U.S.S. Lyman K. Swenson

Ron Smith · 01-16-2010, 12:48 PM

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

01-16-2010, 12:48 PM	#1
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	U.S.S. Lyman K. Swenson 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 Attached Thumbnails Attached Images __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...