Preparing for NAM

Pre Vietnam Training:

   In early January 1968, I reported to US Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado California, “West Coast home of the US Navy SEAL’s  for pre Vietnam training. Coronado is just south of the  US Naval Air Station, North Island on San Diego’s Silver Strand. It was very interesting to see the SEAL’s training, and I knew I would never try it lol I had a friend try it but he rang out early, and he was a pretty stout guy.

   My training was to be three weeks during which I would be indoctrinated into the language and culture of Vietnam.  I was staying with Pat & Sam, and most  evenings  I would catch a ride to North Island to meet up with Sam and we would ride the “Nickel Snatcher” across the bay to where his car was parked. Some days I would just hop on. the LCU “Liberty Boat” out of ‘Phib base.

   During training I was scheduled to go through the “Survival School” in Warner Springs for Survival, Evasion, Resistance, & Escape. “S.E.R.E” I had heard horror stories about SERE, and seen a few guys that had returned with multiple bruises.  They even had a replica POW compound where they would teach you resistance and how to attempt an escape. But when you got caught they treated you like a real captured escapee.  I was both anticipating and dreading this little adventure.  Early in our indoctrination we learned that the SERE class was now a 3 day classroom event. If you passed the written exam after the lessons you did not have to go to wonderful Warner Springs. If you however failed the exam, you were given a second exam and if you failed twice, you were awarded with  a week long stay at the Warner Springs Resort. Needless to say I passed on the first try.

   One week of our training was Weapons Training at the US Marine Base Camp Pendleton .  W boarder charter buses at Amphibious Base, and headed to Camp Pendleton, upon arrival we were greeted by a very testy Gunnery Sergeant that informed us how we would act while on HIS base One point he made clear was that since many  Chiefs and Petty Officers wore collar devices, we would most likely receive hand salutes from the young marines  stationed there. When this happened we were to smartly return said salute without any remarks, or gestures or we would be his guest for two weeks of Marine Boot Camp.

     Weapons training was a highlight of my Naval service, we were instructed in the breaking down cleaning, and reassembly of the M16 and the M1911, and other weapons we might be using in Vietnam,. Then we were taken to the range to be shown the proper way to use each weapon.  My favorite was the M79 aka “Blooper”, a shotgun looking 40 mm grenade launcher. It was a single shot, break apart loading heavy duty weapon for short distance.  When it was time to shoot we were given 3 rounds, and told to shoot them at the car bodies on the next hill.  I was lucky enough to be one of the early shooters, and my first shot fell about 3 yards short of the target. But both other shots were  dead on and it was quite a feeling to watch the car body ripped apart. We also shot the M16 & M1911, where I was not as good, but did hit the target a few times with each. While we were training on the M1911, 45 caliber pistol, an Ensign right out of the Academy was taking his turn, and after the first shot the recoil caused his hands to go straight up in the air where he again  pulled the trigger and this continued until the magazine was empty. Thankfully no one was injured in the incident, but it was not the last time he would have a problem.

Another of my favorite activities was learning to throw the hand grenade. After our demonstration we were each given 2 practice and one live grenade to throw.  I did as good as anyone at this, but our favorite ensign stepped up and threw his two practice grenades  like he was shown, but when he got the live one he got nervous and it barely went down range. The Sergeant yelled “Hit the DIRT” and we all dove to the ground. We were  peppered  with dirt and dust but otherwise unharmed. 

   Other weapons we were instructed on were 30 and 50 caliber machine guns, and mortars. One day as we were sitting in the bleachers getting our instructions, I think it was on mortars, we heard a whistling sound overhead and watched an explosion on the next hill. We found it quite entertaining until the Sergeant  grabbed the field phone and started screaming at some one. It seems that another training group was shooting in the wrong direction. Can we say OOPS??.

   After my pre-nam training, I was given another 14 days to report to my flight for US Naval Support Activity, Da Nang, Vietnam, Republic Of.  I headed for Tucson to visit with my Sister Geneva and her Hubby, Allen Kendal Armstrong, US Air Force.  When I got there I was informed that Allen would be joining me in Da Nang, in six months. He had received  orders to US Air Force base Da Nang.

Midway to Da Nang Vietnam.

  I left Midway in late December, but before Christmas. Packed me an imperial gallon of liquor (5-fifths)
boarded the flight to Honolulu, and caught a commercial flight to San Diego.  On the flight to DAgo, we were limited to how many drinks we could by, and the fact that I was only 20 didn't help much either. I wanted some more so I asked the stewardess, "If i was to share my bottle with my friends would there be a problem?", she said as long as we kept the bottle out of sight and didn't get too rowdy, she would turn her back and sell us cokes LOL, I broke out a bottle of Bacardi 151, and the party began. there were 4 or 5 of us returning from Midway together , and a few civilians in seats around and between us. and we were happy to share lol. Everyone had a good time and the flight went by quickly. Arriving at San Diego International, I found my Sister Pat, and my Mom waiting to greet me.  I had 14 days leave and spent it between Pat's house in San Diego, and Dad's house in Holtville. Dad had moved his girlfriend in after I moved out and she and I did not see eye to eye, so most of it was spent in San Diego.  I had went to Dad's,  which I might add was a house I had helped pay rent on for over a year, and was shining my shoes in the Kitched when she  informed me that we did not put our shoes on the table in this house!!, I not very  polietly informed her that although she was my dad's bed partner she was not my Boss. She went to dad and all he said was "Son I know she can be annoying bur for my sake please try to get along with her.." I called my Best Friend Jerry Butler, and he drove me back to San Diego to Pat's the same day. My Sister Phyllis and her family were coming to Dad's for Christmas, so I decided to stay at Pat's and wait until all the Family was going down to Dad's.   Phyllis, Chuck, and their three Kids arrived at Pat's first so we could all go down together.  I might explain that my sisters were also not fond of Dad's girl friend lol, and the kids would say, "We are going to Grandpa's and Vivian's, and the girls would reply, It Grandpa's house, not Vivian's. well the first afternoon we were there I was left to Babysit the 6 grandkids, while Dad was at work and the adults went out shopping. SSOO that left me, Vivian, and 6 children 5 and under.  Well Vivian said something about "Her House", and  one of the little one replied "This ain't your house, Its PawPa's house!" I got a really dirty look but she said nothing so I was good with it. LOLI never did tell her I hadn't taught them that, she figured I did and since I was not here favorite, I took the heat for my sisters. lol..Christmas came and went, and I headed back to San diego with Pat & Sam. and finished my leave there.   In January 1969,  I reported to Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, for my pre-Vietnam training.   I split my time there between staying at the barracks, and going to PAt & Sams for the weekend.

The Rest of My Thoughts on Midway Island

Gooney Birds:   The main "Native" of Midway Atoll was the Laysan Albatross. AKA Gooney Bird. They were very graceful in flight, but take off and landing were awkward. always landing and crashing on their face, and they needed a runway to get airborne.  They were a Protected species, and if you got caught doing anything to them you would get arrested.  I was a country boy and I learned to sneak up behind them on their nest and tuck their heads under their wings and put them to sleep like a chicken. It was a challenge as they could do some damage with their beaks and feet.  One evening I managed to grab two of them and walked to the barracks with one under each arm. I was met at the door by the Duty Petty Officer, and he informed me if I let them go I would not be arrested for "Molesting the Goonies.".
    The Goonies had quite a mating ritual and we learned to mock it. walking around in circles facing each other, our arms tucked at our sides like wings flapping them and bobbing our heads up and down, then stretching our necks head way back making their honking sound. We would always do this when newbies came aboard.  One night a party from the St. Louis Zoo came to capture some to try to put in their zoo. I volunteered and we caught maybe 6 or 8. But they cannot be kept in captivity.

Freaking out Newbies::  We had a Jewish guy named Myra and an Italian named Mento, they loved to freak out newbies by acting gay. but not right out in public. 1. A bunch of us invited some newbies to a card game in our cubicle. We had a day sleeper in our cube and his rack had a blanket hanging to block the light. Well Myra and Mento had climbed into the bunk and were waiting. Soon they started whispering things.  and making kissing sounds. rocking the bunk. The Older guys just kept playing cards and the newbies kept looking at the bunk, and making weird faces. Well the Duty Officer picked this time to make an appearance, and Myra and Mento couldn't help but bust up laughing. He pulled the blanket back and they had to explain their actions. Another time 3 newbies reserves arrived, college students, they were all placed in the same cube, and that night Myra and Mento went into their act outside that cube.  All along the barracks heads were watching over the top walls of the cubes to see the show, It took a while but all of a sudden there heads popped over the cubicle wall to see the guys standing about 3 feet apart kissing the back of their hands and talking dirty.. we all bust out laughing.

The Beach::  Midway had a beautiful white sand beach. Swimming was great, and snorkeling was a blast. Next to the Club it was the best place on Midway.Sun and Sand year round. Fishing was good, and we had a great recreation area there. Picnics and Parties, Steaks and Hot Dogs. Boston Whaler boats were available to rent. It was truly a pacific paradise. After bad weather we would walk all around the shoreline and find things washed up. Debris from the ocean, from passing ships, and all the way from Japan and other places. Saki Bottles, pop bottles, beer bottles, floats of many kinds. Our Favorite was the "Fish Balls" and before you say "I didn't know they had any!" these were glass balls used to float fishing nets by the Japanese.

We would gather these and "Net" them in Macrame and sell them to others. Going prices was $1.00 an Inch by circumference. The biggest I netted was 50" around.  They would come in different sizes and shapes.

Stories:  I was sitting in my cube, listening to country music. I was an SKSN (E-3) at the time. The Duty PO was an SK3, the same one I had had run ins with before. He came to my cube, and said "I Can't believe you listen to the Shit!!" I explained that this was My music I had grown up with and I enjoyed it. I understood he was a college kid from New York and had different tastes. He said "Well You could try to  BETTER Yourself!!"    That did it I jumped up grabbed him by the neck threw him against the wall with his feet barely touching and explained to him. "If you ever try to say you are better than me because of my raising, I will kick your freaking a$& . You may be a college student,  from NY but you are no better than anyone else on this base!!" I dropped him he hit the floor and I walked away. He said nothing more and after that he was a nicer guy.

  I grew up a lot on Midway, taught some and learned some, and when I returned I realized I was now taller than my dad.  It was an interesting year and I have great memories from it.

Liberty on Midway Island.

  There were no "Natives" on Midway, just US Military Personnel. No locals, no nothing. There fore any young ladies were dependants of E-5 and up, and most were too young to date also. It was said and I came to believe it that when a young lady turned 18 she was removed from the Island.  On Midway since it was one big military installation, we had what you would have on most stateside bases. Base Theater, Bowling, Library, and of course, 4 "Clubs"  The "Enlisted Men's Club, the Acey-Ducey, the CPO Club and the Officers club.  This was where most of us could be found.  A lot of us were under 21, but we were allowed to drink beer anyway, so the EM Club was divided into the beer side and the "21" side. A guard at the  door of the 21 side would check your ID before letting you in to get hard liquor.  But many times these guards were very lax in their duties, lol. Once I walked up and the guard asked "How old are you?" I replied "Old Enough!" and he let me in. and many times they just sat their and let you walk in without checking.  I was 19 and turned 20 on Midway.   I guess you could say I learned to "hold my Liquor" on Midway, but what I should have learned is that I was an budding alcoholic.  I got sick may times at first, and at one point gave up drinking for a period of about 90 days. But then my Birthday came around, two others in my division had the same birthday, and we had agreed to have a big party on our big day. I tried to back out but gave in to the peer pressure and away we went.  We had a heck of a big blast and I did not get sick, and it was the beginning of my long battle with alcohol.
     Every so often they would have a live band at the club, and of course it would be packed. One evening we had gotten pretty wasted, and the last song played was the "bunny Hop". Well we the members of the Supply division bunny hopped all the way back to our barracks, and then someone came up with the bright idea of going skinny dippin at the beach. (and NO it wasn't me) We grabbed our trunks and headed to the EM Beach where about 30-35 sailors stripped to their birthday suits and started having a naked beach party.  Bolten and I were found wading about chest deep saying "Here Sharky...Here Sharky!!  By "Harry "Big Red" Ovitt, and escorted back to the beach. Shortly the Shore Patrol arrived, made us get dressed and escorted us back to Charlie Barracks, where we were all under house arrest until our division could deal with us the next day. We got our butts chewed out and things were back to normal.
     Another outlet were "Division Parties" where they would buy all the beer we could drink, and grill steaks with all the side dishes and let us blow off some steam. At one of these parties we were using the CPO Club as it was near the beach. Our Aviation Storekeeper Chief, Chief Sparks, had his family there, and he had a daughter about 12 or 13. she was constantly flirting with the sailors, but most of us were ignoring us. I got pretty drunk and went to the barracks, when I was awoken to be told my best friend had been arrested for rape. I went to the brig and was allowed to visit him and got his side of the story. He had too many and thing heated up between him and the girl, and they went off into the bushes to make out. He had indeed pulled her bottoms off and was playing with her when her brother came near and called her name, well she yelled "Rape" and he was arrested.  I have never forgotten that day, and I still feel that she was a willing participant in all activities that day but he was stupid because she was way too young.  Chief Sparks was a friend of mine as was the sailor charged. The day after the party I was scheduled to go to Chief's house to help with some painting, and of course he started about my friend. I said Chief I was not there so I have nothing to say about it. Chiefs wife, got me to the side, and asked me if I had seen the daughter flirting around that afternoon, and I told her the truth, yes she was flirting with a lot of the guys. Well that was of no matter as he had admitted fondling her, and he was sentenced to 6 months in the brig in Hawaii, and a bad conduct discharge. His life screwed up over a young tart, and alcohol. He was a great guy and I have always prayed for him to over come this incident and have a successful life.
      I spent a lot of time at the beach, did some fishing and some skin diving. worked a lot and the rest of my time was at the club. In December I was scheduled for rotation, as they were planning the division Christmas party, and at muster, SK1 Evans was going over the party supplies needed. He came to me and I informed him that I would be gone before the party, then he came to Harry, and Harry was going to be gone also so Evens made the Statement "If little Red and Big Red are going to be gone then we can cut the beer supply in half".. I had earned the reputation that would follow me for the next 12 years. A hard drinking party person.  I had always wanted to be like my Dad and I had made it. 

Work Related, Duty Section!

    Work life at NavSta Midway was basically just like having a job.  Report to work in the Morning, leave at quiting time.  Unless you were in that days "Duty Section" !  If it was your day to stand the duty, at quiting time you reported to the duty office. There were 3 major duty positions to be filled. Duty Storekeeper, Assistant Duty Storekeeper, and Duty Driver.  Duty SK was in charge, usually a third class but sometimes a Seaman.  They were responsible for keeping the duty log, and making sure any emergency issues were properly documented. At times that meant getting up in the middle of the night to go to the Airstation, and get paperwork signed for the Aircraft Refuelers when a Non-Midway flight refueled. at times commercial aircraft would be diverted to Midway because of weather or other problems at Wake or another atoll in the area.We liked this because commercial airlines meant pretty stewardess.
    Assistant SK is pretty basic, he helped the Duty SK, and when the Duty SK was not in the office he was in charge. Then there was Duty Driver, He made messenger runs to the communications  center, checked the security on the reefers and various out buildings. and also kept a log of the reefer temperatures. If a unit was too warm he would go get the Duty SK and they would investigate.  If necessary they would inform the Duty Section Leader, a First or Second Class SK.
    The duty driver was the only member of the duty section to have duties in the workday part of the day. He was the Messenger, Picked up the Mail if we had a Mail Call, and made coffee for the ladies in the office. Also if we had a VIP coming in on on the bi-weekly flight he was chauffeur. I was the Duty Driver the day a new Ensign reported to the Supply Department. I waited for the "Log Flight" to arrive at Midway International, and checked out all  the new Officers. I saw a young man with the supply oak leaf insignia, and approached him. I asked "Ensign Walischien?" (sp) and he said Yes!. I introduced my self as Storekeeper Seaman Apprentice Dickey at you service SIR!!"   He introduced me to his wife, and WOW She was a good lookin lady.and wearing a short skirt.  Keep in mind there were only dependents! NO natives. Well I was impressed lol. I loaded there luggage onto the 3/4 ton Flatbed Ford, and opened the passenger door for them. When I got into the truck, There were her legs right by the 4-speed. DDANG. I composed myself and drove them to their quarters and was real careful when I shifted.  I carried their luggage in and saluted smartly and left. As it turns out They and I became good friends. I was invited to their quarters on occasion to have dinner, and visit. He was in charge of my area, and she worked as a Secretary in the office. I still remember her as one of the nicest prettiest ladies I have ever met. He was a great officer, and coached our department Baseball team. at our first game he informed us that he had reserved the back room of the EM Club for our Victory party! I replied what if we lose? He replied then we will go drown our sorrows. We did a little of each during the season but always had a team party and good time after.
     As the duty section you had to stay overnight in the warehouse. we had a small cubicle by the office, and there was one single bed and 1 bunk bed. At one point my Friend Howie Collins, was usually Duty SK, I was Assistant, and a black man  named Sweat! was our duty driver. we kept this group together because we mad a good team, and we enjoyed each others friendship. Sweat was easily frightened. And Howie and I were always ready to scare him.  Howie was on the single rack, and I was on the lower bunk when Howie started telling scary stories. I waited until Sweat was totally engrossed in Howie's story, and slid my hand up the wall and just as Howie yelled, I goosed Sweat in the back. He wound up in bed with Howie LMAO. I thought he was going to kill me. Another time Howie deliberately left a light on in the front office, he asked Sweat to go turn it off. Well along the aisle going to the office were rows of shelves for supplies. I grabbed a bed sheet, and covered with it, and waited. As Sweat was walking back, Howie was talking to him to assure him, Howie said the secret word (LOL) and I jumped out covered with the sheet. I though he was going to have a heart attack.  We made the duty very fun.

Midway Island Supply Department.

    I was in transit for a few days, probably a week, and was assigned to work in the Disbursing Office. I typed information about a persons pay, deductions and basically worked on their pay records. At the end of the time working there, the DK1 in charge asked me if I wanted to switch from Storekeeper to Disbursing clerk, I politely declined as I did not want to sit at a desk all day. Well I reported to Supply, and was assigned to the Inventory Office. Yep there was my desk. It wasn't too bad because I was to spend a lot of time in the warehouses going over inventory. This was a new department in supply, and in charge was SK1 Rogelio Fernandez, from the Philippine Islands. I was his assistant, and for most of the time the only other person in the department. When staffing was good, I would have another SKSA to work with me, and when we were doing a big inventory there might be 2 or 3 others. Our "Office" was two partitions made from plywood in a corner of the warehouse.  forming kind of a U shape facing the Control Office where a good friend worked, Robert "Bob" McCoy from Cincinnati OHIO. He also worked for a SK1 Filipino. Both were extremely good Petty Officers and great to work for.  Our jobs kept Bob and I at the office late many a night, and they would tell us to sleep in the next morning. 
     My job was to inventory everything in the supply department according to Navy Procedure. Basically one section at a time according to Stock Numbers. LOL  After counting everything with in certain category, I would compare my count against the records. If I needed I would recount a certain item. After assuring my count was correct, I would issue a "Loss/Gain by inventory" and correct the records.  I would then prepare all paper work to be sent to our main office in Honolulu.  We had deadlines to meet so many nights I would work till midnight and at times later to meet them. Roger, always took this into consideration and gave me many afternoons off to compensate.
    Bob and I shared a room in the barracks, and one morning we had "Authorized Late Sleeper" status, but no one had told the duty Petty Officer. This day the Duty PO was an SK2 that Bob and I had been in more than one confrontation with.  He came over to the Barracks and burst into our room, he grabbed McCoy by the shoulder and started to shake him, I was awake as our other room mates had just left and was watching what was about to take place. In the military you are not allowed to touch another person if they are sleeping, if you do the sleeping person is not responsible for their reactions.
   Well as soon as he touched McCoy, Bob rolled over and punched him right in the face. He started screaming assault on a Petty Officer and I'm writing you up!!!. I told him, Hey go ahead I saw the whole thing and you grabbed him and he reacted!! He claimed Bob was awake when he grabbed him and I replied NO  he wasn't he was asleep.     This was one of those "That's My Story and I am sticking to it" Moments because I was the only witness. He was really mad when he found out we were authorized to miss muster that morning.Made him look real bad. He never worried about Bob and I missing Muster again though.
  As I look back, this was going to be the first of many times where I was going to be in a position where I was going to be given more authority than my status called for. I made SKSN, E-3 while I was on Midway, and had a few SKSA's and junior SKSN's work for me at various time. One day I had 2 men working an Inventory in the Warehouse when an SK3 from that area assigned them to a different job.  I of course Jumped his butt for moving my people and he started in about being a E-4 Third Class and out ranking me. I told him I didn't care those people were not working for him they were working for me. Well he called his Department Petty Office over to settle it. He was informed that since those men were assigned to my department he could not reassign them without my permission.  He hated that and it was not the last confrontation between us.
  I have quite a few stories from Midway and they will be told as I remember them not necessarily in order of how they happened.

US Naval Station Midway Island.

   After my 14 days leave I was to report to US Naval Station Midway Island, I had my ticket for my first airplane ride in my paperwork. I went to The airport in San Diego, and boarded a flight for Honolulu Hawaii. Once in Hawaii I was transferred to Hickam AFB for a military contract flight to Midway. The flight from Diego to Hono was great, pretty stewardesses, nice seats, everything I expected.  Then We saw the plane we would fly to Midway on. It looked like something out of Skyking. An old DC-3 from Northwest Orient Airlines, Propeller driven. And when they started the motors, the belched smoke and fire and shook real bad.  We boarded our "luxury Flight" and were taxing to the runway when the pilot announced we had to turn around and go back to change aircraft because ours had engine problems. Very reassuring to all of us already nervous passengers.  Well we got our other aircraft and made the flight to Midway safely. It was new Years Eve 1969-70.
      
      Midway Island lies in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, The main Island of 2 is Sand Island, approximately 1250 acres.  Famous for a turning point in WWII, There is not much there. But it was home to a couple of  thousand Sailors, Seabees, and US Air force personnel in 1968. Mostly it is home to thousands and thousands of Laysan Albatross, fondly referred to as "Gooney Birds".   These Birds are very beautiful and graceful in flight, but when they land it is a comedy of errors. With most making a three point landing every time.  Take off is better but requires a long run before getting airborne.  They spend part of the year on Midway for breeding and the rest I am not sure where, but on the Island they are thick and they have the right of way. There are a few stories about these birds so remember them.

  As I mentioned earlier I arrived on Midway on New Years Eve. After checking in at the transit barracks, I went to explore my new home.  I walked down to an area where we had deep water piers, It was beautiful. The water around us was so blue, white sand and even where the largest ships docked to unload supplies, the water was so clear you could see the bottom of the ocean.  A bunch of people were fishing there, and I noticed a lot of activity near  the corner of the pier so I walked over to check it out. There you could see a small octopus on the bottom, and about 3 guys were trying to catch it. They would cast their bait out and drag it near or over the octopus but it would not react in any way.
I watched for a bit and then walked to the other side of the pier and saw a fishing line hanging there, I pulled it up and on the end was a dead eel. I took it over to the others, and we cut the body off and left just the head. I threw it out and dragged it past the octopus and the octopus moved, I threw it a second time and  the octopus grabbed it. I started pulling, and the others assisted and we got the octopus up on the dock. I remember someone was filming this with an old movie camera, and have always wished I had a copy of it. We kept the octopus on shore for a few minutes, prodding it with sticks, and admiring my catch, then used boards to push It back into the ocean. When it hit the water It took off leaving a thick cloud of black ink behind it.  Very exciting day for my first day to say the least.
    The Enlisted Men's Club or "EM" Club on Midway was the center of our off duty life. That evening I ventured to the "EM" Club, as the drinking age on station was 18 for beer, and 21 for hard liquor. I still had my tropical white uniform on and I heard a couple of guys say "Hey Keys!" the insignia for Storekeeper was crossed keys,  and asked them whats up. They told me they were from the supply department and we would probably be working around each other and invited me to have a beer with them. Soon there was a large group of "Keys" gathered and I was meeting my shipmates for the next year.
     Midway was a refueling stop for Navy Ships back then, and that evening 4 Destroyers (AKA Tin Cans) docked for refueling and to celebrate the new year. Well on Midway we wore civilian clothes when off duty,  so it was fairly simple to see who was Midway, and who was "Fleet" except for me cause I was still in uniform. The drinks flowed and at some point the Fleet sailors, got into a disagreement with  some Sea Bees, and next thing everyone was fighting. Fleet against Midway sailors. I held my own and managed to escape before the MP's got there, but the next day when i passed the club it was a mess, broken chairs and tables. Man glad I didn't have to clean that up. I had my first real hangover and felt like crap!!!