Submitted by Name: Lee Doehring From: Seward NE E-mail: ldoehring@me.com
Comments: Served aboard the Askari from March 67 to June 68 in the repair div. machine shop. Picked her up in Vung Tau after being transferred from the Uss Mahnomen County LST 912 which had run aground and lost off the coast of Chu Lai. Memorable experiences include the barge parties, liberty in Vung Tau,the USO show at the old French fort, watching the UDT team wrestle and kill an 18 ft python eating rats in the river during monsoon, Tet and the arty barges getting hit and burning and being assigned to a damage control team to respond and try to putout the fire and being turned back by the shrapnel from the ammo cooking off. The best memory is having the privilege of serving with a great group of men from all walks of life.
Added: November 11, 2017
Submitted by Name: Charles W. Mehltretter From: USS Askari ARL 30 E-mail: mehltrc@msn.com
Comments: Just wishing all my shipmate a Blessed Veterans Days !!
Comments: Hello, I’m looking for Raymond Page. I came across some love letters andlife insurance policy’s that he had. It was in alld storage. If anyone knows where to reach him or his family. Please have them email me. I would love to return these beautiful love letters he wrote his wife. The address that he sent letters to were. 208 South 9th ave. Jacksonville beach, Florida. He was stationed in San Fransico. There letters to his son and his wife. Along with photos of his wife. Thank you to all that have served our country. God bless you all
Comments: Is there any info available about a 2018 re-union? I served 1968-1969. A-Gang. Good memories. Bob Beaman 1968-1972 MM3
Added: November 2, 2017
Submitted by Name: Karl R Lindbloom EM2 From: Boston Ma. E-mail: caddyjax007@gmail.com
Comments: Lately, I been thinking a lot about old shipmates, and our time served aboard the Askari in the delta.It's so hard to believe that it has been almost 5o years ago, and that we were just kids at that time. It's hard to believe that I spent almost three years aboard her (67-69). I will always remember those years with fondness, and the great friendships formed during some very trying times. I have been blessed with overall good health, and I am saddened to hear of the passing of many of our shipmates, and of those that are suffering from all kinds of ailments especially of those related to Agent Orange. The only shipmate that I have been able to see since that time is Charles W. Mehltretter MM2 from "A GANG " and I just wanted to publicly thank him for all his help in guiding me thru the maze of VA paperwork to get compensation for Agent Orange ailments, which fortunately for me are not too severe. God Bless all of you,and your familys.
Submitted by Name: Barbara (Lobello) Ruccia From: Chicago, Illinois E-mail: barbara.ruccia7@gmail.com
Comments: I was a Chicago USO Volunteer 1967-1972.We hosted a lot of activities for the servicemen from Great Lakes, (as well as the Army & Air Force bases that were in Illinois but have since closed.) I'm trying to organize a reunion of sorts with some of the past volunteers & Great Lakes groups who were regulars @ the USO, One of them being a past Askari ARL 30 Radarman by the name of James L. Smith, I think originally from Pittsburgh, Pa. If anyone has any leads, please let me know at the above mentioned e-mail address. Thanks for listening & for your Service to OUR COUNTRY! Love, Peace & Good Health & Happiness to ALL !
Comments: I've been doing some family genealogy on my wife's side and I just found a military record for her grandfather showing that she served on this ship, I believe 1945 and 46. His name was Claudie W. Bradberry.
I was wondering if you might have any records about him. Thanks, Doug Moulton.
Comments: would like info from crew 1970- 1971 till decommissioning in Guam. severe skin rash. Burning and weeping blood through the skin. If any others are going through this.
Comments: I was onboard the USS Askari from September 1966 thru October 1967. I was with the repair department and worked on the riverboats in Nam. Hard to believe this October will be 50 years since Vietnam. I was 18 yrs young at that time. At times it still seems like yesterday. I remember talking with a young man the night before his boat went out on patrol the next day, he didn't want to go. He and two of his crew died that day. That memory still comes back to me. Vietnam will forever be remembered in my mind. Bless all of you who served.
Name: Lee Doehring
From: Seward NE
E-mail: ldoehring@me.com
Served aboard the Askari from March 67 to June 68 in the repair div. machine shop. Picked her up in Vung Tau after being transferred from the Uss Mahnomen County LST 912 which had run aground and lost off the coast of Chu Lai. Memorable experiences include the barge parties, liberty in Vung Tau,the USO show at the old French fort, watching the UDT team wrestle and kill an 18 ft python eating rats in the river during monsoon, Tet and the arty barges getting hit and burning and being assigned to a damage control team to respond and try to putout the fire and being turned back by the shrapnel from the ammo cooking off. The best memory is having the privilege of serving with a great group of men from all walks of life.