| Sure it was hot on the decks and in the sleeping compartments, but a four hour shift here could take the wind out of your sails. Heat was generated here as well as electricity 24/7/365. Photo by Chip Lanham |
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| 1967 - 1968 Vietnam Service Working on the ship's 14th WesPac deployment |
| Vietnam years - 1965 - 1970 Tthe Snohomish County was assigned as a support ship for Coast Guard Division 12. When not being used as a nesting port for Swift Boats and other small creafts, it was going inland as much as ten miles delivering troops, amtracs and materials where needed. |
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| Here's one of those "Super T's" (LST 1178) servicing smaller crafts with ammo and needed supplies in Vietnam Waters. Their added length and width allowed for larger loads than earlier LST's such as the Snohomish County. In addition to being larger, they also had larger propulsion plants which gave them some additional speed. On one occasion while serving in Vietnam the Snohomish County was tasked to pick up and deliver a load originally planned for one of the Super T's. The Super T was unable to make this trip because of other obligations. With intuition and usitilizing every inch of space, the Snohomish County was able to accomplish this task as a susbstitute "Super T" on time. |
| Yep, he was here too |
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The traveling Vietnam Wall replica visited Myrtle Beach. I found it disturbing to view. I know it was almost unbearable for the family members of the fallen heros as well as those who had lost friends and buddies listed there . |
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| They build gardens and monuments, they remember those who served in all wars on special days, and they give them medals and commendations. All of this they certainly deserve, but a meaningful handshake, a hug and thanks are welcome by all. |
| Make Mine Rare
Roger Akster FTG3 (1967-1969) During one of our runs from Saigon to Cam Rahn Bay, we had arrived in time to get the offload work completed before dark. So we were directed to the deep-water pier to berth for the night. Our berth assignment was outboard a merchant refrigerator ship, (called banana boat). We got everything tied off, secured, brow in place, and quarterdeck watch in place. Some of the crew from the merchant ship came over and struck up a conversation. They asked us if we carried any movies on board, which of course we did. Then the idea came up that since we cannot drink aboard a US Naval ship; why not rig up a movie screen on the deck of the merchant ship. We could ice down some beer, drink a few brews and watch movies. Everyone thought it sounded like a great idea, our XO approved, the skipper of the merchant ship agreed. It was party on. Things continued to escalate, they had some frozen steaks on board, and we hadn’t had anything like that in many months. They also had stateside beer. Wow, the idea of a Bud or a Coors was really great. A large grill was set up on the fantail of their ship, steaks brought out, trashcans filled with beer and ice; a giant screen was rigged up for the movies. Then someone breaks out a trumpet, someone else a sax, a couple of guitars show up, a drum set, quite an impromptu band between the two crews. The guys from both crews were having a great time. It was getting quite late and a lot of us had not eaten. As I mentioned, the steaks were frozen, but they were throwing them on the grille as is. The men were so anxious for them, they were literally grabbing them barehanded right off the grille. In many cases barely thawed. I was right in there with the rest of them. We were sitting around the main deck on whatever we could find to sit on, a beer close by, eating the steaks right out of our hands. I heard a voice next to me say, “Sure is great to be back in civilization again isn’t it”. I turned and saw it was our Captain, eating his steak as well. I responded, “It sure is”. He left shortly after that and I was looking around, guys in dungarees, blood running down their chins from the mostly raw steaks, lots of consumed beer, a make shift band, canvas from a cargo hatch cover for a movie screen. All of us half a world away from our home and families............... Hmmmmm, this is civilization? |
| Original art by Vietnam Vets told a story of it's effects |
| A Vietnam Memorial Garden of Solace Portland, Oregon |
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1968 The USS Snohomish County (LST 1126) home ported in San Diego, California as a unit of Landing Ship Squadron ONE, was commanded by James A. Wilson, Jr., LT., USN throughout the year 1968. The Snohomish County began 1968 in Long Beach Naval Shipyard receiving her cyclic overhaul (1). By 12 March 1968 with the overhaul completed, the Snohomish County steamed to San Diego where the remainder of the month was spent in general upkeep, independent steaming exercises, and preparation for refresher training. Chop to COMFLETRAGRU San Diego occurred on 1 April, at which time the ship began 25 days of intense professional training (2). On 27 April after satisfactorily completing refresher training, the Snohomish County sailed for Newport, Oregon to participate in a community relations project celebrating Loyalty Day on 1 May. Open House was held for two days while 2500 people visited the ship (3). Upon completion of the Open House on 4 May 1968, the Snohomish County returned to San Diego and was immediately assigned to a ten day ecological survey with a marine biologist and an ornithologist from the Smithsonian Institute. The scientists were investigating bird population on several of the Channel Islands off the coast of Southern California, including Santa Catalina, Sam Miguel, and Santa Rosa. Terry Bovee, SN and Louis Fuentes, SN assisted the Smithsonian ecologists in collection of samples pertinent for their study. Upon conclusion of the ecological survey on 16 May , the Snohomish County conducted a week of operations with components of the Fifth Marine Division from Camp Pendelton, California. Personnel and equipment were transported from Del Mar Boat Basin to San Clemente Island where an amphibious beaching was made at Northwest Beach, Wilson Cove. The elements were then backloaded and returned to Camp Pendelton on 24 May. The following two weeks were spent in port San Diego, and by 10 June, the Snohomish County was prepared to enter Amphibious Refresher Training (4). Completion of AOTU on 21 June with a hard earned grade of "GOOD" was followed by the fourth week that the Snohomish County had spent in it’s Home Port since leaving the shipyard in March. On 29 June 1968, the Snohomish County was underway again, this time for Crescent City, California to participate in her second community relations project of the year. While in Crescent City the crew held Open House to 5000 people, and participated in the Independence Day celebration providing the Color Guard for the annual Fourth of July Parade (5). Enroute to San Diego from Crescent City, the Snohomish County stopped in San Francisco to pick up slings and cradle for the hydrofoil, USS TUCOMCAI (PGH-2). Upon arrival in San Diego on 10 July, she commenced preparations for her twelfth WestPac deployment to begin 4 September 1968. Having satisfactorily completed predeployment preparations and inspections, the Snohomish County was underway from San Diego enroute to the Republic of Vietnam in company with USS Holmes County (LST 836). On 29 September, Snohomish County chopped from First to Seventh Fleet, and on 23 October 1968, after stops in Pearl Harbor, Guam, and Subic Bay, the Snohomish County steamed into Da Nang Harbor, RVN, and was assigned to COMNAVSUPPACT Da Nang to provide logistic support. The Snohomish County began a logistics shuttle carrying bulk cargo, rolling stock, and personnel from Da Nang to CuaViet. |
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| C.O. Lt. James Wilson made an unplanned Beaching in this area. He called it a white knuckle time. (Click and read his comments) |
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| Run your mouse over the photo for more recent photo |
| SCRAP METAL RUN TO TAIWAN
Skipper Lt. Jim Wilson (67-69) I was always amazed at how much and what different cargos the LST's were tasked to haul - from supplies and military vehicles to entire cargo holds of beer, but the strangest one was hauling scrap iron to Taiwan. These were broken-down vehicles, machines and surplus equipment that had collected in Da Nang. They had to be dragged, pushed and scraped into the hold, then somehow secured for transit to Taiwan. Once there, the reverse occurred to clear the hold during offloading. What a mess to clean afterwards! But the crew did get a good R&R in Taiwan, so it was well worth it. Isn't this ironic? The Snohomish County delivered tons of scrap metal to Taiwan and then ended up as scrap metal itself in the same place only a couple of years later. Doubtful any shipmates onboard at the time of this delivery ever thought while making scrap runs to Taiwan the ship would end up there as scrap too. (ccb) |
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| This photo of Cua Viet, which was a very popular place in Vietnam, was furnished by Ken Van Kley who served on the ship during 1969-70. The photos were taken from the Conn lookout of the Snohomish County. I have read where there was a lot of incoming daily there, and in the distance you can see the effects of it According to the ship's log and historical records, the Snohomish County made two of the first LST beachings here in 1967. In the article written by the C.O., LT Wilson above, the changing boundaries of the channels made for white knuckle experiences. |
| Run your mouse over the picture for another view |
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| Vietnam - Fire Support when called upon !! (Photo from Bill Kapus) |
| 1967 The morning of 5 January 1967, USS SNOHOMISH COUNTY (LST-1126) departed San Diego for her third consecutive WestPac cruise in support of the military action in Vietnam in less than three years. The ship sailed alone as the sole member of Task Unit 16.8.8 although four other LST's were originally assigned to the unit but were unable, for one reason or another to deploy on time. Loaded out with USMC tracked landing vehicles and Project Handclasp material., SNOHOMISH departed CONUS for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the first leg of her crossing. SNOHOMISH utilized the two days in Pearl Harbor for procuring last minute supplies and spare parts known to be in short supply in Southeast Asia. The next stop was Naha, Okinawa after she departed Pearl Harbor on 8 January. After beaching at LST Ramp 3 in Naha on 8 February, she offloaded the USMC vehicles, the Project Handclasp material remaining on board for further transport to Vietnam. After two days in Okinawa, SNOHOMISH departed for Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines where she spent one week undergoing voyage repairs. On 23 February, SNOHOMISH beached at West Bridge LST Ramp, Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam and offloaded her cargo of Project Handclasp material. The ship was assigned the duties of shuttling vehicles, personnel, ammunition, and other materials between Da Nang and Chu Lai… While employed with this task, SNOHOMISH celebrated her 22nd year oŁ continuous commissioned service in the U. 5. Navy with a beaching in Chu Lai on 22 February.
On 14 . March 1967, she was selected by Commander Naval Support Activity, Da, Nang, to participate in the initial entry beaching of LST's in Cua Viet River Basin near Dong Ha, just south of the DMZ.. Because of increased hostilities in this area, essential military materials, especially ammunition was in desperate need by U.S. Marine Forces stationed in this area. SNOHOMISH made two of the First beachings at Cua Viet on 15 March and again on 22 March. The beaching on 15 March received national television and newspaper coverage for release in the United States. The ship continued shuttle operations until 24 March when she departed the war zone for a one day stop in Subic Bay and five days of rest and recreation in Hong Kong, B. C. C. Upon return to the war zone, SNOHOMISH, was assigned "resupply" ship for River Flotilla ONE Mekong Delta operations and was routed to Vung Tau, RVN. However, prior to arrival in Vung Tau on 2 May, the ship was directed COMNAVFORV to charge operational control to COMNAVSUPPACT SAIGON until such time As River Flotilla ONE operations were expanded. This change in operational control initiated Snohomish County into her second phase of support activities in Vietnam, that of river operations. Shuttle operations in the Delta and II, III, and lV Corps Areas were begun, with SNOHOMISH beaching several times at Qui Nhon., Cam Ranh Bay, Dong Tam, and Can Tho. At the completion of her riverine operations in the Delta, SNOHOMISH sailed, on 9 June 1967, for Keelung., Taiwan and three days of rest and recreation. Yokusaka Japan was the next port, with SNOHOMISH 1 arriving on 25 June for 14 days upkeep in preparation for departure from WestPac on 9 July. In company, with USS KEMPER COUNTY (LST 854), SNOHOMISH COUNTY ended its 1967 WestPac activities and sailed for Hawaii and participation in Corral Sands II Amphibious Exercise. After participating in all scheduled exercises, SNOHOMISH COUNTY sailed for its Home Port on 26 August. In September the ship was greeted in San Diego by anxiously waiting dependants and friends. While in San Diego, LT. Wilson relieved LT. CURLEE, becoming the thirteenth Commanding Officer of the ship. The year's work was not over, however; preparations for the Administrative inspection on 15 -16 October 1967 were begun almost immediately. With an overall grade of excellent for the inspection, SNOHOMISH began making plans for a long awaited overhaul period in the Long Beach Naval Shipyard, the first in three years. And even as the year was drawing to a close for SNOHOMISH COUNTY in Long Beach, plans were already being formulated for weeks of underway training in 1968 in preparation for SNOHOMISH's fourteenth deployment. |
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| Caroline County LST 525 Did a complete ship/Crew Swap |
| Cua Viet, after the war |
| AMTRAKS heading to the beach |
| Testing a new version Amphibious Assualt Vehicle Note the difference in speed |
| On the beach in Taiwan |
| Support is on the way |
| Commander paying a visit in the Philipines |
| Boat captain, Buck Owen |
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| Page County LST 1076 made a swap of many of the crew members to the Snohomish County and went back to the states |
| Marines and more Marines with equipment . coming, going |
| A crane was neccessary to keep the materials moving |
| Duty Free buying for those back home |
| Everything is okay, but send more goodies |
Vietnam traveling wall in San Diego, California |
| Vietnam Memorial Wall Washington, DC |
| Buck Owen - Deck force |
| NEW PHOTOS - VIETNAM DaNang, Cua Viet, Mekong Delta 1967 - 1969 (Furnished by Kenneth Van Kley) |
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| Sometimes the offical history furnished by the US Government is not always complete. Here's a bit of history that was left out in 1967. We were on our way back from our 1967 Westpac deployment, and upon arriving in Hawaii, we were selected to participate in an amphibious exercise, involving lots of ships, planes, and Marines. We had a number of tanks that we were supposed to run onto the beach of this seemingly uninhabited island somewhere in the Hawaiian chain. We lined up on the beach marker, but when we got close in, we ran aground on the reef. The surf slammed the ship onto the reef a number of times before we were able to successfully off-load all of the tanks, with the assistance of a bulldozer on the beach. I was on the tank deck, helping off-load those tanks. We were able to pull ourselves off the reef with the stern anchor, but one of the propeller shafts was bent so badly that it started a fire in one of the shaft alleys. We made it to Pearl City, and were put onto a marine rail there that pulled the ship totally out of the water. We were there about three weeks to have the bottom repaired. Most of us had not planned on an extended stay in Hawaii, and had sent most of our money home. We quickly ran out of funds so it was a long several weeks. (Ken Van Kley 1967-1969) |
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| This is either a "Signalman" giving a signal of sorts, or a member of the Crips or Bloods !!! (Photo furnished by Keck) |
| A familiar site coming into and leaving Da Nang. (Photo furnished by Keck) |
| Bridge in Da Nang 1968 (photo furnished by Keck) |
| Sailor in the Philippines --- Is that a monkey or Bosun up there? (Photo furnished by Keck) |
| Delivering a LCT back to the Philippines. (Photo furnished by Keck) |
| Sunset in the Philippines 1968-1969 (Photo furnished by Keck) |
| Hong Kong 1968-1969 - Looks the same year after year. (Photo by Keck) |
| Hong Kong and San Miguel headaches (Photo by Keck) |