In May of 1962 our company, Bravo 1/3, were traing in the Philippines, ambush and jungle tactics. We were training in H34's from the Valley Forge. The choppers took us to some LZ where we off loaded and they left. The weather was the beginning if a monson or nearing the end, but had the elements of hard wind and rain that was not conducive for flying.. We were subsequenty order to board peter boats from the APA Navarjo that would take us back to the Valley Forge. The seas were rough and we were somewhat skeptically once we made the Valley Forge as just how we were going to climb landing nets that had no wooden spacers, especially in rough seas..
The section we had to climb was the second deck, not the flight deck, but we were told our climb would be aproximately 90 feet. I personally was just released from the Subic Bay Naval Hospital with a full cast on my arm, plus I had the platoon PRC 25, my haversack, helemet, rifle. ammo,
In order for the Korean vets and overweight Marines to make the climb safely the ships crew lowered ropes that we tied on their packs to give them an extra edge and assuarances they wouldn't fall in the drink.
We barely made the climb and o one fell, but it was one hell of climb, which I wouldn't want to do again. I am curious if any 1/3 Marines recall this cluster F^$*&. I am sure I am missing some particulars involvening this inccident.
I would like to hear from some 1/3 Marines who made the climb on the Valley Forge and get their prospective.
Cpl. Dan Swan – 1805204
Bravo 1/3 – Kilo 3/5