What are your memories/opinions of Elmo Zumwalt?

[Stinky The Clown]

I was moving from active to the active reserves at about the time he was taking over as CNO. I remember fondly the Z-grams and the relaxing of facial hair standards. I also recall he did a lot to ease growing racial tensions in the Navy.

I know he had something to do with Agent Orange and that he later came to regret using it and publicly said so. I think his son was exposed to it.

I also know he ran unsuccessfully for Congress from Virginia. I am not sure, but I think he was a Democrat. I know ofr sure he **acted** like a Democrat.

I thought he was a good guy.

[indepat]

1. I too was in the active naval reserves during Admiral Zumwalt's tenure as CNO and fondly recall his

Z-grams. I'm lucky enough to have an inscribed copy of his memoir, On Watch, Quadrangle, New York, 1976, and hope you too have a copy. :D

[spag68]

2. Admiral Zumwalt

As a member of the USS Norfolk DL-1 from 60-62, I was aboard when he used us as his flagship on a cruise that took us through the canal and around South America. Although there were some strict uniform conditions, that was to be expected. He seemed to be a great sailer and took part in the ceremony's when we crossed the equator. Racial tensions aboard the Norfolk were the least oppressive of anywhere in the Navy at that time. It was a great time in my life and I for one will never forget it.It changed my own personal thought about race relations forever and I'm glad of it.

[Cirque du So-What]

3. I was on active duty during his term as CNO

I got the impression that he had genuine concern for the health & welfare of Naval personnel, which could explain why he ran for Senator from Virginia as a Democrat.

Regulations were relaxed somewhat concerning the hair length, and I pushed the envelope whenever possible. I was on a Poseidon missile sub and once, before deploying to the boat, I managed to keep my lengthening hair hidden. After a month in port, we got underway for a 2-month cruise, and nobody cared about the hair length at sea. I once again managed to keep my hair tucked inside a baseball cap until returning stateside, when I took off for two weeks R & R. My hair was touching my shoulders by that time, which in 1974 meant that I blended in perfectly with ordinary civilians. While mingling with some friends & acquaintances, someone who didn't know me asked what I did for a living. When I said I was in the Navy, he stared at my hair for a moment and asked, 'what Navy? The Dutch Navy?'

Maybe this is one of those stories that needs to end with the qualifier, 'I guess you had to be there.'

[Stinky The Clown]

5. "I guess you had to be there."

Nah ..... I get what you're saying.

:hi:

[KT2000]

4. His son died of cancer(s)

related to Agent Orange exposure. Zumwalt said it was a necessary decision to use it and given the same circumstances he would do it again.

After the war he tried to reveal the dangers of Agent Orange and get help for the vets suffering from it. He stated emphatically that he was told to stop as such a revelation would cause the collapse of the pulp and paper industry. This he was told, would then cause the collapse of the entire US economy.

He knew it was BS and continued his work but died before there was much if any change. The pulp and paper industry continues to be protected and churns out dioxin into the environment.
Some of the illnesses related to Agent Orange exposure have been recognized (during the Clinton administration) and some finally received medical care and disability compensation. He did help in that effort.

[Stinky The Clown]

6. Okay, now I remember about his son.

He was in the Swiftboats. Zumwalt ordered the Agent Orange to eliminate the jungle cover the VC was using for picking off the Swiftboaters.

(I can't even say "Swiftboat" and not get pissed off all over again at the guys who lied about Kerry's service.)

[KT2000]

7. My first thought

when you said "Swiftboat" caused my heart to sink until I remembered he wasn't a GOP operative.
They have ruined a perfectly good name and now all those who were in Swiftboats probably have to explain they were not GOP hate mongers.