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The Navy Memorial’s Stories of Service Program is dedicated to preserving the history of our Sea Service Veterans. This program collects digital video oral histories of our veterans throughout the year. Navy Memorial Stories of Service personnel, volunteers, and history students, working in partnership with their schools and the Navy Memorial, interview, record, and archive the personal accounts of our Veterans so that we may never forget the sacrifices made by our Veterans, and to pass their stories on to future generations of Americans.
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I was drafted in my senior year of high school Was at NTC from Aug72 to Sept 72 bootcamp company 163( Honorcompany.) Bootcamp was 7weeks Needed bodies for Vietnam A school 32nd street USS Dixie AD 14 DT3 Wilson
My dad and his twin brother were aboard when the forward gunmount was struck. My uncle had just left that gunmount a few minutes before it was hit and my dad was on the bridge.
I was on the same cruise in 76. I remember we lost that tomcat because I was up on the flight deck and watch the whole thing and then we had a collision with The destroyer. That was a rough day. Then we went to Edinburgh, Wilhelms, Haven, Germany, Portsmouth, England, then breast France then we went home. It was like a three month cruise. I believe it was a NATO cruise.
I was an MM aboard the mighty USS Henderson DD 785. We served on the gun line and plane guarding for carriers etc. in '72 & 'early '73. As an enlisted guy we used to <ahem> "borrow" the occasional cherry pie from the officers bakery pantry that just happened to be located on the port side of the main passageway up near the front. Fun times but I still think those were left there for the pilfering. Our Captain always managed to score a huge batch of steaks in foreign ports for those days we ran holiday routine. The cookout was was up forward on the area where the elevated second forward mount used to be. Those were glorious days. Only had to stand our two four hour watches and no workday PMS work. We all liked our Captain, he really looked out for us.
I was a corpsman for this casualty. Most of the medevacs went off on prop planes. Our entire department spent the next day after the casualty was cleared on our hands and knees in 10 inches of water and filth looking for parts of the firemen lost in the fire.
I was a corpsman on duty in Medical when this happened. Most of our Division was at lunch but word of mouth spread so fast that we had a mass casualty response on the main mess deck within minutes. I remember pulling flash gloves off of a fireman so I could start IVs and most of his skin came with them.
Gary I don't know if you will remember me but I was on the YFU 58 with you as well I had forgotten the time on the boat until my grandson was doing a school paper on Vietnam and had me describe my time on the YFU 58 I saw the picture of you as a young man and recoganized you right away and the stories you told of us over there were spot on. I just wanted to say thank you for talking about our adventure. Glenn Stickney
Hello Mr Ward I too was on the YFU 58 from 1969 to 1970 and the times you mentioned were exactly as I had experienced as well thank you for publishing these pictures etc Glenn Stickney navy reserve E-3
I was working on the flight deck when this crash occurred (VF-84). The only 'Machinist Mates' allowed on the 'roof' during flight ops were of the aviation variety (AD). While all hands were affected by this incident, interviews would have been better served by those who witnessed what happened before, during and after. RIP Alberto Colon and all my other shipmates.
Does anyone know where I can find information on my grandfather, Phillip Earl Ragan, a 1970 graduate of ntc San Diego? He was a corpsman but I’m unsure of his company number
I was on the Columbus in 1961 while She was preparing to be Re-enter the fleet. As a Signalman I recall breaking the Commission Pennant in Bremerton Naval Shipyard. We got underway to San Diego were assigned as Flagship of Crudesflot 11 with a 2star Adm. Aboard. I am 81yrs now a little fuzzy remembering but its Crew were all ex Tin Can Sailors.
I joined the Naval Reserve in 1960 while still in High School. In 1961 I went on Awas ctive Duty. 1st Duty was a Destroyer home port Pearl Harbor. Served on 3 other Destroyers during the Vietnam War. I was a Signalman and 50cal gunner. I am now 81yrs, 100pct disabled fm agent orange. Blessed to be alive. I would do it again if I could. A "Lover, fighter and Tin Can Rider".. USN and Proud of it.
Wow, that music, along with those costumed NTSB Actors.... that was a rush.... like galloping stallion music .... bullshit splattering with each trumpeting stallion, squealing out hope, hope for the Barnacles down below tide.. The demolition charges I saw going off sectioned the spans for easy Recycling. NTSB... sugar plums....... that scow was smoking black pulling a u turn with full power ahead. then demolition charges severed each span section. Give the Demo Company Kudos. That was up there with Building 7, and the Twin Towers combined. Sounds like Jewish fake art students may have wired it.....
So much bull shit. Believe this you are as smart as Alpo dog dog turds. b Believe any of this Psy-op cry me a river demolition of a bridge and a sacrificial rust bucket at full throttle smoking black fuckers. these are getting old. Bad CGI.....
I joined the Naval Reserve when I turned 17 in Highshool. Went on active duty the following year. 1961. 1st set of orders - USS Radford DDE-446 Home Port Pearl Harbor. I chose to be a Signalman. Served 11yrs 3mo 16days on active duty. Am 100pct disabled fm my Vietnam service. Lover, Fighter, Tin-Can Rider. Would do it again.
