I was stationed with Harbor Defense Unit 1 in San Francisco, CA. in 1961. It was located on the Army base at the presidio. It was classified as shore duty then, and in 1962 the whole outfit transferred to Mine Pac in Long beach, CA. When it relocated the name changed to Inshore Undersea Warfare Group 1. They formed 3 units called MIUW'S, 11, 12, & 13. We were classed as brown water navy, and placed in country by Da Nang. So far about 50% of the # 11 unit has pasted away. AO, who knows? I know I am having my own fun with it, and the VA.
What I am looking for is any one that is still alive that was stationed there in San Fran., or am I the last one. If any one knows any thing, let me know. Thanks
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I was transfered to HDU San Fran in the summer of 1960 and shipped out to Pearl Harbor in Sept. 1961. I was a Radioman E-3. Bob Stackhouse.
Good morning, glad to hear from another MIUWS member. I was in unit 11 when we off loaded and went ashore in DaNang Vietnam. We were attached to the 9th marines. I guess the training we received from the marines paye'd off. We are having a reunion in Aug. in OR. If you would like more info. look up ( IUWG ) on the e-net. Would like to see you there.
Thanks Wayne Watts
In August 1962 I requested a transfer from the U.S.S. Excel MSO 439 to Inshore Undersea Warfare Group One and was assigned to team 12. I served in this unit for 18 months before being released from duty in March 1964.
Your post is the first reference I have seen that even acknowledged this unit actually existed. So, I had to respond.
There were two teams of approximately 30 men each stationed in Long Beach. Teams 11 and 12. We were classified as Sea Duty but served as a TAD component on serval ships including the Mine Countermeasures ship U.S.S. Epping Forrest. We did our WestPac tour on the E.F. and operated off Grande Island, Corregidor, Okinawa among others. We also participated in Operation Flagpole in Korea in 1963. The unit was strictly land based and all landings were via LST, LSM or LCM.
Our field training was done at Camp Pendleton Marine basin in California with occasional trips to S.D. for amphibious assault training off LCVP's.
I have no record of the team after I left in March 64 and internet searches have revealed nothing. Apparently, there was a unit transfer and designation change at some point after I left but to what I don't know.
If you have any additional information, please post it here.
I left Fort Baker around Aug 60 and went to Training Dept because I could type. I was leaving HDU probably about the time you arrived there, August 61.
Well I am glad some one else knows about harbor defense. You must have left Fort Baker about the same time I was sent to begin my Navy career. I worked on the small boats until they moved the unit to Long Beach. About the only thing we seemed to do was go out and pick up the jumpers from the bridge. What I would like to find out was, do you know if there was a patch for that unit back then.
thanks for answering!
I was stationed there from April 1960 until August 1961 first working on the small boats that were on Fort Baker than sent to the Training Department which was located in the bldg next to the Mess Hall.