12/14/1966
IN MEMORY OF
ROBERT COOK
ED O'BRIAN
On this date, my 2 best friends and shipmates were killed in action off the coast of North Vietnam while handling shells for the after gun mount in support of a Special Forces compound being overrun by North Vietnamese regulars and Viet Cong forces.
While providing gunfire support, we came under fire of 81mm mortar shells, close to 200 rounds bracketed our ship when one went through the deck into the after handling room where Robert and Ed was stationed. We also were hit in the Electronics room wounding 3 and took 2 rounds in our Anti submarine rocket launcher starting a fire. We also took some rounds in the hull at and close to the waterline. Despite all this, we remained online and along with Navy fighters planes, prevented the enemy from overtaking the Special Forces camp.
Ed and Robert will always be in my memory
ANCHORS AWAY MY FRIENDS