Monday, July 1, 1968

JOUETT FAMILY GRAM

1 July 1968

Dear Family and Friends of JOUETT

Standby! We are homeward bound!

The weather is beautiful and the sea is calm as JOUETT proudly slices through the blue depths of the South China Sea. We commenced the 8,787 mile journey back to San Diego, and I would like to tell you of two particular exciting experiences which happened to us during the last thirty days in the Gulf of Tonkin.

The latest pages of JOUETT's history have certainly been charged with suspense and action as JOUETTMEN found themselves in the middle of a dramatic rescue of two U. S. airmen. A few minutes after midnight of the morning of 19 June, the transmission "Give me a flare, give me a flare" crackled in the earphones of Task Force 77 personnel listening to the spine-tingling search and rescue operation taking place on a wooded hill in North Viet Nam. The speaker was a rescue helicopter pilot, LTJG Clyde LASSEN, USN, of Englewood, Florida. He was calling on emergency radio to the survivors of a Navy F-4 Phantom fighter-bomber. The rescue helicopter, eleven miles inland in enemy territory was courageously attempting a quick reaction rescue under the cover of darkness.

It all started when Radarman First Class, Joseph T. WHITTFALL, while on watch in the Combat Information Center of JOUETT, heard the distress call.

The USS AMERICA based aircraft had been hit while on a night mission over North Viet Nam. Both the pilot and the radar intercept officer had successfully ejected. In less than a minute alert radarmen, aboard the JOUETT, flagship of Captain Arthur T. EMERSON, Jr., had pinpointed the location of the downed aviators on a large scale map. Captain EMERSON took the initiative by alerting the rescue ships and putting his "Blue Ribbon" (Destroyer Squadron One insignia) team into action. He directed the USS PREBLE (DLG15), to launch her rescue helicopter for control by JOUETT, nearest ship to the scene. Simultaneously the call went out for attack aircraft to cover the area of the survivors and to provide armed escort for the rescue helicopter when it would fly inland.

The ill-fated Phantom's wingman, still orbiting high overhead, reported to Captain EMERSON on radio that he had established good communications with the survivors on the ground, and that a helicopter pickup was now possible. Under the skillful direction of Radarman First Class Alan R. MELTON, the rescue helicopter and accompanying fixed wing escorts were vectored by radar control through the pitch black night toward the hillside where the survivors were believed to be located.

Back in the CIC of JOUETT, the drama of the rescue, extending more than forty-five minutes, unfolded to dozens of listeners on the radio nets. After a hazardous twenty minutes run-in over heavily defended and heavily populated area, the helo arrived at the location where the survivors should be found. On a moonless night, locating the survivors would be crucial. In a perfectly coordinated operation, the helo co-pilot, LTJG Leroy COOK radioed ahead to the survivors, "we're coming in to get you, give us a flare." At the same time Captain EMERSON directed carrier based aircraft high overhead to drop large area flares. Soon the hillside was as clearly lighted as in day.

Even so, complications resulted from the dense undergrowth in which the survivors were virtually trapped. Repeatedly the helicopter attempted to approach them through the trees, and after many frustrating attempts, even set down in a small clearing and turned on a beacon so that the survivors could see the craft and get on board. The stillness of the black night was frequently punctuated with the sound of small arms fire, as enemy troops closed in from other parts of the hill. The survivors later related the extreme difficulty experienced in extricating themselves from the dense vines and brush of the hillside. At one point they could see the helicopter valiantly dangling a rescue sling close to their heads, but just could not reach it. Time seemed to be running out. The helo had time for just one more attempt before it had to withdraw for refueling.

Suddenly, under the canopy of flare illumination, the two survivors splattered with mud, flight suits ripped to shreds, hurtled out of the brush, ran some 20 yards across the clearing, and dove into the waiting helicopter.

As the olive drab helo rose from the small clearing, it was sprayed with small arms fire. Then LTJG LASSEN radioed the good news: "Both survivors on board, we are coming out." The final obstacle was to traverse the heavily defended air route to the sea.

In the CIC of JOUETT, an anxious silence gripped the listeners as they watched radar scopes for evidence that the brave helo would evade the heavy anti-aircraft fire and reach the safety of the sea. Then came the report, "feet wet", which meant they were out over water. Everyone who heard it felt like cheering. The JOUETT, which had been closing the coast at high speed to reduce the length of the flight, now turned on all her aircraft landing lights, and swung into the wind, to receive the helicopter, and her valiant crew and her two happy survivors.

It was now three o'clock in the morning but JOUETT bustled with activity as though it were mid day. The survivors were given a physical check-up by Dr. Robert N. JONES, MC, USN, Destroyer Squadron One Medical Officer and the officers and members of the crew ate sandwiches and drank coffee, while sharing the fast moving events of the past few hours. Both survivors were found to be in excellent physical condition and soon were telling their story to a crowd of wide-eyed admirers. That same morning at 0900 the two happy survivors were ferried back to their own ship, the carrier AMERICA.

As if the rescue were not exciting enough, 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 JOUETT history started when eight gongs rang out sharply aboard JOUETT 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." Shortly thereafter a big SH-3 helicopter landed on the helo deck aft. Admiral John J. HYLAND, USN; Vice Admiral William F. BRINGLE, USN; and Rear Admiral Ralph W. COUSINS, USN, on stepping out of the helo were greeted by Commodore EMERSON and myself.

The three admirals on a surprise visit to JOUETT while conducting operations in the Tonkin Gulf, quickly toured the bridge and CIC area then were briefed on current operations. They also met and congratulated the helicopter crew who had conducted the rescue just related.

Later Admiral HYLAND spoke to the assembled officers and men of 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 JOUETT in rescuing downed aviators.

As the admirals bid farewell before lifting off their giant helicopter, the gongs rang out, followed in order by, "Pacific Fleet, departing", "Seventh Fleet, departing", and "Carrier Division Five, departing".

JOUETT men were certainly pleased by this surprise visit and it was a major topic of conversation for the next few days.

This entire month we have been underway except for one night when we anchored in the port of Danang. Everyone has been quite busy with their watch standing and work on board. A common statement has been that "time really flys" because we are so busy and performing such an obviously worthwhile function.

We have had more gains and losses of personnel. Transfered to new duty were CS3 Patrick L. TIERNEY, STG3 Terry R. CURTIS, STG3 Brian K. CAMPBELL, RD3 Joseph W. JOHNSON, SD2 Venancio O. ENCARNACION and ET1 Kenneth W. LUNDEMO. Also transfered to shore at Newport, R. I. was LT Bruce WOOD who has been First Lieutenant and Deck Division Officer since commissioning. LTJG Douglas G. WIDENER has reported on board from sea duty and relieved as First Lieutenant. I had the pleasure of presenting the JOUETT Outstanding Service Award to Yeoman Second Class Rollins David LOW at the time of his transfer.

One last thought! JOUETT will continue to receive mail as we make fuel stops on our way home. Please keep writing.

The magic day we are looking forward to is 18 July when we will be arriving in San Diego. Mark your calendar. More details will follow in the next Familygram.

Robert S. Hayes

ROBERT S. HAYES

CAPT USN

COMMANDING OFFICER