Jimm Larry Hendren Oral History

Jimm Larry Hendren served aboard Intrepid as the ship’s legal officer during the 1966 WESTPAC cruise to Vietnam. Hendren began his interview by discussing his family’s history and describing his education, from high school through Naval Justice School. He then continued, stating that his first orders were as Assistant Legal Officer at Commander Fleet Air Norfolk, where a fortuitous meeting with Captain Giuseppe Macri and Captain John Fair resulted in Hendren becoming Intrepid’s legal officer. Hendren then recalled Intrepid’s transit to Vietnam, which included an eventful passage through the Suez Canal. In discussing his job aboard ship, Hendren noted the duty of performing JAG manual investigations and explained two events that required them: a hydrogen sulfide leak that occurred in a void space, killing three crewmembers, and a flight related accident where a pilot crashed into the water while turning to line up for his landing. Hendren also discussed court martials, explaining the procedures, who was involved, and his role as legal officer. He also noted that court martials had occasionally provided him with life lessons, as well as one humorous memory involving an insubordinate sailor. Hendren then explained the duties of a legal officer when a ship would visit other countries. He recalled negotiating a contract with authorities in Naples in order to determine where the ship could be berthed, and going ashore in Yokosuka, Japan, with Commander Rezzarday, Intrepid’s executive officer, to speak with Yokosuka’s mayor in order to return a jailed sailor to the ship. Hendren not only described his job while aboard Intrepid, but also discussed topics such as morale and leadership, specifically noting Captain John Fair and Commander Harry Parode. He also explained his decision to join the Navy and serve as a lawyer, as well as his feelings regarding military service and draft dodgers. Before the interview came to an end, Hendren provided one final narrative, explaining his collateral duty as junior officer of the watch on the sea and anchor detail. Jimm Larry Hendren ended his interview by emphatically stating how lucky he was to serve as the legal officer aboard Intrepid.