I operated and maintained the fire control radar in the main battery gun director located above the pilot house on the bridge of the USS Maddox on August 2 and 4 in 1964. I had both radar and optical range finder view of the action on both days. In addition, a hatch above my head allowed me to visually observe 360 degrees of view from the highest manned position on the ship. On the 2nd, the attack of three DRV P4 torpedo boats was in bright afternoon sunlight and cannot be disputed. During the dark evening on the 4th, I was as frightened for my life as the rest of the crewmembers of both ships. Toward the end of the 4 hour mental ordeal of ship swerving madness and PA announcements of torpedoes about to strike the ship, my gun director radar finally found and locked on a large solid return signal and the officers ordered commence fire. Patrick Park and I loudly protested that the return was probably the Turner Joy. The captain overheard us and ordered cease fire. Both ships had lost track of each other's position, and the Joy's lights were briefly turned on. We saw her clearly centered in our optical sights. It was then I realized that no attack had occurred that evening. It was simply nerves and imagination on steroids. I have read many books, articles and personal testaments and closely watched video interviews about the incident in the many years since and my opinion has not budged. Two mid level officers, one from each destroyer have presented their extensive arguments in favor of a genuine DRV attack. Just from my personal memory of on sight observation alone I can poke several holes in both their accounts. In my encounters with the attack advocates, I have always noted a sense of angry desperation to their arguments when challenged. It's tough to have your personal war story contradicted after you have told it to admiring listeners. This is particularly true for Turner Joy veterans who never experienced any actual combat at all during the event, but got most of the favorable publicity for their "exploits". To contact me directly use deyartim as the local part and yahoo dot com as the domain.
Dear Tim: Thank you for your service. For over 15 years, I was a NJ educator including 10 years at a NJ public university, before moving into law. It would be my privilege to do a brief interview of you at your leisure. I really feel accounts of the eye witnesses should be recorded for posterity. I hope you will consider. Thank you in advance. Thanks to all who served.
I operated and maintained the fire control radar in the main battery gun director located above the pilot house on the bridge of the USS Maddox on August 2 and 4 in 1964. I had both radar and optical range finder view of the action on both days. In addition, a hatch above my head allowed me to visually observe 360 degrees of view from the highest manned position on the ship. On the 2nd, the attack of three DRV P4 torpedo boats was in bright afternoon sunlight and cannot be disputed. During the dark evening on the 4th, I was as frightened for my life as the rest of the crewmembers of both ships. Toward the end of the 4 hour mental ordeal of ship swerving madness and PA announcements of torpedoes about to strike the ship, my gun director radar finally found and locked on a large solid return signal and the officers ordered commence fire. Patrick Park and I loudly protested that the return was probably the Turner Joy. The captain overheard us and ordered cease fire. Both ships had lost track of each other's position, and the Joy's lights were briefly turned on. We saw her clearly centered in our optical sights. It was then I realized that no attack had occurred that evening. It was simply nerves and imagination on steroids. I have read many books, articles and personal testaments and closely watched video interviews about the incident in the many years since and my opinion has not budged. Two mid level officers, one from each destroyer have presented their extensive arguments in favor of a genuine DRV attack. Just from my personal memory of on sight observation alone I can poke several holes in both their accounts. In my encounters with the attack advocates, I have always noted a sense of angry desperation to their arguments when challenged. It's tough to have your personal war story contradicted after you have told it to admiring listeners. This is particularly true for Turner Joy veterans who never experienced any actual combat at all during the event, but got most of the favorable publicity for their "exploits". To contact me directly use deyartim as the local part and yahoo dot com as the domain.
Dear Tim: Thank you for your service. For over 15 years, I was a NJ educator including 10 years at a NJ public university, before moving into law. It would be my privilege to do a brief interview of you at your leisure. I really feel accounts of the eye witnesses should be recorded for posterity. I hope you will consider. Thank you in advance. Thanks to all who served.
True respect for people who has the courage to say , “ I made a mistake “
No respect to those who keep making the same "mistakes" over and over again.
Tonkin was one big lie
Casus Belli. Now.... Let's talk USS Liberty.