Dong Tam Navy Side 1969 

I went to Dong Tam on January 9, 1967 when it was just a beach. I was with the 15th Combat Engineers of the 9th Inf. Div. There was one Infantry Company and One Commo Company. We built an air strip with PSP planks. Dug in with foxholes and shelter halves in the sand. Went on patrols. What fun.

I was stationed there also , 68-69 , Thanks to this man for his work and efforts to post this video , I was on the YRBM-17 , it is written on the side of the large vessel as he scans his camera , look closely or you will miss it .

I was there the night of the Ammo Dump Explosions , in March of 69 , although I forgot the date . I was standing in the Head , I had just went to Pee before going to bed ,, looking out at the Army guys fighting the fire ,, 2 Choppers were started up apparently hoping to get then out of the way of the fire . the Small storage buildings were on fire . I stood watching the fire fighters at the Port Hole , fearing possible mosquitoes , I closed the Port Hole window . Then in a fraction of a second the black night sky turned bright white .. Instincts told me to hit the deck . The Port hole was blown off the hinges, and the thick almost 1 inch thick glass turned to Powder . But my hesitation managed to work against me and I caught glass in my face . The Port Hole flew off the support , hit the side of the bulkhead and landing on part of my head . I was not sure what had happened , tiny amounts of blood was on the side of my face and in my hair . My face burned like hell . I crawled to the passage way , and looked and made sure no other person was left in the head .. That was just the beginning of one explosion after another , all night long . we were not sure what had happened or why the explosions kept on going all night long . The NCO and the Lt. had to come up with a plan to evacuate the YRBM-17 .. at first we were put below deck . Eventually as the explosions continued they made the decision to move us out of the YRBM-17 and away . We were probably 100 yards away or more watching the explosions all night long . The next day , began a clean up operation of many Tons of shrapnel . It was unimaginable the amount of Explosive material . I never told anyone about the Port Hole hitting me in the head , I was embarrassed and felt stupid for actually putting my face in front of the glass when Ammo Dumps exploded ,, only an idiot would do such a thing . I was lucky I did not suffer eye damage or much worse . I still have a Mark on my face where a tiny piece of shrapnel lodged in . It is small , about as big as an pencil Eraser , or maybe bigger , but it will always be remembered as my Idiot night . The shrapnel Burned like hell on my face . But my tiny injury was nothing compared to those men whom died fighting the fire , and the Ammo dumps explosions tore their bodies to pieces. I was in shock having witnessed the death of the men fighting the fire . My brain and emotions were empty ,, yet I felt so depressed . I had no words, only sadness .

I (John"TIGER" Rados)was stationed & arrived aboard the YRBM-17 in Dec. 1968' & worked as Shipfitter/Welder in the Repair Division but departed in mid-March 69' on "Emergency Leave" per my Family's request through Red Cross cause of my brother(Frank V. Rados) stateside death. After the Funeral, I now being "A Sole Surviving Son" that was exempt from all "Combat Zones" had to & wanted to sign a Special Congressional Request form in order to return to "Vietnam(Brown Water duties)" and I DID cause I WANTED to complete the 1 Year-Tour that I had volunteered for with my Shipmates on-board the YRBM-17 on the Mekong Delta River. So I was not in Dong Tam at the time of this attack, but returned in mid-June to complete my One Year Tour which ended in Dec. 69' with my Shipmates aboard the (replacement)YRBM-21. That YEAR was the BEST Navy Service/Duty station that I ever did serve & my Shipmates were a "GREAT CREW"!!! I wanted to extend my Tour but my Stateside Family & Wife Demanded that I come back to the World(USA), & that I had done more then my share of service in Combat Zones and that I had even returned to Vietnam when I was Exempt!!! So I returned! The remaining Navy years were served on two Destroyer Tenders/Repair Ships one in San Diego, & one in Long Beach, Calif. - Shipfitter 3rd-Class, John "TIGER" Rados, -OUT!!! MANY BLESSINGS TO MY SHIPMATES...

WELCOME HOME BROTHERS AND SISTERS

I was stationed there from Aug. to Dec 1971. Mortar rounds were still coming in.

Reminds me of Cat Lo, but a much larger base.

Why no sound????????!

My Dad was a Diver with Harbor Unit Clearance 1. Anyone know where they were at? 68-69

I was there 68-69..... 31 m 20 ...radios 9. th signal div.

U S N 1969