Merry Christmas and Memories

One of my O'Callahan Memories of Christmas was 1972 in the Gulf of Tonkin. There was a cease fire for us that day and logistics were on the schedule. We pulled back from the Gunline to unrep and refuel. As we steamed along with a tanker, taking on fuel, the ship's "band" (a collection of musically oriented (if modestly talented) sailors with drums and and electric guitars) set up amidships and started playing for the crew of the tanker ... and - I guess - us too. Although it was Christmas, I am not sure the guys knew a lot of Christmas songs, but they did seem to have a handle on Jimi Hendrix's version of 'The Star Spangled Banner". Well, what you gonna do? It's the thought that counts. I have photos of this somewhere. My "must do list" is to have all my old slides digitized. I'm going to buy a machine that scans a stack of 50 at at a time and when done - i'll sell it on Ebay. Some of those photos will be great memories from O'Callahan. (by Campbell)
Larry Westlock Replies:
Here are a couple pictures of the ships band from days gone by ( I resent that "no talent" remark!!) The pic in dress blues was taken pulling into Australia for the first time. I'm on the far left. The other one is from another version of the ships band playing at Fidlers Green in Sasabo. If you can find that picture of us playing while refueling could you email it to me?

I know we had a lot of tough times on the ship (30+ days on the gunline!) but it seems that all I really remember are the good times and good people. I remember all of my shipmates fondly. Quite the crew. I went through the first three cruises on O'Callahan, and I would not trade the experience for anything. How many people get to see Hong Kong, Australia, Hawaii, Taiwan, Japan and many more all on Uncle Sam. A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours

New Years Eve 1971

I remember doing a Security and fire watch for someone on New Year’s Eve night 1971 (got paid $50 to do it). I had just received a citation from the San Diego Police for having worn tires on my Volkswagen, so I needed the money to buy new tires. Anyhow, there I was at midnight sitting on the bridge, in the captain’s chair looking over San Diego Bay and watching some fireworks exploding in the sky and thinking “Where the heck is everyone and what the hell was I doing here?”. So I finished my watch and went back to my rack and started 1972 quietly.
... Orville Anderson, DM2