Subject: Re: Z-Grams
Thanks for these memories Vic …… only had some 7 yrs in when this went down in 1970 and it was way above Lt. concerns ….. but interesting, and led to a beard……
One point of clarity however re ….
‘His service in Vietnam had included adapting a fighting force from a high-seas orientation to one capable of effectively fighting in the brown waters ….
… it was not an either / or effort …. it was both !
The carriers, probably 3-4 in 1970 still flew, under 7th Fleet and PacFlt command … and the NavForV forces still patrolled , for MACV ………
PBRs in the “brown water”………..
.. and Swift Boats along the coasts …… and the start of these ops pre-dated Zumwalt ……
The U.S. Navy in Vietnam began about 1950 ….. aiding the French through a very small MAAG….. it evolved and grew over the years … until 1966 … it was established as NavForV , the Naval Component Commander for MACV ……. often overlooked was their un-glorious .. but huge construction effort with the in-country by the Sea-Bees (CBs) ….
and … the equally large sea lift efforts ……
Thanks….
Salty Jim