OS2 Thomas Oshgan

When we arrived in the South China Sea, we were rotated between 3 basic types of Mutual Support Destroyer Operations. These were Search & Rescue (SAR), Carrier Escort and Naval Gun Fire Support (NGFS). Our first operations after departing Subic Bay were for “North SAR”. We were with the USS Long Beach and the USS Dewey. We were to watch for low flying aircraft and patrol boats from the north.


Our call sign was “Gallant Steed”. In CIC, we had to cover surface search, air search and Electronic Counter Measures (ECM). At 2200 hours on July 15,1972 we picked up a fast moving surface contact moving in our direction. Based on Intel, no known shipping was to be in this area. The bridge was notified and we went to our first “real” G.Q. The captain sounded GQ and what normally took 3-4 minutes to man was accomplished in about 90 seconds.


ECM was not an easy job, it took a while to find the “finger prints” of radars and then determine the origin (page after page of confusing data). I was on the equipment and the Captain was breathing down my neck for a confirmation on the ID of the radar on the surface contact. We were all very nervous and ready for action.


After what seemed forever, we determined that the contact was friendly. The contact was one of our own destroyers that had left station without informing anyone, the name of the ship will remain nameless. I felt like had aged 2 years. Even though this was a false alarm, all learned a lesson, and the captain knew we were on our toes.


The following evening I wrote a letter to my wife explaining what had happened. After I finished the letter, I started writing a poem (its not the greatest, but I will always remember it) on the incident as follows:


“While we rode the bright blue waters, someone sounded General Quarters.

Sailors running to and froe, wondering who was the unknown foe.

Mark that bogey-plot that skunk, watch them good or we’ll get sunk.

The situation is a bit unsteady, but CIC is manned and ready.

Surface-air and bogey summary, weapons manned for surface gunnery.

Engineering ready to deliver speed, missiles ready on Gallant Steed.

Contact closing fast and steady, every one starting to feel unsteady.

Do not think it’s an enemy raider, ECM holds a U.S. radar.

The speaker crackles a voice comes screeching, may I have your attention this is the captain speaking.

Your reactions were fast for this situation, but it was one of our ships out of station.

We will soon secure from General Quarters, to once again ride these bright blue waters.”

By: OS2 Tom Oshgan