Expeditionary medal w/ gold star for Cuba and Vietnam Time of service- March 1962--Jan. 1965- Boot Camp San Diego, Ca. From there boarded the USS Colonial (LSD 18) One day out of Hawaii turned back to San Diego, picked up Marines & equipment for Cuban Blockaid via Panama Canal. Returned to San Diego to off load Marines then left for the Pacific. Loaded Marines & equipment in Pearl Harbor and joined Task Force 76 & commenced what was to become a task force endurance record of 67 days on station, jointly held by Renville, Winston and Colonial. The Colonial dock in the bay of Yokosuka, visited local sights. The Olympics were being held at the time. Some of the fortunate ones were able to buy tickets to the events. All was not play in Yokosuka as we had many repairs to be taken care of on the ship while docked . From Yokosuka went to the South China sea, Buckner Bay then to South Vietnam to unload Marines and equipment. We had been ordered into DaNang Harbor to debark UDT for a rescue and salvage operation. Subic Bay brought a welcome wrapup to a cruise that had been both disappointing and rewarding. At the same time however there was the satisfaction of knowing that Colonial had been called upon to perform in a job that displayed the need for our Seventh Fleet forces in West Pacific.