Served aboard USS Pollux AKS-4 July 1967 to Dec. 1968. Damage Control Petty Officer 2nd Class E-5 ( enlisted ). Swept the Tonkin Gulf coast of Viet Nam to supply PBR stations and sink obstructions in the various rivers, saw enough hostile fire for a lifetime. Then transfered to a mine sweeper ( USS Reaper ) in Jan 1969. I received a early discharge for my 17 month tour in Viet Nam in February and never got to go back. I never thought the "welcome" home would be worse than the tour, but back then it was. I didn't talk much about it either, I know that what I did was for my country and the people here, good or bad it was the best and most rewarding experience of my life, really makes you stop and be thankful for what you have. I lost 3 very good friends over there and not a day goes by that I don't think of them. I salute the troops who are once again in a very unpopular war, I'm just thankful that they are getting more respect than "we" did when we came back. I will be forever grateful for thier service.