RIPPLE SALVO… #691… “THE RESCUE OF COMMANDER TOM WOOLCOCK” …The fleet’s search and rescue forces saved many American aviators from death or captivity, including the skipper of VA-153, Commander Tom Woolcock on 25 January 1968. From 6 June 1965 to 1 November 1968– the end date of Operation Rolling Thunder– 458 of the 912 naval air crewmen downed as a result of combat or non-combat operations in North Vietnam, Laos, or at sea in the South China Sea (Gulf of Tonkin) were rescued. The “Stars and Stripes” ran the CDR WOOLCOCK story under the headline: “SEA BATTLE RAGES DURING RESCUE OF PILOT.”… but first…
A few words about the intrepid pros that manned the SAR forces… they were experts in creating “happy endings.”
“While the retrieval of aviators from crash sites on land, when at all possible, took somewhat longer, the rescue at sea usually occurred within 20 to 30 minutes of the aircraft loss. The effort was not without cost however, for 26 men were killed, wounded, missing, or made prisoner, and 33 aircraft were destroyed during SAR operations. This measure, however, returned valuable air crews to the fleet and improved the morale of naval aviators, who knew the Navy would do its utmost to rescue them from hostile territory or waters.” Quoted from “Sea, Air, and Land,” chapter 3: The Years of Combat 1965-68“...
Continuing: “This psychological support was crucial because the air units of Task Force 77 carried out their missions in one of the world’s most difficult operational environments. During the winter Northeast Monsoon from November to March, the weather in the Gulf of Tonkin and over most of North Vietnam is characteristic by dense clouds and heavy rainfall. Conditions are especially harsh during a weather phenomenon known as the Crachin. Thick clouds with ceilings as low as 500-feet blanket the area and are accompanied by fog and persistent drizzle. Conversely, during the summer Southwest Monsoon from May to September, the skies are usually clear and dry. These general weather patterns are almost reversed in South Vietnam and Laos. This situation allowed shifting of resources to most favorable ares. Still, throughout the year high temperatures and humidity, typhoons, tropical storms, and thunderstorms increased the difficulty and danger of SAR operations in Southeast Asia.”…
Good Morning: Day SIX HUNDRED NINETY-ONE of a return to the years and bravery of the air war over North Vietnam…
25 JANUARY 1968…HEAD LINES from The New York Times on a snowy Thursday in New York City…
Page 1: “NORTH KOREA AND RUSSIA REBUFF U.S. EFFORTS TO FREE SEIZED SHIP–Captain’s Confession Derided–Next Step Studied–Use of Force is Termed Last Resort–A Move In U.N. Considered”... “…rebuffed in efforts to obtain the release of the intelligence ship Pueblo and her crew of 83, captured yesterday (23rd) by the Communist regime of North Korea. Administration officials said that the Soviet Union brusquely refused to act on a United States request that Moscow use its good offices with the North Korea.”… Page 14: “Text of Bucher Confession –All Korean Reds Say Skipper Admitted Deep Incursion.”… Page 1: “Senator Mansfield Asks Caution On Ship–Fulbright’s View Similar–Others Bid U.S. Act”… Page 1: “B-52 Hunt Locates Pieces of H-Bomb”…
GROUND WAR: Page 1: “KHESANH BASE HIT BY ARTILLERY FIRE–MAJOR ATTACK IS EXPECTED–16,000 Enemy Troops Gather in Area”… “North Vietnam’s gunners hammered the Marines’ Khesanh base yesterday, firing hundreds of rounds of big-caliber artillery and rockets in two bombardments in the late afternoon and evening. There was no immediate report on casualties. The bombardment, in which the highly accurate big guns were used against the strongpoint, were beginning as a senior American officer in Saigon was expressing the growing conviction of the high command that the greatest battle of the war would explode at Khesanh. ‘It may not come until after the Tet (Lunar New Year) truce,’ he said, ‘but it will come.'”… “The North Vietnamese began probing the Marines’ defenses with sporadic rocket and mortar barrages and ground attacks on Sunday. Since the village of Khesanh itself, about two miles south of the fortified perimeter, has been abandoned to the North Vietnamese. Enemy forces have also infiltrated past Marine outposts on Hills 881 South and 861, three and two miles to the northwest, respectively.”…
Page 1: “PRESIDENT URGES CIVIL RIGHTS MEASURES TO END INJUSTICE–Says Criminal Conduct Should Not Counter Help On ‘Real Grievances’–A Message to Congress–President Asks Fair Housing, Jury Selection Provision and Curb On Hiring Bias”… “In his second message in two days–following yesterday’s proposal for an attack on hardcore urban unemployment–the President asked for passage of the civil rights measures he has vainly recommended for three years.”…
President’s Daily Brief: NORTH KOREA: Pyongyang is still defiant on the release of the Pueblo and its crew… Four soviet naval ships are operating in the vicinity of the ENTERPRISE and its escorts. These units appear to be monitoring the activity of the US task force, but have shown no hostile intent. Soviet ships regularly operate in this area…. LAOS: Over a week after the debacle at Nam Bac, the government still cannot account for more than half of the troops deployed there. Large stocks of heavy weapons, ammunition, and other equipment were also lost. We do not believe that the Communists intend to drive far south from Nam Bac, but they are stepping up their annual dry-season campaign against government guerrilla bases in the northeast…. NORTH VIETNAM: Premier Kosygin will go on to Hanoi after his visit to New Delhi later this week.Such a visit could be timed to coincide with the Tet bombing pause…The current US-Korean trouble could alter any plans Kosygin might have….
25 JANUARY 1968… OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER…New York times: No coverage. “Vietnam: Air Losses” (Chris Hobson) There was one fixed wing aircraft lost in Southeast Asia on 25 January 1968…
(1) COMMANDER THOMAS E. WOOLCOCK, Commanding Officer of the VA-153 Blue Tail Flies embarked in USS CORAL SEA was flying an A-4E and leading a strike on coastal defenses near Vinh when downed by a SAM. CHRIS HOBSON: “The SAMs had had little success during January but on the 25th claimed their fourth victim in 1968. The CO of VA-153 was leading a strike on coastal defenses and approaching the target from inland at 12,000-feet when his Skyhawk was hit by a missile 15 miles south of Vinh. The formation had received a warning of a SAM threat and CDR WOOLCOCK had started jinking his aircraft to break the missile’s radar lock but to no avail. He managed to cross the coast and ejected two miles off-shore. He was rescued by a Navy helicopter and returned to the Coral Sea.”
More of story from the logs of the HS-6 “Raunchy Redskins” (Hardly PC in the 21st Century, but highly acceptable in 1968). CDR WOOLCOCK was rescued by Big Mutha 73 piloted by LT VERN VAN SYDOW and LTJG JAMES WILLIAM ROONEY… Humble Host refers to the Seventh Fleet NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL Citation for LTJG ROONEY for some details on the pickup…
“For meritorious achievement as a co-pilot of a helicopter while attached to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron SIX embarked in USS RANGER (CVA-61). On 25 January 1968, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) ROONEY’s aircraft was vectored to an area near Hon Mat Island, North Vietnam, to rescue a downed Navy attack pilot. The survivor was located in the water, between two destroyers and enemy shore batteries which were engaged in a fierce gun duel. The helicopter entered the area with a low, high-speed approach and immediately initiated rescue procedures. Lieutenant (Junior Grade) ROONEY expertly assisted his pilot throughout the approach and rescue. Advised of heavy missile and antiaircraft fire in the area, the pilot employed evasive tactics during a rapid departure to seaward. Lieutenant (Junior Grade) ROONEY’s outstanding airmanship and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the naval service.” The Combat “V” was authorized. oohrah for the JO….
RIPPLE SALVO… #691… Pacific Stars and Stripes, Monday January 29, 1968, Page 6: “SEA BATTLE RAGES DURING RESCUE OF PILOT”… Saigon (UPI) –“A downed American pilot was rescued off the North Vietnamese coast while two destroyers covered him in a blazing gun duel with Communist shore batteries. The U.S Navy pilot (Commander Woolcock) was shot down just east of Vinh on Thursday. Earlier, the Australian guided missile destroyer Perth and the U.S. destroyer Bordelon were firing on North Vietnamese supply routes when the gun batteries opened fire on them.
“The first rounds landed between the two ships. Although one round came about 100-yards from the Bordelon, neither ship was hit. Both ships, including the Perth’s rapid-firing five-inch guns, returned the fire. U.S. Navy carrier-based A-4 Skyhawks, responding to the Perth’s call, were sent to the scene to strike the North Vietnamese guns. In the Perth’s combat information center, Lt Cmdr. Geoff Cockran of Sydney, Australia, and Leading Seaman Daryl Dunlop of Deabella, Western Australia, directed the attack.
“One of the Skyhawks was hit by ground fire (SAM). The pilot ejected and parachuted into the Gulf of Tonkin about 11 miles from the positions of the destroyers. The aircraft was the 793rd American aircraft shot down over North Vietnam thus far in the war. The destroyers raced toward the downed pilot and continued bombarding the shore batteries to protect the man who was only five miles off the coast. A rescue helicopter hauled the pilot to safety while the Perth and the Bordelon continued patrolling the waters off North Vietnam.”…
Humble Host loves a happy ending… and the SAR guys were always ready, willing and able to go the last mile to fetch a brother warrior from hostile country and create a happy ending…
RTR Quote for 25 January: ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON, An Apology for Idlers: “There is no duty we so much under-rate as the duty of being happy.”…
Lest we forget… Bear