In 1963, I was trying to get an education, but the draft was looming close. Joining the Naval Reserve was a way to stay in school and still serve.
In 1966, I was accepted into Naval Officer Candidate School, just before graduation from San Jose State University. After four months of training and indoctrination, I emerged as a commissioned officer — Ensign, Line Officer in
the Surface Fleet.
USS Bridget, DE 1024
The first assignment was to the USS Bridget. The Bridget was a Destroyer Escort assigned to an anti-submarine squadron operating with the aircraft carrier, USS Hornet. The Bridget was a Courtney Class DE, with a single steam turbine engine and propeller, but two very large rudders. While top speed was limited, these ships were highly maneuverable — could turn in their own length at full speed.
Before joining the ship, there was 10 weeks of Damage Control Officer school at Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay. Following school, I joined the Bridget in Taiwan, as she carried out a short-term assignment patrolling the Straits of Formosa. The ship then joined the squadron in the South China Sea. The Bridget was typically at sea for three to four weeks at a time. Liberty and repair ports were in the Philippines, Japan and Hong Kong.
I served as the Repair Officer, with responsibilities for the "A" Division —
sailors skilled in upkeep of all auxiliary machinery and the ship’s haul and
piping systems. Served as Junior Officer of the Deck and Officer Of the Deck
(OOD), Underway. Was promoted to Lieutenant-Junior Grade
Before the Bridget returned, I was assigned to the Main Propulsion Officer’s School in San Diego. I rejoined the ship on her return to San Diego and, as Main Propulsion Officer, saw it through overhaul in Long Beach, then fleet training in preparation for deployment. Doris and I were married in November, 1967, and were looking ahead to a long separation during the Bridget's next deployment. However the Bridget was assigned to the reserve fleet, instead. We steamed her to the Puget Sound Navel Shipyard and turned her over. The Bridget was eventually scrapped.
USS Monmouth County, LST-1032
Next came orders to serve as the Chief Engineer (Engineer Officer) on the USS
Monmouth County. The Monmouth County was one of 11 WWII vintage landing ships
(tank) taken out of mothballs in Norfolk and sent to South Viet Nam to serve the
Military Sea Transport System (MSTS). The ships of the squadron were permanently
deployed and the crews rotated, so we did get our long separation.
Only five of the original 11 ships made it past Peal Harbor to service in Viet Nam. One of the original LST's was said to have made it under sail, since it had no engine power (two large diesel engines).
This squadron was specifically assigned to haul supplies up the various rivers forming the Mekong Delta. While designed for amphibious landings, these ships could also haul cargo in more routine operations — if you call supplying Army, Airforce, Navy and Marine forces in hostile territory routine, that is. We were stationed in Vung Tau, but called on the headquarters of the Second Infantry Division in Dong Tam, as well as other military bases. We hauled ammunition, general supplies and goodies to stock the PX’s. In one 4 month long arduous assignment, we re-supplied ships and barges of the Mobile Riverine force that was anchored up one or more rivers, in hostile territory. These were floating small boat and troop facilities, many made from converted LST’s. This required tying up to these ships and offloading tons of supplies and fuel.
The ships were old and in constant need of major upkeep, repair and overhaul. They had been sent to this work with almost no modernization. We completed all of our assignments. I was responsible for the Repair Division and the Main Propulsion Division, while also handling routine OOD, Command Duty Officer responsibilities. We saw some hostile activity.
I was relieved by an incoming Chief Engineer after 11 months. I was promoted
to full Lieutenant and awarded the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V, 1970.
The Monmouth County returned to the U.S. about a year later and was scraped.