On the line

Biddle relieved the Chicago on 1 July 1969 and LT Libbey and I got to go home. To the Biddle, that is.

We transferred from the Chicago around 1700, maybe by boat. Here’s film, shot from the Biddle by either GMG2 George Boyles or GMG2 Jerome Kuczmarski, of the Chicago awaiting her relief that night.

Biddle was now PIRAZ (Positive Identification Radar Advisory Zone).  In that role, its radio call sign was “Red Crown.” We were accompanied by a  “shotgun” destroyer whose main role was to protect Red Crown from North Vietnamese torpedo boat attack. At least on this first stint, Biddle‘s shotgun was USS Meredith (DD-890).

Biddle‘s station was offshore from Vinh, North Vietnam. The ship would usually steam on an east-west line, back and forth. Not the most exciting route for bridge watch standers. To the east of Biddle in this position was the Chinese island of Hainan.

Being on the line, for me, meant going to work. First night back on Biddle, I noted in my journal that I had stayed up until 0230 working on intelligence matters. 

I actually went to “new” quarters when I returned onboard Biddle. We had picked up a staff and contingent of “snoops” in Subic and/or Danang and that made for slightly crowded conditions. Ensigns Curran, Roberts, and I were now berthed in what was termed “CPO [Chief Petty Officer] overflow.”

Our “stateroom” had four racks rigged in a stack along the bulkhead. Not a lot of room among them. No one could “sit up” in bed. I remember having the lowest rack, which was only several inches off the deck. Rolling out of bed was pretty much the only way to exit.