Category Archives: Da Nang Harbor 1965-1966

Letter of Commendation, DaNang, Vietnam, 12/25/1965 – 01/16/1966

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Appreciation to Warren L. Burch, RMC (retired Navy, 1982) for providing the following Letter of Commendation for the period December 25, 1965 to January 16, 1966.

Mr. Burch was aboard the Calvert from August 1963 (as an RMSA, direct from boot camp and EM School) through to August 1966 (RM2). He remained in the Navy and retired in 1982 as an RMC (Chief).

This letter is further evidence of the USS Calvert’s time in DaNang, Vietnam related to crew members’ records for Agent Orange claims.

Additional information on Agent Orange claims can be found on this page as well: https://www.usscalvert.com/2013/08/23/uss-calvert-added-the-brown-water-ship-list-agent-orange-disability-claims/

Jack E. Hancock, RM3 – 1965 – 1966

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Appreciation to Mr. Jack Hancock for sharing these photographs of the Calvert’s Radio crew, OR Division.

Mr. Hancock can also be seen in this 1965-66 movie footage, at the 16 minute, 5 second to 15 second section. Jorge de la Rossa (left), Skip Steedsman (middle), Jack Hancock (right), as the camera pans to the left and then back right.

Mr. Hancock also helped to produce the ’65-66 Cruise Book and took many of the photographs included in the book.

1965-66 WESTPAC Cruise Book

1965-66 WestPac Cruise Photographs | Ensign Philip K. Selden

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Mr. Philip Selden contacted me and also sent the following photographs taken during the 1965-1966 WestPac cruise. He was aboard the Calvert from June 1965 to May 1966, and left her at Hunter’s Point as she was being deactivated and being converted to a training vessel.

These are great photographs from the Calvert’s last days at sea:

Lou Christiansen Jr., Commander USS Calvert Associates, January 2015

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Lou Christiansen, Commander of the USS Calvert Associates, passed away in January 2015. Lou served aboard the USS Calvert during ’65 and ’66. His obituary is available here.

Lou scoured the National Archives for records that would prove that the Calvert’s crew was exposed to Agent Orange during 1965 and 1966. His success in this research led to the addition of the Calvert to the VA’s “Brown Water.” Lou’s work opened the way for veterans aboard the Calvert in late ’65 and early ’66 to be eligible to apply for Agent Orange related illness benefits via the VA. Additional information is available here.

Louis H Christiansen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Later in his life Lou co-founded Drug Crisis in Our Backyard as described here and here.