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Last Updated: 11/13/06
Table of
Contents:
USS
Whitfield County Plan of the Day's and Family Gram were contributed by Mr. Paul
Reuter. Mr. Reuter arrived onboard the Whitfield County in Nov. of 1966 as a
Fireman Apprentice (FA). He left in Nov. of 1968 as a 2nd Class Engineman (EN2)
serving in Number One Engine room. During his 23 year Naval career, Mr. Reuter
was able to advance to Chief Engineman (ENC) prior to being accepted as an LDO
and retiring as a Lieutenant Commander (LCDR).
Plan of the Day's
| DUTY
SECTION THREE (3) |
USS
WHITFIELD COUNTY (LST 1169) Care of Fleet Post Office San Francisco, California 99601 |
UNDERWAY | ||||||||||||||||||
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THE
PLAN OF THE DAY FOR MONDAY, 30 OCTOBER 1967 - DO NOT REMOVE FROM THE SHIP |
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1. All hands are reminded that
officers country, ladders and passageways are off limits. The ladder on
the afterend of the superstructure will be used by ALL oncoming and
off going personnel except signal bridge, bridge and radio. Only personnel
having business with officers will be in the superstructure. Inclimate
weather will be the only exception to the above. 1. UPON THE COMPLETION OF YOUR TOUR AS SUPPORT SHIP FOR THE MEKONG DELTA MOBILE RIVERINE FORCE FOR THE PERIOD OF 22 AUGUST TO 27 OCTOBER 1967. IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO EXPRESS APPRECIATION FOR THE OUTSTANDING SERVICE THAT YOUR FINE COMMAND HAS RENDERED. 2. THIS MARKS THE SECOND TOUR OF DUTY IN SUPPORT OF THE MOBILE RIVERINE FORCE THAT WHITFIELD COUNTY HAS PERFORMED. 3. AS ON THAT EARLIER OCCASION, WHITFIELD COUNTY HAS RENDERED CONSISTENTLY OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN HER VARIOUS MISSIONS OF SUPPORT TO THE MOBILE RIVERINE FORCE. THE SUBSTANTIAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE MOBILE RIVERINE FORCE IN THE OPERATIONS AGAINST THE VC SINCE AUGUST HAVE BEEN DUE IN NO SMALL MEASURE TO THE UNSTINTING ROUND-THE-CLOCK EFFORTS OF THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF WHITFIELD COUNTY. YOUR VARIOUS TASKS HAVE INCLUDED THOSE OF AN ASSAULT CRAFT TENDER, TROOP CARRIER, AND HELICOPTER LANDING PAD AND TENDER, LOGISTICS SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS OF THE ENTIRE FORCE, ADMINISTRATIVE BOX SERVICE AND THE GRIM TASK OF GRAVES REGISTRATION. IT IS A TRIBUTE TO THE HIGH STANDARD OF PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE AND VERSATILITY MANIFESTED IN ALL THE ROLES BY WHITFIELD COUNTY THAT EVERY CHALLENGE PRESENTED AND REQUIREMENT LEVIED HAS BEEN MET IN SO EXEMPLARY A MANNER. 4. WELL DONE, GOOD LUCK, AND GOD SPEED. |
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C.E. FRENCH, LT,
USN
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| DUTY
SECTION TW0 (2) |
USS
WHITFIELD COUNTY (LST 1169) Care of Fleet Post Office San Francisco, California 99601 |
YOKOSUKA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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THE
PLAN OF THE DAY FOR TUESDAY, 7 NOVEMBER 1967 - DO NOT REMOVE FROM THE SHIP
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1. Liberty Policy: 2. Upon arrival in Yokosuka, the port surgeon will board the ship and clear her. Until the ship is cleared, no material or personnel will be permitted to board or leave the ship. 3. During our stay in Yokosuka, complete uniform will be required on all weather decks. White hats will be required. Sharpness is required and I expect the officers and petty officers to enforce compliance. 4. Uniform for entering port will be service dress blues for all hands except line handlers. Line handlers will wear undress blues. 5. Showers will be open 0600 to 0800 today. 6. The quarterdeck standing orders to OOD's are posted on the bulletin board. All ships company are advised to read and comply with same. FOR ALL HANDS FROM VADM HYLAND 1. I RELINQUISH COMMAND OF THE MIGHTIEST FLEET ON EARTH WITH REGRET BUT WITH VERY GREAT PRIDE. REGRET AT HAVING COME TO THE END OF WHAT HAS IN EVERY WAY BEEN THE MOST SATISFYING TWO YEARS OF MY LIFE; PRIDE IN ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF SEVENTHFLT AND IN YOU WHO GIVE THE FLEET ITS STRENGTH AND CHARACTERISTIC OF EXCELLENCE. 2. NAVY OFFICERS AND THE MAN HAVE NEVER BEFORE BEEN CALLED ON TO DO MORE THAN YOU ARE DOING. THE SUSTAINED RAPID PACE OF OPERATIONS HAS MADE THE EIGHTEEN HOUR DAY COMMON PLACE. ALL PREVIOUS STATISTICAL RECORDS HAVE FALLEN AS YOU HAVE STEAMED, UNREPPED, FLOWN AND FIRED AT RATES NEVER BEFORE ATTEMPTED BUT WHICH YOU HAVE MADE ROUTINE. THE COURAGE AND SKILL OF YOU WHO FLY AGAINST THE MOST HEAVILY DEFENDED TARGETS EVER STRUCK HAVE SET NEW STANDARDS IN AIRMANSHIP. 3. WHEN I TOOK COMMAND
TWENTY-THREE MONTHS AGO, I SAID "THE SEVENTH FLEET IS GOING TO DO ITS
JOB AND DO IT WELL." YOU HAVE MADE THAT DECLARATION OF INTENT A FACT.
I ALSO SAID, "THE BEST MEN COME FORWARD AND TAKE PART AND HELP DO THE
FIGHTING." YOU HAVE DEMONSTRATED BEYOND DOUBT THAT YOU ARE THE
BEST. BE PROUD OF YOUR PERFORMANCE AND OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING FOR
YOUR COUNTRY: EACH OF YOU HAD THE RIGHT. 1. GENERAL MESS MENU FOR TUESDAY:
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C.E. FRENCH, LT,
USN
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| DUTY
SECTION ONE (1) |
USS
WHITFIELD COUNTY (LST 1169) Care of Fleet Post Office San Francisco, California 99601 |
YOKOSUKA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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THE
PLAN OF THE DAY FOR WEDNESDAY, 27 DECEMBER 1967 - DO NOT REMOVE FROM THE
SHIP
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1. Any persons desiring to ship over next trip down south, please report to sick bay to get you physical this time in. 2. Dental appointments will be on a stand-by basis only. 10 per day is the maximum. First come first served 3. GENERAL MESS MENU FOR WEDNESDAY:
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C.E. FRENCH, LT,
USN
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| DUTY
SECTION one (1) |
USS
WHITFIELD COUNTY (LST 1169) Care of Fleet Post Office San Francisco, California 99601 |
Vietnam | ||||||||||||||||||||
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THE
PLAN OF THE DAY FOR Thursday 1 august
1968 - DO NOT REMOVE FROM THE SHIP |
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1. The following personnel passed
the Military/Leadership Examination. 2. Due to a recently revised exam, fewer men have been eligible to go up for advancement. There is a growing competitiveness requiring greater initiative in preparing for your Military Requirements. Remember, you are Petty Officer's first and specialists second. 3. MERITORIOUS UNIT
COMMENDATION 4. DAILY INTERNAL INFO SUMMARY. |
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C.E. FRENCH, LT,
USN
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Story shared by Armand Jalbert concerning "SHELLBACK" Initiations:
...The night before the initiations,
"Bird" Stewart (SM3) and a mess cook and some friends came up on the
signal bridge with a case of eggs. I hooked up an infrared filter on a search
light and the scope, and we could illuminate the truck deck with infrared light
and see who was there and where. Of course the shellbacks were setting up and
when they walked towards the superstructure - about a dozen eggs went flying.
I didn't throw any, but I did some spotting and said who was
coming. Anyway, the next day we paid for it. One of the Quartermasters followed
each of us through the line announcing us as the "infrared egg
throwers".
"Bird" really got beat with the fire hoses and poor
Rookard (SM3) took a beating for the eggs even though he had nothing to do with
it. Since I was the ship's photographer and had to take pictures of the event,
they had to rush me through, I didn't have to suffer as much.
Just think: we were Guardians of our Nation?.
WHITFIELD COUNTY Family Gram circa 1967
USS
WHITFIELD COUNTY (LST 1169)
Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California 99601
5 September 1967
Dear Whitfield County Family,
This letter finds us in the Soirap River, near Vung Tau, in the Republic of Vietnam. Since my last letter in December 1966, many miles have been transversed, many tons of cargo have been hauled, and numerous changes have occurred in the lives of your husbands and sons.
We have been a busy ship these past months, so let me fill you in on the details. December found us headed south to pick up an advanced detachment of River Assault Flotilla ONE in Saigon. We departed Saigon in January for Vung Tau and a new job as support ship for River Assault Flotilla ONE. The concept of river operations in the Delta was just beginning to mature and we were glad to be part of this new and challenging aspect of a most complicated war.
In February we were on our way back to Yokosuka for upkeep. Time passed quickly and April 5th found us steaming toward Vietnam once again, this time in support of Operation Oregon.
After hauling tons of cargo between Danang and Chu Lai, we were detached from the support of Operation Oregon and headed for Subic Bay, Philippines for scheduled training and a rest and relaxation period. This was quickly cancelled and we left Subic Bay, at the best possible speed, for the Republic of Vietnam with men and supplies embarked. We were to be a part of Amphibious Ready Group ALFA, and Operation Beaver Cage, which took place near the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Vietnam.
LST's are not noted for acting as part of a ready group, but we were called in an emergency and my officers and men responded with their usual pride and skill to do an outstanding job. After two months of long grueling days at sea, we were detached and headed home toward Yokosuka.
June and July were utilized to get us back into top operating condition and then we sailed sour for five "hard working days" in Hong Kong, British Crown colony. This R & R visit was thoroughly enjoyed by all hands and many drawn faces were observed as we turned south once again for Vung Tau and our current assignment.
The Hong Kong vacation air quickly ebbed away and working spirit was slowly revived as each mile of the South China sea slipped by us.
Our current Vung Tau assignment call on us to provide many services to the River Assault forces and Army personnel that we support. Approximately 350 people are embarked and we must provide every possible service to them. We are acting in this capacity; as home base for numerous River Assault craft; as a helicopter landing platform for Army Huey's, Cyclops and giant Chinooks; and as a large supply house for Army and Navy joint operations against the Viet Cong in the Delta.
So, as you can readily see, we are indeed a busy ship.
People make up the personality of any ship, and ours is a dynamic and driving one. In the April Navy-wide advancement tests, 70% of the crew that went up for advancement made it. Here is an alphabetic list of those promoted:
Promoted on 16 April 1967 were:
EN2 Franklin E, Cunningham
QMC Charles M. Dombrow
BMC Manual Lin
SH2 Jimmie D. Mason
EN3 Norman J. McClay
EN3 Edward L. Nurse
EN3 Larry D. Ross
DC3 Roger E. Schwintosky
SM3 Floyd E. Unger
QM2 Jerry L. Van Antwerp
GMGC William D. Whiteside
SFM3 George H. Zaske
Promoted on 16 July 1967 was:
YN3 Lawrence B. Sauer
Promoted on 16 August 1967 were:
EN3 William R. Burgett
EM3 Darryl G. Pryor
Those who will be promoted on 16
September are:
EM3 Joseph C. Alred
EM3 "J" "D" H. Beckley
FTG3 Alexander D. Miller
EM1 Donald O. Lee
Navy advancement examinations are held semi-annually. Each participant competes against every other person in the Navy in his rate who is recommended for advancement. These men are to be congratulated; and their advancement is something to be proud of.
In April, two Whitfield County petty officers, EN1 Russel L. Thomson and BM2 Donald R. Gillem, were awarded the Secretary of the Navy Commendation for Achievement ribbon for their outstanding qualities of leadership as displayed in this combat/support operation in the Republic of Vietnam. A third petty officer, DK2 Francis J. McGlynn, was awarded a Letter of Commendation from Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, for outstanding professional efficiency and thoroughness in handling the administration of disbursing records and returns for ship's company and Temporary Additional Duty Personnel.
In August, a Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet Letter of Commendation was forwarded to USS Whitfield County for presentation to RD1 William K. Streif for meritorious service as Radio Telephone talker on the Naval Gunfire Support Net of the USS Oklahoma City (CIG 5) during the period of 13 July 1965 through 31 August 1966.
A Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon was forwarded to BT3 Larry L. Spencer, now aboard USS Whitfield County, earned while serving aboard the USS Corral Sea (CVA 43).
Now I feel I should introduce the
officers and men who have joined us since our last family gram:
| Lieutenant Charles E. French | FN Roy T. Jordan |
| Ensign Daniel G. Tebor | ET1 Carl H. Kozuma |
| Ensign Stephen D. Hayes | HM2 Norman W. Landree |
| Ensign Anthony R. Shylo | BMC Manuel Lin |
| SN Robert W. Akers | SA Herman L. Makamson |
| FA Edward . Alpe | RM3 Howard L. Mallon |
| FA Glenn R. Anderson | SD2 Fabian S. Martines |
| SN Melvin H. Arnold | FA Paul J. McDonald |
| FN Walter G. Bradley | SA Victor Mitchell |
| RM1 Albert I. Britnell | SFP2 Fred L. Moody |
| FN Gary T. Campbell | SN Marc B. Mamaugh |
| GMG2 Thomas W. Campbell | SM1 Oliver W. Norton |
| GMGSN Robert M. Carney | FA Bill J. Ordoyne |
| FN Salvatore M. Constantino | SN William A. Peneguy |
| SN Edward D. Covington | FN Charles E. Perry |
| ENFN Vincent Dawahongva | FA Donald R. Prack |
| SA Randy E. Dyck | GMGSN Gordon M. Reddy |
| SH1 Edward J. Elder | EN3 Ronald P. Reeb |
| SA Raymond L. Federico | FN Paul Reuter |
| SA Walter W. Fowler | RDSN Edward A. Sachs |
| ENFN John R. Froelich | SN Walter S. Sexton |
| SA Thomas M. Gage | SN William E. Smith |
| EMC Philip G. Giesse | BM3 Robert A. Skinner |
| TN Dalmacio H. Gomez | SN Allan R. Stiltner |
| SN Carl E. Greer | SA Walter E. Stuhlmann |
| CS2 David W. Hill | EN2 Edward W. Umile |
| SA Gary L. Holden | RM3 George C. Vance |
| ETN2 Robert A. Holmes | SN Kenneth M. Virgil |
| ENFN Leslie O. Hunter | SN Jon G. Witt |
| TN Dominador L. Jacinto | SN James T. Wonders |
| BM3 Edward L. Wyman |
When we leave Vung Tau, we will have added another link to the giant chain that is the war in Vietnam. Our job is sometimes not too glamorous, but we do it well because it has to be done for the freedom of an oppressed people. For this you can be proud of what your husband or son is doing on the Whitfield County.
Sincerely,
R.K. Asman
Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy
Commanding Officer
Now me and my buddy "Side
Cleaning Joe"
took off on a "can" from Sasebo.
The chow was bad and the fuel was low,
but that old "can" could really go.
Now long about the middle of the
night
we were steaming along with all our might;
when a cruiser behind us blinked his light,
blew a whistle, then pulled up to our right.
W had twin screws on that old
"can"
and one might think we were in a jam,
but to you folks that don't dig this jive -
that's sixteen boilers and overdrive.
Now we destroyer men very well knew
we'd race all night 'till something blew.
With fantail down like it was stuck with glue
through increasing swells we flew and flew.
The OOD turned pale and said he was
sick
and claimed he'd just become a nervous wreck.
We never worried, for what the heck,
we and that cruiser were neck and neck.
From out over the fantail we heard
something coming -
a jet, we all thought, by the way it was humming.
We knew right then it was the end of the race
for we could never keep up to sound of its pace.
As it steamed on by - we all looked
away
and the guys on the cruiser had nothing to say.
For there in front of us was a Reserve "JG"
conning a hopped up LST !
USS WHITFIELD COUNTY (LST 1169)
At Harumi Pier, Tokyo Japan
Ship’s Log entry for January 1, 1964
‘Tis midnight and the decks are dark. The
wind is sharp and cold. Across the waning old year’s moon, the
heavy clouds have rolled.
I gaze across the quarterdeck and there I chance to see, an ancient sailor bent
with age, prepared for liberty.
His blues are worn at knee and cuff. His
piping torn and old. His shoes are cracked from toe to heel. His white hat green
with mold.
His hair and beard are long and fine and float upon the air. His eyes are pale
and blank with age. His brow is creased with care.
His palsied hand crawls to his brow; He
speaks through toothless gums. His voice is deep and indistinct.
The sound of muted drums.
“It’s time, sir, that I went ashore: I long for time to rest. I dare not a
stay a moment more,”he
says, as if obsessed.
“Avast, old man, eight bells on time are
ringing even now, for you to go on liberty you know I
won’t allow,”
“Now wait, old man, don’t worry so; you need not go
ashore. The ship is moored, secure and safe, with
spring-lay aft and fore.”
“Six good stout lines are doubled up to
hold us to the pier. Though playful waves may fret our keel, there is no need to
fear.”
“For yoke is set throughout the ship with fittings true
and tight; One sentry here and one ashore protect us through the night.”
“At peace we rest in Tokyo Port beside
Harumi Pier, but fight we may, if fight we must, when
enemies appear.”
“Condition Four is set aboard; our readiness is sound. Security
is tight and strong; no gap is to be found.’
“It’s not alone we stand this watch
tonight in Tokyo Bay. The Galveston is standing by to aid in every way.”
“The senior officer afloat while present in that ship controls our mighty
force tonight with firm and steady grip.”
“CRUDESFLOT NINE” he does command and
all the ships in port. Within the limits of the bay, his policies support.
“And yonder, there across the port, our allies lie at moor with Self Defense
Force, brave and proud, Japan protects her shore.”
“And other ships, yard craft, and tugs are
floating at their berth. With merchantmen who represent all corners of the
earth.”
“Why go ashore tonight, old man the ship has every need
provided by her sturdy plant. Old man, my warning heed!”
“You cannot leave the ship tonight. Your
duty is aboard. We need your aid upon ship though be it we are moored.”
“Oh, no sir, no!” the old man cries. “My duty days
are done. Aboard this ship I’ll never more observe the rising sun.”
“No more to taste the salty spray, to
feel the rain soaked gust. No more to paint the endless decks, and chip the
creeping rust.”
He gasps for breath; his eyes are dull. His face is grim
with pain. He’s pointing toward the darkened pier, beside
a mobile crane.
He staggers down the slanted brow; is
eyes are wide with fright. He drops a clock upon the pier, and flees into the
night.
I strain my eyes to watch the spot beside the mobile crane. I gasp and rub my
eyes in doubt, I fear I can’t be sane.
For there, beside the crane, I see a sailor
young and green. With sea bag full, a new recruit, the
youngest I have seen.
He sees me staring down at him and walks up to the ship. He reaches down and
takes the clock with firm and steady grip.
He strides up to the quarterdeck and
gives a sharp salute. I raise my hand up to my cap although I am struck mute.
“I’m Nineteen Sixty Four,” he says, in voice both
loud and clear. “I’ve come to take the watch today, and
for the coming year.”
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I served aboard the
"Shitty Whitty" from August of 63 to August of 65. Since my mind may be going (hell by now it is probably gone) I went back in my records and found my
re-enlistment DD 214 and transfer orders ending my tour aboard the 1169 and it confirmed my somewhat clouded memory. I re-enlisted on August 15, 1965 at sea aboard the Whitfield
County off the coast of Viet Nam (at 17 Degrees 38' North / 111 Degrees 13'
East) August 14, 1965 and then left the ship in Danang on August 15, 1965 to go back to Yokosuka for shore duty.
I don't know where the ship went after that however my daughter was born at 2218
on May 6, 1966 and after leaving the hospital in the early morning (3 AM) of May 7,
I was to excited to sleep so I went to the only place I could think of to get some coffee at that hour of the morning and that was the USS Whitfield County (LST 1169) setting high and dry in a
drydock in Yokosuka undergoing overhaul.
I can understand why the unscheduled trip from Chu Lai to Subic for repairs and then back to Yokosuka in 65
was omitted due to the CO refusing to take the recommendations of the Chief on the
bow ramp during an attempt to marry to a causeway at Chu Lai which resulted in tearing the starboard bow door nearly off and seriously damaging the bow
ramp.
There was nothing about the storm in the sea of Japan that reportedly had 52 foot swells where we damn near sunk. I don't think the waves were that big but then again I
didn't have a tape measure with me and with the near 45 degree rolls the ship was making I
couldn't have measured them any way.
At the end of 1963 we went up to Tokyo to spend new year's eve at Harumi Pier. As is tradition and required an appropriate entry in the ships log was made. This entry was later
printed in the Stairs & Stripes.
Thank you for developing and maintaining an excellent web page. It brings back a lot of memories.
Bill Claridge
Welcome
Aboard Phamplet
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