The Yorktown's last visit to Hong Kong; Yorktown at anchor on left side of picture
PH3 Daniel A. Bernath, photo by PH3 Phil Puckett
click here to see another picture of the Yorktown in Hong Kong
It was 1968 and I was 18 years old. We had finished up a tour on "Yankee Station"; the part of the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of North Vietnam during that segment of the Cold War called the War in Vietnam. I remember being told that I was assigned to be part of the work party as we entered Hong Kong for a port and liberty call. It wasn't to handle the lines but rather to be one of the men in dress whites and white hat as we entered Hong Kong Harbour. I thought, "what a drag, man." But it turned out to me one of my most memorable experiences in the US Navy. As you know, hundreds of sailors show up on the flight deck and line the deck as our Yorktown enters port. It is a tradition as old as the British Navy and perhaps goes back to Roman times. But when you have to drop what you're doing and stand there for an hour or so, you think that it is rather boring.
But not entering Hong Kong. I remember standing along the Port side of the Yorktown near the front of the flight deck, at parade rest. The US Marine Detachment was standing at the bow in their impressive dress blue uniforms, one Marine was holding a huge "Old Glory" in his hands. The other Marines at the bow were standing with their rifles.
As the mild wind kicked up by the Yorktown's determined steady speed splashed into my face I looked out over Communist China as we entered Hong Kong and was impressed by the lush greenness of China. All was silent. The rolling hills, the peacefulness of it all as the mighty Yorktown pushed forward, slicing silently through the Chinese waters; a real symbol of the power of the US Navy and the stability and the place in history the United States has amongst nations and throughout history; a symbol of what all Americans, working together, have created.
We, the US Navy, the Yorktown, and the United States of America stood tall and proud even among the company of one of the oldest nations and cultures of the world...China. The United States wasn't quite 200 years old in 1968 and China was several thousand years old, a baby amongst nations really.
As the hundreds of Yorktown sailors stood along the flight deck's edge like white pickets, with our Marines holding our Flag at the bow...it was like we were saying "look at us world! We're the United States of America!"
The harbour pilot came aboard by tug and directed our ship to turn left, then turn right to avoid sand bars and hidden obstructions as the Yorktown pushed forward with our modern warplanes spotted (placed) on deck --traveling to the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong. All I saw was amazingly beautiful green rolling hills of China on either side of the Fighting Lady. I thought, "those farmers who are working these green fields must be looking at this ship and thinking what a great country the United States is. My country." I remember seeing my vision blur a bit as tears entered my teenaged eyes as I stood there at parade rest, feeling very proud wearing the uniform of my country's Navy.
Then suddenly, we turned a bend and there she was! The green rolling hills of China were gone and behold there was one of the most amazing, exciting and modern cities in the world and by far the most popular liberty port of any US Navy Sailor...Hong Kong.
We stayed at our positions on the flight deck, in our dress whites, wearing our modest ribbons, proud of our Yorktown, our Navy and our Country, but being shy about showing it to our shipmates. Our sacrifice to serve our country was modest compared to the men...men just like us...who died defending our beloved United States through the centuries.
Navy tradition is a peculiar thing. When you are an 18 year old citizen/sailor who knows you are only in the Navy for a few years, then you do not get very enthusiastic about US Navy traditions. Saluting as your plane is about to be launched from the deck of the Yorktown at high speed and at sea. Saluting the "National Ensign" as you enter and leave the ship in port; saying "aye aye sir," instead of "Yes sir" when given an order and standing on the deck in your dress uniform as you enter and leave port.
Even the US Navy dress blue uniform you wear is rich with tradition. Firstly, it is called a "jumper". The white hat that you folded at the edge to get just the right curve. You wore your white hat "the regulation" two fingers above your eyebrow, or on the back of your head if you wanted to show your individuality. The P coat, the bell bottom trousers, the 13 buttons you use to put on the dark blue wool pants, the anchors on the buttons, the white piping on the collar and wrists, the deep V neck, the dark blue scarf, folded and knotted "just so"; your rating, your "crow" and the ribbons on your chest. This is a costume unique to our Navy.
You operate the most modern and advanced equipment devised but you wear a uniform that dates back at least two centuries. Why is that? The ancient uniform you wear says "the US Navy has been around for over 200 years and will be around for at least another 200 years."
US Navy customs and traditions all seem like meaningless gestures and almost silly when you are a kid of 18 and have to do them. But when you get older you cherish the thought of them and how you were a link in a chain in the long tradition that started out in the British Navy, or even in the Roman times...you didn't break the chain and the US Navy of today follows the same traditions you upheld back so many years ago on the USS Yorktown by you and your shipmates. The US sailors of today will pass the traditions on as well.
Just as you upheld Navy traditions, you also upheld the tradition of American men to defend the United States. That is why she exists today after 225 years.
You did your part- did your duty- you served your country. Your service is there on the record of our country. Your oath to "support and defend the United States" was an oath seeking Devine assistance. You spoke the oath and then said "so help me God". Your patriotism is thus recorded for eternity in heaven.
Others may have shirked their duties- dodged the draft- fled to Canada- or made excuses. You defended your country, your loved ones, your shipmates. You chose to stand between the United States of America and her enemies, using only your chest as a shield for your country and the people you love.
You were a part of the US Navy, the USS Yorktown and United States history...nobody can take that away from you and it is as much a part of you as your head or your heart.
When you stop to think about it, the Yorktown really is a living history book of the United States. She is named for the battle of Yorktown where the British surrendered and where the United States was formed, she carried modern aircraft-symbolizing America's invention of aviation, she was used to defeat Imperial Japan and worldwide communism. She picked up the first men, Americans of course, to travel to the Moon. And she took you into harm's way, opposed our enemies and returned you safely to the people and the country you love.
Your service on the Yorktown is as much a part of the history of the United States as the American Revolution, the ratification of the Constitution, man's first flight at Kitty Hawk, saving the world from tyrants and the landing of the men on the moon.
Thank you for doing your part for the United States...from your shipmate and a grateful nation.
From the men who served on the USS Yorktown 1943 to 1970...
"The service and protection provided by
the crew of the USS Yorktown
over the years is our gift
to all Americans."
Story by Daniel A. Bernath Petty Officer 2nd Class Photographers Mate USS Yorktown 1968 to 1970
Entering Hong Kong Pictures by Petty Officer Second Class AT1, VS-25 see more VS 25 pictures click here
"Yorktown sailors (1943 to 1970) are a link in a chain"
Sailors of the USS Roosevelt as they leave port and head out to war
to defend the United States in September 2001
If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life, And I had to start again with just my children and my wife. I'd thank my luck-y stars to be livin' here to-day, 'cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that a-way.___ And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free. And I won't for-get the men who died, who gave that right to me. And I'd gladly stand up; next to you and de-fend her still to-day. 'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land-God bless the U S A From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,__ a - cross the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,__ From Detroit down to Houston and New York to L A Well, there's pride in ev-'ry American heart, and it's time to stand and say______ That I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free, and I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me. And I'd gladly stand up; next to you and defend her still to-day. 'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land-God bless the U S A____ God bless the U S A_______
Words and Music by Lee Greenwood
click here to see the USS Yorktown in Hong Kong Harbour in color
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