USS John W. Thomason DD760 Association

Dear Dependent:

I am long overdue in writing this Family-Gram to you but circumstances have prevented me from doing so because of the ship having been extended in the Seventh Fleet beyond our normal departure date and not knowing of any definite date of our return to the states.  We finally received orders yesterday telling us the ship will depart the Seventh Fleet and head back to San Diego in a couple of days.   We will make a short logistic stop at Sasebo Japan, and should arrive in San Diego about 6 April.   This news of course was well received by all hands as the ship will have been gone nearly eight months by the time we get back.

As most of you know our extension was because of the seizure of the USS PUEBLO by the North Koreans.  In order for our naval forces to fill the naval requirements off the Korean coast, in the event something happened the forces off Viet Nam had to be reduced.  So you can see why we were needed beyond our normal departure date.

We are presently in the Sea of Japan after sailing from the Gulf of Tonkin on 19 February and stopping in Sasebo, Japan, for 5 days of upkeep before assuming patrol duties off the Korean coast.   We arrived in the Sea of Japan 1 March, and after having spent the last three weeks in this mighty cold weather, we were so happy to get our orders for home, the smiles of the crew are as big as one will ever see, outside of the smiles when they see you on the pier in San Diego.

Let me digress to my last Family-Gram.   When we departed Sasebo, after a marvelous Christmas and New Years liberty period, we went straight to the gunfire line in South Viet Nam.  We spent the period from 7 January thru 13 January just south of DaNang in support of the AMERICAL Army Division.  It was during this period the ship was cited by higher authority for the support given our troops on the beach.   The following message was received from the Commander of Naval Gunfire Support Forces in Viet Nam; "I take this opportunity to commend the officers and men of THOMASON for her out-standing performance as a member of the gun line team 7-13 January 68.  Particularly noteworthy were your accomplishments of 8 and 11 January 68 when in support of forces ashore.  THOMASON effective fire was credited with 6 KIA (BU,) 36 structures destroyed, 30 structures damaged, 5 bunkers destroyed, and 2 barges damaged. In addition, your blocking naval gunfire was credited as a major asset to friendly troops in the capture of 34 prisoners and 4 tons of rice.  This is an enviable record of team performance and one in which you may be justifiably proud.  Well done, Signed: Capt. DALE V. SHERMERHORN, USN."   Yes, you can be proud of the THOMASON crew because they are a close knit organization and have developed outstanding work. That message finalized our activities on the gun line for this deployment.  We returned to plane guard duty in the gulf until our departure for Hong Kong on 19 January.

Our visit to Hong Kong was enjoyed by everyone; many dollars were spent purchasing various types of gifts, clothing, jewelry and electronic equipment.   It is by far the most enjoyable liberty port of all the Seventh Fleet area and our 6 days passed by all too fast.   Upon departure from Hong Kong 27 January we headed for Subic Bay where we spent two days before returning to the Gulf of Tonkin.  During our last tour of duty in the Gulf of Tonkin from 1 February to 19 February, we plane guarded the entire period.   We saw the sun shine for only one day, and it was very dismal with no sun to brighten our outlook, but we managed to get through with no problems.   On 20 February we headed for Sasebo and on into the Sea of Japan.   It was a real shock to the body to head into the cold weather of the Sea of Japan after spending so many months in the warmer climates down south.   But we weathered the coldness and are now ready for a little of that sunshine of sunny San Diego.

Since our departure from San Diego last August, we have compiled a few statistics for you.   The ship steamed 36,891 miles this cruise, and was underway about 75% of the many months we have been gone.   Here are a few operating facts and figures:

Fuel Oil Burned	3,300,000 gallons
Ammunition expended	2,500 rounds
Replenishments conducted at sea	80
Helicopter in-flight refuelings	66
Helicopter transactions in flight	191
Flying hours for ship's drone Helicopter	45

Yes we have compiled quite an array of statistics, and when you look at the picture of the THOMASON I have enclosed, you will better understand her everyday accomplishments.   Incidentally this picture was taken from an aircraft carrier as we were going alongside her to refuel earlier in the cruise.   The THOMASON is a ship you can be proud of not only because you have a loved one aboard but also because she is a member of the finest naval force in the world.  There will be some other statistics on food consumed and other items in our Cruise Book which will be received from the printer shortly after we get back to the U.S.   I hope many of you will get to see this fine book.

This will be my last Family-Gram not only of the cruise but also of my tour of duty on the ship.   I will be relived about the first of June and head for my next duty station.   Where that will be I do not know at this time.  I am sure that my successor, CTR T. E. VINES, will carry on where I leave off.  He will have the opportunity to take the ship through a three months shipyard overhaul commencing in August prior to making preparations for another cruise to the Seventh Fleet next year.

   
Scans of the Family-Gram (click over an image to enlarge)