I served on the USS Diamondhead AE-19 as a 3rd Class Corpsman off the coast of VietNam 1967. Great Ship, one hard-ass working crew, never saw anything like it. The more they were given, the harder they worked.
I dont care what those "New" MSTS or what ever AE's have over us. Anyone who ever sailed on a Suribachi class AE is the real deal. I was aboard Mauna Kea AE 22 for at least 1 and a half WESPAC in the Middle 70s. Never seen The Nam or the Tonkin gulf or did Gunline duty, but did see the westac for my first time aboard her, did lotsa UNREPS, Even got to be part of the party in an Emergency Breakaway. Made HM3 and HM2 while with the "Tuna Boat". Our beloved Mauna Kea is at the bottom now.
@Bigleaf21 She was scrapped at International Shipbreaking Ltd., Brownsville, Texas. I worked aboard it as a Shipbreaking laborer removing fiberglass and later asbestos as an asbestos worker. Two live grenades were found aboard and the ship had to be evacuated while the Brownsville bomb squad got there. Feisty to the end she refused to go quietly.
I served on the USS Diamondhead AE-19 as a 3rd Class Corpsman off the coast of VietNam 1967. Great Ship, one hard-ass working crew, never saw anything like it. The more they were given, the harder they worked.
braskey1947 1 month ago
'm sure my ship...USS Providence CLG-6 got many bullets and bacon from this AE.
KoolTunes4Daze 6 months ago
I was on the Bachi from Jan78 to Aug80....when I say I grew up on that ship,I ain't lying. I felt like I became a Man on her decks.
DonnieRez 7 months ago
I dont care what those "New" MSTS or what ever AE's have over us. Anyone who ever sailed on a Suribachi class AE is the real deal. I was aboard Mauna Kea AE 22 for at least 1 and a half WESPAC in the Middle 70s. Never seen The Nam or the Tonkin gulf or did Gunline duty, but did see the westac for my first time aboard her, did lotsa UNREPS, Even got to be part of the party in an Emergency Breakaway. Made HM3 and HM2 while with the "Tuna Boat". Our beloved Mauna Kea is at the bottom now.
olddocman 10 months ago
I served onboard fall of 1959 to June 1963, Grand Ship
gedny 1 year ago
I served on her in Viet Nam. I was a bosun mate in 1st Division. Was in charge of the sail locker. Great ship and shipmates.
tskwared1 1 year ago
Ungrateful end to grand lady - she deserved better than that. Hell, I could've come up with 20K!
SSGLew 1 year ago
2nd Division, 1983-1985, last saw her in the NDRF on the James River along with the Nitro.
SSGLew 1 year ago
@SSGLew
She has been scrapped. She was sold for $20,000, moved, then scrapped.
Bigleaf21 1 year ago
@Bigleaf21 She was scrapped at International Shipbreaking Ltd., Brownsville, Texas. I worked aboard it as a Shipbreaking laborer removing fiberglass and later asbestos as an asbestos worker. Two live grenades were found aboard and the ship had to be evacuated while the Brownsville bomb squad got there. Feisty to the end she refused to go quietly.
flacoferlife 3 months ago
@flacoferlife Thank you so much for the info. Very much appreciated.
Bigleaf21 3 months ago
This really brings back memories I served on the USS MOUNT HOOD AE-29 in 1972
navyae29 2 years ago
I served for 5 years on the USS Haleakala AE-25 same class as the Suribachi
JISteve 2 years ago
@JISteve I saw thatt ship once or twice during the vienam war in 1972 I was on the Good Hoo ae-29
navyae29 2 years ago
Excellent, I was on the USS Mauna Loa AE-8 [ammo ship] in 1968 doing the same thing in the Tonkin Gulf .
Thanks for sharing a bit of history,
Mick Coyne
MickC1947 2 years ago