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“Yankee Station” • The Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club

The Gulf of Tonkin (Vịnh Bắc Bộ, northern bay) is in the northwestern part of the South China Sea, off the coast of North Vietnam (Tonkin, Đông Kinh, eastern capital) and Hainan Island, People’s Republic of China.

Wednesday, February 5, 1969

Gulf of Tonkin - Gloriam Deo • Honor and Praise to the Maker of All Things
“Yankee Station” (officially “Point Yankee”) was a fixed location off the coast of Vietnam where U.S. Navy Task Force 77 aircraft carriers and support ships conducted air strikes over North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

It is 0 Dark 30 on Yankee Station, about 90 miles off the coast of North Vietnam. I am a young naval officer standing the bridge watch on board a destroyer underway in the Gulf of Tonkin.

My ship is USS FLETCHER (DD-445), homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, call sign “Radish.” Fletcher is part of the carrier strike group of USS HANCOCK (CVA-19), homeported in Alameda, California, call sign “Rampage.”

“Hanna” is an Essex class aircraft carrier. She is the fourth ship of the U.S. Navy to be named in honor of John Hancock, president of the Second Continental Congress.

On July 4, 1776, John Hancock presided over the signing of the Declaration of Independence. He was also the first governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

U.S. Navy Douglas A-4F Skyhawks of Attack Squadron 55 (VA-55) “War Horses” and Attack Squadron 164 (VA-164) “Ghost Riders,” are the ship’s firepower, enough firepower to rival the air forces of many nations.

These two squadrons are assigned to Attack Carrier Wing 21 (CVW-21), aboard “Hanna.”

Fletcher’s job, and that of our sister destroyers in the carrier strike group, here in the Gulf of Tonkin, is to protect “Hanna” from harm.

Fletcher is in plane guard station, about 2,500 yards astern of “Hanna.”

Our purpose is to serve as a visual reference for the carrier’s Landing Signal Officer (LSO), and to function as plane guard to rescue any ship’s personnel who might fall overboard during flight ops.

Aircraft carrier flight operations are inherently dangerous. We are ever watchful and ready to recover any aircrew whose aircraft may crash or have to ditch in the ocean during carrier flight operations.

The plane guard role is also dangerous. Aircraft carriers often change course and speed to maintain best wind conditions for aircraft take off and landing.

LTJG Paul Eugene Swigert Jr USNR - Gloriam Deo • Honor and Praise to the Maker of All Things
Lieutenant (junior grade) Paul Eugene Swigart, Jr., USNR, a pilot in Fighter Squadron 24 (VF-24) “Fighting Renegades.” Fighter Squadron VF-24 was part of Carrier Air Wing 21 (CVW-21), aboard USS HANCOCK (CVA-19) on Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War.

Any lack of awareness or inattention by either ship, especially at night, in extreme weather, or with battle damage, can put the plane guard ship under the bows of a rapidly maneuvering carrier traveling at full speed.

When Fletcher is not in plane guard station, we are miles ahead, or on either side of “Hanna,” fanned out with other destroyers of the carrier strike group.

We are “tin can” destroyer sailors who provide early warning screening, defense in depth, and search and rescue support to protect “Hanna” and her crew from harm.

It is 0203, early morning. Today, Fletcher is in plane guard station, 2,500 yards behind “Hanna.” It is pitch black, except for pinpoints of ship navigation lights.

I am standing the bridge watch on Fletcher when a Vought F-8H Crusader aircraft lands heavily on “Hanna’s” carrier deck and explodes in a huge orange fireball right in front of me.

At first light, we find pieces of fuel cells from the wing tanks, and a piece of a flight helmet, in the thinly scattered debris floating on the surface of the Gulf of Tonkin.

Lieutenant (junior grade) Paul Eugene Swigart, Jr., USNR, a pilot in Fighter Squadron 24 (VF-24) “Fighting Renegades,” Carrier Air Wing 21 (CVW-21), aboard USS HANCOCK (CVA-19), is killed. His body is not recovered. He is 25 years old.

LTJG Swigart is from Seal Beach, California. His MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) is Unrestricted Line Officer, Pilot (1315).

Earlier today, he flew from a base in South Vietnam to land on the flight deck of USS HANCOCK (CVA-19) on Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin about 80 miles east of North Vietnam.

At Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California, he is named on a memorial headstone in plot MA 0 105. His name is inscribed in the Courts of the Missing, Court B, National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii.

His name, PAUL E SWIGART JR, is inscribed on the black granite Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Panel 33W, Line 69). His name is one of 58,307 names on “The Wall” in Washington, D.C.

Sunday, February 9, 1969

It is now four days later, 0604 in the morning. We are 125 miles east of North Vietnam. Fletcher is in screen station, five miles off the starboard beam of USS HANCOCK (CVA-19).

LCDR Roger Allen Meyers USN - Gloriam Deo • Honor and Praise to the Maker of All Things
Lieutenant Commander Roger Allen Meyers, USN, a pilot in Attack Squadron 164 (VA-164) “Ghost Riders.” Attack Squadron VA-164 was part of Carrier Air Wing 21 (CVW-21), aboard USS HANCOCK (CVA-19) on Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War.

A Douglas A-4F Skyhawk from Hancock catches fire during the catapult shot, and crashes into the Gulf of Tonkin. As “Hanna” passes by, the pilot is seen inside his plane, sinking on the starboard side.

Fletcher assists in search and rescue operations in the wreckage area. We find two signal wands, part of the cockpit seat, and some insulation.

Lieutenant Commander Roger Allen Meyers, USN, a pilot in Attack Squadron 164 (VA-164) “Ghost Riders,” Carrier Air Wing 21 (CVW-21), aboard USS HANCOCK (CVA-19) is killed. His body is not recovered. He is 35 years old.

Lieutenant Commander Meyers is from Chicago, Illinois. His MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) is Unrestricted Line Officer, Pilot (1310).

At Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, he is named on a memorial headstone in Memorial Section 3. His name is inscribed in the Courts of the Missing, Court B, National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii.

His name, ROGER A MEYERS, is inscribed on the black granite Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Panel 33W, Line 94). His name is one of 58,307 names on “The Wall” in Washington, D.C.

No one wants to be a Gold Star Family.

Gold Star Families remember their family members who have died in military service.

As a nation, we honor the ultimate sacrifice of Gold Star Families.

As human beings, we acknowledge the loss, the grief, the need for continual healing of Gold Star Families.

Men and women who die in military service give their last full measure of devotion to the people of the United States. They give the ultimate sacrifice of their lives for the rest of us.

The least we can do is remember them.

This day, I remember U.S. Navy Lieutenant (junior grade) Paul Eugene Swigart, Jr., USNR.

This day, I remember Lieutenant Commander Roger Allen Meyers, USN.

I was there. I remember.

"Yankee Station" - Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club - Gloriam Deo • Honor and Praise to the Maker of All Things
“Home is the Hunter,” a limited edition print released by artist Bill Phillips in January 2001. The print depicts USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64), call sign “War Chief,” and its carrier strike group on Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War. "Connie" was the first U.S. Navy aircraft carrier to serve on "Yankee Station."

The Gulf of Tonkin (Vinh Bac Bo) is in the northwestern part of the South China Sea, between North Vietnam and Hainan Island.
"Yankee Station" - Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club - Gloriam Deo • Honor and Praise to the Maker of All Things
The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CVA-19) leaving Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, en route to Vietnam. "Hanna" was deployed to Vietnam from July 18, 1968 to March 3, 1969.
"Yankee Station" - Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club - Gloriam Deo • Honor and Praise to the Maker of All Things
U.S. Navy Douglas A-4F Skyhawks being launched from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS HANCOCK (CVA-19) for a strike in Vietnam in 1969.

The A-4F on the starboard catapult was assigned to Attack Squadron VA-55 “War Horses.” The A-4F on the port catapult was assigned to Attack Squadron VA-164 “Ghost Riders.” Both squadrons were assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing 21 (CVW-21) aboard “Hanna” on deployment to Vietnam from August 2, 1969 to April 15, 1970.
"Yankee Station" - Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club - Gloriam Deo • Honor and Praise to the Maker of All Things
During my first tour of duty in Vietnam, 1968-1969, my ship was USS FLETCHER (DD-445), homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, call sign “Radish.” Fletcher was part of the carrier strike group of USS HANCOCK (CVA-19), homeported in Alameda, California, call sign “Rampage.”
"Yankee Station" - Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club - Gloriam Deo • Honor and Praise to the Maker of All Things
Underway Replenishment (UNREP) at sea. USS FLETCHER (DD-445) is coming alongside USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64) for underway refueling at sea.

“Connie” is the supplying ship, the guide ship. Fletcher is the receiving ship, the customer ship. When in UNREP station, both ships will hold a steady course and speed, usually about 12 to 15 knots. The UNREP procedure begins with the rendezvous at sea.
"Yankee Station" - Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club - Gloriam Deo • Honor and Praise to the Maker of All Things
Underway Replenishment (UNREP) at sea. USS FLETCHER (DD-445) alongside USS HASSAYAMPA (AO-145), a Neosho class fleet oiler in service with the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine from 1955 to 1991. A veteran of the Vietnam War and First Gulf War, she served for 36 years before being retired in California, and eventually sold for scrap.

Many times, my ship, USS FLETCHER (DD-445), refueled underway at sea alongside USS HASSAYAMPA (AO-145). Whenever I drive between my home in Hemet, California and “the big city” Phoenix, Arizona, I pass a sign on Interstate 10 that announces the intermittent, often subsurface (invisible) Hassayampa River in the western desert of Arizona. I just smile quietly to myself, every time I remember that old reliable, dependable, workhorse, USS HASSAYAMPA (AO-145).
"Yankee Station" - Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club - Gloriam Deo • Honor and Praise to the Maker of All Things
Underway Replenishment (UNREP) at sea. Underway replenishment is inherently dangerous. Ships running side by side at relatively high speed must hold to precisely to the same course and speed for a long period of time. Hydrodynamic effects of two ships running close together causes suction between them.

A slight steering error on the part of either ship could cause a collision, or part the transfer lines and fuel hoses. At a speed of 12 knots, a 1 degree variation in heading will produce a lateral separation or closure of about 20 feet per minute. Qualified, experienced, steady helmsmen on both ships are crucial players during underway replenishment. Officers on the bridge of both ships focus their undivided attention to their ship's course and speed.
"Yankee Station" - Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club - Gloriam Deo • Honor and Praise to the Maker of All Things
Underway Replenishment (UNREP) at sea. This is the Romeo flag. During the approach, the guide ship flies the Romeo flag at the dip (at half staff) on its side rigged for refueling. Romeo means, “Am steady on course and speed, and am prepared to receive you on the side indicated.”

The customer ship also flies the Romeo flag at the dip on its refueling side, meaning, “Am ready to come alongside.” When the guide ship is ready to receive the customer ship alongside, she'll indicate this by closing up the Romeo flag to the top of her flag hoist. This means, “Am ready for your approach.” When ready, the customer ship does the same, meaning, “Am commencing approach.”
"Yankee Station" - Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club - Gloriam Deo • Honor and Praise to the Maker of All Things
Underway Replenishment (UNREP) at sea. This is the Bravo flag. The receiving ship, the customer ship comes alongside the supplying ship, the guide ship. Refueling usually is conducted at a distance of about 40 to 50 yards.

When both ships shoot the initial lines over to each other, the Romeo flags are hauled down, meaning “Messenger in hand,” and both ships hoist the Bravo flag, meaning, “Fuel or explosives are being transferred.” Bridge to bridge communication is established. Refueling station hoses are connected. Moving at a speed of 12 to 15 knots lessens relative motion due to wave action, and allows better control of heading.
"Yankee Station" - Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club - Gloriam Deo • Honor and Praise to the Maker of All Things
Underway Replenishment (UNREP) at sea. This is the Preparatory (Prep) pennant. About 15 minutes before refueling is complete, the customer ship hoists the Preparatory (Prep) pennant at the dip, meaning “Expect to disengage in 15 minutes.” When refueling is complete, the customer ship closes up the Prep pennant to the top of her flag hoist, meaning, “Replenishment complete. Am disengaging at final location.”

When all lines are clear, the customer ship hauls down the Prep pennant, meaning, “All lines clear.” Both ships then haul down their Bravo flags, meaning, “Delivery is completed,” and the customer ship begins to separate from the guide ship.
"Yankee Station" - Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club - Gloriam Deo • Honor and Praise to the Maker of All Things
The Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club was a nickname for the United States Navy Seventh Fleet during the Vietnam War. Throughout the war in Vietnam, the Seventh Fleet engaged in combat operations against enemy forces through attack carrier air strikes, naval gunfire support, amphibious operations, patrol and reconnaissance operations, mine warfare, and riverine warfare in the Mekong Delta. As for me, during my second tour in Vietnam, I was Lieutenant (junior grade) Donald Smith, United States Naval Reserve, a young naval officer, serving as an advisor in the river forces of the Vietnamese Navy in 1969 and 1970.

I was a co van (advisor) in Duyen Đoàn hai mươi lăm (Coastal Group 25) in Khánh Hòa province of South Vietnam. Later, I was co van in Giang Đoàn Ngan Chan bon mươi mot (River Interdiction Division 41) in An Giang and Cà Mau provinces of South Vietnam. For part of this time, I was officer-in-charge of the Advanced Tactical Support Base at Vĩnh Gia, on the Vĩnh Te Canal in An Giang province, on the Vietnam border with Cambodia. My guys and I conducted combat operations against Viet Cong and North Vietnamese units in the Mekong River Delta – the Đong bang Sông Cuu Long ('River of Nine Dragons') – Republic of Vietnam.