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Online Library of Selected Images -- Photo Albums and Collections

Captain William J. Longhi Collection: Naval Communication Station Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, photographs and memorabilia, 1970-1971 -- Part II
(Naval History and Heritage Command Photographic Lot # S-588)

Naval Communication Station Cam Ranh Bay was in existence for a relatively short time, August 1967 to early 1972. During that time it had just four commanding officers:

  • Commander William D. Hart 1967-1969;
  • Commander James A. Madigan 1969-1970;
  • Commander William J. Longhi 1970-1971;
  • Commander Thomas J. Mckeown 1971-1972.

    This page features documentary items and publications from this collection.

    For introductory text and photographs from this collection, see:

  • Captain William J. Longhi Collection: NavCommSta., Cam Ranh Bay, Republic of Vietnam.


    The items listed below, all related to Naval Communication Station Cam Ranh Bay, are not pictured here. The actual documents and publications can be examined in the offices of the Naval History and Heritage Command's Photographic Section.

  • Change of Command Invitation 3 August, 1970.
    Commander Willam J. Longhi relieves Commander James A. Madigan as commanding officer. Comander Madigan's next assignment was commanding officer of Naval Communication Unit London, England. Commander Longhi's last assignment was commanding officer of USS Norris (DD 859).

  • Change of Command Ceremony Brochure, 3 August 1970.
    This brochure contains the program for the change of command ceremony when Commander Longhi relieved Commander Madigan. It has a command history, pictures and biographies of both Commanders. There are pictures of all three major COMMSTA sites as well as personnel at work. It shows that Vice Admiral Jerome H. King Jr., Commander Naval Forces Vietnam, was the guest speaker.

  • Change of Command Invitation 14 June 1971
    Commander Thomas J. McKeown relieves Commander William J. Longhi as commanding officer. Commander Longhi's next assignment was to the Naval War College as a student of the Naval Warfare Course. Commander McKeown was the last commanding officer of Naval Communication Station Cam Ranh Bay. He turned over the station to the Vietnamese in early 1972.


  • NCS Cam Ranh Bay Newspaper, the Shoreliner, January 1971 issue
    This first issue of the newspaper features articles on the Accelerated Turnover to the Vietnamese Communication School (ACTOV) and the Military Affiliated radio System. The ACTOV School was an important element in training Vietnamese naval officers and enlisted men in preparation for their assumption of command and operation of the entire station.. MARS enabled station personnel to keep in touch with loved ones at home during their year-long absence. This issue also has numerous pictures of station personnel at work and play.

  • NCS Cam Ranh Bay Newspaper, the Shoreliner, March, 1971 issue
    This issue of the Shoreliner features articles on the softball team and the pistol class instructed by LT A. LeBlanc of the Communication Station. LT LeBlanc was a national shooting champion, having been a winning member of several naval station, district, fleet and All Navy teams. It continues showing pictures of men at work and play. Of particular interest is a picture of the 70 foot watchtower totally constructed by transmitter site personnel. The transmitter site was the most remote of the three major station sites.


  • Naval Communication Bulletin, August-September 1970 issue.
    The Naval Communication Bulletin was published by the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV 094-P2) and the Naval Communications Command. This issue features a four-page spread (pages 2-5) on Naval Communication Station Cam Ranh Bay. It provides a short history, lists the various components of the station, discusses the security problems and provides a brief summary of the ACTOV School. It also has several pictures of the station on its front cover and throughout the article. On the back page there is a picture of Commander Thomas J. McKeown, a future commanding officer of the NAVCOMMSTA.

  • Naval Communication Bulletin, October- November 1970 issue
    Page 20 of this issue contains a photograph of the 3 August 1970 change of command ceremony at Naval Communication Station Cam Ranh Bay, showing Vice Admiral Jerome H. King, Jr., and Commanders William J. Longhi and James A. Madigan.

  • Naval Communication Bulletin, February 1971 issue.
    Pages 17-19 of this issue features the self-help Program at NAVCOMMSTA Cam Ranh Bay. The year-long tours with virtually no liberty found the crew with plenty of time to improve their living conditions as well as to increase site defenses. Using excess materials station personnel turned bleak barracks into much more confortable living quarters. Lounges and bars were completed at both the transmitter and receiver sites. For defense, four watchtowers were built at the reciver site as well as a 70-foot tower at the transmitter site. Thus security was improved along with morale.


    Note: Text and picture information on this page was prepared by Captain William J. Longhi, USN (Retired), the donor of this collection.


    For introductory text and photographs from this collection, see:

  • Captain William J. Longhi Collection: NavCommSta., Cam Ranh Bay, Republic of Vietnam.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

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    Page made 16 April 2009
    Minor punctuation corrections 5 May 2009