July 4, 1976.
The entire ship's complement of about 300 men had our liberty cancelled. Instead of cold beer, brats. and fireworks, we had an emergency underway from Yokosuka harbor.
We steamed into the Sea of Japan and near typhoon level winds with CIA or Defense Department "spys" on board. Our mission was to monitor the Soviet Fleet which had entered the Sea of Japan between Japan and Korea
The waves violent as at times the ship's propellor on our over 400 foot vessel would come out of water. The whole ship would shake and rattle loudly.
Most of the crew was sea sick. Thanks to dramamine I was not. Everything that could move had to be tied down. A pencil or small object left out would be a flying menace. Those of us who could eat had to stand up with arms around a stanchion and our food trays. All chairs on the mess decks had been secured.
I video taped the Soviet ships and perhaps somewhere that tape exists
Waves were 15-20 feet or more. One had to be on the second level of the ship to avoid being washed overboard if venturing outside.
