MikeC
Registered: 05/03/04
Posts: 7
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Reply with quote | #1 |
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I was a radioman aboard the Higbee from 1963 at Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard to 1965 in the middle of the Tonkin Gulf/South China Sea. I'd like to hear from any crewmen from that era.
In case you don't remember me, I was the RM3/RM2 who was seasick almost all the time. And when I wasn't seasick, I probably was in some kind of trouble with Chief Chinn. (After I got out of the Navy, I didn't go anywhere near an ocean for about 10 years.)
I am in contact with "Rod" Rodriguez from the radio gang. I also briefly got back in touch with Ray Heflin, who was an RM1 and my watch supervisor until I became an RM2. Unfortunately, he passed away last fall.
I am trying recapture a few of my memories of being on the Higbee, for my kids and grandkids. (My brain cells are aging and slowing down a bit!) So let me hear from you.
Thanks, Si Dunn
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Mike Clawson, ETN2, 1970-74 |
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MikeC
Registered: 05/03/04
Posts: 7
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Reply with quote | #2 |
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Dear Si: Saw your message, and do recall your name. I was aboard the boat from about April, 63 into June, 66. I left about a month before the ship was to return to the States.
I looked in my cruise book, however, was not able to find you in the photos of the various gangs, including the Radio Gang. I do remember your name, however, can't place a face with it. There was another Dunn in the Radar Gang, who I also remember.
I mostly hung around with Dave Wilson, Signalman; Keith Rupert, STG-2; Cliff Steinsultz FTG-3; and a few others. If you have a moment drop me a line.
Clinton H. Kammerer, formerly STG-3 (U.S.S. HIGBEE)
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Mike Clawson, ETN2, 1970-74 |
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MikeC
Registered: 05/03/04
Posts: 7
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Reply with quote | #3 |
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My name is Jim Cogswell. I was a Machinist Mate at Hunters Point and actually stayed on board from 62 until July of 1968, I do remember the name, but it has been a long time. Hope to see you at the reunion. If you look in the cruise book I was in the forward engine room.
Jim
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Mike Clawson, ETN2, 1970-74 |
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dojer
Registered: 08/25/07
Posts: 6
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Reply with quote | #4 |
My Name is Craig Hall and I came aboard the Higbee at Hunters point in 63. I was aboard until June of 65 when I was shipped stateside for discharge. I was JA phone talker for Captain Herzog and ships-service man. Herzog was a real winner!!! Do you remember him hitting every pier at almost every port we came into???
I was buddies with Stan Condon, Ithink he was machinist, and Tim Sleamon, was in ships office. Also sea rescue swimmer. Also ran around with Danny Kastle, Who wrote a song about the Lena S. Higbee.
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Craig R. Hall |
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BillB
Registered: 09/13/07
Posts: 1
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Reply with quote | #5 |
Hello, My name is Bill Bowers, I was aboard the Higbee during the Fram upgrade in Hunters Point Ca. I came on board as a MMFA and left as a MM1. I was in the Main Control ( FWD engine Rm). I can't rember to much of that time frame but I must Have had a heck of a time. I just thought I would say hello to all. I did retire from the Navy and currently living in Tn. |
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dojer
Registered: 08/25/07
Posts: 6
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Reply with quote | #6 |
Si: I think I remember you! Dark hair and dark framed glasses? Iwas in cic on the mark 5 radar
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Craig R. Hall |
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sidunn
Registered: 12/14/07
Posts: 3
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Reply with quote | #7 |
Yes, I had dark hair, wore dark-framed glasses and barely weighed 110 pounds, because I was seasick a lot. I often carried the radio message boards up to the bridge, particularly during the Tonkin Gulf times, because there was so much urgent stuff going on. |
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sidunn
Registered: 12/14/07
Posts: 3
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Reply with quote | #8 |
By the way, I am trying to write my memoirs, and want them to be as accurate as possible.
It has been a LONG time since this stuff happened. And it's easy for fact and imagination and fiction to all get blended. Do any of you remember an incident in August 1964 right after we got to the Tonkin Gulf and near the coast of North Vietnam for the first time? In my mind, I remember that we were sent on a short lmission to try to rescue a pilot who had been shot down during the first bombing raid after the Tonkin Gulf incidents. Some planes had been sent from carriers to bomb the PT boat docks and oil storage facility at Vinh. And a couple of them got shot down. I seem to recall that the Higbee was sent very close to the coastline, so close that we could see the beach and trees and people standing on the beach watching us. We also could see a big column of smoke rising in the distance. As I remember it, the plan was to put the motor whaleboat in the water and send a small team to see if we could find the pilot. I was supposed to be the radio operator, but the radio wouldn't work, and everything quickly got canceled anyway, when COMSEVENTHFLT figured out the pilot had been captured.
Do any of you happen to remember a mission like that, or is it just my memory playing old-age tricks on me?
Thanks!
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sidunn
Registered: 12/14/07
Posts: 3
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Reply with quote | #9 |
The incident mentioned above may or may NOT have happened. I've had emails from Higbee crewmen who say they sorta remember it and from a former officer (who would have been very much in the know) saying that it never happened. The ship's log makes no mention of it. But the ship's log also didn't record the May '65 UNREP when I was highlined off the Higbee to go home as my enlistment was ending.
I am now writing a book about 1964-65 in the South China Sea and Tonkin Gulf. I would love to hear from any Higbee shipmates who have some tales to tell about being at sea during the operations between August, 1964, and May, 1965.
Thanks!
Si Dunn
http://www.sagecreekproductions.com
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dojer
Registered: 08/25/07
Posts: 6
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Reply with quote | #10 |
Quote: Originally Posted by sidunn
By the way, I am trying to write my memoirs, and want them to be as accurate as possible.
It has been a LONG time since this stuff happened. And it's easy for fact and imagination and fiction to all get blended. Do any of you remember an incident in August 1964 right after we got to the Tonkin Gulf and near the coast of North Vietnam for the first time? In my mind, I remember that we were sent on a short lmission to try to rescue a pilot who had been shot down during the first bombing raid after the Tonkin Gulf incidents. Some planes had been sent from carriers to bomb the PT boat docks and oil storage facility at Vinh. And a couple of them got shot down. I seem to recall that the Higbee was sent very close to the coastline, so close that we could see the beach and trees and people standing on the beach watching us. We also could see a big column of smoke rising in the distance. As I remember it, the plan was to put the motor whaleboat in the water and send a small team to see if we could find the pilot. I was supposed to be the radio operator, but the radio wouldn't work, and everything quickly got canceled anyway, when COMSEVENTHFLT figured out the pilot had been captured.
Do any of you happen to remember a mission like that, or is it just my memory playing old-age tricks on me?
Thanks!
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Craig R. Hall |
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dojer
Registered: 08/25/07
Posts: 6
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Reply with quote | #11 |
I remember having to go to Captains Mass in 1965 in front of Captain Hersog. He asked me why I didn't take 3rd class exam and I told him I was to short to take it. he gave me 30 days restriction and 30 days labor. it took me 39 days to read half of the books in the ships library and two days to give it a new coat of paint. I also remeber painting the ships laundry JP 5 purple!!
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Craig R. Hall |
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