30 Years ago was my last day In the Navy

Pecos said:
Today is the 30th anniversary of my last day in uniform. I had completed over 31 years of active duty and would turn 49 in a few days.

I looked very serious View attachment 192395during my last speech at my retirement.
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I want to ask about a rumor that was spread around after I arrived. I was told that this happened to a ship of men coming home from Vietnam.
I was told that one of the ships was returning from Vietnam and the men onboard where on deck dressed in whites. I guess it may have been some hippies, I was told, that they decided to empty buckets or red paint onto them as they sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge. Can you tell me if that was true? I can't find anything on the internet that supports that b.s.

Another question, if you don't mind: Did you ever serve on the Enterprise? If you did, I have two questions that I would like to send to you via a p.m. if you are ok with that. Besides that, did you serve in the South China Sea? I had heard that the Enterprise served off the coast of Vietnam while it was stationed at Dixie Station. True? Was it the only nuclear carrier at war in Vietnam?
 
Been There said:
I want to ask about a rumor that was spread around after I arrived. I was told that this happened to a ship of men coming home from Vietnam.
I was told that one of the ships was returning from Vietnam and the men onboard where on deck dressed in whites. I guess it may have been some hippies, I was told, that they decided to empty buckets or red paint onto them as they sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge. Can you tell me if that was true? I can't find anything on the internet that supports that b.s.

Another question, if you don't mind: Did you ever serve on the Enterprise? If you did, I have two questions that I would like to send to you via a p.m. if you are ok with that. Besides that, did you serve in the South China Sea? I had heard that the Enterprise served off the coast of Vietnam while it was stationed at Dixie Station. True? Was it the only nuclear carrier at war in Vietnam?
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I do not specifically remember the red paint incident, but it would not greatly surprise me at all. The San Francisco Bay area was a hot bed of anti-Vietnam War activity. My access to news was largely limited to the Stars and Stripes and getting it on a regular basis was problematic for me due to my assignments and TDYs. I was stationed on Treasure Island, San Francisco from mid1965 to mid 1966 and could see firsthand some of this activity, especially around Berkley and in San Francisco. But the paint incident might still have been a rumor for all that I know.

I never served on the Enterprise. I spent limited time aboard the old Bennington, the Nimitz. The Enterprise was our first nuclear carrier, and (to my knowledge) may very well have been the only one available during most of the Vietnam War. That design was dumped. It did come through Pearl Harbor when I worked in the shipyard as an E-6, but I did not install any electronics systems on it.

My two weeks on the old Bennington was miserable. The berthing compartment I was assigned to was unairconditioned and stayed around 90F. I pity those WWII sailors who had to go down and fight in the South Pacific during WWII.

I never did serve in the South China Sea and the closest I ever got was TDY trips to Subic Bay, and a 30-month assignment to Okinawa.
 
Been There said:
I want to ask about a rumor that was spread around after I arrived. I was told that this happened to a ship of men coming home from Vietnam.
I was told that one of the ships was returning from Vietnam and the men onboard where on deck dressed in whites. I guess it may have been some hippies, I was told, that they decided to empty buckets or red paint onto them as they sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge. Can you tell me if that was true? I can't find anything on the internet that supports that b.s.

Another question, if you don't mind: Did you ever serve on the Enterprise? If you did, I have two questions that I would like to send to you via a p.m. if you are ok with that. Besides that, did you serve in the South China Sea? I had heard that the Enterprise served off the coast of Vietnam while it was stationed at Dixie Station. True? Was it the only nuclear carrier at war in Vietnam?
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I spent three years on the Hancock CVA19 during Vietnam - South China sea, both Yankee and Dixie stations. My three years were in the engine rooms, last two as the Main Engines Officer. We were home ported in Alameda, so many trips under the Golden Gate Bridge — although I was usually in the Fwd Engine Room. Served 5 years, last two my pick of shore duty anywhere, my choice Rota Spain where I first heard the story of prisoners pushed out of helicopters. When I was discharged I returned to San Francisco and was exposed to more info about the War, and resigned my commission. The War was not popular in San Francisco, but I never heard a red paint story.
 
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ElCastor said:
I spent three years on the Hancock CVA19 during Vietnam - South China sea, both Yankee and Dixie stations. My three years were in the engine rooms, last two as the Main Engines Officer. We were home ported in Alameda, so many trips under the Golden Gate Bridge — although I was usually in the Fwd Engine Room. Served 5 years, last two my pick of shore duty anywhere, my choice Rota Spain where I first heard the story of prisoners pushed out of helicopters. When I was discharged I returned to San Francisco and was exposed to more info about the War, and resigned my commission. The War was not popular in San Francisco, but I never heard a red paint story.
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Yes, I wonder about some of the stories I heard from veterans.
 
Been There said:
Yes, I wonder about some of the stories I heard from veterans.
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I ran the 6th Fleet Brig in Rota during my last few months in the Navy. The guards were All Marines. The Brig officer I relieved heard the helicopter story from a Marine guard that had been transferred in from Nam. I have and had no reason not to believe him. Subsequent stories about the same thing tend to confirm the truth. After discharge and returning to San Francisco I began to read some very negative stuff about the war, remembered the story, and wrote the SecNav. Got a letter back assuring me that it was just a “sea story” — a tall tale, whereupon I resigned my Reserve commission. Glad I did.
 
During the Viet Nam war, my future husband was drafted by the Army. He didn't pass the physical so he tried joining the Navy. He passed the examination but was never sent to Viet Nam. He was always on a land Base. I have a great deal of respect for all our Veterans.
My Hubby when he was in the Navy, We got married when he was on leave.
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In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
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Come on now, people, make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
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Come on, protect the mother land
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Come on and join your fellow man
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Come on people, and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy
 
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