Tag: #SeaPower

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Honoring Vietnam Veterans: Especially Those Who Served in the U.S. Navy

A Tribute to the Blue Water, Brown Water Navy – and Our POWs | March 29

As we mark this solemn and significant moment of remembrance, Americans for a Stronger Navy extends heartfelt gratitude to all who served during the Vietnam War—especially those in the U.S. Navy. Whether you were steaming offshore on a destroyer, carrier, or support ship, or navigating the dangerous inland waterways of the Mekong Delta, your courage and commitment mattered. You stood watch in some of the most complex and grueling conditions in modern warfare.

The Navy’s Role in Vietnam

The Navy’s role in Vietnam was extensive and essential. From launching air strikes from carriers during Rolling Thunder and Linebacker, to conducting coastal bombardments and halting enemy supply lines through Operation Market Time, the Navy was always on the front line. In the rivers and canals of the Delta, sailors in Task Forces 115, 116, and 117 faced ambushes and booby traps daily as they fought to secure the waterways in what became known as the “Brown Water Navy.”

Among those who served with distinction was the USS Henry B. Wilson (DDG-7). During the first three months of 1967, she cruised the South China Sea and Gulf of Tonkin, performing search and rescue missions and pounding enemy coastal positions in support of ground operations. Throughout the war, Henry B. Wilson served as plane guard for carriers on Yankee Station, participated in Sea Dragon operations, and provided naval gunfire support.

In April 1975, she took part in Operation Eagle Pull, assisting in the evacuation of Phnom Penh during its fall to the Khmer Rouge. Just weeks later, she was on the front lines again for Operation Frequent Wind, helping evacuate South Vietnam during its final collapse. Her role included drawing enemy fire away from the ships loading evacuees—demonstrating extraordinary bravery. In May 1975, she was also one of the lead ships in the dramatic rescue operation of the hijacked SS Mayaguez in Cambodian waters.

Why America Should Care

Today, many Americans may not know that 1.8 million Sailors served in Southeast Asia during the war. They may not realize that 95% of supplies reached Vietnam by sea, or that Navy Seabees built the logistical lifelines that made the war effort possible. And perhaps most importantly, many don’t know that over 1,600 Navy personnel lost their lives, thousands more were wounded—and some were taken as prisoners of war.

We especially honor those who endured captivity, often under brutal conditions, refusing to break and continuing to serve their country with dignity and resolve. Their courage is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the values we hold dear.

We care because these men and women served their country without question—even when the country questioned the war. They are part of the fabric of American history and the foundation of our maritime security.

A Personal Note of Gratitude

As a former sailor on the USS Henry B. Wilson (DDG-7), I want to give a special shout-out to my shipmates that served during Vietnam and beyond. Our service mattered, and it still does.

I also want to honor my older brother, Chuck. He volunteered in 1968 as a U.S. Army photographer. Wounded in combat and granted a pass to come home, he made the extraordinary choice to go back—to help his buddies. Many of them never made it back. Chuck did, but not before being called a “baby killer” by his own countrymen—while still in bandages from his first Purple Heart. Still, he went back and served his country the best he could. RIP, brother. That’s the kind of quiet heroism that deserves recognition.

Never Forgotten

On behalf of Americans for a Stronger Navy, we say thank you. To the Blue Water sailors who braved open seas, the Brown Water warriors who navigated narrow rivers under fire, the POWs who endured unthinkable hardship, and the crew of the USS Henry B. Wilson—you made history. And to those like many of my shipmates and my brother Chuck, who showed what real duty looks like, your service continues to inspire.

Let’s remember them not just on designated days, but every day.

Learn more, get involved, and stand with us at StrongerNavy.org.

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An Open Letter to America: The Future of U.S. Shipbuilding and Naval Strength

Dear Fellow Americans,

We stand at a crossroads in our nation’s history—one that will determine the future of our Navy, our national security, and the very strength of our industrial base. The question before us is clear: Should we rebuild our naval shipbuilding capabilities here at home, seek foreign assistance, or attempt a hybrid approach?

This is not just a debate about policy. It’s a decision that affects every American—from those who serve at sea to the workers who build our ships, to the families and businesses that rely on safe and open trade routes secured by the U.S. Navy.

A Crisis Decades in the Making

The United States Navy, once unrivaled, now finds itself struggling to maintain a fleet large enough to meet global threats. At the same time, our domestic shipbuilding industry has shrunk to a fraction of its former strength.

  • Fewer Shipyards: During World War II, the U.S. built a ship a day. Now, we are lucky to produce a handful of warships per year due to limited shipyard capacity.
  • Aging Repair Facilities: The few remaining naval repair yards are overburdened and outdated, leading to costly maintenance delays.
  • Worker Shortages: The skilled workforce needed to build and maintain ships has dwindled, leaving shipyards struggling to meet demand.
  • Rising Threats: China now produces more naval tonnage every year than the U.S. does in a decade. Russia and other adversaries are also modernizing their fleets.

The urgency is real. The Navy’s shipbuilding plan is behind schedule, over budget, and falling short of strategic needs. Simply put, we need more ships, more shipyards, and more skilled workers to build and sustain them.

The Debate: Build Here, Look Abroad, or Both?

President-elect Donald Trump recently suggested leaning on allies to help build U.S. Navy ships. His words have sparked a debate with far-reaching consequences.

There are three paths forward:

1. Fully Rebuild U.S. Shipbuilding Capacity (America First Approach)

  • Invest in more shipyards and repair facilities to increase production.
  • Expand apprenticeship and workforce training programs to address skilled labor shortages.
  • Modernize naval infrastructure to improve efficiency and speed of delivery.

✅ Pros: Strengthens U.S. industry, creates jobs, ensures security.
❌ Cons: Takes time, requires significant investment.

2. Use Allied Shipyards for Basic Infrastructure (Hybrid Approach)

  • Partner with allies (e.g., Japan, South Korea, Italy) to build less complex vessels while reserving warship production for U.S. yards.
  • Temporarily relieve the burden on U.S. shipyards while domestic capacity is rebuilt.

✅ Pros: Speeds up production, allows time for U.S. shipbuilding expansion.
❌ Cons: Security risks, reliance on foreign suppliers, potential job losses.

3. Fully Outsource Basic Infrastructure (Foreign Assistance Approach)

  • Contract allied nations to build support ships and basic naval infrastructure abroad.
  • Focus U.S. shipyards solely on high-end warship production.

✅ Pros: Short-term boost in fleet numbers, cost savings.
❌ Cons: Weakens U.S. shipbuilding industry, risks foreign dependency.

What’s at Stake?

No matter which path we take, one fact remains: The U.S. Navy needs more ships—and we need them faster. The growing threats on the world stage do not wait for political debates or bureaucratic delays.

America must decide:

  • Do we commit to fully restoring our shipbuilding industry, investing in shipyards, repair facilities, and workforce training?
  • Do we pursue a temporary partnership with allies to fill immediate gaps?
  • Do we accept foreign-built support ships, potentially at the cost of domestic industry?

This is not just a decision for policymakers—it is a choice for every American. The strength of our Navy is the strength of our nation.

A Call to Action

We need a national shipbuilding strategy that prioritizes American security, economic resilience, and industrial strength.

  • Expand our domestic shipbuilding capacity.
  • Modernize and build more repair facilities.
  • Train and recruit more American workers to sustain naval readiness.
  • Ensure the Navy has the fleet it needs to protect global commerce and national security.

History shows us that when America builds, America wins. The decision before us will shape the Navy for generations to come. Let’s make sure it’s a future built on strength.
Americans for a Stronger Navy
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