REUNION ASSOCIATION
GUESTBOOK
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Story of Fred H. Leighton
LOG by Harris Hauge S1/C
Dear Sir`s,
RE; Your Ship USS NAVARRO and the rescue Operation directed towards the HABIB MARIKAR
I was a crewman for six months during the course 1955 on this ship. At that time is was called the KING JAMES.
I am putting together a feature on the ships subsequent history for our local military society which has proved to be very varied.
I would like to ask your fellow members if any of them has any photographs of the rescue which took place on the 3rd November 1967 in the South China Sea which I may have a loan of
my e-mail address is john.b.nicholson@btinternet.com
my mailing address is John Nicholson, 46 Heather Drive, St Michaels, Tenterden, Kent. TN30 6PL United Kingdom.
Look foreword to hearing from you or any of your members direct.
Regards,
John Nicholson
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was onboard when PHIBRON 7 minus PA-208, sailed on an emergency deployment to Okinawa in 1961 - we anchored in Buchner Bay ready to load additional Marines. This happened during the Laos Crisis. We got a commendation for our response.
Bob Pyle
(then SA, SN, PN3)
PN1, USN-ret
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 30, 2008
Ralph M. Vitale
3510 E. Joppa Rd.
Parkville, Md. 21234
410-665-6262
Hello—Just found the “Navarro” web site. While on board I made many friends and have many unforgettable memories. After attending pipe fitters school in Norfolk, Virginia I was assigned to the U.S.S. Navarro in March of 1952 until late summer 1954. He are some that come to mind.
1. – I was on the Med cruise. We visited many countries and beautiful places. I have to locate the pictures around here somewhere. When we were preparing to leave Algiers, the crew on the M boat prematurely reversed the engines and the Captain’s Jeep went overboard. All Hell broke loose. After that it had to be disassembled and cleaned. Needless to say the Captain was not very happy that day. I still have the book from that trip.
2. – On one of our trips to the Caribbean, the Captain had his personal sail boat aboard and kept in number 4 hole. He went sailing for a couple of days while we were anchored. Upon his return, as the crew was lifting his vessel from the water, it crashed onto the gunnels. The crew was in hot water again and worked night and day to repair it.
3. – During rough water in the Caribbean, while transferring vehicles onto the LST we got too close and smacked together. No damage, but we had to check for leaks.
4. – Enjoyed swimming in the Caribbean with gunners on watch for sharks.
5. – Fished for Barracuda with gear made in our machine shop.
6. – While on shore patrol, I rescued a drunk buddy that came into a bar on horse back.
7. – Bought neat looking straw woven hats and baskets in Cuba that were devoured by termites before we got back to Norfolk.
Looking forward to joining this group and hopefully hearing from more of the crew.
Best Regards,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shipmates,
I was on board from mid 67 till Dec 68. I was on board for the rescue of the Habib Mirakia (sp?), a merchant ship that got hit by a typhoon.
I wonder if you can help me out. I am trying to fill in some blanks from an operation we were on with a Marine “ready group.” It is my memory that
we had a landing outside a village that was just over a sandy bluff. I was assigned as aft hook on an LCVP. From my memory (such as it is) a NVA
set off a smoke flare causing the first wave to get stuck on a sand bar. The heavy equipment was stuck on the bar. The Marines that went in were
met with strong resistance and many were killed. I also recall that marines had been stuck just off of the beach inland and suffered more
casualties that night from NVA troops that came through.
Am I crazy? Can you help me….
Thanks,
Ed Long, EM-3
Edward.Long@va.gov
edlong1247@aol.com
PS: I now work as a substance abuse therapist at the VA in Asheville , NC .
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm not sure that I'll get this completely correct, however, I, too, was on board during those dates. The ship in questions was a Brittish
Merchant with Red National Chinese and Brittish Officers. As I recall, we were enroute from Chinhae, Korea to on-load our Marine emergency
supplies (L-Form) and then report to Ready Group Bravo for duty off the Coast of Viet Nam. On our way to Okinawa we received an SOS from
this ship. It just happens that I was on the Bridge and had the CON when Captain Whitmire came up and ordered our couse to intercept the
ship in distress. She had gone aground on Lincoln Island in the Paracell Islands and was listing badly to Starboard. The seas were
teriffic. I was taking ocean spray all the way up onto the Flying Bridge. Every time the Navarro would crest, she would vibrate and then
crash back bow down. We arrived at Lincoln Island to find a bad situation. There were 3 or 4 other ships that answered the SOS as well.
They requested permission to proceed on duties assigned, but, Captain Whitmire required them to stand fast. We put our Mike Boats in the
water and started the rescue of these people. It was reported to me that the Sailors on that ship just leapt off their ship and into the
Mike Boats, a pretty far jump. That day, we rescued 43 of 44 persons. One drowned when he slipped out of his life vest. They were taken
down the the Coast of Viet Nam and off loaded.
We then sailed to the Phillipines before returning to our previous destination. By-the-way, the Typhoon was Typhoon Emma! Navarro made
the New york Times and the Navy Times with this rescue.
Now, as to the landing of which you speak, I believe the facts are as follows. We had already been assigned duty with Ready Group Bravo.
One night the seas became extremely rough. We took the Navarro down into Tin Shea Landing (sp) at Da Nang to ride out the weather.
During the night we were informed that the VC had over ran the city of Quaviet (sp). We hauled up the anchor and got under way to a point
approximately 1 mile off the coast and 1/2 mile south of the DMZ. One Company of Marines were transferred to the Valley Forge, an LPH and
our Flag Ship. They went in aboard helos and landed on the West side of the city. They suffered 50% casualties. Our 2nd Company of
Marines went in by our LCVPs, going up the river channel (Quaviet, I believe) and landed on the south side of the city. We didn't know it
at the time, but, 2 or 3 other companies came from inland and attack the VC from the West. They accomplished their mission, but, at a very
high cost. The city was retaken. I was, also, the Helo Safety Officer. Since we didn't have a landing pad for the Helos, they had to
hover over the fan tail in order to transfer the KIA's Sea Bags to the Valley Forge. This was a particularly dangerous opperation as the
ship's fan tail was rising and settleing in the rough seas. Had any of the Rotor Blades hit the ship, many of our personel could have been
injured or killed. I recall that our Dentist, Doctor, and several Corpmen were assisting with imbalming procedures aboard the Valley Forge.
It was not one of our better days.
Pardon me for giving more details than you probably wanted. It is, however, etched in my memory.
In loving memory of those who gave their lives for our freedom.
Ltjg Steve K. Bivin (during this period)
Cdr. Steve K. Bivin, USNR-Ret
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I left Navarro after three years in January 1965. I was Comm Officer. I returned to my home in South Carolina and shortly after that
moved to North Carolina where I worked for four years before entering law school in Tennessee . I returned here (home) in 1971.
I heard that Navarro went to Vietnam in April 1965 but I really never heard anything further. Your story is fascinating. I lived through
the horrible Vietnam years and like everyone else it changed my life. I was one of the fortunate ones. We “landed” troops in Bangkok in
1962 that were being sent into Laos . That’s the closest we got. Those were the Cold War years. Things got progressively worse and
worse over there. Seems like history is repeating itself today.
Take care.
Jim Hudgens
Spartanburg SC
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Story of Fred H. Leighton
LOG by Harris Hauge S1/C
Dear Sir`s,
RE; Your Ship USS NAVARRO and the rescue Operation directed towards the HABIB MARIKAR
I was a crewman for six months during the course 1955 on this ship. At that time is was called the KING JAMES.
I am putting together a feature on the ships subsequent history for our local military society which has proved to be very varied.
I would like to ask your fellow members if any of them has any photographs of the rescue which took place on the 3rd November 1967 in the South China Sea which I may have a loan of
my e-mail address is john.b.nicholson@btinternet.com
my mailing address is John Nicholson, 46 Heather Drive, St Michaels, Tenterden, Kent. TN30 6PL United Kingdom.
Look foreword to hearing from you or any of your members direct.
Regards,
John Nicholson
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was onboard when PHIBRON 7 minus PA-208, sailed on an emergency deployment to Okinawa in 1961 - we anchored in Buchner Bay ready to load additional Marines. This happened during the Laos Crisis. We got a commendation for our response.
Bob Pyle
(then SA, SN, PN3)
PN1, USN-ret
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 30, 2008
Ralph M. Vitale
3510 E. Joppa Rd.
Parkville, Md. 21234
410-665-6262
Hello—Just found the “Navarro” web site. While on board I made many friends and have many unforgettable memories. After attending pipe fitters school in Norfolk, Virginia I was assigned to the U.S.S. Navarro in March of 1952 until late summer 1954. He are some that come to mind.
1. – I was on the Med cruise. We visited many countries and beautiful places. I have to locate the pictures around here somewhere. When we were preparing to leave Algiers, the crew on the M boat prematurely reversed the engines and the Captain’s Jeep went overboard. All Hell broke loose. After that it had to be disassembled and cleaned. Needless to say the Captain was not very happy that day. I still have the book from that trip.
2. – On one of our trips to the Caribbean, the Captain had his personal sail boat aboard and kept in number 4 hole. He went sailing for a couple of days while we were anchored. Upon his return, as the crew was lifting his vessel from the water, it crashed onto the gunnels. The crew was in hot water again and worked night and day to repair it.
3. – During rough water in the Caribbean, while transferring vehicles onto the LST we got too close and smacked together. No damage, but we had to check for leaks.
4. – Enjoyed swimming in the Caribbean with gunners on watch for sharks.
5. – Fished for Barracuda with gear made in our machine shop.
6. – While on shore patrol, I rescued a drunk buddy that came into a bar on horse back.
7. – Bought neat looking straw woven hats and baskets in Cuba that were devoured by termites before we got back to Norfolk.
Looking forward to joining this group and hopefully hearing from more of the crew.
Best Regards,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shipmates,
I was on board from mid 67 till Dec 68. I was on board for the rescue of the Habib Mirakia (sp?), a merchant ship that got hit by a typhoon.
I wonder if you can help me out. I am trying to fill in some blanks from an operation we were on with a Marine “ready group.” It is my memory that
we had a landing outside a village that was just over a sandy bluff. I was assigned as aft hook on an LCVP. From my memory (such as it is) a NVA
set off a smoke flare causing the first wave to get stuck on a sand bar. The heavy equipment was stuck on the bar. The Marines that went in were
met with strong resistance and many were killed. I also recall that marines had been stuck just off of the beach inland and suffered more
casualties that night from NVA troops that came through.
Am I crazy? Can you help me….
Thanks,
Ed Long, EM-3
Edward.Long@va.gov
edlong1247@aol.com
PS: I now work as a substance abuse therapist at the VA in Asheville , NC .
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm not sure that I'll get this completely correct, however, I, too, was on board during those dates. The ship in questions was a Brittish
Merchant with Red National Chinese and Brittish Officers. As I recall, we were enroute from Chinhae, Korea to on-load our Marine emergency
supplies (L-Form) and then report to Ready Group Bravo for duty off the Coast of Viet Nam. On our way to Okinawa we received an SOS from
this ship. It just happens that I was on the Bridge and had the CON when Captain Whitmire came up and ordered our couse to intercept the
ship in distress. She had gone aground on Lincoln Island in the Paracell Islands and was listing badly to Starboard. The seas were
teriffic. I was taking ocean spray all the way up onto the Flying Bridge. Every time the Navarro would crest, she would vibrate and then
crash back bow down. We arrived at Lincoln Island to find a bad situation. There were 3 or 4 other ships that answered the SOS as well.
They requested permission to proceed on duties assigned, but, Captain Whitmire required them to stand fast. We put our Mike Boats in the
water and started the rescue of these people. It was reported to me that the Sailors on that ship just leapt off their ship and into the
Mike Boats, a pretty far jump. That day, we rescued 43 of 44 persons. One drowned when he slipped out of his life vest. They were taken
down the the Coast of Viet Nam and off loaded.
We then sailed to the Phillipines before returning to our previous destination. By-the-way, the Typhoon was Typhoon Emma! Navarro made
the New york Times and the Navy Times with this rescue.
Now, as to the landing of which you speak, I believe the facts are as follows. We had already been assigned duty with Ready Group Bravo.
One night the seas became extremely rough. We took the Navarro down into Tin Shea Landing (sp) at Da Nang to ride out the weather.
During the night we were informed that the VC had over ran the city of Quaviet (sp). We hauled up the anchor and got under way to a point
approximately 1 mile off the coast and 1/2 mile south of the DMZ. One Company of Marines were transferred to the Valley Forge, an LPH and
our Flag Ship. They went in aboard helos and landed on the West side of the city. They suffered 50% casualties. Our 2nd Company of
Marines went in by our LCVPs, going up the river channel (Quaviet, I believe) and landed on the south side of the city. We didn't know it
at the time, but, 2 or 3 other companies came from inland and attack the VC from the West. They accomplished their mission, but, at a very
high cost. The city was retaken. I was, also, the Helo Safety Officer. Since we didn't have a landing pad for the Helos, they had to
hover over the fan tail in order to transfer the KIA's Sea Bags to the Valley Forge. This was a particularly dangerous opperation as the
ship's fan tail was rising and settleing in the rough seas. Had any of the Rotor Blades hit the ship, many of our personel could have been
injured or killed. I recall that our Dentist, Doctor, and several Corpmen were assisting with imbalming procedures aboard the Valley Forge.
It was not one of our better days.
Pardon me for giving more details than you probably wanted. It is, however, etched in my memory.
In loving memory of those who gave their lives for our freedom.
Ltjg Steve K. Bivin (during this period)
Cdr. Steve K. Bivin, USNR-Ret
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I left Navarro after three years in January 1965. I was Comm Officer. I returned to my home in South Carolina and shortly after that
moved to North Carolina where I worked for four years before entering law school in Tennessee . I returned here (home) in 1971.
I heard that Navarro went to Vietnam in April 1965 but I really never heard anything further. Your story is fascinating. I lived through
the horrible Vietnam years and like everyone else it changed my life. I was one of the fortunate ones. We “landed” troops in Bangkok in
1962 that were being sent into Laos . That’s the closest we got. Those were the Cold War years. Things got progressively worse and
worse over there. Seems like history is repeating itself today.
Take care.
Jim Hudgens
Spartanburg SC
Story of Fred H. Leighton
LOG by Harris Hauge S1/C |
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