U.S.S. Lyman K. Swenson

[Ron Smith]

Getting ready for my first ship's reunion in September, if all goes well. And thought that I would post a couple of photos of the old girl.

Second one is a photo taken by our spotter plane while we were taking out NVA shore batteries in '69.

Our call sign was "Rubber Ducky". We would patrol within 1000 meters of the shore line trying to decoy them into firing at us.

The plan was that the spotter would see them immediately and give us time to zero in before they could bracket the ship. We had a couple of near misses, but they never connected, we did. In the event that we got into trouble, the U.S.S. New Jersey was stationed a mile seaward of us, and would open up so we could get the hell out.

The first photo is at Pearl Harbor to refuel on our way home in '70. I worked in the forward engine room (Main Control).

The Swenson was commissioned in '44 and decommissioned shortly after we returned in '70. She served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam and was highly decorated. She was tired and deserved a rest.

If anyone recalls the Progressive Insurance commercial at Christmas where Santa comes in to get insurance for his "vehicle"? Santa is Donovan "Scottie" Scott. He was our ship's Corpsman, a great guy and good friend. He took good care of us. He's appeared in several TV shows and Movies, and runs an actor's school in CA. I hope to see him at the reunion. Without doubt, one of the funniest guys I've ever met. He kept us laughing when there wasn't much to laugh about.

Ron

[HuntMaster]

Thanks for the pics, and a big THANK YOU for your service, Ron.
I have an Uncle who was a Seargent in the Army ,and served 2 tours in Vietnam in Infantry.
Always have admired him.

[Ron Smith]

Hi Derek,

Thanks, but was just doing what we thought was right. I spent my second tour in the Mekong Delta on a Tango boat after the Swenson was decommissioned.

Ron

[Jasta2]

My brother, James Butcher served aboard two destroyers starting in mid 60's. His 1st was the USS Brush ( think that is spelled correctly) a older boat. He provided 5' fire support off Vietnam, then to school and aboard the USS Simpson (Samson?), a guided missel destroyer. Sadley he died at the age of 57 a few years back, but he always talked of his service. My 20 years in the USCG, I served only aboard one ship as a seaman. A WW2 boat converted into a Bouy Tender of of Curtis Bay,Md.
Bill

[lfid]

Ron,

interesting - first time Ive seen any references to NVA shore batterys - did they ever hit anything ?

cool action picture of the ship

thanks for sharing the experience a bit

Bill

[Ron Smith]

"did they ever hit anything ?"

Bill "Ifid",

Yes they did. Our sister ship U.S.S. Mansfield DD728 took a direct hit, killing one crewman. And the U.S.S. Buchanan got hit in '72 with a few casualties. I think there were a couple of others, but can't recall at the moment.

The mess deck (dining room) was directly behind mount 52 (second 5" gun mount), everytime the guns fired it rained paint chips, and whatever you were drinking would splash out of the glass or cup. You had to eat leaning over the table to keep them out of your food as best you could. And had to hold your cup in your hand.

Ron

[FNorm]

Ron!

I remember youse guys! I was a P3 driver in 'Operation Market time" We worked with 5 DDs up and down the coast.

One other call sign I remember was 'Bent Fender'.

We used to drop sonobouy tubes full of newspapers and mags to the DDs. Called it 'Gold Dust'.

I was there from Oct '65, to Aug -Sept '66.

What class was your DD?

Fred

[Ron Smith]

"What class was your DD?"

Hi Fred,

It was a Sumner Class 2250. Desron 17 out of San Diego.

Me standing watch on the main reduction gears. And my duty station the " Main Evaporators" turning salt water into fresh water. The average ambient temperature where this was taken was about 150 degrees. It was a glamorous job.

Ron

[tenbears]

Fred;
Most people did not know that the Coast Guard was in Vietnam even today.

[Ron Smith]

There were lots of Coast Guard ships in Vietnam. And yes, most people aren't aware of it.

[Ron Wood]

"It was a glamorous job"

I wondered how you ended up so good looking. But I don't think even glamorous job would have helped my looks. I was considered a REMF, not very exciting. Only got shot at once.

[Jasta2]

The most well known Coast Guard in Vietnam was "Squadron One". Mostly small boat duty. While I was staioned in Curtis Bay, Md ( the home of the Coast Guard's shipyard) in 1969, they were building Coast Guard class 82ft boats for service in Vietnam. Most were turned over to South Vietnam. I wonder if there are any still in service now?
Bill

[Jasta2]

Fred,
By other brother served aboard a 'LST' out of Norfolk, Va for 3 years. He to was a 'snipe', but after three years got out as only a FA! MMM??? guess he did not like the Navy!

[Mike B]

Greetings,
I did not have the privldege of serving in the military. However my older sister's husband had a very interesting few years in the Navy. He was very young when he enlisted in the early 1940's. He had one overseas assignment, but as he related his story to me, it proved to be very memorable. He was a radio technician stationed in Pearl Harbor late in 1941. His duty was to man an antenna position on one the highest points on the island. He would be there for about a week and then relieved and then back on top of the mountain again. On that infamous day in December of 1941, he heard the sounds of many aircraft. Not knowing what they were, he just looked in awe. He quickly noticed one of the airplanes was heading straight for his position with guns blazing. Not knowing what was going on, he headed for cover. The shooting destroyed all the radio equipment. Then all hell broke loose quite a ways from his shack. Not having any method of communication, he just watched in awe as smoke billowed below. He passed away a few years back, but I always enjoyed his stories. Here is his picture back then.

[tomaustin]

pearl harbor story. he was a school teacher in the local pearl harbor area. he and his wife were on their porch having coffee and breakfast overlooking the bay....front row seat for the terror to follow. as many, they first thought it was a training exercise...that quickly changed...when the attack was over, they went down the hills to help..they were devastated by what they saw..the memories were still very real to them...at this time, we all lived in greenwood, mississippi........

[Ferley]

Ron Smith, what Tango boat were you on in the delta?
I was boat captain on ASPB 131-1. Spent most of our time down in the south in the U Minh Forest.
Even made the front page of the Stars & Stripes.
Ferlet

[dond]

Hey Ron,
Was stationed on USS Berkeley (DDG-15) from ’69– 71. Our WesPac ’70 Cruise also included NGFS (Naval Gunfire Support Unit) along the coast of Vietnam (over 7500 rounds fired!) as well as “plane guard” (escort destroyer) for the USS Constellation (CVA-64) and the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43). We provided close-in missile support for the carriers conducting air strike and support missions over Southeast Asia. We performed three search and rescue (SAR) missions for downed aviators. Unfortunately, we never found any. We did find and recover the wreckage of an AWACS aircraft.
Interesting that your rate included “turning salt water into fresh water”. Did you know that about twice as many sailors as “on the ground” troops suffer from the consequences of Agent Orange? It is believed that the runoff waters into the rivers and bays and then were desalinated are the cause. The VA has a list of “Presumptive Diseases” that cover sailors. Unfortunately, I have two of these – Diabetes II and CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) and have been unable to work for the last two and one half years. The VA won’t pay disability claims as it has a “boots on the ground” clause, even though NGFS ships often were in inland waterways (Berkeley shelled inside Da Nang Harbor when it was very “hot”). There is a bill in Congress (HR-2254) that hopefully corrects this problem. If you or any of your shipmates are having medical problems related to this, check out the Blue Water Navy site…http://www.bluewaternavy.org/
Ron, thanks for bringing some good (and some not so good!) memories back to me. Good to hear from a “Tin Can” sailor!
Best Regards, Don
PS After a stint in the Greek Navy, Berkeley was scrapped. A sad day!

[Ron Smith]

Hi Don,

I remember the Berkeley. We were on Ref-Tra and Economy runs together, if I recall correctly. We ran plane guard for the Bonnie Dick. Had to pick up a Vigilante Bomber crew when they stalled on take-off. I remember the Greeks, Spaniards and Turks(scarey SOBs) wondering around 32nd Street NavSta when they were turning over ships to them. I think the Swenson went to Turkey after decommissioning.

I've heard about the Agent Orange thing, but assumed they would just bury it. Sorry to hear about your problems. I worked with a retired Air Force Sargeant who was a crew chief on a C-130 "Orange Bomber". He had every medical problem you could think of, and finally had to go out on disability.

"Ferly",

I was the Boat Engineer on ATC "Tango" 152-8 at Vinh Long and later at My Tho. Hauled Marines , ran interdiction and water hazard patrols.

Ron

[wlyon]

Another "tin can" sailor, USS Murray DDE 576 ( converted 2250 WW2 class to anti sub) Sonarman 2 class, 1953 t0 1957. The real Navy!. Bill

[Ron Smith]

Hey Bill,

I knew there was something I liked about you.

Ron