Operation Seamount

by Newt Robinson

Reading the latest "Raven DeHaven" this evening reminds me of what we came to know as Operation Seamount.

Phu Quak Island lies off the West coast of Vietnam, just South of the coast of Cambodia within the territorial waters of South Vietnam.

DeHaven was operating over on the East Coast providing NGFS for who knows who. With very little notice, DeHaven broke away from our mission, secured from General Quarters, turned and steamed South around the southern tip of Vietnam and North to Phu Quak Island.

GQ was secured so abruptly, that the Fire-control men were caught flat-footed, as were the Gunner's Mates. Everyone in IC/Plot wondered what the heck was going on, but no word came down, so all we could do was wonder.

After a very quick trip, DeHaven steamed quietly to within a few thousand yards of the beach, just West of a Special Forces base that rose up from the beach and faded over the hill a mile or two inland. As we gathered topside on the starboard side looking toward the base, there was little to see.

Within a few minutes "Flight Quarters" was passed and all hands were told to stand clear of the main deck aft of some frame, probably just aft of the torpedo Deck overhang.

Within a few minutes, a Helo appeared over the Base, headed straight for DeHaven. The Huey Cobra cleared the beach and shortly hovered astern of DeHaven. As we watched, someone said, they'll be lowering someone before long, but that was not to be. The Huey slid off to Port, then forward, and then with great skill slid over the flight deck, and settled down to a perfect landing.

Who ever was on board, was quickly escorted to the Wardroom to meet with the Captain, and others to discuss what we later found out to be Operation Seamount.

While this was going on, some of the crew gathered on the flight deck, and gave the Huey a once over. As I walked out of the hanger, I looked up to see that the tip of the rotor blade cleared the superstructure by about one foot. Not bad flying! The tail hung out over mount fifty-three, and the skids occupied most of the port side of the flight deck.

The port side of the Huey was not accessible, because it was slightly over the port net, but we could see everything we need to see from the Huey's starboard side. The most impressive aspect of the helo was the machine gun. As machine guns go, it was not a large caliber, nor did it have multiple barrels, but it did have a real neat track for the ammo belt to ride in, so there would be no chance that the belt would foul.

The crew were happy to share stories and statistics with anyone that inquired, so it was quite an experience that broke the typical boredom of Vietnam operations.

From what we later found out about Operation Seamount, the operation was supposed to be very small. Intelligence reported that there were maybe five hundred Viet Cong on the island, and they did not have any fortified bunkers. This being the case, it should have been a crap shoot.

The Huey left, and we settled back into ship's routine. when the designated time came, the Special Forces group called for NGFS, so we went to GQ, and fired what ever rounds they called for. Strictly another routine firing mission. After about an hour, GQ was secured, and Condition-Three was set, lunch was piped, watch reliefs, and head-of-the-liners filed thru the mess line and settled on the mess decks for chow. We had no sooner got settled in, when General Quarters was sounded without being "Piped". "Now General Quarter, General Quarters; all hands man your battle stations; Now General Quarters", and the General Alarm sounded.

Within seconds, I had dumped my steak dinner, tossed my tray into the scullery, and stepped into IC/Plot.

There wasn't too much for me to do, except to light off a couple of General Quarters circuits, and man the sound powered phone, unless the IC-man on watch was already up on the phones.

The Fire-control men were buzzing around, setting parameters into the Ford Mark I Fire Control Computer, and turning switches on the Fire-Control panel, as the "Stable Element" came up to speed and rigidity providing a stable plane of reference for the guns.

Within minutes we could hear and feel the gun mounts rolling around to face the beach. FT-3 Harry Jones stood at his station on the forward side of the Stable Element, with a trigger in each hand. Then came the first, Beep, Beep, Boom. Harry had pulled the trigger, warning the gun crews that we were firing, then fired the first salvo.

This went on for some time, continuous fire, then check fire, then fire for effect, then check fire; and so on. Finally, after what seemed like hours, General Quarters secure, and Condition Three was set, and mess gear was piped. By now it was time for the evening meal.

After supper, many of the crew wandered topside to watch the sun set, and the flying fish perform carrier ops.

Finally, the stories began to circulate. Part of the story was "Scuttlebutt", but was based in fact. Here is how I remember it. Operation Seamount called for the Special Forces Unit to maneuver off into the jungle, and sneak up on "Charlie". Remember there was only suppose to be around five hundred VC on the entire island. Well, nobody told "Charlie"! Within a very short time, the Special Forces made contact with a very large force.

The Specials Forces guys took heavy casualties almost immediately. That was when we were called to General quarters! Their spotters called fire right up close, almost too close, but the VC were almost in their lines, and many men were down. Med-evac helos were called to lift out the wounded, and bring in replacements.

"Charlie" was obliging, allowing the wounded to be loaded without firing a single shot. When all the wounded were loaded, ten as I recall, the helos lifted off. As the helos rose to ten or twenty feet off the deck, "Charlie cut loose. First one then another were hit, then another. Now all the helos were down, thrashing around or burning. Men piled out, falling to the ground, looking for anything that would pass for cover.

Again, DeHaven was called to fire. In came the rounds, HE-PD, and HE-Timed Fuse. Body parts were flying every which way, but still "Charlie" came on. Next the call came for VT-Frag, and WP; but still "Charlie" would not give way.

The Special Forces guys were in a bad way. They called for air support, and Helo Gunships were sent from the base. As they cleared the base perimeter they came under heavy fire, and one by one they were knocked from the sky. Now "Charlie" began to mortar the base, knocking out the few remaining un-armored helos. Our "Boys" were in a bad way.

DeHaven poured out the rounds, answering the call to fire, until, without warning, "Charlie" withdrew, and faded back into the jungle. Quiet fell over the jungle, and our "Boys" licked their wounds, and saw to their comrades, setting up a defensive perimeter, as a relief column appeared out of the jungle.

DeHaven secured from GQ, and now we were topside. As evening began to settle in, the Air Force showed up. Several F-105 "Thud" Bombers roared overhead toward a cleared hillside to the North, and off our port bow. Several bombs were dropped on some target, which we could not see, then they dropped their Napalm. Again and again they torched the hillside, sending a flood of flame rolling up the hill.

It was amazing! I thought Napalm was like gasoline, and would burn for a long time. That was not the case. When the container burst, and the fireball ran up hill, it was dying at the rear, as fast as it was traveling uphill. No doubt, there had been a "VC winner roast", but it was nothing like I expected it to be.

Within a few hours, DeHaven received orders to proceed back to the East Coast to re-arm and return to station, to stand-by for the next call to fire.

One could say, this was just another days work for DeHaven on the Gun-Line, but deep down I have a strong feeling that several Soldiers might feel differently.

From the memory bank of,

Newt Robinson, IC-man, '62 to '67