CosDiv12 Family Line dated 1 February 1969

Through the "Swift Family Line" I would like to again bring you up to date on recent events within Coastal Division TWELVE and the activities of the men who man the Swifts.

Weather was fair through most of December allowing Market Time activity to continue at an accelerated pace.

Everyone had to tighten their belts on patrol schedules in December as commitments in the Delta area required sending a few crews from Coastal Division Twelve down south.

In December we commenced the Sunday-afternoon-cook-out-and-ballgame festivity, which gives everyone a chance to unwind from the rugged patrol schedules.

The crew of PCF-101 and others built a cookout shack so the outing could continue, monsoon rains or not. HM1 C.R. Wood and YN2 J.R. Vives provide the logistical support and coordination.

At the end of December a Division Party was held, two nights running so those on patrol could attend at least on night.

Through the efforts of YN2 J.R. Vives, the arrangements for the party were complete including a live show each night, steak cookout with all the trimmings. The main ingredient was the outstanding Swift men who all agreed that it was a great party.

In early January, our Squadron Commander, Commander Coastal Squadron One, visited the Division. He was pleased with the fine job your men on Swifts in I Corps are doing.

Also in January the Chu Lai Swifts were busily engaged in providing support to operation "Bold Mariner", just south of Chu Lai. The Swifts established an impenetrable condon at sea to prevent VC from escaping a sweep operation by Army and Marine units on land.

The following men in Coastal Division TWELVE had had awards approved since the last Swift Family Line. These awards attest to the brave and superior performance of the men in Swift.

NAME	AWARD
LT Francis L. GUNTHER	BRONZE STAR MEDAL with Combat "V"
LT Thomas W. YANKURA	BRONZE STAR MEDAL with Combat "V"
BM3 Wayne O. DAVIS	NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL, Combat "V"
RD2 George F. BULLMAN	NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL, Combat "V"
GMG3 Michael H. HOLLESEN	NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL, Combat "V"
LT Harold W. GEHMAN	BRONZE STAR MEDAL with Combat "V"
LT Alvah E. SETZER	NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL, Combat "V"
EN1 James P. DEVINE	NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL, Combat "V"
RD3 Thomas M. BELODEAU	NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL, Combat "V"

CONGRATULATIONS to the men of Coastal Division TWELVE who are climbing the advancement ladder:

NAME	NEW RATE	EFFECTIVE DATE
QM2 Philip R. LEONARD	QM1	16 OCTOBER 1968
BM3 Clyde L. MONTGOMERY	BM2	16 NOVEMBER 1968
RDSN Terry L. MCKINNEY	RD3	16 OCTOBER 1968
GMGSN Richard M. MADISON	GMG3	16 DECEMBER 1968
RD3 Lawrence J. WASIKOWSKI	RD2	16 NOVEMBER 1968

The following men have recently reported aboard Coastal Division TWELVE. Welcome aboard to the families and friends who provide the backing and morale support to the Navy's finest:

NAME	FROM
Ensign Rufus R. BARBER Jr	Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado
LTJG Robert L. CROSBY	Coastal Division ELEVEN
Ensign Morton S. HODGSON II	Officer Candidate School, Newport, RI
BM3 Gary L. PETERSON	USS AGERHOLM (DD-826)
BM3 Barry L. WHITESELL	USS CADMUS (AR-14)
QM2 Harold W. GORDON	Coastal Division ELEVEN
QM2 William C. PFEFFER	USS ORISKANY (CVS-34)
QM3 Stephen J. BROWN	Coastal Division ELEVEN
RD2 Gordon D. WAGONER	Coastal Division ELEVEN
RD2 Charles K. RUSSELL	USS MOUNT KATMAI (AE-16)
RD3 Larry G. LINKOUS	USS VALLEY FORGE (LPH-8)
GMG3 Carroll E. BROWNING	USS IWO JIMA (LPH-2)
GMG3 Tommy L, FRANCIS	USS DENNIS J. BUCKLEY (DD-808)
GMG3 Bobby M. KEMP	Coastal Division ELEVEN
EN1 John D. SINGLETON	Coastal Division ELEVEN
EN2 Ronald L. WOOD	USS BAINBRIDGE (DLGN-25)

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The following Letter was written by Admiral Arleigh BURKE upon the occasion of his retirement from Naval Service in 1961. It has long been a favorite of mine, it's message very meaningful to those in the service. I would like to share it with you.

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There comes a time in every man's life when he must attempt to evaluate what he has done to better his country, his service, his family and his group. This review can very well comprise the legacy a man bequeaths to his successors.

I have now--with more than a twinge of reluctance--reached this stage, and in retrospect I find it impossible to single out any one item which I can truthfully sat was exclusively and inalienably mine. This is a truism which most men recognize eventually because they learn that major accomplishments can be achieved only with the cooperation of friends and shipmates.

In forty-two years of naval service I have had a unique opportunity to serve my country which I deeply appreciate. I have also been blessed by the loyalty, support and friendship of the most dedicated people I have ever known, not the least of whom is my devoted wife.

Experience has brought me a full appreciation of the prize cargo a man can hoist aboard. To this beloved Navy I do commend:

Love of country, overshadowing all other loves, including service, family and the sea.

Individual desire to excel, not for aggrandizement of self, but to increase the excellence of the Navy.

Devotion--perhaps consecration--to personal integrity in oneself, in one's service, in one's country.

Courage to stand for principle, regardless of efforts to dilute this courage through compromise or evasion.

My service life has been rich and rewarding, and no man can ask for more. May you, too, find satisfaction and throughout your careers experience fair winds and following seas.