Re: Heard From An Old ASAer Today

[ABLE1 <somewhere@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 10/23/2018 12:15 AM, Jim Davis wrote:
> On Monday, October 22, 2018 at 10:24:57 PM UTC-4, ABLE1 wrote:
>>
>> Jim,
>> Not even going to try an top that.  Not possible.
>> My USN adventure was to be stationed on the 1st Fleet Flag ship out of
>> San Diego.  The deployed to the Yokosuka, Japan and took over the Flag
>> Ship for the 7th Fleet.  USS Providence CLG-6 with a compliment of 1000
>> guys along with Marine Detachment for security.  Where ever the Admiral
>> wanted to go, we went.  We went to ports in the Pacific that hadn't seen
>> a US ship since WWII. We were off the coast of Nam doing shore
>> bombardment............... a lot.  Once North of the DMZ we got into the
>> cross hairs of a gun that rolled out on the beach.  Got hit by one shell
>> that took out our surface radar scanner.  One month we were on line
>> lobbing shells until 4am on the 1st of the month so that the whole crew
>> could get Hazardous Duty Pay for the month, because were were not
>> scheduled back until the following month.  A grand total of $60 extra
>> for the months pay.  Crossed the equator in the South Pacific after a
>> visit to Singapore and Kawala Lumpor, Malaysa.  Took a weeks leave with
>> another guy and went to Tokyo.  Got lucky and took a tour of the
>> Emperor's Palace.
>>
>> About 2 years ago I requested my Military Records.  I read my medical
>> records and Evaluation Reports.  Especially one that was dated May 1967.
>> In it my Lieutenant that said that I had no initiative and lack of
>> interest, etc., etc.  Really a put down.  I thought WTF??  Then I looked
>> at the DATE, I was discharged 3 weeks later from Japan and went home.
>>
>> Well Duhhh!!!  He thought I should have taken the $2000 bonus and
>> shipped over for another 6 years............ well NOOOOOOO!!!
>>
>> Returned to Treasure Island, CA where I was discharged.  I was given a
>> check for $330 to buy a one-way plane ticket to Philadelphia.  I turned
>> it into Travelers Checks and used my thumb to get hope to Pennsylvania.
>> It took me 3 days and $20.75.  Biggest mistake of my life.  I got some
>> really good long rides.  I should have turned around and made a left or
>> a right turn along the way and made the trip last 30 days or so.
>>
>> I have been kicking myself ever since.  Even so it was quite the
>> adventure.  I would do it again if I was a lot younger........
>> Missed opportunities always hurt.
>>
>> So that's my condensed story, and I am sticking to IT.
>>
>> Have a good week.
>>
>> Les
>
> Even though I was on a three year holiday in paradise I always thought that I would have liked to do what you did. I'm thinking that if I had been stationed on a ship I just might have shipped over again.
>
> Reading your adventure I remembered another stroke of luck I had. I slid though my enlistment right between Laos and Viet Nam. There were no conflicts going on while I was in.  When my enlistment was up I checked in with the Executive Officer to see if I could ship over and stay on the island. With our specialized training we were entitled to stay in the Sub Sonar detection system but he said he could only guarantee 18 months. Knowing the Navy, I figured that some Yeoman up in COMSERVLANT would see where I was for the last 3 years and send me up to Nova Scotia for the rest of my tour. So, I opted out.
>
> On the way home on the plane I met a sweet young thing that was heading for Newark New Jersey. She was a recruiter for a brand new TV station that was just starting up and they needed people trained in communication electronics. I made a date to go and meet up with her and also apply for a job but somehow, I never did. ( I guess it was more about the girl then the Job :-))
>
> The kicker is â?¦. as it turned out, the TV station was WNET channel 13 that was just starting up as a public broadcasting station and which eventually became PBS. Who knows, I cuda been a contender !!! (to Quote Marlon Brando). or even a xekuative.
>

Well it seems that "we" have snagged Bob's post a bit.  Sorry Bob!!

Shoulda Woulda Coulda as it's said "Hindsight is always 20/20".

If I woulda shipped over I woulda stayed on board and finished the
cruise.  And I coulda have been on the trip home adn I would have
enjoyed New Zealand, Perth, Sydney, Tahiti, Tasmania,and Guam as well as
some others.  For those geo-challenged that would be cruise around
Australia just to get home to San Diego, CA USA.  I missed all of that.
It might have be different if I could have shipped over till the end of
the cruise.  I would have made 2nd Class PO or maybe even 1st Class. And
I might not have received a bad review by my Lieutenant.  LOL
I will never know.......................

Anyhow, all past memories.   Thanks for bringing them back.

Les