USS CONFLICT (MSO-426)
APO SAN FRANCISCO 96601

									    27 June 1969


From:	Commanding Officer, USS CONFLICT (MSO-426)
To:	All Hands, USS CONFLICT (MSO-426)

Subj:	Letter of Appreciation

1.	During the period 28 April - 3 May 1969 this ship participated in helicopter
        recovery operations in the area of Nha Trang, Vietnam.

2.	The following comments are extracted from a letter from the Commander
        201st Aviation Company (Corps), U.S. Army:

	"1.	I wish to take this opportunity to express the appreciation and gratitude
                of myself and the members of the 201st Aviation Company (Corps) to...the
                men of the USS CONFLICT.

	"2.	On the evening of 27 April 1969 this unit lost four men and two UH-1H
                helicopters in the Bay of Nha Trang.  The USS CONFLICT was assigned the
                mission to search for and recover the helicopters and lost crewmen.
                Through your complete knowledge of your ship, you were able to maneuver
                the USS CONFLICT into what could have been perilous waters for a less
                experienced crew, thereby completing the recovery of the lost helicopters.
                Without the willing assistance of this crew and their complete knowledge
                of the capabilities of the ship this task could not have been successfully
                accomplished.

	"3.	The professional attitude and devotion to duty of the ships entire crew
                observed by members of my rescue coordinating personnel and the hospitality
                rendered to them by ... (the) crew, were indeed the deciding factors in
                making this recovery operation a success.

	"4.	The high degree of professionalism and devotion to duty certainly bring
                great credit to ... your crew, and the United States Navy.  Again I speak
                for my unit when I say "Thank you" for a job well done."

							/s/ Ronald S. Holasek, MAJ, CE
							    Commanding

3.	The following endorsement was written by Commander Mine Division NINETY-ONE:

	"The USS CONFLICT's continuity of outstanding achievements is noted with extreme
        pleasure.  The performance and skill displayed in exploiting the potential of
        the AN/SQQ-14 mine hunting sonar, in an immediate operational contingency
        situation illustrates a high degree of training, operational ability and
        command performance for which you and your crew are to be commanded.
        Well Done to all hands."

							/s/ R. N. Peterson

4.	This operation was one which required great individual effort and teamwork on
        the part of all hands.  The operations task was called upon for long hours of
        mine hunting, and difficult seamanship evolutions were performed which required
        maximum readiness and response of engineering personnel and equipment.  It was
        a fine team effort, and it is with the greatest of pleasure that I extend my
        appreciation to all hands.   Well Done.

							R. d'Alessio