I think all of you should know that our latest member Mr. Ed Comes is the one that took the video of the Cochrane being shot at that is on our web site.

Ed,

I wasn't on with you but I really appreciated those shocking videos. My question to you is that while you were standing on the signal bridge taking them and the shells were within about a foot from the hull, WHAT IN THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING!!!! I think if it were me, the camera would have been shaking too much to make out what was going on.

It was very well done, and for those of us that have been very proud of Cochrane and all of her accomplishments, your videos serve as a rally point to show what a fantastic and brave ship she was. I hope you turned around and blew the hell out of whoever was shooting at you.

I think it must have been exciting. I know how boring the 65 and 66 cruises were most of the time. I know I spent a lot of time wondering what the hell we were doing over there. I couldn't see us doing much more than waiting for something to happen. They didn't tell us a whole lot.

Wes

Although, you know what Wes? Even though we didn't do a lot in the war, I would say that it was for most of us our first time overseas, and that made it very exciting anyway. I think many of us were in harms way enough in Olongapo to suit us. We don't always control what is happening in a war, but we were there anyway. I think those guys over there later had a lot to be proud of, but I think so did we.

I remember there was a call for volunteers for PBRs as there was a shortage. I wanted to do it as well as several others. The ship wouldn't release any of us though. I wanted to see first hand what was really going on. Probably not a smart move but apparently someone watches out for fools since I didn't get to go. A lot of guys got killed on those little boats. I had a brother in law that had 3 tours of duty on them and survived. He was later stationed in the Great Lakes and was killed in a car wreck. Go figure. I had another brother in law killed while on active duty off Cuba during the Cuban crisis. He was killed when a king post broke while transferring stores to another ship. I guess enemy fire isn't the only way to get killed in the military. As for being in harm's way in Olongapo? I had a knife pulled on me because I " butterflied". I promised to never do it again. I don't remember keeping that promise, but that's another story.

Wes

To all of my Cochrane Shipmates
I was the Mk 68 Director Officer for that particular cruise and the day I took the video we were at condition 2 escorting minesweepers clearing a harbor up north during daylight hours. The next thing I knew we had counterbattery but the splashes were behind us to start with....None of us could spot the batteries that were firing at us so I decided to pick up my camera and start filming..as you know by now the ship was finally bracketed and a couple of the shots got pretty damn close.especially the one off the bow. the crew actually bought 164 copies of that film from kodak..Capt. Kihune wasn't sure if he was impressed with the film or just plain pissed off we did not get any shots off. Speaking of our C.O. Bob Kihune, he retired here in Hawaii as a three star and is currently a Trustee for Kamehameha School and has made quite a name for himself in the islands. It is a real honor and pleasure to be able to communicate with all of you shipmates who served on the finest warship in pacflt. As we sail towards the sunset its memories like these that make us smile and fell a hell of a lot better having been in a wonderful place with great people and making a difference. Later gang I'm still a working stiff...
Ed