West Saint Paul Antiques

Assignment with the U.S. 7th Fleet between October 1962 and April 1963, Tolovana entered a decade in which her service mirrored the increasingly more direct involvement of United States forces in the Vietnam War. During that period, she made eight deployments to the western Pacific; and, on each, her crew members qualified for combat campaign ribbons. During the first of this series of tours, American presence remained small, and Tolovana spent comparatively little time in support of the operations there. However, by the time of her next cruise to the western Pacific - July to November 1965 - America's buildup had begun in earnest. From that point on, she concentrated upon replenishing ships in the combat zone, returning briefly to Subic Bay in the Philippines or to Yokosuka or Sasebo in Japan to refill her tanks.

The fact that Tolovana never came under enemy fire did not diminish her effectiveness. She contributed to the success of underway replenishment operations - pioneered by the Navy during World War II - which, in turn, enabled American warships to remain in action for extended periods of time and bring the full weight of their naval might to bear on the struggle.

Awards

Vietnam War:

• Vietnam Defense Campaign
• Vietnamese Counteroffensive
• Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase II
• Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase III
• Tet Counteroffensive
• Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase IV
• Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase VI
• Tet 69/Counteroffensive
• Vietnam Winter-Spring
• Sanctuary Counteroffensive
• Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase VII
• Consolidation I
• Vietnam Ceasefire

USS Tolovana AO-64

8mm film from 1954-1957
Provided by Donald Bost
23 minutes

USS Tolovana AO-64

History

CPL. RICKY JEROME ALMANZA

Silver Star

Born on Oct.16, 1947
From MOLINE, ILLINOIS
Casualty was on Sept. 3, 1968
in QUANG NAM, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE

Panel 45W - - Line 30

Best of the Best

He was the best and the brightest of our generation. Being in his presence, you swore he belonged more in a Chemistry Lab at Ohio State University, then as a Marine with Viet-Nam looming in his future. As a recruit at MCRD, San Diego, he began to shine. First carrying the guideiron of Platoon 135, then as Platoon Honorman. 

Later he became Series Honorman, being the best out of 320 Marines. But Tim would have come out on top if it were 320,000. As the rest of us grow older, that kid of 20 that was struck down in '68, will forever be out in front of us carrying the guideiron of Platoon 135 to the echoing cadence of our DI’s.~Lonie Addis

Letter from Tim's sister

Here's the pictures to add to Tim's Memorial page. I had a nice talk with Larry Walters and his son (Larry was there when Tim was killed). My brothers and I will be meeting them in the near future. Thanks so much, Debbie Siegel

Poem Tim's mother had saved with his pictures

I WATCHED HIM GO

 I had long known it had to come and I was proud.
 But still, I am His Mother 
and still He is my Son, my little Son- 
 mothers are like that.
 This morning He said "goodbye"; 

I watched His tall, strong figure
 swinging down the road. 
Once He turned and smiled,
 His lovely, loving smile, 
and waved - then He was gone.

Of course, I shall see Him, 
I hope to follow Him
 before too long. 

But, Ah, how empty this small house is 
now He is gone, - how lonely!
 not to see Him, care for Him,
 hear His kind, warm voice!

 No more the quiet talks of evenings 
when after supper, we would sit 
and He would tell me wonderful things. 
Since Joseph died, - dear Joseph! He has been my comfort 

God, I understand, I know, and I am glad.
 Forgive my mother's longing!
 forgive me that I feel 
the sword within my heart! 

-Mary Willis Shelburne

I was in the fifth grade when Michael was killed September 3, 1968 in Mameluke Thrust Operation, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines...Quang Nam, South Vietnam...He was killed in small arms fire...For years and years, I never had a picture of him, and found this clipping from a family friend...only about a year ago. I found one story of the morning of Sept 3, 1968...I sure wish I could find some photo's or any kind of info on Michael...Thanks, Bessie

            Mike Company               

Third Battalion, Fifth Marines

Stories

Click Here for Loyd's Webpage!