Upon graduation from Princeton in 1967, I went to Navy OCS in September of that year and was commissioned in the USNR in February 1968. I served a three-year tour as a junior officer on USS DUBUQUE, LPD-8, which included two 8-month WESPAC cruises, most of which time was spent in the Vietnam combat zone. Our principal mission was supporting USMC amphibious groups, which enabled me to make several in-country forays, including up the Cua Viet River to Dong Ha.
My Vietnam experience was benign and rewarding, a lot of hard work punctuated with comfort (three hots, hotel showers, etc.) that the troops we carried and supported could only envy. Even though I came increasingly to oppose the Vietnam War during and after my active duty, I treasured and continue to value my service for a host of reasons, not the least of which was the many outstanding officers and men I served with.