Maddox (DD 731) - Naval Cruise Book

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.Li-fw. is-L, if '12-L-1' 1. nf , '. J . - ' 1,5 1-1 ' J x J I I I at f f 5,1 . A-.1 1' f ,gf p f'The Gulf of Tonkin is a forbidding body of water. Along its sides lie the brutal war in South Viet Nam, the belligerent red regime of North Viet Nam, and the ominous expanse of Communist China, , , TIME QAugust 14, 19643 Qn the Gulf of Tonkin, August Zdawned clear, calm, and hot. Off the coast of North Viet Nam the destroyer MADDOX moved south-south easterly at 15 knots, keeping 30 miles between herself and the shore. Carefully, her radar swept the inshore waters, probing for signs of unusual activity. She was in condition three. . . One third of her battle stations were manned. LIFE QAugust 14, 19645 Two hundred miles away, four needle-nosed F-8 jets from the aircraft carrier Ticonderoga flashed through the sunlit stillness at 30,000 feet. Both the MADDOX and the F-8's were on a routine patrol. That routine was soon to be shattered. . . At ll A,M, 2 August MADDOX reported observing an estimated 75 junks near her assigned patrol area off the coast of North Viet Nam. She reported changing course and speed to avoid the concentration and reported there was no evidence of any hostilities. At 1:30 P.M. 2 August MADDOX reported that three torpedo boats were on a southerly course heading towards the ship at extreme range, over 10 miles. The MADDOX at this point was about 30 miles off the coast. . . CINCPACFLT 403223025 F-or more than two hours, a cat-and- mouse game was played out. Then, at 2340 P,M, the unidentified targets broke into high speed' and started closing the MADDOX at better than 40 knots. Skipper H,L, Ogier sounded the klaxon sending the ships 250 men racing to . Gene1'a1 Quarters and stepped up the Sh1p's speed to better than 33 knots. In less than four minutes all guns were manned. Fire Y , V .:a?3i!57i4'if'f -f 'F NEWSWEEK fAugust 17, 1.9645 'if J ' 5 , if 1 Y .H A .tl I X xg I-, A f 14 ,, . , ' f lr. f I I ,, . 1 ir ,,. 443 ,. ' ,A ,f .. ..' A 'xx 5 , . . '7 nw - V 0' 171,51 I I .. 4? 'I 1 'V A f:'.,95Ii1 I I . - 1, 4 J 5. i U . f x 1'-A A an 1127.1 14 , 4 hy! if THAT MAY LOOK LIKE A QUMK-1 JUNK BUT YOU OBVIOUSLY CAN'T STAND A WATER BUFFALO ATHWARTSI-IIPS IN IT! MAKE IT A QUMK-1A. ..t,' A ' 1- j ,,

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control radar was locked in on the targets as they closed and from then on the PT boats were followed by the grey barrels of the 5-inch guns. . . NEWSWEEK fAugust 17, 19643 Am being approached by high speed craft with apparent intention of torpedo attack. intend to open fire if necessary in self-defense. . . Fftlf 7341 Mafsoeae 402074025 At 3:08 P.M,, with the PT's at 9000 yards the MADDOX fired three warning shots as the enemy craft continued moving into position to launch their torpedos. Two of the PT boats closed to 5000 yards, and fired. . . NEWSWEEK Q1-Xugust l7, l964j Being attacked by three DRV PT craft, I am opening. fire with 5-inch batteries, air support Tico eta 5 minutes. . .Q and 7:-7.1 IVIABBGX 402080725 .WC if dKf3.u,r 'KJ ,af 'wi H 9 M ,A