Forty Years Ago Tonight … Morning of 24 January onboard USS Midway inbound to Subic Bay after our eighth Line Period

10 Responses to Forty Years Ago Tonight … Morning of 24 January onboard USS Midway inbound to Subic Bay after our eighth Line Period

1. Bob Lopez says:

   January 23, 2013 at 5:47 pm

   As far as my memories of the end of this cruise, I have two lasting memories. One was prior to Christmas when several hundred sailors from the Midway were drinking and enjoying the sun at Dungaree Beach and over the sound system came an announcement that we were going home by Christmas. Everyone was so happy as we had already been through so much. Everyone was hugging everyone else. Then another announcement someone else announced that it was not true. Such a high then such a letdown…
   The other event I remember was being in Subic somewhere (maybe at a club on base) and saw on a TV the arrival of transport planes with Ex-POWs getting off the planes free. I cried as I thought of all the work, the long hours, the many sacrifices, the losses. It was worth it to see the happiness and relief on their faces. It was for a reason.
   A few month after returning to NAS Lemoore, my 4 years were up and I got out of the Navy. I returned to Jefferson City, Missouri and worked two different factory jobs. Boring. After 5 months I was in the recruiting office as Missouri was no match for “Midway Magic”.
   72-73 was the most memorable year of my life.

   Reply
2. Ed says:

   January 24, 2013 at 8:18 am

   We heard the President onboard USS Midway headed into Subic Bay. Shortly thereafter I led 4 VA-56 Champ A-7s into Cubi. Barely out of the cockpit a lady I had never met poured a bottle of champagne on my head and handed me a beer, then a hug. We were being greeted by CTF-77 staff wives with a tub of champagne and beer – enough for the whole fly-in. Alas they had missed everybody else – we 4 Champs had to drink for the airwing…alas, alas, but that’s another story coming.

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   • Boris says:

     January 31, 2013 at 7:42 pm

     This was the e-mail sent out while I worked on the next post on the events of that day at Cubi:
     Floo, Max, Munt,
     And to Skipper and KT,
     And of course to all,

     In about an hour or so it will be exactly 40 years since we listened to President Nixon announce the end of the Vietnam War… and then the four of us manned up and launched towards Cubi in absolute shock and awe that the Skipper and KT didn’t bump us for the fly off. It was probably around 8 PM Washington time on the night of the 23rd, already the 24th at Sea coming off our eighth line period.

     I will never forget the wife of one of the CTF 77 staffers pouring champagne on my head before both feet were on the ground and the tub of beer and champagne that the 77 wives had at the line shack. We didn’t know any of them. They had heard an airwing was inbound but got there too late for all but us Champs, who as self respecting light attack fast pursuit pilots always in training, had done a little “2-V-2” before coming into Cubi.

     I also will never forget Munt’s above and beyond action in saving an F-4 from the yellow cart driven by Phylee’s wife.

     I’m in the midst of trying to write up some memories (any memories, send along) but until done here are the words: http://rememberedsky.com/?p=737

     Skipper, KT thanks for letting “the boys” be the first in.

     Boris

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3. Black Bart says:

   January 31, 2013 at 7:53 pm

   i’d have loved to have seen the ‘yellow cart” incident. Boy, those WERE the good ole days!!

   Cheers,
   Bart
   Bart Bartholomay
   VF-161

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4. Munt says:

   January 31, 2013 at 7:54 pm

   Indeed, Skipper and KT, I thank you as well!

   Well done, Boris!

   Münt

   Patrick Moneymaker
   VA-56

   Reply
5. Floo says:

   January 31, 2013 at 7:56 pm

   Thank goodness the Skipper never found out about Boris almost scrapping off his diamond formation (us) on the side of a mountain during the shit hot fly in break. Luckily we had plenty of booze and other people’s pretty wives to celebrate still being alive after 10 months of combat and one not so “Blue Angel” like arrival.
   Thanks Skipper and KT.
   v/r
   Floo
   Keith LaFlair
   VA-56

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6. KT says:

   January 31, 2013 at 7:57 pm

   Floo -almost does’t count! Looking bad would have been worse!

   Thank you guys for for the thanks but mainly for being the aviators you were; aviators that made me always confident I was with the best – guys who would always cover my six.

   KT
   Ken Sanger
   VA-56

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7. Boris says:

   January 31, 2013 at 7:58 pm

   And besides KT, it wasn’t a mountain at all, we just came in a little low over Grande Island or whatever they called it. Floo was the slot so he just had a lower perspective. We were good to go. Skipper Lew would have been proud… my story and sticking to it… we were there to drink the beer weren’t we?
   Boris
   VA-56

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8. Max says:

   January 31, 2013 at 8:01 pm

   Isn’t it amazing that after 40 years we would ALL still trust each other with
   our lives
   WHAT AN AMAZING GIFT
   THANKS ALL
   Max
   Max Carey
   VA-56

   Reply
9. Boris says:

   January 31, 2013 at 8:05 pm

   The comments posted above came in by e-mail based on my announcement to just the Airwing Five guys.
   Max’s comment is a perfect lead in to the complete story and other comments received -indeed, gifts for a life time.

   Reply