CAPT Olsen’s second BIDDLEGRAM was dated 15 July 1969. (Sorry for delay in posting, but it took a long time to arrive in the mail. 🙂 No, again lost track of days.) I used some of it already in earlier posts, so I’ll include the rest of it here.
“On 1 July we arrived on station off Vietnam. Rear Admiral RUDDEN, Commander of the Cruiser-Destroyer Group SEVENTH Fleet, sent us the following message:
“WELCOME BACK TO THE CRUISER-DESTROYER GROUP SEVENTH FLEET. AS A PROVEN VETERAN, YOU KNOW THE CHALLENGING TASKS THAT LIE AHEAD. I AM CONFIDENT THAT YOUR OFFICERS AND MEN WILL ACCEPT THE CHALLENGES AND PERFORM LIKE THE TRUE PROFESSIONALS YOU ARE. I LOOK FORWARD TO VISITING WITH YOU AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY.
“He is right. BIDDLE is a proven veteran! Forty percent of the Ship’s Company are making their second cruise to these waters in less than a year. As a result of their experience and the competence and enthusiasm of our new hands, the training and teamwork we have developed during the past months, minutes after arrival on station, BIDDLE was operating as if she had never been away!
“What are we doing? Well, we serve as a navigational reference point for our aviators who continue to fly reconnaissance missions in the North and we carry two helicopters whose primary purpose is the rescue of any pilot who may have to ditch his aircraft. In our experience, none has. We also are, in a real sense, a sentry or picket out ahead of the main force, in position to keep an eye on the foe and to sound a warning should any threat develop. In our experience, none has.
“That brings me up-to-date. All hands are busy and working long hours. Our weather has continued to be exceptionally fine. We have had one cookout topside and will have more. Our beard and mustache contest will be judged at the end of the month and prizes awarded for the best!
“Our mail service has not been as steady as we had hoped, but overall we cannot complain. And we hope you’re getting our letters in a timely fashion. Nonetheless, as Dean Martin says, ‘Keep those letters and cards coming,” — and your BIDDLEman will do the same. May I add that one photograph is worth several letters. So, please send a recent snapshot to your BIDDLEman.”