April 13, 2007
Some may say that Friday the 13th is bad luck but not when the USS Ford FFG 54 is involved. Members of the NW Chapter were honored with a luncheon in the Wardroom of the Ford.
USS Ford recently hosted a group from the Gamewardens in the shipís newly designed wardroom. From left to right: Cmdr. Mike Taylor, Ford commanding officer; Mike Perin; and Gamewardens Joe Lavoie, Tom Restemayer, Heinz Hickethier and Cutiss Johnson.
USS Ford photo
Friday, May 11, 2007
The crew of USS Ford, an Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate home ported in Everett experienced a rare event last month that allowed them to get a little closer to its namesake and history when the crew entertained a Vietnam veterans group on board.
The veterans were gentlemen from a group known as the Gamewardens. The Gamewardens of Vietnam is a nationwide Association devoted to preserving the history, name, and friendships created by Vietnam Naval Task Force 116, otherwise known as Operation Gamewarden.
The local chapter of the Gamewardens of Vietnam Association was invited aboard Ford for a luncheon to help dedicate the ship’s newly renovated wardroom. The room was recently remodeled and features pictures and memorabilia to reflect the ship’s heritage and namesake.
This operation employed small boat task forces in the river areas of the Mekong Delta and Saigon River in the late 60s and early 70s during the Vietnam conflict.
The boats were PBR’s or Patrol Boat River Craft used mainly in river warfare operations to disrupt weapons shipments within Vietnam’s extensive littoral geography, as well as special forces insertion and extraction.
The road and rail system in Vietnam was rudimentary, but was made up for in its waterways, making the Gamewardens a vital component in the Navy’s strategy in Vietnam. Due to the highly dangerous nature of their mission, the members of Operation Gamewarden rank among some of the most highly decorated servicemen to date.
USS Ford is named after one of these “Brown Water Warriors’:” Gunners Mate 2nd Class Patrick Osborne Ford.
In 1968, Petty Officer Ford was sent to Vietnam, and attached to Task Force 116. While on patrol, shortly after arrival, Ford’s patrol boat was hit by an RPG, setting it on fire. Ford, a gunner’s mate, stayed his post and returned continuous counter-fire on the small boat’s attackers.
After four more rocket hits, with his clothes ablaze, Ford continued to fire, as well as assist three of his wounded crewmates into the water. It was only after others were safe did Ford himself retreat.
His actions saved the lives of two of his shipmates, even though they cost him his own. Because of his tenacious actions on that day, June 21, 1968, Patrick Osborne Ford was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, and had FFG 54 named after him.
Throughout the room, pictures of the Task Force 116 and PBR’s are hanging, as well as pictures of the men who sailed them in those dangerous waters. Ironically enough, out of the dozens of new photographs and paintings which now decorate the wardroom of USS Ford, one of the original 1969 photographs turned out to be a photo of a Gamewarden present at the meeting, Tom Restemayer.
This mark of living history provided a poignant reminder to Ford’s crew of the importance of remembering and honoring one’s history and heritage.
© 2007 Sound Publishing, Inc.
The wardroom decorations have been up graded to better reflect the ships PBR and Vietnam heritage, in addition to the citation of Patrick O Ford's award of the Navy Cross they have added many pictures of PBR's in Vietnam. Behind our group is a Chicon SKS Rifle that was provided by Mike Perin.
Our other hosts the Guys in Uniform. As soon as I get all the names I will add them. Since I can barely spell my own name you will have to wait until I can verify everyone's name.
The CO Mike Taylor being presented with a Mark II picture by Bob Brower Tom Restemayer poses next to a picture of himself in Vietnam. Tom has become a permanent part of the USS Ford FFG 54
We are selecting our lunch from the wardroom menu
