HM-12
I was in Hm-12 as an AZ on USD Dubuque.det Alpha we had the opportunity to set off only one mine.Memories start after seeing others here.They are all good ones.
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On 27 January 1973, American and North Vietnamese officials signed a protocol to the Paris agreement that called for the United States to neutralize the mines that the Navy had dropped in North Vietnam's coastal and inland waterways.
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My name is Brad Matthews, I was on the Tripoli from August of 72 until August of 73, I was attached to S-7 as DP Tech, but also served as Mess Decks Master at Arms and later as a Master at Arms under the Chief Master at Arms ( a very large Hawiian Master Chief who's name I cannot remember).Since our government was somewhat lax in keeping records, my records don't indicate that the Tripoli replaced the New Orleans as REAR ADM McCauly's Flag Ship in June of 73 and that the Tripoli was located in…
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I was an aircrewman during Operation End Sweep. At the time I worked in the MCM (Ordenance ) shop rigging our planes with minesweeping gear at night and flying minesweeping missions during the day. I went home for 14 days on emergency leave and arrived back to the squadron in time to volunteer for our next campaign in Hyphong Harbor. Following End Sweep I deployed to the Med for Operations Nimbus Star and Nimbus Moon, clearing mines from the Suez Canal in 74 & 75.
Read more…ANYBODY REMEMBER KO TANG BEACH / RESUCE OF THE MAYAQUEZ 5-15-75
IWAS ON THE CORAL SEA AS A BT WHEN WE WENT TO RETRIVE THE SHIP. ANYBODY OUT THERE THAT WAS IN SUPPORT. TO ALL THE SERVICEMEN THAT WERE PART OF THIS AND TO ONES WE LOST MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE FAMILIES. WE WILL NEVER FORGET.
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Comments
News about VSM for Endsweep veterans. The amendment passed the House, but someone in the Senate objected, so it isn't in the Senate version of NDAA.
The Senate opponent claims "the slippery slope" if VSM is awarded to Endsweep participants, meaning he (or perhaps she) fears every ten-cent operation from March 23, 1973 to the distant future would demand VSM eligibility. However, with one righteous exception -- Mayaguez Incident, already a companion amendment in NDAA 2018 -- no other operation could meet other requirements for VSM. So even if the slope was soaked in 5W30, there's nothing left to slip down it.
Not yet the end of the story, but someone in the Senate is throwing up pointless interference.
Mike Ayars, thanks for writing to your congressman. It truly helps.
Mark Chambers, the Vietnam Campaign Medal (green and white) was granted by the Republic of Vietnam but was considered an authorized foreign medal by the USN. Might be difficult for the Republic of Vietnam to retroactively award the medal to those folks who might have missed out.
Mark Chambers, the NDAA amendment is meant to allow sailors who hadn't been awarded VSM but participated in Operation End Sweep the opportunity to apply for the medal. DoD ended eligibility for VSM on 28 March 1973, but of course all the fun and games in Vietnam didn't end immediately, as Operation End Sweep demonstrates. Actually the minesweeping operation began a bit earlier than the official cut-off date and carried on until mid-July. The NDAA amendment is aimed at those folks who kinda got swept aside in the hurry put any mention of the Vietnam War out of the public consciousness.
I have copies of some correspondence showing that Admiral McCauley did indeed asked for an award that would be specific to Operation End Sweep, but he was turned down, ultimately by SecNav. In my earlier comment I mentioned the Navy Expeditionary Medal or a Meritorious Unit Commendation because that was some feedback I got from the Congressman's office about possible awards for Op. End Sweep. As it stands, the current amendment addresses only the extended eligibility for VSM.
I wrote my congressman:
The Secretary of the military department concerned shall, upon the application of an individual who is a veteran who participated in Operation End Sweep, award that individual the Vietnam Service Medal, notwithstanding any otherwise applicable requirements for the award of that medal.
Mark, you beat me to the punch. I pulled out my DD214 and sure enough, I have the VSM listed. It did not list the additional bronze star, but the medal I have has it. I agree those who participated in End Sweep should have it. It may be related to the end of our tax-free combat zone status (July 1, 1973). I do remember that the tax-free status was reinstated after I got out, and I got a small tax credit for it.
Okay...I'm confused. Those of us attached to Commander, Task Force 78 were given the Vietnam Service Medal (1 Bronze Star)...the yellow, green and red one...when we left Hai Phong. The bronze star was for Tet. I didn't think it was limited to just us, but anyone there with Operation End Sweep. I was under the impression that the legislation you cited, Michael Austin, was for award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal (the green and white one). I did not know that the Vietnam Service Medal wasn't awarded to everyone there. That is truly a shame.
FYI to End Sweep veterans: I recently made a claim through the Compensation and Pension section of the Veteran's Health Administration. The claim is that the lung cancer I had was due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claim was recently recognized and i am listed as Service Connected - Agent Orange. I mention this because I had to jump through all kinds of hoops to prove that I had been in-country and, once I connected the dots for them, they recognized that I was indeed in-country as part of End Sweep.
I would encourage any of you with health problems to check the Agent Orange registry. There is a whole list of illnesses that, if you have any one or more, are considered "presumptive Agent Orange." There are a lot of veterans who fought the legal battle over the years for us and I would urge you to honor those who came before us.
It is noteworthy that Hai Phong, Hon Gai and Cam Pha where we all worked are Agent Orange spray areas and, for blue water sailors, the New Orleans and Tripoli both are listed as having docked in Vietnamese harbors as late as December 1975. Do the research. It's all there. If I can help, don't hesitate to contact me through this website.
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