Here are images of Biddle‘s WESTPAC 1969 Cruise Book. They are presented in sections, but each page (except for the title page – ?) is included. Just click on the arrows to advance. If you click on any image, you’ll get a larger presentation.
Cover, inside front cover, the CO and XOs — through page 7
Engineering Department, pages 8-18
Supply Department, pages 19-23
Operations Department, pages 24-35
Navigation Department, pages 36 and 37
Weapons Department, pages 38-51
Departure, the Canal, “Then the Pacific,” pages 52-57
Helicopter operations, pages 58-62
Recovery of North Vietnamese fishermen, pages 63 and 64
Underway replenishment, pages 65-68
Embarked staff, USO entertainers, and special visitors, pages 69-73
Beards, Cookouts, and miscellaneous photos, pages 74-81
Pages 82 and 83 were the two-page spread at the top of this post.
More miscellaneous photos, pages 84-89
Ports O’ Call — Hawaii, Subic Bay, Manila, Japan (including Ship’s Party), San Francisco — pages 90-103
Arrival back in Norfolk, pages 104 and 105
Meritorious Unit Commendation for 1968 deployment, Advancements at Sea, Statistics, From the Ship’s Log, miscellaneous photos, and Cruise Book Staff, pages 106-112
And here is the inside back cover.
Bill,
Thank you for posting the 1969 cruise book. It is hard to believe we were that young once. The pictures of us rescuing the North Vietnamese fisherman are great. I have told that “sea story” many times.
I have a small world story to relate. My wife and I are retired in the Pinehurst, North Carolina area. Last fall, we had a new neighbor move in. I noticed that he had a Vietnam Veteran license on the front of his car. When we went over to introduce ourselves to the new neighbors, I asked him which service he was in. He replied Navy. I then asked when he was in Vietnam. He said 1968 and 1969. I said I was there at the same time on the USS Biddle. He replied that he also was on the Biddle. His name is John Enberg and he was a BT on our ship. With only 400 plus men on board, what are the odds that he would now be my neighbor.
Please continue the updates on our Biddle experience. It does bring back memories.
John (Jack) Bergquist
Supply Officer, USS Biddle
1968-69