Our wedding...

We got married on Saturday, May thirtieth. A simple ceremony and vows exchange in front of my parents was short and sweet.





The reception took place at a Chinese restaurant in Cho Lon Province. We had a blast... celebrating with family and friends. We're back to work as husband and wife in the following Monday with a big hangover. No honeymoon... can you imagine that?? But we're very happy, full of love, and contend with our life. Here are few wedding photos from my old album ...

Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude (I Corinthians) —Bible

On the day of our wedding Fred with his best men Captain Meyers (L) and Tom Brozowsky (R) carried traditional Vietnamese dowdry trays of beetle nuts and leaves, fruits and whiskies) to his bride's home for ceremony. The trays are covered with satin red cloth. Picture below was Fred and my older brother Vinh Phu who died shortly after our first child (Steven) was born.


Our custom is that the groom must buy jewelries (ring and earings) for his bride and he has to present the dowdry in front of her parents before the ceremony.











At left - Fred putting a ring on my finger while my mom putting earing on me with the help of my aunt. Dad is observing at right.














Walking out to the car belongs to Tom Browzowki which he decorated with flowers for us and heading to the reception...


Here are some pics at the reception...

Above is Fred, my Mom, me and my Dad

"One of the oldest human needs is to have someone to wonder
where you are when you don't come home at night."
—Margaret Mead



Here we're going around each table to greet family, friends and receive well wishes and toast... lot of toasts.

Our wedding cake... though its small, sweet, and oh so... very romantic.

"We all mold one another's dreams.
We all hold each other's fragile hopes in our hands.
We all touch other's hearts."
—Unknown

Above left is our boss, Colonel Anderson is giving us best wishes. Fred is watching me gulping down a shot of toast.

More well-wishes and lots of toasts.



Pouring a beer for my husband, and sitting down with friend.

With my sisters, cousin, niece (PhuongDung), and my sister-in-law.
Picture at is with PhuongAnh, my younger sister.

In memoriam

Today, September 18, 2007 marks a-14 years anniversary of Fred's passing. He was my beloved husband and my one and only best friend. He was a wonderful father of our two children Steve and Jennifer, and his four sons: Rick, Jeff, Dan, and Mike of his first marriage. He was a great brother of Bob and Geraldine.

He was loved by everyone who knew him. He brought many happy time and fondest memories to me and our children. He was full of life, energetic, intelligence, thoughtful, kind, and had a wonderful sense of humor.

Below are some pictures of him from my photo album. I hope that they will bring a smile to you and warmth to your heart as they do for me.

Our vacation (pic above) in Hawaii after he retired from Navy in June 1977.

At left, Fred puts up the flag in front of our home. Fred graduated (BS degree) from Univ. of Maryland. He also received an MBA degree from Univ. of Frostburg two months prior to his death.

With Steve and Jennifer in Falls Church, VA.

Above left. With Steve, Mike and Rick. With his four sons in Dec 1968.

Vietnam, second tour of duty

October 1969 Fred was reassigned for a second tour of duty in Vietnam. At first he was to report to COMNAVSUPPACT in Saigon as Enlisted Personnel Officer to relief Lieutenant Donald E. Towne, USN. But later, he requested to change his order to HQ, MACV to relief CWO2 John Sutphen who was an admin officer at the time.

His responsible was the same as his first tour. In addition to the administrative work, he was assigned as Adjustant General for DMA.

All the civilian employees at the agency was so happy to see Fred returns for his second tour. I was especially thrilled that we are now reunited.


Fred is congratulated upon receiving the Army Commendation Medal from Secretary of the Army for his distinguish achievement during his assignment at DMA. He was presented the medal by Colonel James Reiddy, Chief, Data Management Agency.

USS Sperry (AS12)

In December 1968 after finishing the justice school in Newport, RI. Fred moved to San Diego, CA for a new assignment.

He reported to USS Sperry (AS12) for duty as Legal Officer and Personnel Officer. Responsible for general admin and counseling for 1150 officers and enlisted crewmembers. His assignment was ended in September 1969.

Newport, Rhode Island

In late 1968, he returned to States and attended Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island.

Studied in U.S. Navy legal officer training encompassing rules of evidence, substantive law and rules, and procedures.

Course prepared officers for assignment to ships and stations as Legal Officer and is primarily prosecution oriented.

Vietnam, first tour of duty

Subsequent to his survival training school, Fred's new assignment was a tour of duty in Vietnam ... a hazardous combat zone!

October 1967, Fred reported to duty at the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV), Data Management Agency (DMA) in Saigon. I've just began working there for about 3 months as secretary and interpreter for the chief of DMA. Our temporary office was on the Pasteur Street and later moved to a new facility inside the Tan Son Nhut airport. Our office combined with many local national civilians, U.S. armed forces, and American programmers/analysts from big companies such as IBM and CSC.

He was responsible for general admin and personnel matters for 150 military from four services (Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine) and local national civilians.

In January 31, 1968, Tet Offensive was launched by Viet Cong (North Vietnamese). A massive attack more than 100 of towns and cities. Thus, the North Vietnamese promised to observed the lunar new year (Tet) celebrations.

Our building was hit with motars and the office was closed for almost a week. Fred was driving with his commanding officer in downtown Saigon and they were attacked by Viet Cong, luckily nobody was hurt.

He coordinated building construction for the physical plant and later installation of a mainframe computer. Responsible for all security, transportation and all logistic matters related to operation of the first computer facility located in a combat zone. Our building was situated directly behind General Abrams' compound who commanded military operations from 1968-72.

He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal from the Secretary of Navy and Joint Service Commendation Medal from Secretary of the Army for his merioustious achievement of this duty.

His tour was ended in October 1968 and returned to States.

Naval Amphibious Base, CA

In September 1967, Fred went to survival training class at Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado and Camp Pendelton in California. Study in survival techniques for application in seashore, mountainous, or prisoner of war environments. Practice field training as well as class room instruction. Class ended in October 1967.

Promotion

Subsequent assignments prior to his receiving a commission as an officer included USS Andrew Jackson (SSBN 619 Blue) Staff, COMSUBRON Eighteen and Naval Reserve Officer Training Unit, University of Illinois.


Fred was appointed to Warrant Officer (WO1) from Chief Yeoman in 1967. A congrats from his commanding officer at left, and posing with his father at right.

University of Illinois NROTC Unit

In July 66 through September 67. Fred was assigned to University of Illinois NROTC Unit. As a Leading Yeoman, he responsibles for all administrative and personnel matters for staff officers and enlisted members as well as ROTC records for 250 midshipmen attending classes at University of Illinois. He was also a naval science instructor for submarine operations portions of freshman and sophomore naval orientation classes. He operated submarine component of shipboard trainer used to simulate actual at sea operations for practical training of mishipmen.

Yeoman "B" School

From May 1965 to July 1965 Fred was advanced to Yeoman School in Bainbridge, Maryland. Studied advanced course in administrative and personnel curriculum including personnel records maintenance, navy correspondence, naval justice (legal matters), personnel career counseling, and English grammar spelling. He was graduated first out of 14 students with a 91.54 grade point average out of possible 100.

He received a Good Conduct Award (his fourth award) from the Department of the Navy for his Fidelity Zeal Obedience as Yeoman First Class in the U. S. Navy. This award was presented to him on 30 June 1965.

Receiving a medal

Fred was awarded a Navy Commendation Medal for meritorious service from 17 October 1967 to 11 October 1968.

USS Andrew Jackson

Upon returning from North Pole in November 1962, Fred was reassigned to USS Andrew Jackson (SSBN619) at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA. He was a blue crew leading yeoman responsible for all administrative and personnel matters for 135 officers and enlisted personnel. Trained crewmembers whose assigned to diving operation duties. Acted as career counselor for all enlisted members.


During this tour, Fred has managed to take time out for relaxation and recreation ... as I have known him, he loves to play golf whenever he gets a chance. Guess what??? He made a hole-in-one at the Mare Island golf course. I have kept the newspaper clipping to prove it.

USS Skates

After finishing his submarine course he was immediately assigned to serve on USS Skate (SSN 578) during the historic rendezvous under ice (romancing undersea) with USS Sea Dragon (SSN 584) and surfaced together at the North Pole through an opening in the ice on August 1962.

During this tour, his number four son, Michael Paul was born on April 1962.

Served as Leading Yeoman responsible for all administrative and personnel matters and keeping records for 112 officers and crewmembers on nuclear submarine. Involved in research and development operations in Arctic Ocean at North Pole and in North Atlantic and Alaskan sea areas. He was a battle planesman learning the practical operation of all submarine systems and was designated as qualified in submarines. He was also designed as qualification petty officer responsible for training other crewmembers on submarine diving operations and hydraulic systems in diving operations.

A newspaper clipping from his hometown of Spring Valley, Illinois they were so proud of their native son who made it to the North Pole that they took picture of him and his proud father dining at the local restaurant and put it on the front page when he was home on leave.

He was advanced to Yeoman First Class.

Above is Fred and fellow members taking time out for coffee break while the ship is cruising under ice to the Arctic.

Above left is USS Skate (SSN 578).

USS Skate and USS Sea Dragon have received numerous congratulatory messages from Chief of Naval Operations (George W. Anderson), Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (Admiral Robert L. Dennison), Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (Vice Admiral Elton W. Grenfell), Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet (Admiral J. M. Sides), and Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (Rear Admiral Bernard A. Clarey).

Here is one of the messages from Admiral J. M. Sides:

"By successful completion of the first combined under ice exercise in the vicinity of the North Pole, you have superbly demonstrated the versatility and capability of the undersea forces of both the Pacific Fleet and Atlantic Fleet under demanding and exacting conditions.

The success of your venture is a tribute to the professional competence of our submariners in particular to the competence of the officers and men of SEA DRAGON and SKATE.

Well done and God speed home. Admiral J. M. Sides."

U.S. Naval Submarine School

Upon returning from Germany in March 1961, Fred was immediately entering U.S. Naval Submarine School in New London, CT. Training involved learning submarine internal operations including atmosphere control, hydraulics, ballast tanks, propulsion system including nuclear reactor theory and operation, seamanship, weapons, and navigation.

He graduated 7th out of 110 with a 90.25 grade point average out of a possible 100.

Enlisted Basic Submarine Course
Class 228 - June 1961

Bremerhaven, Germany

He reassigned to Naval Security Group Activity in Bremerhaven, Germany as Petty Officer in Charge, Command Mail and Files (01/1959 to 03/1961).

Picture at left with Fred (in uniform) and his shipmate dressed as Santa Claus was taken on December 19, 1960 at the Storchennest orphanage. Fred and a few shipmates formed a special committee for the purpose to bring food and Christmas gifts to orphanage children during the holiday.

He played on baseball team.

He was elected Secretary Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 149.

During this tour, his number three son Daniel Joseph was born in December 1960.

Washington, DC

In 1955, at the young age of twenty he married Patricia Ann Siebert, a girl from his hometown, Spring Valley, IL.

In 1956 he was assigned to Pentagon as Enlisted Aide to Admiral Raleigh A. Burke, Chief of Naval Operations. Performed administrative duties.

Picture at right. Fred (in the middle) was having coffee with his shipmates in the non-commissioned officer club in Washington, DC.

He was promoted to Yeoman Second Class.

His first son was born in 1957. Frederick (Ric) John.

His second son was born 1958. Jefferey Allen.

Picture at your right is Jeff (on the left) he was 1yr-9mos old, and Ricky (on the right) was 2yrs-10mos old. Both were getting ready for bed.

The Man I knew . . . and love

I will trying my best to describe Fred's biographical as accuracy as I can . . .

He was born in Chicago, IL. At his early childhood he was an alter boy and earned his spending money as a newspaper delivery boy. At seventh grade he was elected as class president, and as a boy scout, he was a patrol leader. Graduated from Immaculate Conception Grade School. He entered St. Bede Academy High School and ...

Alter boys, Fred (L) and Bob (R), his brother. Fred (L) and Bob (R) in their swimming trunks.

On July 1, 1952, at the age of seventeen, Fred signed up to enlist in the U.S. Navy and he was sent off to a recruit training center at Great Lakes, Illinois for basic training. Following a tour of duty at Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida. Advanced to Seaman.

In 1953, he completed the Atomic, Biologic and Chemical Warfare School. Also played football and baseball for Jacksonville Flyers.

Above is Fred in his sailor suit

Fred (L) posing with his friend. Fred and his automobile.

In 1954, he reassigned to heavy cruiser USS Columbus (CA74) at Boston, MA. Served in Signal Bridge and Operations Office. Promoted to Yeoman Third Class.