The first U.S. Navy ship assigned to defend Da Nang—home to a critical airfield and deep-water port—USS Stoddard was the first naval vessel to fire in the Vietnam War, on July 18, 1965. At this critical point in the early days of the war, the Stoddard worked unusually closely with both the Marines and an Underwater Demolition Team deployed to Da Nang. Together they conducted high-risk missions that exploited “windows of opportunity” uncovered by the Marines and UDT.

Radarman John Calder recounts his journey from radar training to deployment aboard the Stoddard, through the challenges of naval warfare and the decision to volunteer for a second tour as the conflict escalated. He reflects on the rigorous training that prepared him for combat, the pride of attending Naval Gunfire Support Training School, and the honor of working with Marine spotters in Da Nang.

This book is both a personal memoir and a tribute to the professionalism of the U.S. Navy, offering a rare, firsthand perspective on the early naval operations of the Vietnam War.