USS MULLINNIX DD-944

 GUNLINE Vietnam 1972 - Page 8
6 Aug 1972
USS Saratago CV-60
"LT Jim Lloyd's (VA-105 Gunslinger) Story"

I met Jim and his twin brother, of all places, at "Longmire Days" in Buffalo Wyoming in August 2018. I was sitting at the bar at the Occidental Hotel, drinking a Rainier Beer.

I young man squeezed in next to me, ordering two beers, saying, "I'm buying one of these for a Vietnam Vet."

Jokingly, I responded, "I'm a Vietman Vet. You should buy me one as well."

He quickly said he would and I couldn't talk him out of it. I said, "where is this Vietnam Vet?" I followed him to the back of the bar and that is where I met Jim and his brother, a Green Beret in Vietnam. After welcoming each other home, Jim started telling me his story, and 'boy howdy', what a story it was. It is detailed in the PDF file above as it was published in THE HOOK in the Winter 1997 issue.

I posted a 'brief' of Jim's story on a group I belong to on Facebook, "Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club". I quickly had a comment from Bob Barnes, 2nd class petty officer in the medical department aboard the USS Saratoga in 1972 that remembers Jim's 'adventure'.

In his note to me, Jim said, "Enclosed is a cc of the story I wrote in 1997 in an attempt to put all those who were there for me on the pedastal they deserved."

Well done Jim, well done indeed! Welcome home everyone!!!

Blessings, Woody




USS Saratoga CV-60



August 12: The last American ground combat troops leave Vietnam. 43,500 airmen and support personnel remain.

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