vietnam. The Senior Seafarer, Chief Bosun Frank Alves, presented
Seafarer certificates to the members at the first meeting of the club. Of his 27-year Naval career,
Chief Warrant Officer Alves has 21 years, nine months and 20 days of sea duty.
The Saint Paul is commanded by a Seafarer, Capt. Ralph A. Hilson, with more than 17 years of sea
duty to his credit.
Rear Admiral S.H. Moore, embarked on Saint Paul as Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Group, U.S. Seventh
Fleet, was admitted to the club as an honorary member. He has 17 years of at-sea time.
'STARS' VISIT DLG IN TONKIN GULF
Eight gongs rang out sharply aboard the guided missile frigate USS Jouett (DLG 29)—as the word was
passed, "Pacific Fleet arriving", "Seventh Fleet arriving", "Carrier Division Five arriving".
Shortly thereafter a big SH-3 helicopter landed on the helo deck aft. Admiral John J. Hyland, Vice
Admiral William F. Bringle, and Rear Admiral Ralph W. Cousins, were greeted by Captain Arthur
Emerson, Jr., Commander Destroyer Squadron One, and Captain Robert S. Hayes, Commanding Officer of
the Jouett.
The three admirals, on a surprise visit to the Jouett, while conducting operations in the Tonkin
Gulf, quickly toured the bridge and CIC area, and then were briefed on current operations. They also
met and congratulated the embarked helicopter crew who had recently been flown into hostile territory
to rescue two Navy aviators.
Later Adm. Hyland spoke to the assembled officers and men of the Jouett, commending them on the fine
manner in which they were carrying out their job in the Seventh Fleet.
He predicted that in years to come they would be happy and proud to know that they had served their
nation when it needed them. He noted in particular the success achieved by the team of surface ships
and helicopters, under Capt. Emerson's command, in rescuing downed aviators.
As the admirals bid farewell, before lifting off in their helicopter, the gongs rang out, followed
in order by; "Pacific Fleet, departing", "Seventh Fleet, departing', "Carrier Division Five,
departing".
The Senior Chief Petty Officer, Tinbrook Collins, Jr., who escorted the admirals, stated, "In all
my 29 years in the Navy, I have never been so near to so many stars at one time. I had stars in my
eyes all afternoon."
[Photo: STARS-(left to right) Capt. A.T. Emerson, Jr., COMDESRON ONE, Adm. J.J. Hyland,
CINCPACFLT, VAdm. W.F. Bringle, COMSEVENTHFLT, RAdm. R.W. Cousins, COMCARDIV FIVE, Capt. R.S.
Hayes, Commanding Officer of the Jouett, and LCdr. J.M. Loveless, Jouett's Operations Officer,
attend a briefing in the ship's CIC. (Photo by FTM2 R.J. Bain)]
Page Scans
Cruise Book
Cruise Book — Pages 122-123USS Jouett (DLG-29) 1968 Cruise Book
USS JOUETT (DLG-29) 1968 CRUISE BOOK — PAGES 122-123
CINCPACFLT VISIT
On 21 June, JOUETT was paid a great honor and enjoyed a rare privilege when she
was visited by three of the most important U.S. Navy Commanders in the Pacific
Fleet. This episode of the JOUETT heritage began when eight gongs rang out sharply,
as the word was passed "Pacific Fleet, arriving". Then the word was passed,
"Seventh Fleet, arriving". This was followed by the announcement "Carrier Division
Five, Arriving".
The three admirals quickly were escorted to the bridge and CIC Areas, where they
were then briefed on current operations.
CINCPACFLT addressed the assembled officers and men of JOUETT, commending
them on the fine manner in which they were carrying out their duties.
[Photo: Three admirals being briefed on the bridge, examining equipment and charts with Jouett officers. Officers in khaki uniforms, admirals in khaki with scrambled eggs on caps]
[Photo: Admiral greeting officers on deck, saluting, with ship's superstructure visible in background]
[Photo: CINCPACFLT addressing the assembled crew in the mess deck or wardroom, sailors seated in rows facing the admiral who stands at front]