We were both young men, serving our country in Vietnam, 1969, 47 years ago. We met aboard this "floating Navy Barracks Ship, USS APL-30, on the Mekong Delta in Dong Tam. Chester was with a group of UDT guys (Now known as "Seals") and I was the navigations/signal communications Sr. Petty Officer. When we discovered that we were both from Hawaii, "happy days"!, celebrating as two "bruddahs" would do! We then met up with 2 other local boys, with the 9th infantry, Army Unit. Once a week, (if possible) we 4 of us would get together, share our "care packages from home", poi, corn beef, Vienna sausages, sardines, crack seed", opened up our budweisers, and just having our own luau, in Nam. We always looked forward to these "luaus", getting together, talking story about home, friends, family and such. We try not to talk about the war too much. The 2 Army bruddahs would be patrolling the jungles, Chester and his teammates would be out, recon and such , and I was waiting for orders to go North to join up with a Navy PBR Unit. For about a month, we somehow manage to get together before I was transferred.
Missed Chester and our army friends. Manage to get a photo w/Chester before I left.
One last story. Chester, myself and two of his Seal guys were drinking plenty buds, when his Cherokee Indian friend, said, we were lucky to have join the United States and become Americans.WE told them we were Hawaiians first & Americans second. Big argument and fight erupted among us, Hawaiians vs Americans. They pulled out their handguns, Chester pulled his rifle and I, my 9mm submachine gun. Seeing that, they withdrew their argument, Hawaiians won again! Time to continue with the Buds, weapons gone, followed by lots of laughter and friendship, only in Nam!
Rest in peace Chester. Always meant to reconnect with you, wish I did!
John E. Woo, SM-2, USN, Vietnam (1968-1970)
