SwiftVets.com

[terryc]

I was in the same boat as you, so to speak! I did three "west pacs" on three different carriers, and I spent more time off the coast of "Nam" then I care to admit. I was an engineer, and spent most of my time below decks. However, I did stand watch at "Fog Foam" stations topside so I did get some fresh air.

I do say, thank god for Subic Bay, Yokosuka, and Hong Kong!!

I too have had a hard time explaining my role during the "VietNam War." I was there, but I was not there (hmm, sound familiar?)

It took a while to figure out, but in the late 70's I had a Master Chief who told me that the things we did as sailors off the the coast of "nam" were in many ways just as important as any other job. He said our efforts helped put our "pilots" on station where they were most needed. He said that the dangers we faced daily, while shipboard, were every bit as equivalent as combat troops "in-country" (think Forrestal, Enterprise). He really put it in prospective for me!!

All of us that served can take great pride in our service for this great country.

[BuffaloJack]

Although I served aboard swiftboats for 2 years, I consider each and every veteran whose service was during the Vietnam War Era to be a Vietnam Veteran. The US military had commitments all over the world and just because someone served in Germany or Korea or aboard a carrier does not diminish the fact that they stepped forward and were ready to be assigned to Vietnam if needed. The fact that many of us actually stood upon Vietnamese soil is just a matter of chance in obtaining a duty assignment. Any of us could have had other assignments if staffing requirements was more critical in one place than another. I have friends who served stateside training other members of the service, without their contribution we wouldn't have been prepared for duty. I have always consider these friends of mine to be Vietnam Veterans. The draft dodgers, hippies and friends of John Kerry made no distinction when they spit upon us and called us names, I saw no distinction then and see none now.

[Pingjocky]

I couldn't wait to get out of high school and join the service. I wanted to honor my father - a WW2 vet, 9th Armored Div, battle of the buldge, etc. The Navy recruiter got to me first, so I joined up. After boot camp and 10 months of tech training, I ended up in a combat zone. As a 19 year old kid, it never occured to me I could get killed. I had never seen a 50 cal MG until we bolted it to the starboard side deck. Wow! This was fun, and I was defending the people against Commie aggression. After two tours, I came home to protests and insults. That's when the "real" education began. My Navy experiences changed my life, for the better. I'm proud to be a Viet Nam vet, and I'd do it again if my country called. BUT NOT IF KERRY WAS CinC!!!
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The tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. Thomas Jefferson

[lefty]

Jwb 7605, you and I pulled about the same type and tour of duty.
One cruise on the big "O", CVA-34 serving as line PO. Then two and a half more cruises on The Coral Sea, CVA-43, serving as line PO and Jet shop PO.
Now tell the truth, you miss your tiedown chains. Don't you? NOT!!!!

When ask if I was in Nam, I say that's where they told me we were. But I don't know for sure, I wasn't driving.

All kidding aside, if ever ask again. Just say, hell yea and I worked my *&^ off, in that Damn Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club.
I was only insulted once after getting home, it was by a guy that bragged about not going. After he made the comment that only illiterat idiots served in Nam.
First I quoted him a simple quote. "FREEDOM IS NOT FREE".
THEN I BROKE A LONG NECK BUD BOTTLE OVER HIS HEAD and left, after telling the bartender to tell him, when he woke up. Sorry bout that. Must be post VietNam stress
_________________
Al Groo, still alive and kicking

[lefty]

Huey gunner.
I was on the Oriskany CVA-34 1 1/2 miles off the port side of the Forrestal as she went up.
We all stood in silent horror on the flight deck, watching the disaster take place.
When the first bomb went off we could feel the concussion and everyone of us began to pray.
Days after the fires were out and the dead counted. Some of the guys from the Forrestal came aboard the BIG "O" with some of the aircraft they transfered to us. Those men were mentaly destroyed and would jump at any unusuall noise.
We didn't ask them about what happened, one look deep into their eyes said it all.
But fate can be horrible at times. Just a few weeks after they came aboard with us, is when a zoonie rocket went off below decks and the Oriskany was on fire. Thank God nothing like the Forrestal but bad enough.
Those poor guys from the Forrestal had to be transfered right after that. Those of us that got to know them and tried to help share their pain, thanked God they were.

For every service man and woman that served during the Viet Nam era, no matter where you were or what you were doing. Hold your head up high and be proud, that we all in one way or another servered our country
our location of service does not matter. We defended our country and it's freedoms. Simply, we did our duty as our country ask us to do.
_________________
Al Groo, still alive and kicking

[Sgt-Keeper]

Jwb...Amos said it best so I'll just add my 2 cents.. I don't know where the Phantoms nor the Hueys came from, land based or at sea. The point is, they came when we needed them. God bless you guys for your support.
_________________
Fix the problem, not the blame.
USMC E5 Nam vet 65-66

[davdan2]

Admin Note: Quota for Kerry Talking Points Exceeded

[duhaast]

I too wondered for a long time how to deal with my Navy service.

I was on Yankee Station in 1972, on the U.S.S. Mispillion AO-105 as a BT, with an UNREP station as ship to ship phone talker on station 6.

So, I was in a combat zone, receiving combat and hazardous duty pay in the Gulf of Tonkin where when I could see Vietnam, (close enough to see the surf line), it was North Vietnam....and helping control UNREP station operations pumping JP5 to a carrier as F-4's were catting with full bomb loads... racks of 5in projectiles being high-lined to the DD's...helos dropping slings of retrograde on the helo deck, and having a case slip and fall to the deck, spring open, and the supposedly empty case spilling a live fuze at my feet...cursing the Navy for holding a GQ drill during my nooner, and waking up quick at my GQ station finding that it was for real as a commie gunboat attemped to attack us....

Yes. I am a Vietnam Vet, as are all who made a like journey to war, and I make it clear what my experience was.
_________________
This ain't no party,
This ain't no disco,
This ain't no foolin' around...

[HOV1]

God Bless all of you.

I did note one thing here though. Not ONE of you refered to your cruise offshore of Viet Nam as a "Tour of Duty"... how about that?
_________________
USN 78-84 STS1(SS) USS George C. Marshall SSBN 654(G)



HOV1

[Snipe]

Well for snipes at least a "tour of duty" was a "tour of sea duty" and
lasted 6 years. Then, maybe, a "tour of shore duty" which was 2
years. As for where we went, someone else was driving, we just
kept the screws turning.
_________________
Tin Can Sailor

[pegm]

Since I was female, I never saw Vietnam, but served stateside. I consider myself a "Vietnam Era" vet, not a Vietnam vet. I never wanted to step on any toes of those who were over there. God bless them all. Especially the Swifties, who are once again protecting and fighting for America.

[coldwarvet]

I served

1975-1979
USAF - Security Specialist
90th MSS
Strategic Air Command

I came in during what I call the hang over years under CIC Carter. I wore my uniform home just one time and got a rude awakening to public opinion about my service to our country. I am a cold war veteran and thanks to the SBVT movement for the first time in my life I am proud of it. Since my service fell between 2 September 1945 – 26 December 1991 I qualified for a CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION for my service in the cold war that I sent in a request for and received a few weeks later. I proudly now have it on display in my office.

CWV
_________________
Defender of the honor of those in harms way keeping us out of harms way.

"Peace is our Profession"
Strategic Air Command - Motto

USAF 75-79 Security Police

[sixdogteam]

If you are eligible to wear the campaign ribbon, you're a Viet Nam Vet.
_________________
HHC 212th CAB MMAF RVN '70-'71

[Montana]

Hey jwb Thanks for serving

It doesn´t matter what branch of the armed forces you
served in. Every branch has its dangers (both known
and unexpected).

Some decide to choose what they perceive as a safe branch
and end up in an outfit just the opposite. Others
choose what they perceive as the most dangerous
and end up never seeing action.

In some wars sailors, who thought they were
experiencing plush duty, ended up fighting for their lives.
Others had their ships shot out from under them and since
they were the senior person, ended up
with a rifle in their hand and leading a group of mixed branch
members to fight the enemy. Of course, these were the exceptions,
but one never knows what one is going to end up doing.

Also, I´m sure you know there are ships in our US Navy
that lose men (and women) overboard in peacetime and war
and are never recovered. The airforce loses airplanes with
crew and even guys who joined the US Coast Guard back
in the 60´s and 70´s saw action in Vietnam.

The same can be said about the Guard and reserves. Some went
into Harm´s Way. Others did not. All served. Thanks to all.

Just some thoughts

Montana

[Cap' DOC]

A big THANK YOU to all of you, no matter where you served. I joined in '67, and served with the 3rd Bat. 26th MAB. I saw the Hope in Danang harbor! As close as I came to a ship or boat. I posted on this thread because Montana posted. Only met one fellow from Montana while I was in the Navy, and he was a Marine.