USS Tom Green County - "Those kids-no, those men were truly amazing. American sailors are amazing people."

Lt. Cmdr Walter Riedeman Jr., skipper of this tank landing ship, couldn't have been prouder of his crew's performance after the ship was smashed by a 122mm rocket while she was moored to a ramp in Vung Tau Harbor, Vietnam.

Two sailors were killed and 13 badly wounded. Many more disregarded severe and extremely painful cuts and bruises to pitch in and bring the ship back from the tremendous damage she received from the explosion.

The rocket hit aft of the bridge and superstructure with an ear splitting blast, blowing a sizable hole in the port side. The concussion smashed most of the men to the deck and against bulkheads.

In spite of the extensive damage and casualties the entire ships crew went into action despite the fire and smoke which hindered effforts. Hospital corpsman went to the aid of the wounded. Repair parties had torn away damaged equipment and were repairing the hull and bulkheads. Two seamen quickly had one of the automatic gun mounts in readiness.

Most of the crew was foward, ironically taking part in a training exercise on damage control when the rocket hit. Instinctively the men swung into action.

"Although everyone was aware this was not a drill, the situation was handled expertly and as calmly as could be expected. To say they did an outstanding job under great pressure would be an understatement," said Riedermann.

"We had lost 2 fine shipmates and I figured morale would be as low as it could get.But you never can tell", he continued. " I heard somebody say 'mornin, Capt, and I turned and saw two men limping up the brow. They had pretty bad cuts and bruises. I asked why they weren't in the hospital? One of them answered, "We told the doctors we didn't want to stay in the hospital. Our ship had been hit and our buddies needed us more than we needed to stay in the hospital.' I was never so proud of anyone as I was of those two men."

"All of the men have been working their hearts out to get the ship back in top shape. Already they've worked many hours and there is still much to be done. But these men will do it. I've said it before, American sailors are amazing people."

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