MYLES C. FOX (DD-829)

FLEET POST OFFICE

NEW YORK 09501

19 May 1972

Dear Friends,

I'm sure most of you know by this time that our area of operations has changed and the schedule I talked about in previous family grams is no longer valid. I'm sorry that I have not written to you sooner, but our situation has been so fluid, and we have been so busy that there simply have not been enough hours in the day to do everything.

The present crisis in Southeast Asia reached MYLES C. FOX last April 11 when we received orders to depart the Persian Gulf and proceed to the South China Sea, reporting to Commander Seventh Fleet for duty. We arrived at the U.S. Naval Station, Subic Bay, Philippines on April 25, remaining until April 30. During this time some extra equipment that would be needed for Seventh Fleet operations was installed, minor repair work on the ship accomplished, and some men took advantage of the excellent Exchange facilities to do a little shopping. On April 30 we departed Subic Bay on the two day trip across the South China Sea to Vietnamese waters where we have been operating ever since.

Our duties have been varied and the pace brisk to say the least. We provided Naval Gunfire Support for the South Vietnamese Army, we conducted combat operations in the Gulf of Tonkin and we are presently serving as escort for a cruiser on station in the Gulf of Tonkin. All these duties involve long hours of watch standing and the hard work of replenishing the ship at sea with fuel, food and ammunition. This continues to be accomplished with such a high degree of competant professionalism that excellance of performance has become commonplace. Your men consistently reflect the best of Young America, the average age aboard is 22 years, and you can all justifiably be very proud of them.

I'm sorry I cannot report any firm schedule to you now. At this point in time the situation in Southeast Asia is still in doubt and the services of MYLES C. FOX are still needed. Your men are performing a vital roll in support of our national policy and I can assure you everything we do out here is important. If we are late in getting home it will not be because we have been wasting our time. In the immediate future we are to remain in the Gulf of Tonkin until June 3 then go back to Subic Bay until June 11 for a rest and another minor repair period. Our schedule subsequent to June 11 has not yet been determined.

In closing let me ask a favor of each of you. Please write to your men as often as you can. Mail from home means so much to a sailor that one letter often means the difference between feeling "down in the dumps" or the peace of mind knowing all's well at home. These men are good and they deserve as much support as we can give them.

I will be writing again in a few weeks time, and I hope by then I will have some news for you regarding our return home. Until then be assured all hands are well, reasonably happy and quite proud of their accomplishments. As always, don't hesitate to drop me a line personally if you have a problem or a question I can help you solve.

Sincerely,

(signed) G.P. Astorino