USS HERON AMS-18

About the Book

This Korean War Naval Adventure is based on the experiences of Albert “Bert” Millspaugh during the Korean Conflict and his service on the minesweeper USS Heron, AMS-18, from August 1952 through August 1953. Bert was discharged from the U.S. Navy as Petty Officer Second Class, Electronic Technician (ET2), in December 1954 after serving four years in the service. Bert joined the USS Heron after completing nine months training as an Electronic Technician, ET, at the Naval Training School on Treasure Island, California. Beyond his duties as an ET repairing the ancient radar, sonar, radios, and other electronic equipment, he soon learned to steer the ship using the ship’s compass, to operate the radar during mine sweeping, and navigation on some of his four-hour night watches. The book covers the mine sweeping operation of a small wooden ship under the fire of North Korean guns, the explosion of nearby mines, and secret night time excursions. It includes the good times on the ship as well as the difficult and dangerous times. He once led the ship out of a wild typhoon using the ship’s radar and Loran navigation systems. It provides a brief history of the Korean Conflict, the names of minesweepers sunk during the war and the number of service men who died as the result, and the relation of the USS Heron with other naval ships. It concludes with the demise of the USS Heron, AMS-18 and the rise of a new minesweeper also named USS Heron.

About the Author

This book is based on the experiences of Albert “Bert” Millspaugh during the Korean War and his service on the minesweeper USS Heron AMS-18 from August 1952 through August 1953. Bert was discharged from the U.S. Navy as Petty Officer Second Class, Electronic Technician (ET2), in December 1954 after serving four years in the service.