-
Re: Operation End Sweep
Sherrye Lamma, I am also looking for deck logs for the USS Inchon LPH-12. I served in Operation End Sweep and Task Force 78. My search has not yielded information that confirms that we operated within 12 nautical miles of the coast. Yet we were clearing mines in Haiphong Harbor. I was there. I am happy to share any information I find as well. Thank you!
-
Re: Operation End Sweep
Jason Atkinson
Jul 8, 2020 6:59 AM
1 person found this helpfulDear Mr. Ross,
Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!
We searched the National Archives Catalog and located the Logbooks of U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941 - 1983 in the Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel (Record Group 24) that include the deck log of the USS Inchon (LPH-12) for 1973. For copies of these logs, please contact the National Archives at College Park - Textual Reference (RDT2) via email at archives2reference@nara.gov. Due to the US Navy’s use of social security numbers for service numbers during this time period, there may be restrictions on access to these logs for reasons of personal privacy.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to guidance received from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), NARA has adjusted its normal operations to balance the need of completing its mission-critical work while also adhering to the recommended social distancing for the safety of NARA staff. As a result of this re-prioritization of activities, you may experience a delay in receiving an initial acknowledgement as well as a substantive response to your reference request from RDT2. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience.
We hope this information is helpful. Best of luck with your research!
-
Re: Operation End Sweep
Hi Jason,
Thank you for your timely response. I have requested the USS Inchon (LPH-12) deck log for 1973. I will also familiarize myself with the tools to enhance my online search criteria.
Thanks again,
John Ross
EW3
USS Inchon LPH-12
1973
-
-
Re: Operation End Sweep
John Ross - thank you for responding! If I can find out how to place the Inchon within that 12NM, I will contact you and give you all info I can. I am trying to place a veteran in those waters to help with filing a claim. Best of luck to you - FW, FS!
-
Re: Operation End Sweep
1 person found this helpfulHi Sherrye,
Your veteran is one lucky sailor to have your assistance in researching these records. It is a mystifying process and a daunting task.
I copied and pasted portions of the 1972-1973 cruise book for the USS Inchon. This is located at www.ussinchon.com. There are some general references to Operation End Sweep, ship's movements and photos along with names of sailors in various departments that could possibly shed more light on navigation such as latitude and longitude. Hopefully the deck log will fill in a number of those data points.
Thanks again for posting on this site. Nice to have company on this journey.
Cheers!
John Ross
-
Re: Operation End Sweep
1 person found this helpfulJohn Ross -
Thank you for taking the time to find and upload all of this information. I agree with you, finding and translating this info can be a daunting task! I also am happy to have the company and the assistance on this journey. I will share with you anything I can find on the subject.
Take care!
Sherrye Lamma
-
Re: Operation End Sweep
I received the same response but failed to consider the SS# as a holdup. The service number is unique and assigned to each service member in lieu of SS#.
IMO, individual service member info will have no bearing on securing copiestcopies of the USS INCHON deck logs for '72, '73.
I'll defer to the experts... but until then, the hunt continues!
-
Re: Operation End Sweep
Hi John Ross -
I would have to agree with you, I cannot see that a SS# or Service # would help to find the deck logs, unless it would serve to add a bit of a human connection to it - maybe searching for a specific individual rather than anonymously would peak interest? My veteran entered service after they stopped using unique service numbers and began using SS#s.... I'm hesitant to volunteer those numbers unless absolutely necessary!
Yes, the hunt continues. I'll continue to share with you if I find anything of interest. Take care!
-
-
-
-
-
-
Re: Seeking deck logs of USS Inchon & Operation End Sweep
Well, maybe this is a start. The chart is from our cruise book. Please see below. I've also added more information on my original post.
We could certainly use more detail. However, this gives a rough approximation of the course the USS Inchon took during its 12 month deployment along with additional details on Task Force 78 and Operation End Sweep.
Does this help at all?
Cheers!
John Ross
EW3
USS Inchon LPH-12
1973
-
Re: Seeking deck logs of USS Inchon & Operation End Sweep
Jason Atkinson
Jul 8, 2020 6:59 AM
2 people found this helpfulDear Ms. Lamma,
Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!
We searched the National Archives Catalog and located the Logbooks of U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941 - 1983 in the Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel (Record Group 24) that include the deck log of the USS Inchon (LPH-12) for 1973. For copies of these logs, please contact the National Archives at College Park - Textual Reference (RDT2) via email at archives2reference@nara.gov. Due to the US Navy’s use of social security numbers for service numbers during this time period, there may be restrictions on access to these logs for reasons of personal privacy.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to guidance received from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), NARA has adjusted its normal operations to balance the need of completing its mission-critical work while also adhering to the recommended social distancing for the safety of NARA staff. As a result of this re-prioritization of activities, you may experience a delay in receiving an initial acknowledgement as well as a substantive response to your reference request from RDT2. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience.
We hope this information is helpful. Best of luck with your research!
-
Re: Seeking deck logs of USS Inchon & Operation End Sweep
Hi Jason -
Thank you for responding. I sent a message to archives2 back in April. I realize things are complicated and timeframes are extended due to our current situation - I did not include social security numbers in my initial email, do you think adding the name and social of the veteran I am assisting would help or hinder the response time?
I appreciate all you are doing to assist this group.
Thanks and take care!
Sherrye Lamma
-
Re: Seeking deck logs of USS Inchon & Operation End Sweep
Jason Atkinson
Jul 24, 2020 12:10 PM
Dear Ms. Lamma,
Thank you for posting your follow-up request on History Hub!
Because the records are arranged by date blocks and thereunder by ship name, providing the name and social security number number of the veteran you are researching would not assist in locating the records or expediting the response.
We hope this information is helpful. -
Re: Seeking deck logs of USS Inchon & Operation End Sweep
1 person found this helpfulSherrye,
I have also reached out and shared with Stephanie Johnson as well.
I'm following along here is a document that puts everyone looking for a claim with in 12NM of Vietnam, its not the deck logs but a document from the Navy putting them in that Harbor in 1973 please see on page#3 https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/archives/command-operation-reports/vietnam/Inchon%201973.pdf
To be honest cannot get any better then this, from another fellow veteran advocate.
-
-
-
Re: Seeking deck logs of USS Inchon & Operation End Sweep
Hi Sherrye,
I have no new news to share on the deck log from the USS Inchon LPH-12. Still on the hunt...
John
-
Re: Seeking deck logs of USS Inchon & Operation End Sweep
Hi John -
I am in the same boat - no further records uncovered.
I will share with you if I am able to turn anything up.Sherrye
-
-
Re: Seeking deck logs of USS Inchon & Operation End Sweep
Sherrye,
Here is a picture of the USS Inchon. Please copy and paste link in your web browser
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USS_Inchon_(LPH-12_)_off_Haiphong_in_1973.jpg
Elliot Schneider
-
Re: Seeking deck logs of USS Inchon & Operation End Sweep
Thanks Elliot! I appreciate you sharing the photo
John Ross, here is another for you....
-
-
Re: Seeking deck logs of USS Inchon & Operation End Sweep
Hi Sherrye,
Please see the following update - no deck logs found for the USS Inchon LPH-12 as of 8/28/20.
John Ross
---------------------------
[20-46605] Deck Log USS INCHON LPH-12 1973
Fri 8/28/2020 10:16 AM
Dear Mr. Ross,This is in response to your inquiry to the National Archives regarding your request for the Deck Logs of the USS Inchon (LPH-12) for 1973.
On August 9, 2019 the National Archives and the Department of Veterans Affairs entered into an agreement to digitize the Vietnam-era US Navy Deck Logs. To date, the Department of Veterans Affairs has digitized more than 20 million pages of the Vietnam Era deck logs. All of these images will be retained by both the National Archives and the Department of Veterans Affairs. This project is expected to be completed in 2020. Data contained in the digitized images will be used by the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist Veterans in resolving claims filed with the Veterans Benefits Administration, VBA.
We are working expeditiously to make the millions of resulting digital images available in the National Archives Catalog. We are unable to provide specific details, estimations, or time tables on when any particular ship's logs will be made available on our online catalog.
Logs are made available on a month by month basis, however, these months may not be consecutive or complete a ship’s duration of service. If a month for a particular ship is not posted we cannot make any determination of when that month will be made digitally available. Some Deck Logs are already digitally available on the National Archives’ Online Catalog. Unfortunately, we checked for the USS Inchon and were not able to locate it at this time. You are welcome to check the catalog again periodically for new uploads. We encourage you to search for the name of the ship without using “USS” as a prefix.
It is important to note that all NARA Research Rooms were closed effective at the end of business on March 13, 2020 as a public health precaution due to the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. We will be happy to conduct a records review on your behalf when the deck log series reopens and the archives resumes regular operations. We welcome you to resubmit your request when the National Archive resumes normal operations. For updates on the status of Research Rooms, please visit https://www.archives.gov/coronavirus.We hope you find this information useful. If you have a follow up request, please send your inquiry to archives2reference@nara.gov.Sincerely,
Alicia HenneberryArchives Specialist, Textual Reference Branch (RR2RR)
National Archives and Records Administration at College Park, MD
Your Inquiry
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: John Ross
Date: Fri, Aug 21, 2020 at 12:57 AM
Subject: Deck Log USS INCHON LPH-12 1973
To: archives2reference@nara.gov <archives2reference@nara.gov>Hello,
May I request assistance in securing copies of the deck logs for USS INCHON LPH-12? Please see response below. I would be very grateful for any assistance you could provide.
Thank you,
John Ross
-
Re: Seeking deck logs of USS Inchon & Operation End Sweep
Hello,
I have also been trying to find any records regarding the location of the USS Inchon during Vietnam but have had no luck so far. If you happen to find anything please continue to share. I will do the same but it seems everyone is further along than myself. Thank you all in advance.
-
Re: Seeking deck logs of USS Inchon & Operation End Sweep
How goes the search Mr. Ross? I have also been looking for Deck Logs concerning the USS Inchon and unfortunately this is the timely response I was given:
I have been informed that the Deck Logs you are researching were not obtained by the National Archives during the transfer from the NHHC.
The ship’s Command History may be the best source of records for your research. They may be obtained from the Naval History & Heritage Command (NHHC) Center.
A earlier email I received said:
The Department of Veterans Affairs may be able to provide the most direct assistance with information, as the VA maintains the original set of the U.S. Navy Deck Log digital images for the years 1956 through 1978. In an effort to provide additional access to these documents, we are prepared to offer early release copies of Deck Log scans that have been received from the VA but not yet uploaded to our Online Catalog.
I'm not sure if this actually means the VA actually has a copy but this outcome seems grim and will certainly prolong the process.
If you have received any Deck Logs or any other leads please reply.
Thank you.
-
Re: Seeking deck logs of USS Inchon & Operation End Sweep
Hi!
I am also looking! If you get a reply, can you let me know?
Thanks!
-
-
Re: Seeking deck logs of USS Inchon & Operation End Sweep
Good Morning John -
Just checking in, been a long time since we've chatted. Hope this message finds you well.
Have you had any success putting the Inchon within the boundaries?
Take care -
Sherrye Lamma
-
-
Re: Seeking deck logs of USS Inchon & Operation End Sweep
Hi Sherrye,
I am looking for the exact same thing to help my Elderly father get compensation from the VA. Can you reach out to me please?
-
Re: Seeking deck logs of USS Inchon & Operation End Sweep
Stephanie Johnson, Elliot Schneider, Michael Walker, and John Ross,
Good morning. I am still trying to place the Inchon within the appropriate boundaries in order to get benefits for my veteran. Unfortunately I don't have anything helpful to share - I have been told that while the Inchon was in the Gulf of Tonkin, it is not within the recognized parameters - has anyone heard differently? I also received a report from a ship locator tool, there are no deck logs uploaded for the entire year of 1973, which covers the majority of the time my veteran was on the Inchon.... Elliott have you had anyone approved based on the documents you provided? Thanks everyone for the info, hopefully we can place the Inchon within the appropriate area and get the claims approved.
-
Re: Seeking deck logs of USS Inchon & Operation End Sweep
1 person found this helpfulSherrye,
The document was actually provided in an appeals letter. So in my mind the document I provided should have been included into the documents when veteran or next of kin first submitted paperwork with the VA.
Additionally, I would explain in your statement utilizing an NOD or Notice of Disagreement that the records pertaining to the USS Inchon in this case "Deck Logs" have been digitized and VA/Archives partnership explaining that those records do exist in their system. Also providing in your NOD the document that I had posted earlier.
Please read this VA Appeals case file I provided to you it will help in your appeals based upon the "Benefit of the doubt" to the veteran if truly these USS INCHON Deck Logs were lost for 1973. The date of this appeals was 2010 so its possible that they have found those records by now. But more clarification is needed.https://www.va.gov/vetapp10/files3/1029247.txt
Also in that previous report I sent you The USS INCHON was on patrol during March 17th 1973 and was sent in to aid a call for help because of a Fire aboard another ship called the USS ENHANCE. If we you look at the document it states that the USS ENHANCE was with in 12 NM Nautical Miles within the Mainland, so in theory that would also put the USS INCHON within those same boundaries during that night/day. please see page#12
-
Re: Seeking deck logs of USS Inchon & Operation End Sweep
Hi Elliot and Sherrye,
I am still in the appeals stage. I was able to provide the new research Elliot so kindly gave me and I also got a response from a rep at the National Archives. See below. They added the Inchon to the queue to be uploaded after redactions. We will be able to access the logs once they are up. I am hoping I wont need the deck logs after all, with the additional documents Elliot provided. My dad was very upset and felt betrayed by the system. I hope they do the right thing this time around.
"Ms. Johnson:
This is in response to your inquiry to the National Archives related to the Navy Deck Logs of the USS Inchon (LPH-12) for the dates of 1972 - 1973. We have located the records relevant to your request.
On August 9, 2019, the National Archives and the Department of Veterans Affairs entered into an agreement that will digitize the Vietnam-era US Navy Deck Logs in support of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019.
In late March 2020, the Department of Veterans Affairs completed the scanning of the U.S. Navy Deck Logs. Since that time, the National Archives has been receiving the digital images of the Deck Logs from the VA, and are working to make the millions of resulting digital images available in the National Archives Catalog.
Some Deck Logs are already digitally available on the National Archives Catalog. The Deck Logs for the ships for the years you have requested have not yet been added, as post-1970 Deck Logs may contain instances of Personally Identifiable Information (PII, which includes SS#) and need to be reviewed first.
In response to your request, the available post-1970 Deck Logs for the USS Inchon that you have requested have been added to the queue for review. Once the review is complete and any instances of PII are redacted, the scans will then be added to the Online Catalog. You are welcome to check the catalog periodically for new uploads. We encourage you to search for the name of the ship without using “USS” as a prefix.
Please note that if you are requesting U.S Navy Deck Logs in relation to a VA Claim, the Department of Veterans Affairs may be able to provide the most direct assistance with information, as the VA maintains the original set of the U.S. Navy Deck Log digital images for the years 1956 through 1978.
We appreciate your patience and support during this collaborative digitization effort that will allow the National Archives and the Department of Veterans Affairs to better serve our nation’s Veterans, and their families."
-
-
