Jim Wood RM3

68 – 72, Task Group Operator, Yankee Station,

Jim Wood as a young RM3 and recently onboard the USS Sacramento AOE 1 

 

Jim's Work station a Navy teletype machine

In 1968 I joined the Navy to follow my older brother and after San Diego boot camp was assigned to his new supply ship out of Boston, USS Kilauea. We made Panama Canal, Mexico, and finally homeport in Vallejo California.

We loaded up and made the first WestPac deployment with all the usual stops and Subic Bay was our home away from home. I worked up from deck to radio and soon became interested in radio-teletype TTY. Impressed by my typing skills, the chief assigned me a watch section and that was that. I met a number of fellow "sparkies" who nicknamed me "teddy". Time passed and I discovered another ship nearer home. Orders were cut and before you knew it, my brother was dropping me off via the Captain's Gig, into Da Nang where I spend a number of days waiting for a flight home.

Connections were made and 72 hours after arriving in Seattle, the USS Sacramento departed for another WestPac Deployment. We returned to take up position in Yankee Station and service the fleet 24/7. Between watches I could be found watching the pyrotechnics along the horizon and praying for your safe return. Not long ago I was invited to the Sac's decommission.

 It was difficult knowing her next stop was the scrap yard. A few shipmates sobbed uncontrollably during taps. My turn came with the departing Radio Section approached, tucked the old metal message board under my arm, saluted, and then said, "Teddy, you have the last watch!"

The USS Sacramento AOE 1 providing ammo to the fleet so that they could dispose of it over Vietnam

So many Bombs were needed that they filled the deck of the SAC

The USS Sacramento loading at Subic Bay, Philippines