When were you on the J.C. I was on her from 4/68-11/69 I remember a fire in the radio room probably in june 69 on way to the yards in Yokuska. We were on main deck ready for personnel inspection in full dress whites when the alarm went off, I was on the overhaul team of damage control. Sort of wrecked that set. But no personnel inspection.


Bob Putman, SK2

I was on the cgc yakutat whec 380 when we provided you with pumps, fire fighting equipment, then came alongside and gave you electricity , food and medical assistance. While still providing gunfire support to shore units.
I (BM-1) coxswain of 26' surf boat brought you pumps from Son-an-Doc River Sta.I remember recieving fire from the beach while exiting the River mouth.
Quite a night!-----Wayne V. Iacono BM-1, USCG.

Hi Bob.
I was on the J.C. from 3/69 to the day she was towed and taken off the Navy records. I was part of the decommissioning team assigned at Subic Bay PI. When you guys went to Yokuska from Viet Nam. I had taken leave and flew from California to Japan to meet up with the J.C. at the shipyard.

I think we spent 28 days there then went back to Japan and hit a storm on the way back. I also recall having a swim call when we all jumped into Ocean the ship was flouting way and they had to lower one of the LCVP's to pick us up.

Here is my personnel email {diablochi@gmail.com} email me and let see who we can recall. Bernie has gotten ahold of me he retired from the Navy and now lives in England...Stay safe Shipmate and hope to here from you soon....Hank Valencia DC2.

Hi Wayne.

Thanks for the message. I recall the night you guys were tied up next to use and we were dead in the water after the fire. I recall a bunch of use sleeping on the deck of the J.C. and the CGC opening up with a 5" deck gun and waking us up and we were like what the hell was that. Then another round was fired and our ears were hurting from the concussion.

I will never forget those days and the fellow shipmates and Coast Guard shipmates that fought that War. Not enough is said about the Coast Guards involvement in the Riving Warfare aspect of the Viet Nam War.. Glad you made it back brother.

Respectfully Hank Valencia.

Hello Hank- Thanks so much for the response. Boy , does that bring back memories. I've got some photos of the day after with pumps going, water running down the deck etc. If you'd like I can make copies and mail them to you.
Don't know what made me look up the J.C. after all these years but am glad to see you guys are ok. That Boat has alot of history,and you provided so much to that crazy war. I wish I could tell people about the whole mission that all of us participated in but don't think anyone would believe it.I live on Martha's Vineyard, Mass., am a commercial fisherman,mostly lobsters and scallops. Have been doing that since leaving the CG in 1974. Was in eight years. Take care--Wayne

My e-mail is wayneiacono1@netzero.net

Looking thru my album and remembered we got you steel boat boom when you were in Subic. We had lost ours in a storm.

Hank you will also remember that we had to take showers on the main deck. I have a couple of pictures of the showers on deck. Wayne I certainly remember your ship's support and the gunfire support, which didn't help me get any sleep. Many thanks to you and the crew of Yakutat.

Bernie Brendt, YNCM, USN (Ret)

Hi Bernie, Your welcome, it certainly was a privlige.I think we all felt bad about the loss of that ship . We had seen Her there so much that it was like an old friend.Alot of history there and miles traveled over the years. Yakutat was built in 1938 and I think the JC not too long after.
Hey--good to hear from you. I'd sent Hank some pictures ,14 I think,if you like I could have more copies made and send them along. Take care.---Wayne

Thanks Wayne, Hank has sent me copies of the pictures. Great to chat with you and Hank. It really brings back some memories. All the Best, Bernie

Hank sent me your photo--really a great picture,--thanks so much. You must have had a pretty good camera. I only had an instamatic.(Kodak). Remember those? I've got several pics of Song-Onh-Doc also, some after it was over run. If you guys are interested in any I can have some made up and mail them to Hank or you. Thanks again--Wayne

Hank, I was on board when she caught fire. you are right the fire was in the engine room. I remember it was chaos fighting the fire. I remember pulling blackburn out as he tried to escape the smoke.

Remember the cheese and crackers, showers on the flight deck and as you put it "dead in the water" until they figured what to do with us.

How we all survived the fire was a miracle. The tow out of the river and on to subic bay was no walk in the park. Roy Smith SN