Description: A Viet Cong demolitions team detonates two mines, one went off, on the hull of the USS Westchester County, LST 1167, as she lies at anchor in the My Tho River about 40 miles upstream from Vung Tau with other ships of the Mobile Riverine Group Alpha. At this time, the Wesco was home to the 3/34th Artillery and had more than 10,000 rounds of 105mm and 155mm ammo plus vast quantities of other explosives on its tank deck.
Also abord was Bravo Co. 3/60. There were five Army helicopters on the main deck, two were wrecked beyond repair. The LST was beached, a cofferdam built around it, the mangled steel replaced, and on the 14th it was refloated to sail to Japan for repairs. The 18 KIAs represented the U.S. Navy's greatest single-incident combat lost of life during the War. Casualties: US 23 KIA (5 from the 9th Infantry Division), 2 Vietnamese, 27 WIA
The source for this information was Chron P:82; Vietnam Mag Aug 98
Killed along with Anthony Richard Torcivia that day were, from the Navy: Jackie Charles Carter, Richard Cortex Cartwright, Chester Donald Dale, Keith William Duffy, Timothy Charles Dunning, David Gleason Fell, Thomas George Funke, Gerald Eugene Booth Hamm, Floyd W. Houghtaling III, Aristotoles Del Ibanez,
Harry John Kenney, Jerry Smith Leonard, Joseph Anthony Miller Jr., Rodney Walter Peters,
Cary Frank Rundle, Reinhard J. Schnurrer Jr., Thomas Herbert Smith, from the Army:(B CO. 3rd. of the 60th Inf. 9th Div.)Leslie Von Bowman, Wilfrendo Cintron-Mendez , Ernest Frissell Cooke Jr., Paull David Jose, andDennis Kenneth O'Connor.Two Vietnamese Kit Carson Scouts were also killed. There were also 27 men Wounded in Action.
Just as operation CORONADO IX was starting, VC sappers (engineers) mined the LST USS Westchester County as she lay at anchor on the My Tho River. The blast killed 25 and wounded 27. There were four Americans listed as MIA.
Anthony Richard Torcivia served as a CS1 - Grade E6 - Navy - Regular Enlisted Service
He was 40 years old at the time of his death.
Anthony was born on May 18, 1928 in Easton, Pennsylvania.
His length of service was 20 years. His tour of duty in Vietnam began on September 21, 1968.
Anthony served aboad the USS Westchester County, LST - 1167. He was in charge of the ship's mess hall operations.
Anthony died aboard ship on November 1, 1968.
His death was a result of enemy mine explosions while the ship lay at anchor on the My Tho River, in Go Chong Province, Republic of South Vietnam.
"Please see Incident Report below."
Anthony's religion was Roman Catholic. He was married.
His body was recovered.
Anthony's name is listed on Pannel 39W --- Line 5
of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C.
"Rest In Peace Anthony You Are Missed By All Who Knew You"
USS Westechester County
LST - 1167
Mobile Riverine Force
Task Force - 117
Honors
Anthony Richard Torcivia was a career Navy Seaman with 20 years of service to his Nation when he was killed. Anthony's devoation to the Navy and his heroic and
courageous service to his Nation and his Men earned him the following awards;
Purple Heart for wounds received in combat
National Defence Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Ribbon
Good Conduct Medal
The Republic of Vietnam, Military Merit Medal
TheRepublic of Vietnam, Gallentry Cross with Palm
USS Westchester County, LST-1167
Chief Welch on the left and Anthony Torcivia on the right. "From Jack Calfee's collection of photos. Jack served with Tony."
CSI Torcivia foreground aboard the Westco. in 1968. Robert Frayre is on the extreme right
"From Pat Haggerty's collection of photos. Pat served with Tony"
The Westchester County at anchor, Hong Kong March 1962
Photo from Jim Harp collection
The Westchester County where she was beached at Dong Tam for repairs prior to being sent to Yokosuka Japan for dry dock repairs.
Various photos of the Westchester County
LST 1167
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Sp4 Paull David Jose, "David" as his family called him was Awarded the Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and 2 Purple Hearts during his service in the Republic of Vietnam with B CO. 3rd Bn. of the 60th Inf. 9th Div. US army. David's name is listed on Panel 40W --- Line 77 of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C. with the others who died that day aboard the Westchester.
"Click on photo for history."
Seaman Floyd W Houghtaling, was also aboard the Westchester County, Lst - 1167. Floyd's name is listed on Panel 40W -- Line 077 of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C. "Click on photo for history."
Rm3 Gerald Eugene Hamm, was also aboard the Westchester County, Lst - 1167. Gerald's name is listed on Panel 40W -- Line 76 of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C.
ETN 2 Thomas George Funke, was also aboard the Westchester County, Lst - 1167. Thomas's name is listed on Panel 40W -- Line 072 of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C.
Rm3 Joseph Anthony Miller, was also aboard the Westchester County, Lst - 1167. Joseph's name is listed on Panel 39W -- Line 02 of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C.
RD3 Keith William Duffy, was also aboard the Westchester County, Lst - 1167. Keith's name is listed on Panel 40W -- Line 074 of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C.
YN 2 Jerry Smith Leonard, was also aboard the Westchester County, Lst - 1167. Jerry's name is listed on Panel 39W -- Line 01 of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C.
This photo sent in memory of Sp4 Paull David Jose from Judy Green sister of Pfc.William L Young Jr, KIA in Vietnam, 2-6-68
Anthony standing along side of a Cobra gunship in Sep. 1968. "Photo from the collection of Gerald Sipowicz SK2 who served with Tony."
Anthony siting with Ltjg. George A. Gould supply officer.
"Photo from the collection of Gerald Sipowicz SK2 who served with Tony."
More Historical information on the Westchester County LST - 1167
Photos above and below are of damage clean-up the day after the explosion. Pictured in this photo is Robert Heiney, center greens with Fireman Liddel on the right. On the left is Hensey with Adams to the rear. They were serving aboard APL 30 and were helping during clean-up of the Wesco.
"As remembered by Robert Heiney, EN2"
"Photo from the collection of Gerald Sipowicz SK2 who served with Anthony."
The Westchester County steaming up river, Vietnam 1968
"Photos from the collection of Gerald Sipowicz SK2 who served with Tony."
Westchester memorabilia
The following is a Damage Control Narrative of the
USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY (LST 1167)
Authored by Charles P. Vion, LTjg, USN
Damage Control Officer
Courtesy SK2 Gerald Sipowicz
On 1 November 1968, USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY (LST 1167) was serving as a support ship for Task Force 117 (Mobile Riverine Force). The Ship was anchored in the Song My Tho approximately 40 miles up river from the coastal city of Vung Tau, Republic of Vietnam. Tied to the starboard were three large army-pontoons and outboard of these were the 25 ASPB’S, ATC’s and Monitors of River Division One Eleven. The crew with the exception of the watch section and a number of embarked Army personnel were sleeping. On the tank deck there was more than 300 tons of explosives and ammunition, in the fuel tanks almost 95% full a total of 300,000 gallons of explosive fuel. All wing tanks were topped off to the allowed maximum. Condition of readiness three was set and Material Condition ZEBRA was set, below the waterline. A full Steaming watch was set on the bridge and in the engine rooms. Lookouts fore and aft and port and starboard on the main deck. A First Class Petty Officer was assigned and his duties consisted as those of the Guard of the Day. Picket boats were circling the ship dropping concussion grenades at random intervals to ward off underwater swimmers. The repair parties had been well trained, utilizing the time spent at General Quarters on long transits with her Mobile Riverine Force. Ship’s company lacked Petty Officers in the damage control areas, as there were no rated Damage Control men assigned to the ship. On board count is not brought up to bring out the need for more men, but it set the stage on the personnel situation the WESTCHESTER COUNTY faced.
Even with all precautions taken, at 0322H on 1 November 1968, two giant underwater explosions, from then unknown origin, rocked the WESTCHESTER COUNTY. The first person on the scene of the major damage went immediately into the darkened, fume filled, devastated 3rd deck berthing compartment and began rescue attempts for two trapped petty officers. Though the ladder was still in place, it had been badly mangled, but still allowed entry into the compartment. The deck was ripped loose fore and aft and all along the outboard edge. The force of the explosion had pushed the entire deck upward, leaving only room to crawl between the deck and overhead. The two seriously injured men were conscious and trapped, and could only be located by following the sound of their voices. Unable to be seen because of the darkness and vapors, was the large open space in the deck, which led directly to the water below. Though breathing was very difficult, both men who were seriously injured were rescued successfully. This was in compartment 3-27-1L
Communications was for a while, almost negligible between the Damage Control Central and all repair parties for several reasons: There were a large number of personnel casualties and many of the casualties were senior PO’s. The damage extended into areas covered by all three of the Repair Parties on board: some of the first persons at the scene assisted wounded persons instead of immediately manning their GQ stations; all lighting had been immediately stripped from the 31 Engine room switchboard; most persons were not yet properly dressed; vapors from ruptured fuel tanks and ruptured steam lines made further vision impossible; all decks were extremely hazardous because of oil. A quick reorganization of many vital stations had to be preformed. Within minutes, all known survivors were removed and rapidly flooding compartments were sealed off momentarily while personnel manned the appropriate repair parties. The only lights till available to the entire starboard side, were the installed remote operated pigtail equipped portable battle lanterns, flood lamps and flashlights. Investigation was extremely difficult, as lights shone into the heavy vapors were useless until the atmosphere could be cleared with red devil blowers and natural ventilation.
Cutting torches could not be used because of the explosive atmosphere and oil soaked debris. The deck had to be removed from the bulkhead before men could be freed. This was done with jack, chain falls, and manpower.
Having been given a brief account of what the situation was like in general, I will not attempt to bring out several instance of individual or group actions which occurred during the early hours after the explosion. Even with the most realistic training drills it is difficult to train men to do a job under actual circumstances where battle damage has occurred. I believe this to be even truer when weapons similar to those used on WESTCHESTER COUNTY do widespread structural damage. Overall damage extended from Frame 36 on the starboard side, and from main deck past the turn of the bilge. Athwart ships, the damage extended the port side berthing compartments structurally undamaged. The explosions were detonated on the hull, just below the waterline, at frame 28 and frame 31. The force of the explosions had been inboard and up.
Compartment 3-27-1L was non-existent, in that the entire deck had been blown away. Entire bulkhead and structural members on the surrounding compartments were also missing or heavily damaged. Progressive flooding in voids, storerooms, and centerline fuel oil cargo tanks was also widespread in the beginning.
The first immediate factor that can be controlled in a drill, but not under actual circumstances, the hour at which repair parties will be called into action. Usually, in a drill, the crew is up and fully dressed, as well as being widely dispersed throughout the ship doing their normal work. In this instance, the hour was 0322H, when the majority of the personnel were sleeping. Going even further, the entire crew is berthed on the starboard side where the explosions occurred. Seven of the twelve berthing compartments were affected by the initial blast and three of those seven compartments were completely devastated. This is to say the entire decks along with ladders were missing or pressed against the overhead or bulkhead. Within minutes, the entire ship was affected by fuel vapors, steam, darkness etc. Since the damage occurred amidships, between Repair 2 and Repair 3 lockers, and there is only one fore and aft passageway below decks, on a LST, alternate routes had to be taken to man appropriate battle stations. Persons attempting to man their stations were usually confronted with personnel casualties and stopped immediately to assist, instead of manning their proper stations. This is the beginning of the breakdown from routine procedures when not everything can be handled by the book. As a result of these several things, condition ZEBRA never got set on the second deck and communications were broken down as every available person was working to control immediate problems. Even when communications were established reports to D.C.C., on what was actually taking place were very sketchy. Since investigation was impossible, at this time, reports from survivors in the immediate area of the blast were the best and sometime the only means of determining initial actions in controlling damage. Individual and group actions were correct in almost every instance. This is to say that the line with personnel capabilities and equipment limitations, they were correct. Personnel in the Damage Control and Repair Division aboard USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY included one SFM3, five firemen and one fireman apprentice. Under normal manning levels R Division should constitute the basic foundation for building and providing leadership for the shipboard repair party organization. Personnel casualties caused by the explosions left not a single rated man in Repair 3. Immediate reorganization left a fireman a Locker Leader and a fireman a Scene Leader- Both of whom performed admirably. The same situation arose in Repair 5, where the only rated man was a third class.
At this time one hundred and seventy five Army Personnel were aboard the WESTCHESTER
COUNTY.
The portside damage, which was being handled by Repair Five, was somewhat less hazardous. Although no damage was sustained in the engineering spaces, the 4th deck troop berthing compartment had been seriously damaged. The compartment which accommodates 88 men, immediately flooded to six feet of water from the river. Portable pumping equipment was set up to attempt to control flooding but it was soon evident that the entire centerline compartment was very difficult to control due to the fact that it had been exposed to the river in its entirety. Investigation was a near impossibility due to the flooding and debris in the compartment, such as sheets, blankets, pillows, M-16 rifles, duffel bags, all intermingled with bunk stanchions and a large amount of personal gear such as tape recorders, radios, cameras etc. Another extreme hazard was the grenades, mines and ammunitions, which contrary to standard operating procedures, had been carried into the berthing spaces by troops returning from the field. All these items, which constituted tons of debris, would have had to be removed from the fourth deck before a complete investigation could be accomplished. It was not until approximately 25 hours late using underwater divers, that the remains of six personnel who were crushed and trapped in the explosion were removed from that compartment.
All tanks were sounded as soon as possible to determine the extent of progressive flooding.
The damage extended into the tank deck through holes in the deck and bulkhead and several pallets of 20 mm ammunition had been blown across the deck. Though it was contact exploding ammunition, it had not detonated. Personnel were assigned to stay in that area to set fire and flooding boundaries. The repair parties were beginning to spread themselves to thin, when assistance was called for, from D.C.C.. At this time, the Commanding Officer released a number of non-vital persons from topside stations to assist with personnel casualty evacuation while repair parties resumed their primary task of controlling damage and setting up means to control further damage. The repair three locker leader was a casualty and the major damage was in the vicinity of repair three area. When it soon became evident that USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY was not under sustained attack and the decision not to get underway was made, the Engineer Officer shifted from Major Control to Damage Control Central. The DCA was sent to take charge at the scene in the repair three area.
Because of the darkness and devastation, investigation was still extremely difficult. With still an hour and a half before first light, preventative measure continued; by soundings it was determined flooding had stopped or was under control in the compartment next to the major damaged areas. The listing of the ship to starboard had been stopped and removed by debalesting forward starboard balest tanks. The thick vapors inside the ship clearing, greatly reducing the chance of explosion. The first overall report of damage made by D.C.C. to the bridge proved to be accurate. The ship was badly damaged and seriously weakened amidships. But was in no immediate danger of sinking or breaking in half.
From the time of the explosion until after first light the ship had two very critical conditions. One was the very real hazard of fire. The Second was that until after daylight vision conditions for diving could not be maintained to check to see if any additional mines were attached to the ship.
Soon as first light appeared, temporary ladders and scaffolding were rigged into the compartment which were before inaccessible. There were still several persons unaccounted for that were trapped against bulkheads by the decks, which were blown flat against them. Two men were found to be trapped this was injured but still alive. Rescue had to be made slowly, the area from the 2nd deck to the turn of the bilge was nothing but opens space which had flooded to the waterline but for the staging and riggings.
A final point to stress is the training of repair party personnel in first aid and the handling of casualties. Repair party personnel on the USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY did a admirable job in rescue of trapped men, first aid techniques, and casualty removal. All of this again points to training and instinct.
On the day following the explosions, USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY was listed 11 degrees to port in an attempt to further investigate damage to the hull. This was to no avail and on the following day, the entire ship was beached on the bank of the My Tho River at Dong Tam. At low tide, the forward damaged area was clear of the water and temporary repairs were completed in less than 10 days. The after hole was more of a problem. Since damage here extended past the turn of the bilge at Frame 31, the area was never above the waterline. A cofferdam had to be built and fitted to keep the water out before repairs could progress satisfactorily. Working around the clock for 14 days, temporary repairs were completed. The temporary repairs division o the USS ASKARI and USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY’s ship force. The USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY was able to depart the river and steam 2500 miles to Yokosuka, Japan for dry docking and permanent repairs.
Rough seas hampered the twelve-day trip to Yokosuka and the non-flexible repairs caused racks and ruptures in the repaired hull and bottom of the ship; Again and again water seeped in through the holes of the repaired hull. Portable fire pumps were set up to pump out 3200 gallons a minute but to no avail. Flooding continued until the water level inside of the ship equaled that of the outside ocean. Damage control personnel using air line hose masks went into the flooding compartments several times to investigate and attempt further repairs to no avail.
On 27 November 1968, the USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY was dry docked at Yokosuka, Japan and all repairs to the hull were completed 5 February 1969.
Anthony enjoying a few beers with his shipmates center left above and center below.
"Photo from the collection of Ted Olzack who served with Tony."
View of the side of the Wesco showing the relationship of the second of two Ammi pontoons alongside. The pontoon that was entirely damaged was along side the two holes. Photo from Jere Beery's collection
Click on photos to enlarge
A typical WESCO menu for the week. One of Anthony’s duties was to put it together.
"Click on the photo to enlarge"
Tony standing by the ladder in the after mess decks of the Westchester County
"Photo from the collection of Gary Wood who served with Tony."
Courtesy SK2 Gerald Sipowicz
Jere Berry'sUSS Westechester County
LST - 1167
Memorial services were held on the bow of the Westchester on Nov. 12, 1968 for those who perished during the bombing. Below are the prayer card and the memorial program. Information from Gerald Sipowicz SK2 who served with Tony
EN3 Harry John Kenney, was also aboard the Westchester County, Lst - 1167. Harry's name is listed on Panel 39W -- Line 1 of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C.
A Stars and Strips account
Courtesy SK2 Gerald Sipowicz
Courtesy SK2 Gerald Sipowicz
Courtesy SK2 Gerald Sipowicz
Bob Spraitz rspraitz@tampabay.rr.com posted a 47 minute movie from some long lost 8mm film while serving aboard the WESCO from Oct. 66 to Dec 68. It is in four parts on a "playlist" on UTube. Once you go to the site, simply click on "Play All" The link for the playlist is at:
Pn2 David Gleason Fell, was also aboard the Westchester County, Lst - 1167. David's name is listed on Panel 40W, Row 75 of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C.
SK1 Richard Coetez Cartwight, was also aboard the Westchester County, Lst - 1167. Richard's name is listed on Panel 40W, Row 71 of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C.
QM2 Chester Donald Dale, was also aboard the Westchester County, Lst - 1167. Chester's name is listed on Panel 40W, Row 76 of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C.
SN Timothy Charles Dunning, was also aboard the Westchester County, Lst - 1167. Timothy's name is listed on Panel 40W, Row 71 of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C.
RM1 Rodney Peters, was also aboard the Westchester County, Lst - 1167. Rodney's name is listed on Panel 39W, Row 3 of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C.
SK1 Aristotoles Del Ibanez, was also aboard the Westchester County, Lst - 1167. Aristotoles's name is listed on Panel 40W, Row 71 of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C.
RM3 Reinhard J. Schnurrer Jr, was also aboard the Westchester County, Lst - 1167. Reinhard's name is listed on Panel 39W, Row 4 of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C.
SP4 Leslie Von Bowman was also aboard the Westchester County, Lst - 1167 serving with (B CO. 3rd Bn. of the 60th Inf. 9th Div. US army. Leslie's name is listed on Panel 40W, Row 71 of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C.
YN3 Cary Frank Rundle was also aboard the Westchester County, Lst - 1167 . Gary's name is listed on Panel 40W, Row 71 of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C.
YN1 Jerry Smith Leonard was also aboard the Westchester County, Lst - 1167 . Jerry's name is listed on Panel 39W, Row 1 of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C.
RM3 Joseph Anthony Miller Jr was also aboard the Westchester County, Lst - 1167 . Joseph's name is listed on Panel 39W, Row 2 of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C.
QM2 Thomas Herbert Smith was also aboard the Westchester County, Lst - 1167 . Thomas's name is listed on Panel 39W, Row 4 of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C.
