USS John S. McCain Leaves Lasting Legacy Following Vietnam Visit
By MC1 Brock A. Taylor, Navy Public Affairs Support Element Japan


CT1 Cody Perez, assigned to USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), sings along with children at a primary school in Da Nang, Vietnam, during a community service project Aug. 12. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Mike Morley

The 270-plus officers and crew of USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) were dressed in their summer white uniforms for a traditional “manning the rails” as the guided-missile destroyer made final preparation to get underway from Da Nang, Vietnam Aug 14.

As the ship exited the basin, the crew waved their covers in unison to the citizens of Da Nang and to Vietnamese naval personnel as a closing gesture of appreciation and well wishes. What the crew of USS John S. McCain left behind is a stronger and ever growing friendship between the United States and Vietnam.

The ship made the port of call to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam. As a sign of closer ties between the two nations, both navies spent a portion of their visit exchanging know-how in non-combatant techniques such as damage control, search and rescue and culinary arts. U.S. Sailors also participated in community service projects and a sports day with their Vietnamese hosts.

“I’ve worked with several others navies before, but to be able to be with the Vietnamese for the first time was a very meaningful experience for me,” said Chief Damage Controlman (SW) Paul A. Green, an Elgin, Ill. native.

Green and his crew of Repair Division Sailors, displayed their equipment and put on a full day’s worth of demonstrations for their Vietnamese counterparts. Throughout the training, Green and his Sailors introduced the Vietnamese sailors to a broad range of damage control skills, from how to dress in full firefighting ensembles to using the portable exothermal cutting device.

“The Vietnamese sailors seemed very interested in the training we were doing with them, and showed a lot of enthusiasm. It was a lot of fun to train with them,” said Damage Controlman Fireman William Gilden, from Charleston, S.C.

During the port visit, Sailors made the most of their time ashore. The ship participated in two community service projects. At the Da Nang Village of Hope Center for Disadvantaged Kids, the Sailors played with the children, distributed toys and planted trees.

On the final evening, USS John S. McCain summed up the visit with a reception on the flight deck, hosting local officials as well as U.S. dignitaries, including U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, the Honorable Michael Michalak. The Vice Chairperson of the Da Nang People’s Committee Phung Van Viet thanked the officers and crew for making the visit a memorable one.