Chris Welch Veteran of the Month, April 2002

Chris Welch sn-e3 Born May 14th ,1947 in Puyallup Washington. I have 3 brothers 1 older and two younger then me and my father is still alive.

I was raised in my formative years in the last active company logging town in Washington state we lived 35 miles from the nearest town. I went to school in an old two room school house. One room had grades 1 thru 3 and the other taught grades 4 thru 8 after that you were bussed 35 miles to town every day for high school. After finishing the 7th grade we moved to Sumner, Wa. where I graduated in 1965. My hobbies are Hunting, Fishing, Riding my Quad. and camping.

I joined the Navy for two reasons first everyone in my family was in the service in all branchs ever since the civil war. It?s the way I was rasied. The reason I joined the navy my father and older brother were in the Navy and I liked the uniforms. After boot camp I was sent to Treasure Island in San Francisco bay to the transit barracks to await my ship assignment. I learned two valuable lessons there. Know that the military language is not what it seems. The 2nd day there they wanted volunteers for firemen. I thought putting out fires would be neat. WRONG. They gave me a wire brush and a can of deisel oil and sent me down into the bildge of some old scow. I learned real fast I didn?t want to be a fireman, so they made me a deck hand. The Navy term is boatswains mate, pretty impressive for a deck ape. I learned how to scrub decks and paint. The other thing is listen to the old guys, you know the 20 and 21 year olds. They knew what was going on. For instance they needed volunteers to line the bay bridge for Admiral Nimitz?s funeral in Feb 1966. They told me to volunteer and I did. I stood out in the middle of the bay bridge freezing my butt off, but it was worth it. As soon as the procession passed WE ALL GOT LIBERTY. Pretty easy duty for an all day and night liberty.

After 6 weeks I finally got my orders for a ship- the U.S.S. Black DD666. I took a plane down to San Diego and found my ship at the 32nd St. Navy base. After reporting aboard and being assigned 1st division and a bunk, I was told we were shipping out in two days. Boy was I excited until they informed me my shot records from boot camp were lost so I had to get all the shots over again plus the new ones for over seas. I got sicker than a dog. It was off to West Pac and the 7th fleet first stop Hawaii. Man that was the life my own bunk that I didn?t have to share with one of my brothers and a free trip to Hawaii. Then work started. Us new guys were assigned general quarters stations I drew the 3 inch 50 starboard gun mount. I was outside with no armor protection, but I got to see everything . In no time I was real good at loading that thing. After Japan we went to Subic Bay, Phillipines to pick up ammo. Now that?s a job. Every projectile was hand carried to a magazine and stored. It took us all day with all hands loading to get the job done. The next day was another work party. This time food and provisions . Then it was off to Viet Nam. It wasn?t very far, and only took something like two days to get there. Our first job was escorting convoys of ships up the river to Siagon, then we would turn around and go back and cruise up and down the coast waiting for fire missions. When the old man got bored we would shoot up the river at flank speed to stop sampans and search for anything that might help Charlie. We never did find anything but it was exciting.

After six months we went back to the states. That was the first cruise in 1966. In late 1967 we went back. Things really changed No more ship escorts. We were on the gun line mostly from Da Nang north. The army would send out bird dogs, small piper cub-type aircraft, and when they were shot at they would give us cooridinates and we would open up. Our effective range was only twelve miles but we were pretty good plus we got a lot of atta boys from those bird dogs. We also did a lot of plane guard details with the carriers, protecting the carriers and picking up any downed flyers.

After visiting 14 foreion countries and traveling half-way around the world, I returned to civilian life in Feb 1968. In those days you had to travel in uniform to get a military discount on the airlines. So I left San Diego heading for Seattle . Bad ju ju. We had to change planes in San Francisco, not a good place for being in the military in 1968. Walking down the corridor to my next flight, I was assaulted by hippies calling me everything but a human. Not a good start to civilian life, but at least I was going home. I was welcomed home by family members and pretty much ignored by everyone else. After trying to get a job for a month, I was hired by the Boeing company. After being layed off twice, I still work for them. Now I?m a tooling lead man working on the 757 line in Renton Washington. I?m married to the same woman I fell in love with in 1969. We have one son. He?s the greatest son a man could ask for.

I, like many vets went to college until my VA ran out, then quit. It wasn?t for me, but I liked the money. My greatest achievements since the military is being a good husband and father. I have everything I ever wanted out of life and more. I?m a member of VFW post 3070 in Sumner Washington since 1966 and I have held every office in the post, most more then once. Two years ago our ship had its first reunion in Biloxie, Ms. Then last year we had one in Oklahoma City. This year there is one in Reno. I keep meeting new and old friends every year. Its great.

The message I would like to pass on to those interested is ?YOU ARE NOT ALONE.? This site has made me aware of just how many vets and family members are out there just wanting to know, Did I do enough? And the answer to all my friends is a very big ?YES? ?All Gave Some. Some Gave All?