CAPT David Edling, U.S. Coast Guard (1969-1999)

I’m proud I didn’t crash the ship that day in May.

Being proud of something you didn’t do may not exactly be on point with the assigned question, but given the circumstances (and my relative inexperience), I’m still proud I didn’t crash the ship that day.

Some old sea service sayings: “It’s been a good day whenever you don’t have a collision at sea or don’t run aground,” and “A collision at sea can ruin your whole damn day.”

As a 22-year-old Navy Ensign (O-1), serving aboard the destroyer USS Duncan (DD-874) in the waters off the coast of Vietnam in 1970, I had finally qualified as a full-fledged Officer of the Deck Underway (OOD) in April. The following month (May 1970) was our first rotation on the gunline. The Duncan was a “well-used” WW2 naval vessel that had seen action in WW2, Korea, and, of course, Vietnam. Her main armament was three 5-inch/38 twin mounts. The primary tasks assigned to our ship were Naval Gunfire Support (NGFS) and plane guarding with the aircraft carriers operating in the South China Sea.

In May of 1970, we were assigned NGFS missions in I Corps near the DMZ. Refueling and rearming were weekly (more or less) events that took us away from the coast to rendezvous with either an AO (oiler) or an AE (ammunition ship). As OOD for the rendezvous with the USS Chara (AE-31) that overcast morning, I carefully maneuvered the Duncan alongside the Chara. After all the lines were passed between ships and pallets of 5-inch rounds began arriving on our deck, both ships noted a small vessel directly in our path, which was designated as “Skunk Alpha.”  I was suddenly passed a handset in direct communication with the OOD on the Chara. This is what I heard, “This is Captain X (an O-6), the Chara’s CO…looks like we need to break away or change course.” I replied, “Sir, this is Ensign Edling (an O-1, you will recall); I will do whatever you direct.” Of course, at this point, I am scanning the bridge for our CO so he can relieve me and take the Deck and Conn. After all, it is his ship and his career on the line. Time being of the essence, however, as we were directly and quickly now approaching the small craft and with no sign of a quick relief, I said, “Sir, you want to go to Port or to Starboard?” Chara’s CO calmly replied, “Let’s try Starboard.” We were going to try to sidestep to Starboard while basically lashed together at 12 knots with ammunition being transferred. Two ships of different sizes and turn radius…not a recommended maneuver, I surmised.

Well, everything went fine as the larger AE slowly turned toward my much smaller DD while I slowed speed and turned away at a rate keeping a fairly constant distance from our floating gun shop. Once clear, we steadied up, breathed easier, and continued on. Those guys on that “dead in the water” small boat, however, looked like they were getting ready to try some swimming.

Read the Military Memories of our Runner-Ups.