DIRSUP aboard  USS Newport News  CA-148  ..  July 1972

Image and Narrative from Johnny L. Whitmire

We all have our "firsts" and this was my "first" ship. In July 1972, CTT2 Joe Pruss and I flew to Subic Bay from TGU Yokosuka, Japan to "ride" the USS Newport News (callsign THUNDER) to the Gunline near Quang Tri, Vietnam as ESM riders to provide support to the ship. She had 8 inch guns and really impressive when she was firing her guns, which was every day and night. Both Joe and I earned the Combat Action Ribbon while on board Newport News because of the Vietnamese hostile fire activity encountered (ship's company spent several hours picking shrapnel from the ship). When Joe and I completed our work, we were highlined to the USS Hassayampa (an oiler) and transported back to Subic Bay and a couple days liberty in Olangapo at the New Jollo. The ship sent both of us a copy of this Highliners Certificate attesting to our having been highlined.

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