John Thomason (DD 760) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 65 text:

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Page 64 text:

The Undersecretary 0fiThe Navy Makes A Visit On is August 1969, Uss JoHN W. THoM- ASON was honored by the visit of the Undersecretary of the Navy, the Honorable John W. Warner, and Commander Seventh Fleet, VADM William F. Bringle. While making a tour of U.S. Navy activities in Southeast Asia, Undersecretary Warner was scheduled to observe an underway replenishment of an aircraft carrier and destroyer from an oiler. In addition, the Undersecretary was to be briefed on the pilot rescue mission of destroyers in the Tonkin Gulf. The ships selected for this demonstration were USS BON HOMME RICHARD, USS SACRAMENTO and the THOMASON. The week prior to Mr. Warner's arrival was a hectic one. Work was done every- where to ready the ship for his visit. Still fresh in the crew's mind was the success of the recently completed gunline period and the quick rescue of four men from a USS BON HOMME RICHARD helo. Also, thoughts turned to the next scheduled port of call--Hong Kong. Everyone was up to make the Undersecretary's visit a perfect one It was mid-afternoon when the Under- secretary's helo departed from the car- rier and headed for the THOMASON. Everyone was ready. Undersecretary War- Captain Haywood, were lowered to the fan- ta1l where they were greeted by the Captain and Executive Officer. Led by LT Carty, the party was escorted to the torpedo deck and forecastle where they were given a brief outline of the ship's pilot rescue pro- cedures.. After coffee and a briefing in the ward- room Undersecretary Warner and his party proceeded to the bridge as the ship pulled alongside USS SACRAMENTO to refuel Mr. Warner listened with interest as the probe refueling method was ex- plained to him by the Commanding Officer. After signing the ship's guest book, the Undersecretary, VADM Bringle, and Cap- tain Hayworth proceeded to the main deck where they chatted with members of the crew while waiting to be transferred by highline to the SACRAMENTO. As Under- secretary Warner and his party departed the ship, everyone felt that the THOMASON had again performed in a flawless manner. I ner, VADM Bringle, and his chief of staff,

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--.3-1--sesgwn-rw-122-inex-f-ff-vwevrfyp-ea-2-sy-2:-rlxm., Aircraft In The Water, Now Man Your Pilot Rescue Stations These words were passed on Sunday after- noon, 10 August 1969. Many of the crew were catching up on lost sleep, others were on the helo deck catching the last of the sun's rays, axfew were writing home of the dull life on Yankee Station. But at that moment, everyone responded im- mediately to the word that four pilots were in the water. Pilot rescue equipment was laid out on the forecastle. The motor whale boat was lowered to the rail, manned and started. Swimmers donned their wet suits in case they might be needed. On the bridge, the Captain assumed the conn and brought the ship alongside the four downed crewmen. The motor whale boat was low- ered and recovered two men, the pilot and a crew member. The co-pilot and remain- ing crewman were brought aboard the fore- castle by harness. The only casualty was one crewman's broken arm. The entire rescue took twelve' minutes. The helo crew was returned to USS BON HOMME RICHARD by helo about one hour later, to fly again.