When I go home? When I go home, I want to be treated like a human being. Hell, we all are going to need somebody to talk to...
  | The Virginian-Pilot4 Warships On Way Home From Combat ZoneBy JOHN STEVENSONVirginian-Pilot Staff Writer |
| Tuesday, October 17, 1972 - NORFOLK - The Navy is sending more guns from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and it is bringing some home. A Navy spokesman said Monday that the guided-missile frigate Biddle and destroyer Mullinnix, both based in Norfolk, will return from duty off Vietnam Oct. 26. The destroyer Sarsfield, based in Mayport, FL, and the destroyer Glennon, from Charleston, S.C., will return a day earlier, the spokesman added. The four vessels were among the first East Coast warships to be diverted to Vietnam last April as part of a massive sea and air buildup. While in the combat zone, the Biddle came to be called the "Superstar of the Tonkin Gulf," When she pulls into Norfolk next week, sources said, 14 Communist MIGs will have been painted on the ship’s side because of her role in destroying them. The Biddle reportedly shot down one of the MIGs, and her radar is credited with locating the remaining 13 so that they could be destroyed by other United States ships and planes. The Norfolk-based vessel also rescued about 17 American pilots who had been shot down in the area, sources said. The nickname of the Mullinnix was "Mighty Mux." Her guns reportedly played a key role in repelling a North Vietnamese offensive during the spring and summer. The four East Coast Ships stopped at San Diego, CA, during the weekend on their way home, a Navy spokesman said. (Middle section of article discussed the ships headed to Vietnam - USS Milwaukee and USS Paul) After the four Atlantic Fleet ships return next week, East Coast vessels still in the Pacific will be: • The heavy cruiser Newport News, oiler Waccamaw, carrier America, ammunition ship Santa Barbara, and destroyer Lawrence, all based in Norfolk. • The carrier Saratoga, destroyer Perry, and ammunition ship Suribachi, all from Mayport, FL. • The ammunition ship Nitro, destroyer Davis, guided-missile destroyer Dewey, and destroyer escort Hewes, all based in Newport. The Navy would not say when the Milwaukee and Paul will arrive in the Pacific. Nor would it say when the Newport News or other Atlantic Fleet vessels will come home. |
Heading home...