Jenkins (DD 447) - Naval Cruise Book

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Ray H. Bradshaw relieves Lluyd D. Richards as CO., USS JENKINS at sea ill the South China Sea 18 February 1965

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The days of the longest cruise drag d on and on As the schedule uas changed and changed again, it became apparent that the change of command would have to be accomphshed at sea. It turned out that this was no small task cither; CDR Bradshaw wound up riding the Taylor for a week after a frustrating near miss at transfer at sea. We actually had the boat in the water, ready to attempt transfer of our new CO.. when orders came to depan immediately for special operations in the South China Sea. These tribulations led radarmen Chief J. R. Carter to write: Tuas the yteek before Yoko Ami all thrtmgh the ship The crew wai all planning On the Japanese Trip The radarmen all set up With money to blow Were turning in chits As thick as the snow While I in my khakis The Chief of the gang Had nary an inkling Of a place called Danang When up in Combat There grose such a clemor We ' re due to miss Yoko They started to slammer The schedule released With purpose so firm Made a sudden change Like the proverbial worm They can ' t do this. ' We ought to knovi- The came the clincher Skip Sasebo. ' For days and days The rummors flew From Subic Bay To Timbukto The plots were kept With meticulous care In hopes that soon We ' d gel out of there The wind and the waves Were calm as could be The moon softly shined Upon the blue sea In the hurry of things ft was our belief They failed to provide Our Captain ' s relief When what to our wondering Eyes should appear But a big noisy helo Our n H ' skipper with gear He has lowered with haste To the stern of the ship Which gave Captain Richards A stig upper lip After change of command Ceremonies quite short Captain Richards was leaving (we believe with a leer) He climbed in the harness Anil, holding his nose He braved the stack gas as Toward the helo he rose We were sure that he whispered As he sailed ihrouifh the skv Adieu, dear old JF. ' KINS Farewell and goodbye

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Conducting special ops in the South China Sea... said Ihc log day after day. Our hunter-killer group was providing ASW protection for the surface forces near Vietnam. The weather was warm and the seas were calm — things seemed so peaceful, yet just a few miles away there was a war going on.