In memory of
ROBERT CORK
ED O'BRIEN
On 12/4/1967 we were on patrol off the coast of Vietnam when our ship received a call for gunfire support, as we approached the beach, about 1 mile off, we turned broadside and began firing. As we were firing, we started receiving artillery fire from the enemy on the beach. After many rounds bracketing our ship, one round of 81mm mortar went through the after deck at the base of the gun mount where Ed and Robert were passing ammunition and were immediately killed. Another round hit the gun directional room wounding three.
19 comments:
So many ignore the price paid by so few. Except for those that were there and can't ever forget. Hold them in your heart for that way those good men are still with us. Thank you for your service John.
Thanks Mike
John, I am sorry for the loss of your close friends. I honor them on this Memorial Day along with a friend and classmate of mine that died in Viet Nam. Thank you for sharing this.
Blessings to you!
Thanks Cotton
What a warm tribute. So many years ago and still such tender fondness for your friends. I'm happy we have at least one day set aside for rememberence, but this "holiday" also evokes a lot of sadness. And to me, it is indeed a Holy day.
Thank you Penny
Very sad, it's good though that you remember them and keep them alive that way.
Thank you Mary
Beautiful Tribute to the friends you lost...God Bless you and all the one's who have served and protected our country ... take care my friend.. Bert from Bama
Thanks Bert
Thank you John for sharing those memories with us and I am sorry for the loss of your friends. May God bless you John, all who have served and those who are still in service today. Thank you for sharing those wonderful photos too.
Thank you Carol
Thank you for the post sharing your loss of your friends and for your service to our country. I hope you had a good day. Take care, KC
Thanks KC
Hope you had a good memorial Day John. Kids came out and we ended up having an impromptu Fish Fry here.. Stay Well Old John
Thank you John, "Clear sailing" you old sailor.
John, people have marveled and commented on the camaraderie developed among military personnel especially in times of "stress". I a salty 2nd class, supervised 2 3rd class… and we all 3 pulled Liberty together in all the Far East Ports, while on the USS St Paul CA73, flag ship for Commander 7th Fleet.. We'd have been court-martialed and strung up in today's Navy.. But I like to think we were real "Bluejackets". Connor left Active duty and went to work for the CIA and told us he'd be "out of touch" for awhile.. Smitty went to Scotland, I went to Okinawa.. By this time all 3 of us are married and have family. Years later, with the advent of the internet, I searched for them. Connor found me first, he was retired living in Philly. Two years ago I found Smitty. Actually I found his Obituary. What hurt was the fact our careers had cross paths on several occasions after we'd lost contact. I have a glass of High dollar Brandy (I can't spell counyak) every Memorial day as it was Smitty's favorite drink.
are you doing any fishing yet? Grandkids and I put the big boat in Homer and managed to bring home some Halibut.
take care Old John
Hi John, it's really special when you can meet up with shipmates, in person or via electronics. I do have a friend and shipmate I keep in contact with now and then. Every Memorial Day, I have a special place I go and spend most of the day. I take no phone, just some snacks and a few drinks. I haven't been fishing yet. I'm working on a project that I'm almost finished with. It is hot as hell.
Beautiful. Your affection for your buddies is beautiful.
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