The defeat at Vung Tau marked an historic event. It was the beginning of the withdraw of the Seventh Fleet from the coast of Vietnam. The Army and the Marines would soon follow. The Taylor sailed through rough seas in the Sea of Japan and finally reached Sasebo. We stayed a few days and then it was on to Yokosuka in the north. We were heading home but not without a celebration. The season of war had come to an end. It was time to set our feet on solid land.