Friend in Navy-Vietnam

[krader]

I had a friend who served in the Vietnam War in the Navy. I know he was trained in demolitions and also know that he was in some of the fighting. I have no idea how much though. He also was a very highly skilled diver who talked about some of the jobs he used to get sent to do, checking on and repairing thingsfor the Navy. My question is what could this guy have been? I would ask himself but he passed away awhile ago. I don't think he was a UDT'er or Seal , at least he never claimed to be. Were the Seabees trained for combat and demolitions as well as construction? I think I heard that the were, but just wanted to check with some more experinced Navy guys to find out for sure.

Krader

[bmf]

Sounds like he possibly could have been Navy EOD. I don't believe the SEABEE's had divers back then. Where was he stationed?

[krader]

I have no idea were he was stationed. I could ask his wife next itme i see her which coudl be quite awhile as they wer friends from another state I used to live in. Is there anyway that I could check if he was EOD or have someone check for me?

[krader]

I have no idea were he was stationed. I could ask his wife next time I see her which could be quite awhile as they were friends from another state I used to live in. Is there anyway that I could check if he was EOD or have someone check for me?
Krader

[Mike]

You should have asked your friend while he was still living. Waiting that long to check on his background is late.
try the alt.war.vietnam newsgroup. Someone can answer your query.

[bmf]

Krader,

Yah, there is a way I COULD check but it takes a considerable bit of time. Our old records are not in a computer data base that I know of, so I'd have to go through the hard copy records for every year (around the time he would have graduated). I'm a pretty helpful sort of guy, but that's streching it! I gotta ask, why is this so important?

[krader]

Don't worry about it bmf. I dont want you to have to go through the records like that. If it was on computer I would say go for it. Its not that big of a deal, I was just curious as to what he may have done, he died before I had any military type interests so, that is why I never asked him myself. I think he lived a with alot of troubled memories that effected him in ways only he could understand, so maybe its best his story end with him, to remain unopened again. I figured maybe you guys would have some ideas, and you did and I thank you for them. Thank you for offering to look also, if I may ask one question about EOD though, what level of math do you guys take or are "fluent" in, in comparison to civilian standards?
Thank you again
Krader

[This message has been edited by krader (edited 04-16-2000).]

[bmf]

Math?

EOD guys come from a wide array of backgrounds. It's not uncommon to have an Naval Academy engineering major sitting next to a 18 year old high school kid in the same class. They all go through the same training. All you need to pass is intelligence and a VERY strong desire to give it your all.
SO it's hard to give any base-line. My math skills are at the limits of this problem- "If Joe drank 9 beers out of a case of 24, then drank 5 tequillia shots and drank watery formaldahide beer off the tap for three hours- How long would Joe have to stay in the recompression chamber breathing 100% O2 at 65ft. to get rid of his hangover?

[krader]

Well since I am a college student, I may be educated enough to reply. First off there are other factors involved such as did Joe eat anything before he went you? Metabolism maybe be a factor. How big Joe is also counts. Joe's Body fat precentage? For me they wouldnt screw with a compression chamber and just go right to the pine box most likley. But who knows http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/smile.gif

krader

[bmf]

No Chamber? Ahhh you have much to learn about the benifits of breathing oxygen at depth.

[jw]

Green gas is good gas.

[1026]

bmf-LMAO! Some of that foreign beer does kick ass.