Friday, July 5, 1968

USS JOUETT (DLG29)

FPO SAN FRANCISCO 96601

FAMILYGRAM

5 JUL 68

Since departing Tonkin Gulf on 1 July, the JOLLY "J" has been traveling fast on our homeward voyage. First we traversed the now familiar waters of the South China Sea and came to an anchorage in the spacious harbor at Subic Bay in the Philippine Islands. Here we took on fuel, made a few last minute repairs and the crew had a last "shopping spree" at the Navy Exchange (which carries a variety of foreign merchandise).

Underway the same day, we navigated all night through the central Philippine Islands eventually transitting San Bernadino Strait in the morning. Across the almost glassy calm of the blue Philippine Sea, JOUETT left a beautiful wake that seemed to stretch all the way to the horizon. Sunbathing during the noon meal hours became a favorite pastime and the two days of our voyage were fruitful in terms of work accomplished. Now that we are free of the requirement to be close to Battle Stations we are able to devote more time to housekeeping chores. This afternoon we arrived in Apra Harbor, Guam for a fuel stop. The Big "J" has the capacity to steam great distances without taking on fuel, however like a prudent automobile driver, we prefer not to operate too close to an "empty tank". Besides, while our intentions are to arrive home as soon as possible, we can never forget that this versatile frigate, as all units of the fleet, must be ready to respond to various emergencies on short notice.

We plan to be underway for Pearl Harbor before darkness. While fueling at the pier we anticipate that a number of the crew will be able to get ashore for a brief period to shop at the Navy Exchange or see the sights in the vicinity of the harbor.

Now that our course lies East, it is difficult to appreciate that six full months have gone by. I suspect that our wives and sweethearts have found the six months far from the excitement we have experienced and at times intolerably long. But because of our busy schedule, and our daily realization that we were needed, and because of the pressure of constantly changing combat situations, we found the time passing quickly. During this six months JOUETT has been a "steamer" with less than one sixth of the total time in port. Just to quote a few statistics: we will have travelled 50,000 miles, burned over 3,583,086 gallons of fuel oil, and have made 25 replenishments from oilers, stores ships and provisions ships at sea. Our helo deck, under the professional direction of LT Dave HOPKINS has seen 466 helicopters come and go without a single mishap. Five of these helicopters brought back the eight survivors that were rescued from the waters of the Tonkin Gulf and in one case, from North Vietnam itself (the miniature white parachutes painted on the side of the ship represent these rescues). While most of the helo landings were the result of Search and Rescue efforts, almost daily a logistics helo brought mail, urgent repair parts, replacement personnel, and official visitors.

We witnessed a drastic change in the seasonal weather of the South East Asia in the six months we have been here. During the first 35 days on station, Tonkin Gulf was covered with a low overcast and we rarely saw either the sky or the mountains nearby. During the last 28 day period on station, we saw the Gulf in its summer garb, smooth blue seas, clear skies, and unlimited visibility. It was hot and humid, so we appreciated the air conditioning built into our ship's dining and sleeping spaces. During this cruise we did visit some interesting parts of the world that most of the crew had never seen. These included Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Subic Bay, Philippine Islands; Danang, South Vietnam; Yokosuka, Japan; and Hong Kong, British Crown Colony. Many of these places we visited a second time.

The favorite pastime of JOUETTmen has been photography. I have never seen such a crew of "shutter bugs". A census of cameras would certainly disclose at least one for every man on board. It is not unusual to see a hundred crewmembers appear topside, cameras in hand, whenever the word is passed "Now a flight of aircraft will make a low pass over the ship in two minutes" or "Now there is a famous volcano/good landscape off the port bow".

Of course the main reason JOUETT was assigned to the Seventh Fleet was to assist in the Navy job of defending South Vietnam. We feel proud that we have accomplished our assignment and we are doubly proud that we apparently have done it quite well. A number of the messages have been received on JOUETT's departure complimenting the crew on its outstanding performance.

Yesterday, the 4th of July, we observed this most significant national event with appropriate ceremony and fanfare even this far out at sea. At 1130 we had the reading of the Declaration of Independence over the ship's public address system. This was followed by a 21 gun salute at noon. For those of us who have been directly assisting a young nation maintain its independence, and who were seeing our own nation from the perspective of 8000 miles, I believe this day had greater significance than usual.

In the afternoon we observed holiday routine. At 1600, all hands not on watch assembled on the helo deck for a typical old fashioned cookout. It seems like hot dogs and hamburgers always taste better when cooked in the open air. Our Welfare and Recreation Committee, under LT Bob JAMES, staged a number of contests, ranging from feats of strength and skill to a contest of the best "non-regulation" costumes. In addition our musical groups came forth in their new Hong Kong uniforms and gave us some good country and western music. Commodore EMERSON presented prizes to the winners of the contests. Everyone had as fine a Fourth of July as could be expected away from home.

Now a few words about Homecoming. Since this will be the last mail to leave the ship until 13 July when we anticipate arriving in Pearl Harbor. It is presently planned that the returning ships of Destroyer Squadron One, JOUETT, PREBLE, and HULL, will arrive in San Diego as a unit. Since our Squadron insignia contains a blue ribbon with a big numeral One, we are asking all our friends who are coming to greet the ship at pierside, to conspicuously wear a blue ribbon with a "JOUETT" or "J" pinned to it. Arrival times are subject to change but tentatively we expect to be in sight of Point Loma by 0800 and tie up at the Naval Station between 0900 and 1000. The time of arrival has been selected with you in mind. A time when the traffic is light and you can conveniently arrive. There should be parking reserved in the vicinity of the pier. In order that San Diegans may recognize JOUETT's entry as other than "routine", we plan to display the hull number 29 on our helo flight deck as we enter the harbor at Ballast Point. The number 29, formed of crewmembers in white uniforms, when displayed against the grey background of the ship should be visible from the Cabrillo Monument on Point Loma. After we pass Point Loma the men will fall out of formation "29" and into the normal parade formation for entering port.

The "name of the game" on arrival will be to see how quickly we can commence liberty. As soon as the brows are over, we want to simultaneously permit the crewmembers to get off on liberty and to invite guests to come aboard JOUETT for visiting and refreshments. Refreshments will be available on the helo deck, crews dining hall, chiefs lounge and the wardroom, while a great number of our shipmates will be departing on well deserved leave and liberty, it is necessary for a very few to remain on board with the duty. It is sincerely hoped that as many of you as have the time will come on board for refreshments and to meet the shipmates of your husband or son. We want to make this a very happy occasion with built in flexibility for each man and his guest to do as they would like.

It has been a most successful cruise and I can assure you that your JOUETTmen are returning home in good health and with a great pride in their achievements. We are looking forward with great anticipation to seeing you when the lines go over in San Diego.

Sincerely yours,

Robert S. Hayes

ROBERT S. HAYES

CAPT USN

COMMANDING OFFICER