USS SURFBIRD (ADG 383) Summary of Vietnam Deployments

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1 This summary was compiled from official Deck Logs and Command History documents of the USS Surfbird that are now additionally archived on the USS Surfbird Association website at: Deck Logs: Command History: Aug. Cam Ranh Bay Providing degaussing services. Anchored in from 22 to 30 ft. of water. 9 Aug. Nha Trang Anchored in 53 fathoms of water April - 7 May Off the coast of South Market Time patrol/special operations Vietnam Aug. Song Hoa Bay Anchored in 8 fathoms of water. 4 Aug. An Thoi Harbor Anchored in 5 fathoms of water. Moored starboard side USS Tutuila (ARG 4) 1 to take on fuel. 7 Aug. An Thoi Harbor Rendezvoused with USS Woodpecker (MSC 209). Transferred via motor whale boat, CDR J.B. Hayes, Commander Coast Guard Boat Division II. Anchored in 5 fathoms of water. CDR J.B. Hayes departed. 12 Aug. An Thoi Harbor Anchored in 5 fathoms of water. 16 Aug. An Thoi Harbor Anchored in 5 fathoms of water. 17 Sept. Danang Anchored in 7 fathoms of water. 18 Sept. Danang Moored starboard side to USS Mars (AFS- 1). 26 Sept. Lat N Anchored in 13 fathoms of water. Long E Transferred 4 Thai personnel to the USS Gannet (MSC 290). 1 The USS Tutuila (ARG 4) appears on the VA's Agent Orange Alphabetical Ships List as "Operated primarily or exclusively on Vietnam's inland waterways." 1

2 28 Sept. Lat ' N Anchored in 7 fathoms of water. Long ' E Vung Tau Anchored in 5 fathoms of water. 29 Sept. Vung Tau Anchored in 10 fathoms of water. 30 Sept. Long Hai Anchored in 3 fathoms of water. 1-6 Oct. Long Hai Provided degaussing services for 25 Vietnamese coastal junks. Captain C.R. Quansrom, USN, COMINFLOT ONE, departed the ship on PCF Oct. Vung Tau Anchored in 6 fathoms of water Sept. Vung Dong Bac Bay Anchored in 7 fathoms of water. Con Son Island 9-16 Sept. Vung Dong Bac Bay Anchored at various locations in depths Con Son Island ranging from 2.25 to 7.0 fathoms of water. Ranging operations with MSBs 21, 22 & Note: The 1967 Command History Report states, "Following a logistics stop in Subic Bay, Surfbird rendezvoused with 3 MSB's one mile south of Vung Tau, South Vietnam the morning of 8 September and escorted them to Con Son Island for ranging and calibration operations. The next 6 days while at this picturesque island the evening meal was cooked on the beach and swimming was the main activity from 1600 to sunset." Nov. Qui Nhon, Vung Ro Bay, Conducted survey operations for degaussing Cam Ranh Bay range sites Nov. Cam Ranh Bay Moored starboard side to "Market Time" pier #1. 2 Here is a link explaining the role of minesweeping boats in Vietnam: 2

3 March Cam Ranh Bay Anchored at various locations in from 13 to 66 ft. of water. Degaussing services provided for 8 MSB's March Cam Ranh Bay Moored starboard side to "Market Time" pier #1. Transferred EM 1 Wells to US Navy Hospital for treatment March Danang Anchored at various locations in from 20 ft. provided for 3 MSB's May Danang Anchored at various locations in from 15 ft. provided for 8 MSL's from USS Epping Forest (MCS-7) June Danang Anchored at various locations in from 2 to 5 fathoms of water. Degaussing services June Cam Ranh Bay Anchored at various locations in from 15 ft. to 9 fathoms of water. Moored starboard side to "Market Time" pier #2. Degaussing services provided for the MSB's. 1 July Cam Ranh Bay Moored starboard side to "Market Time" pier #2 Anchored in 24 ft. of water. July 2 Cam Ranh Bay Anchored in 24 ft. of water. Moored port side to "Market Time" pier #1. July 3 Cam Ranh Bay Moored port side to "Market Time" pier # March at 2256, ordered to move to a more secure anchorage by Cam Ranh Bay Harbor Defense. The Viet Cong are attacking the air base. 4 Epping Forest history: 3

4 3-22 July Vung Tau Anchored at various locations in from 3 fathoms to 55 ft. of water. Degaussing services provided for the MSB's and other indigenous craft. 6-8 Dec. Danang Anchored at various locations in from 18 to 25 ft. of water. Degaussing services Dec. Vung Tau Anchored at various locations in from 20 to30 ft. of water. Degaussing services provided for 7 MSB's. 16 Dec. Cam Ranh Bay 1721 moored starboard side to "Market Time" pier # shifted berth to port side "Market Time" pier #1. Take on fuel March Vung Tau Anchored in 45 ft. of water. Degaussing services March Cam Ranh Bay Anchored at various locations in from 20 to 58 ft. of water. Degaussing services March Cam Ranh Bay Moored starboard side to pier March Cam Ranh Bay Anchored at inner harbor range site in 20 ft. of water March Cam Ranh Bay Moored to "Market Time" pier # March Cam Ranh Bay Retrieved range at inner harbor site and returned to "Market Time" pier to take on fuel March Danang Anchored at various locations in from 15 to 60 ft. of water. Degaussing services provided for the MSB's as well as units of CTF 73. 4

5 16-22 Aug. Danang Anchored at various locations in from 15 ft Aug. Qui Nhon Anchored at various locations in from 13 to 21 ft. of water. Degaussing services On 25 Aug. at 1205, commenced liberty runs to Red Beach with motor whaleboat. 28 Aug Sept. Vung Tau Anchored at various locations in from 20 to 70 ft. of water. Degaussing services Oct. Vung Tau Anchored at various locations in from 18 to 70 ft. of water. Degaussing services Surveying prospective range sites in the area of Back Beach Jan. Vung Tau Anchored at various locations in from 15 ft. to 6 fathoms of water. 6 Check and calibration ranging of units of Mine Division Jan. - 1 Feb. Cam Ranh Bay Moored port side to "Market Time" pier one south. 1-2 Feb. Cam Ranh Bay Anchored at range site in 19 to 26 ft. of water. Performed ranging operations. 4-7 Feb. Danang Anchored in a variety of locations in from 18 to 30 ft. of water. "Local operations" / "degaussing ops". Completed ranging ops with MSB July - 3 Aug. Vung Tau Anchored in 12 to 33ft. of water at Back Beach range site. Performed ranging operations of Mine Division 112 MSB's. 5 On 1 Sept. at 2220 ship drug anchor toward beach requiring assistance from tug to pull ship free from range site. See Deck Logs for details. 6 On 9 Jan. at 1022 ship is aground on mud and silt bar in 7 1/2 ft. of water. At 1032 ship is free from bar. 5