The USS Bon Homme Richard aircraft carrier conducted combat operations from Yankee Station located off the coast of Vietnam. In October of 1970 we steamed into Da Nang Harbor and dropped anchor. I could see no strategic reason for this so I’m guessing that it was strictly a show of force.

We were not allowed to go ashore and when a small boat approached a rocket was fired into the water as a warning. I think this visit was an attempt to show that the harbor was “safe” and that peace was at hand. It was a ruse and we were part of it.