South China Sea

While anchored at Da Nang, watches were posted in several locations around the open decks of Kawishiwi. All watches were armed with small arms and concussion grenades and instructed to watch for small craft and signs of divers. The watches I stood during this time were as “Petty Officer of the Watch” so I personally tended to these posted watches and was responsible for their attentiveness and instruction when serving in this position. When the small arms and grenades were issued, to my knowledge, the crew knew that this was serious business. No munitions were expended while in Da Nang (at least on my watch).

It may be a little known fact, and one that is unknown to all but those aboard at the time, but around Christmas time of 1970 during a "Market Time" run where Swift Boats were used, we ran aground at Vung Tau, at entrance of bay into Saigon.(See Map) We were stranded for several hours while waiting for an ocean going tug to come and pull us off of a sand bar very near the coast. Maybe this is why you won't hear much about it. Running aground is not what you would call a bragging point. Anyway, we immediately went to Da Nang and spent about three days there for a hull inspection. I remember being there on Christmas day and watching the flares floating down across the harbor. It was very Christmassy.