** Latest updated on - 07/14/2013
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Departed PH on 23 July.....
Maizuru, Japan --- 18-27 August.....
Sasebo, Japan --- 30 August to 30 September........
From many of tours I took........
Pusan, Korea --- 2-7 October.......
In route to Philippines.....
Tacloban, Leyete, PI --- 19-24October......
Celebration for Gen MacArthur's return to PI
with President Ferdinand Marcos and his wife, Imelda
walking around Tacloban......
I had a once in a life experience by going for Helo ride off the ship. We were traversing the islands back to Subic. It was one of the greatest experiences I've had. After we were airborne they let me sit in the open side door with my legs hanging out, taking pictures. It was absolutely breath taking views. I have a bunch of pictures but they don't do it justice. The pilot decided to show us what it looked like from 1,000 feet, shot up there and then dropped back to sea level. It gave me such a headache for the next 3 days but well worth it.
It was a short time later the helo crashed. I remember working in my office directly below the flight deck when the crash alarm sounded. It's amazing how fast you can move through narrow passageways. If I remember correctly, We were steaming in formation with the Midway carrier group and the ship was preparing to do a "hot deck refueling" (In Flight Refueling) when the rear rotor developed a problem and the pilot turned to one side. They say that the pilot set it down on the water almost perfectly but before he could disengage the main rotors the blades hit the water and spun the helo in the water. We had the motor whale boat in the water and the flight crew out in minutes. I think they said that windshield either broke or popped out and the pilot & co-pilot got right out. But the AW in the back had a hell of a time with all the insulation floating around. We did spend a lot of time in the area recovering debris. Plus we had to wait until it was determined the waters were deep enough that the wreck couldn't be salvaged with all the ASW equipment onboard. We were just south of Vietnam.
Entering Sattahip, Thailand --- 30 October - 4 November....
We had to be pier-side due to a repair required while the rest of the carrier group anchored off Pattaya Beach.
Battle demonstration for dignitaries and the press onboard the Midway......
Hong Kong --- 29 November -- 3 December......
The very best time on this deployment - Marge & 2 other wives came over and I took 5 days leave to be with her and explore the area. We took advantage of a number of USO tours plus struck out on our own a lot. What a GREAT time and soooooo many memories!!!!!!
Highline transfer......
Kagoshima, Japan --- 13 - 15 January.....
"Papa Hotel" Home Sweet Home --- 28 January.....
