While LT Libbey and I were “working hard” in late June 1969 preparing for the transfer of responsibilities from USS Chicago to Biddle, the rest of the crew was having . . . fun!
Naval Base Subic Bay was adjacent to the city of Olongapo, a legend among Navy ports of call. Shipmate James Treadway, lead author of Hard Charger: The Story of USS Biddle (DLG-34), described Olongapo this way:
“Subic’s on-base facilities for R and R were minimal, making Olongapo the only place a sailor or marine could go to have a drink and some fun. There weren’t many rules in Olongapo — you could get just about anything you wanted, or did not want — including dead. . . . The drinking was heavy, the music was loud, women were available, and fights were common. At least that is what I’ve been told.”
According to CAPT Olsen, writing in Biddlegram #2, “Enroute to the Philippine Islands, we steamed 11,490 miles in 29 days with only two days in port!”
“From Guam to the Philippines,” he wrote, “we crossed the Philippine Sea and transited San Bernardino Strait, scenes of two of our Navy’s great victories over the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II. Today these waters are placid, blue and unmarred by the history they’ve seen. Our port of call in the Philippines was Subic Bay, a snug harbor, protected by rising hills against the wind and sea, and site of a large U.S. Navy Base, which our friends, the Filipinos, permit us to use.”
After a few days at Subic Bay, Biddle transited to Danang, the Navy’s principal port in the Republic of Vietnam, for replenishments and some SAR (search and rescue) training.
Below are some video clips (1:39) from the films shot by George Boyles and Jerome Kuczmarski, both GMG2s, around the time of these events. They show Biddle steaming, US warplanes, a PBR (Patrol Boat, River), and Biddle‘s two boats. The audio was added by George Boyles.
I was one of those Sailors having fun in Olongapo. The EM club at Subic wasn’t horrible. The waiters would bring you beers so you order two each time and more depending on how many were in a round. The reason you order two, was one to drink and then another while you held up your hand until the waiter came to take the next order.
Sorry it took so long to post your comment, Edward. I was overseas most of June.
And thanks for participating!