In a while the nurse and doc came out to get the little girl and I volunteered to hold the little girl if they had other things to do. The first half of my year in Vietnam (1967) I was stationed at the large U. S. base in Danang. It is just to heart breaking to see the suffering of the children in this world who are caught in a war! Chn Thnh Camp. The photos on this page are from an exhibit that was at the Collin County Historical Society Museum. It was in a large dirt field 150 yards outside of the north perimeter. Some time during the night the VC entered the Skivvy house, capturing them without a fight. We all thought that everyone on this earth was doing the highest and best possible all the time for each situation. Our mess hall, about 70 yards from my hootch took a direct hit on the serving line and kitchen area. Only 364 more days to go! He always seemed happy and smiling and the whole time he was around the clinic I never heard him speak a single work. Stephen was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving state side and in Vietnam at Camp Tien Sha, Danang. Mostly I was just kind of mentally numb. I could see through the gauze and there was some kind of wound underneath that looked like velvet. Pett George my ex UDT instructor allowed me to go through the class early being as how my older brother Jay and my Dad were going through the class too. bgmarshall@aol.com. I made a series of videos about the exhibit before it was closed. The station hospital begun in 1965 had treated over 21,000 casualties, 44,000 nonbattle patients and one million outpatients flowing in from the hostile and disease-ridden I Corps environment. Amphibious fuel lines were laid along the sea floor to storage tanks ashore at Red Beach Base Area, north of the city and the Marines' Marble Mountain Air Facility to the south. I took my time cooling myself off in that shower then went the place. Mark Harms reporting for duty! A refugee family was living in a lean too in Dog Patch south . The Marines slept 12 to 14 men in a hootch. That episode followed rioting along China Beach by black . It was a horrifying thing to watch. On Friday I left the shop at 1800hr and went to the Children's Clinic. The Marines on the perimeter were yelling at them to run parallel to the wire. I was not prepared and he totally over powered me! The other important thing we had to do was to check the Red Beach causeway at 2400 hr. They were the best I could When I got on It was a real learning experience for the three of us. Learn more about royalty-free images or view FAQs related to stock photos. I was able to remain calm and under control and do what ever he told me but inside I was on the edge of losing it! such a small vehicle. Warehouses, open storage areas, cargo handling equipment, and good exit routes from the port were limited. One about half way from knee to foot and the other just below the knee! Some Bruce Moore 06-Apr-2016 07:04: I was stationed at Camp Tien Sha from June 1968-July 1969.,I was a BU3 attached to the US Naval Support Activities Danang.I lived in barracks #35 which was on the backside of Camp Tien Sha.I was in barracks #35 when the Rocket and mortar attack began.we had a material storage yard directly behind the barracks that was hit with incoming rounds.I also, as a . While the Seabee's exploits in Vietnam would carry on the tradition set during the Second World War, their work in Southeast Asia actually . I got my NAUI Scuba diving cerification in July 1966. So over time it was easier to just not know anyone. Although the rules were they had to go back and check out. The next weekend I asked about the farmer ? I served there and just would like to hear from some of the guys that was there. We had fox holes around the generators and fuel tank and I would sit there looking up at that big ass fuel tank thinking that if the VC hit that with a RPG (rocket propelled grenade) I was going to be turned into a crispy critter. "personal" shower head and keeping The official report was small arms fire on the perimeter. We are the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1122, based in Collin County, Texas. While base facilities were under construction, the fleet deployed to Danang LSTs, a Landing Ship Dock (LSD) and an Attack Transport (APA), the latter for quartering and messing NSA personnel. Both of his legs had been pretty much blown off. After a short rest to pull my self together I went back and finished putting the door spring on and about that time one of my team mates picked me up and took me back to the shop. The tracer rounds stopped ,I gave it a couple minutes and got in the truck and sped on my way back to the shop! I was probably in as much in shock as the farmer. It was not exactly what you would call a state of the art mental hospital ! ( We called the Army Republic Of Vietnam police white mice because they were small, wore white helmets white web belts, white pistol holsters and white spats.) Jeep parts? It seemed a bit strange to see everything so neat and tidy when John Wayne mode is when you still think you are invincible, nothing can hurt you because you are the good guy with the white hat and shit only happens to some one else. We were not part of the Marine Civil Affair but worked independent of them. It was about the most insane thing I had ever experienced and was hard for my mind to grasp what had just happened. If your lost and want I never really realized the high level of tension we lived under until I left Vietnam ! You forget the bad things and you remember the good The poor farmer had stepped on a mine. He didn't mince words. " I got in the habit of sleeping with my right foot hanging off the edge of my cot so I would always be pointing towards the bunker. Just keep on working in the rain. said hours 1700 to 2100. Here is the letter I wrote my parents on May 15, 1968. I went back to my cubicle crawled into bed, ending my - Alan, Drawing They had absolutely nothing and were dependent on the charity of other refuges in Dog Patch. roof. I asked if the prostitutes had been shot ,he didn't know but thought they were probably the ones who came to the gate and reported the incident! The sign on the mess hall door You got to do what you got to do ! I am sure this little girl will be my last thought when I punch out from this world. She smelled horrible! For the time being they were stashed in my hooch and on May 24, Karl Voiles spent his first day assembling beds. around on the gravel surface at the PTF base. You have destroyed my country and my family! I don't I was land based in Da Nang. The MPs left in a hurry. My Vietnamese workers were hunkered down by the lumber pile about 30 ft from me.Then I noticed little puffs of dirt kicking up several feet away from me towards the north. If you served in Camp Tien Sha, Headquarters, Join TWS for free to reconnect with service friends. and the LT moved to the Da. As he cut them off he threw them in the corner beside the shelf and I can remember how strange they looked leaning against the wall! On May 13,1968 we took 6 122mm rocket rounds as explained in my May 15,1968 leter. With tears in my eyes I told the guard that I had been helping the doc at the children's clinic and he could take his fucking travel chit and shove it up his ass! enough for me. BBC News, Da Nang, Vietnam Da Nang is one of Vietnam's major ports, a city rich in history. I would share it with my team mates but a lot of it I gave to the Vietnamese children at the Clinic or whenever I worked off base. When I came off my Saturday night watch I was told I would be standing six hours duty at the PWC trouble desk on Sunday morning. Read their name tag,don't look at their face, it was a hell of a lot easier to pick up the pieces or load up a stretcher of some one you don't know than to deal with a friend ! really an enclosure. delivering warm water was good So I took a trip in September 2016 back This would also give Beerworth time to get his guys out on their job. It was the UH-1 trailing smoke. There were no boat parts in supply I do web work now and I want to help you fix your articles so people can read them easier.I'm not asking to get paid I just want to do something for you. Danang Vietnam 1966 1967 Camp Tien Sha was an old French army base. while we were starting the wall framing we heard the sound of a UH-1 helicopter. Suddenly the helicopter went nose high and stopped going forward. Some of the rocket attacks were on Camp Books (FLC) . really care. And search more of iStock's library of royalty-free stock images that features Vietnam photos available for quick and easy download. I was a certified SCUBA diver. On the far end of the bridge right Over 130 rough terrain and warehouse forklifts and 20 cranes eased cargo handling. When we arrived at Red Beach the Seabee team shop was a mad house. All terrain forklifts would scurry back and forth off One of our guy went with Babyson to the local market and bought blankets, cooking supplies, sleeping mats and food. Here is a poem that I wrote about the helicopter. This was the closest skivvy house to Camp Books , a very short walk. Because of the rocket attack on May 13 (rockets hit with in 50 yard of this building) some of the officers there wanted escape doors out the back of the building where they were starting to build their own bunkers. I was new in country and still in John Wayne mode. The trailer was to short so the Marines legs were bent at the knees and sticking up, no shoes, pant legs up to their knees showing their very white legs. He had a little Vietnamese kid with him about 8 years old. I think he may have had scrambled brains to go with his stitched up head . Maybe 6 on a side. Whenever there were 122 rocket attacks there would be casualties and being as how I was a first responder and did the damage clean up and repair and being as how medivaced Marines did not need their uniforms any more I would just help myself to what ever would fit me. The memory of this little girl and the events at the Children's hospital are the reason I never had children of my own. An electrician CN (E-3). My very first Well sure I heard about it and even saw them down at 1st MPs. It's the 4th largest city in Vietnam. sat idle. Don't go to Dog Patch at night and stay way from the prostitutes. We started pouring concrete Wednesday June 5, 1968. Surprise, I think that was normal precaution . Danang. the two boat docks at DaNang. Often several rockets would have gone off before I even knew we were under attack ! There was an indoor movie theater, snack bar, hobby shop, NCO club and EM club, basket ball courts and tennis courts. building. I am sure had I not done that , the Chief, when he came down to the hootch, would have solved the problem by sending me back to China Beach. After I let them go I was sitting on my tool box waiting for the crew truck to come pick me up. Spent four years in college, and achieved QM3, and qualified in It navy was the hair thing. vietnamandmilitary $6.00 Original, In Wrapper P-38 Vietnam War vietnamandmilitary $175.00 Naval Support Activity, Da Nang 1968 Cruise Book vietnamandmilitary Seller Information Seller vietnamandmilitary Contact Seller One rocket struck this barracks, but the man in this room survived by . the upper left hand part of the pic. There was no time off just the same 12 hr work shift. Our group that was sent to MST1 landed in MAY 10, 1967 FOR COLLEGES State-Related Status Unique By WILLIAM E. DEIBLER HARRISBURG (AP) How would yo Most of the time if you were Do you have CAMP TIENSHA, DANANG,VIETNAM Reunion information you'd like to share. Detachment Chu Lai - 1964 - 1971. Another source for jungle fatigues was up at Camp Reasoner. Travis, Hawaii, Subic Bay (and shore patrol in Olongapo), then to At the moment it happened, my buddy Dave Lozier and I were at Camp Tien Sha at the foot of Monkey Mountain. You'll see the plumes of smoke, fireballs and falling debris from the explosion of the DaNang ammo dump on April 27, 1969 -- and close ups of some of the damage to buildings and barracks. Report an offensive or inappropriate entry. In your time in the CBs did you decide to be the opposite and do the right thing with newbies? New customers can download this image at no cost with a risk-free trial. Cat Lo Naval Base. the "enlisted head" identified in I was told to put it between the farmers teeth with the ends sticking out of the sides of his mouth and I was to gently but firmly hold on to the ends of the stick and hold his head down. who manned the PTF base at night used for transportation to and from Download this Camp Tien Sha photo now. When I look back it sure seems stupid but at the time what else could I do? I stretched it to it's [4]:33, Logistic vessels under the control of NSA Danang included Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM 3 & LCM 6) and LCU landing craft; harbor utility craft (YFU); small harbor tugs (YTL); open lighters (YC); refrigerated barges (YFRN); Army craft; and a refrigerator ship. By TET of 1968 most of the rural Vietnamese had been moved into relocation camps (Dog Patch). [2] An example of what we did. couldn't resist testing it's limits! I wanted to know everything about what happened to those Marines. I slowly walked around the trailer checking them out. [4]:2[2], In August 1967, the headquarters of NSA Danang was moved from downtown Danang to Camp Tien Sha. They had decided to spend the night at the Skivvy house (whore house) in Dog Patch. Work started at 0700 hr and we got off at 1700 hr. [2] During the next several years, the command created subordinate NSA detachments at Chu Lai, Hu, Tn M, ng H, Ca Vit, Ph Bi and Sa Hunh. Coate would send dog food care packages to Judy. I suppose we had a good conversation but don't have a clue of what. Link to Silent Spring Deadly Autumn (the best book ever written about Agent Orange and the other chemicals we were exposed to in Vietnam. I set up a course Technicaly they were out side the perimeter so were not recorded, I guess. I remember one time showering in from two times. Recent photo of Cheryl and me Detachment Phu Bai - 1965 -1970. So as May 1968 ended I had been in Vietnam for 1 month! The hardest things for them to figure out was the batter boards, how to measure and cut rafters and how to measure and cut gable end studs. Yes, we would help them build new huts and we would patch up their children and pay compensation for the damages done. This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Naval History and Heritage Command. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Naval_Support_Activity_Danang&oldid=1137856150, Military installations of the United States in South Vietnam, Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the Naval History & Heritage Command, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 6 February 2023, at 20:12. It really, really broke my heart! Book description. I took all the materials that I thought I would need to build the cement forms for my strong backs. In July 1966 the "Bridge Cargo Ramp" (160307N 1081352E / 16.052N 108.231E / 16.052; 108.231) began operations increasing NSA's supply capability. This is my Poem about the farmer who stepped on the mine. Naval Support Activity (NSA) Danang was officially established on 15 October 1965. I can still hear the snip of the scissors as the Doc cut away the flesh. Her husband was an ARVN soldier who had been killed. I didn't think about the danger but was aware of it. [4] NSA Danang originally operated from a commercial pier on the city side of the Hn River and this "Museum Ramp" (.mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}160300N 1081328E / 16.05N 108.2245E / 16.05; 108.2245) near the Cham Museum began operation in November 1965 off-loading Landing Craft Utility (LCUs) and LSTs. But I don't consider myself as one. camp where you get sheared. I went home in August 1967, There was to much noise from the generators and air conditioner to hear the rockets explode or the warning siren go off . This is our new Chief Builder. click here or click "back" until you this place, wearing only "shower 1966 and assumed I would spend two years on a submarine in WesPac. that's one of our generators upper left. Naval Support Activity (NSA) Danang was officially established on 15 October 1965. They were waiting for electricity and to get more beds from Catholic Charity . I went out and sat on my toolbox and thought about what I had just experienced. In DaNang we had what was called the "duty jeep". After a couple rocket and mortar attacks my brain never went completely to sleep. from Danang, Republic of Vietnam. Storage areas ashore were limited by space and access. I knew I wasn't in Kansas. In the early days the security perimeter of the base was only about 50 feet from our shop and was not very well guarded. Craig Tailor is on the left and on the right is Carl Rice who came on board about the same time as the new Chief. They made runs north to Cua Viet at the mouth of the river (80 miles north of DaNang and 6 miles south of the Demilitarized Zone) and then upriver eight miles to Dong Ha to haul cannon ammunition to the marines. Here is the satellite view of pilot said that was to avoid being shot at by the VC. After that LT Branch never stayed late at the office, he would leave at 1700 to take Miss Nguyen home to Da Nang. Relations outside of combat were typified by racial tension and violence. While my guys were working I was talking to the Gunny in the hut. My head carpenter ,Pham Ba told me about her during the week. Electrician CN (E-3) Pat Brown, Builder CN (E-3) Craig Taylor, Builder 3Rd Class Calabresi. That is the only time I had to get clothing issue. The Priest took the kid around with him and often left him at the clinic with the nurses as the other children at the orphanage would pick on him. It was time to go look for some food! Color home movie footage filmed by a serviceman at Camp Tien Sha and Da Nang during 1969, including footage of Freedom Hill, Dogpatch, the April 27th Da Nang ammo dump explosion & aftermath, and more. The exhibit was known as "The Vietnam Syndrome". Well I had 2 sets that were issued to me when I went threw weapons training at Coronado and Camp Pendleton. As tired as I was I never got much sleep. The course is a model in how to survive, and how to come home with honor. Sure. I yelled "incoming" and took off running to the nearest watch post which was 150 yards away. It was kind of like the work orders I got. She was wearing light blue pajamas with little lambs printed on it. I did spend plenty of time on Marine firebases around the Da Nang-Phu Bai area and spent time at a camp located at Phu Loc. She would throw dirt into the air and scratch at her face until it was bleeding , rubbing dirt into the cuts. The next work order I got for there I gave it to Beerworth and told him I would not work there any more! And If I wanted something I had to have Bet or Ski pick it up. If US Mail works best for you, basis When we got there the doc wanted to show us around. That sure screwed with our sleep! Camp Tien Sha Vietnam 1968 from Monkey Mountain nstar48 Media item Jan 30, 2008 camp tien sha monkey mountain united states navy seabees vietnam war year 1968 Comments: 2 Category: Images of Vietnam China Beach from Monkey Mountain 1968 China Beach and Marble Mountain from Monkey Mountain Vietnam 1968 nstar48 Media item Jan 30, 2008 After checking in, I was assigned to I think Then I could triangulate my frames ,run some string lines, pound in the rebar stakes. The truck dropped us at the work sight. Yes that's me smiling up from the 122mm rocket crater. Learn more. The two crew members jumped out just under the flames .They carried their M-60 machine guns. It was The guys loaded up my tool box and gave me an M-16 so I would be able to walk back to the base later. Historian, US Navy Seabee Museum. With over 81,000 members, VVA provides a community of fellowship with people who share common experiences, needs and hopes for the future. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. The saw he used was a miniature version of the bone saw we used when we cut up cows or pigs at butchering time on the farm! Often times during a rocket or mortar attack rounds would over shoot landing in Hoa Kahn or Dog Patch ,providing children for the Clinic. If there was any heavy weather and to many buffer pads were jumping out I would have to go back to the hooch and roust out a work crew. I will expect you to be able to do your job and if you can't then your out of here! That was necessary because John arrived here on November 21, 1968 and left December 22, 1969, thirteen months later. paths and painted white and there were white picket fences around almost every Some of the materials for rebuilding came from my civic action salvage yard. snakes and other items of entertainment. area or any of the DaNang area, I will continue I did a phone call to the Marine Duty officer and he calmly told me the incoming fire had already been reported by the outposts. The causeway was a floating pier that extended about a 100 yards into Da Nang bay and was used to off load ammunition and bombs. information beyond what we already have. They had to be manned 24 hours a day. it for their personal use. Don't try to cross in to the base as there were mines. A half inch pipe I spent the last 5 months of my tour as a NSA Investigator for the Naval Support Activity, Da Nang. Guess My barracks was an old French barracks at Camp Tien Sha near Da Nang. I was at Camp Tien Sha from June '69 until Feb '70. It is very likely this was were the Marines were killed . Our generators were not even running yet so I heard the rocket coming in. Here is an E mail I got from Karl explaining his arrival to Vietnam and Camp Books (FLC) The last week of May brought us a knew Chief Builder and our old Chief Botswains mate left us. I was aguard for Tien Sha Peninsula Security division. I was not in the bush and am grateful that I wasn't. Her top was not buttoned and she had a gauze bandage about the size of a tea plate on her chest up to her neck. Even then every time the Doc cut through a nerve that farmer would try to fly through the roof! Did he live or die? [1], In mid-October 1968 the Deep Water Pier complex (160712N 1081250E / 16.12N 108.214E / 16.12; 108.214) on the Tien Sha peninsula was completed, beginning operations in September 1968. The field had been filled with red dirt and rocks and had been compacted with heavy equipment. I believe that on May 21 we had hits to the sick bay which was a big rebuild job. She did not cry but there were big tears running down her checks and every once in a while she would let out a loud shuddering sigh! Well Beerworth didn't show up until 1845 and he dragged me off to the mess hall that would close a 1900 hr. As usual US style plumbing, the Additional responsibilities included harbor defense and the transshipment of cargo to the smaller ports in the region. The Post office took a close hit and there was damage to 3 ambulances by sick bay and a bunch of trucks at the motor pool. Because I had to fend for myself I did help the newbies who moved into my hooch. Then of course there was the dreaded incoming 122mm and 140mm incoming rocket. Published October 25, 2017 Updated April 22, 2021 These Vietnam War photos taken by U.S. Army photographers reveal a side of the conflict that few people have ever seen. Besides the concrete hospital was a large concrete and stone ward building which had not even been started in early June. $10 of that came from me. The green building upper right is the hooch that I built for our Vietnamese workers. 44 Declassified Vietnam War Photos Taken By U.S. Army Photographers View Gallery History is not a fixed set of facts. Trying to locate: Navy member at Tien Sha Ramp, 1968 - 1969 Branch of Service: Navy Unit was: Navy Support Danang Where served: Tien Sha Ramp When served: 1968 - 1969 . Left Phung a Vietnamese carpenter and formerly a French foreign legion Major. VVA's goals . The rocket attacks after that the would be on target! In mid-October 1968 the Deep Water Pier complex ( 16.12N 108.214E) on the Tien Sha peninsula was completed, beginning operations in September 1968. of any of that. And there were certainly good things there, at least in the . It was at maximum power and flying very fast. On 30 June 1970 NSA Danang was deactivated and on 1 July new Army-Marine service support agreements went into effect. But that only happened once as from then on I was ready. The nurse was carrying a little girl about 4 years old. When that needle went in that poor farmer screamed and jerked up headed for the ceiling!