Section Five - USS Henry W. Tucker DD/DDR 875

Transcription

History of the
USS Henry W. Tucker - DD 875
Section Five
1965 ~ 1969
Operation Market Time
The Vietnam War
The Forrestal Fire
The EC-121 Incident
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HISTORY OF THE USS HENRY W. TUCKER 1965 - 1969
1965
In early January TUCKER once again headed south. Her first assignment was spent on Taiwan Patrol. After a week on
patrol, TUCKER would steam to Kaohsiung for refueling and some R&R. TUCKER entered Kaohsiung harbor on 23
January 1965 for a few days to rest and refuel.
PRESIDENT JOHNSON IS INAUGURATED
The 36th President Lyndon B. Johnson, who took office after the assassination of President Kennedy
14 months earlier, gave his first inaugural address to the nation on 20 January 1965.
THE VIETNAM WAR ESCALATES
During the last few weeks, the Viet Cong became increasingly bold and changed their tactics from
selected hit-and-run targets to all-out assaults. These targets were increasingly close to Saigon,
including the mortaring of the American military barracks in Saigon, which killed 4 and wounded 72
others. On 22 January, the decision was made to land elements of the 3rd assault division of the
marines ashore in South Vietnam. At the same time, the US began gearing up for a protracted air
war against the Viet Cong and selected targets in North Vietnam. The carriers USS Hancock (CVA
19) and USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) began this new phase of the war on February 7. This required a
number of new assignments within the 7th fleet to provide support and increased surveillance along
the Vietnamese coastline.
On 24 January at 2000 on a Sunday evening, the call went out for all hands to return to TUCKER. All hands
returned and TUCKER got underway for a new assignment in the South China Sea. Her new duties included
screening fast-attack carriers and patrolling on watchdog stations along the North Vietnamese coastline. For the
next 11 weeks, TUCKER stayed on station near the Vietnam coast performing a variety of duties; plane guard,
coastline surveillance, ASW exercises and other duties. This routine was broken only by a trip every two weeks or so
to either Kaohsiung or Subic Bay.
In March 1965, because there became so many monotonous days at sea, TUCKER’s welfare and Recreation
committee became a focal point for providing organized activities. The “at-sea” periods had been marked by an
unusual high tempo of operations and TUCKER was busy doing her duties with the SEVENTH Fleet. These, of
course, were interspersed with underway replenishments, helicopter transfers of mail and personnel and high-line
operations between ships. Within this framework, The TUCKER crew worked hard to keep her shipboard
maintenance and training programs rolling so that she could continue to be ready to meet all contingencies.
Above and beyond this, TUCKER did have some leisure time while at sea. One new project was the creation of a
ship’s newspaper. This periodical was to be published twice a week when news could be received by Teletype and
was edited by Robert Hampton, SH1. Shortly after its inaugural, a contest was held to select a name. Phillip Jones,
STG3, won with the name “TIN
CAN TRIBUNE”. TUCKER’s new
TIN CAN TRIBUNE included daily
world news, local news, anecdotes,
editorials and featured cartoons
drawn by David Loye MM3, starring
an interesting and funny character
named “Dave the Dog.”
Shown is the masthead for the
new TUCKER newspaper.
Another leisure activity was a
weekly bingo game. This activity
was held on the mess decks and
was very popular. Unfortunately
after the first few games it was
discovered that there were many duplicate cards! This meant splitting prizes and as a result the winners didn’t win
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very much. This minor difficulty was corrected later by the acquisition of a new modern bingo set. Kelvin Gillow,
SK1 was a steady and dependable worker in providing evening bingo sessions on the mess deck aboard TUCKER.
The committee also organized a series of competitive tournaments on board. These tournaments included AceyDeucy, Cribbage, Dominoes, Pinochle, Checkers and Chess. The Cribbage winner was Thompson CSCS. The
Dominoes winner was Richard Rice ETRSN. The Pinochle tournament, played in the evenings on the mess deck was
Bohannon SN. LTJG Robert Severance won both the Checkers and the Chess tournaments.
The Acey-Deucy tournament final pitted the Exec Officer LCDR Harry Kinsley and LTJG Ben (The Mad Sicilian) Sottile
in a “duel to the finish”. This was a game of great pageantry. This event was ably captured in an issue of the TIN
CAN TRIBUNE and has been edited and re-written here:
Assembled on the helicopter deck were a group of men dressed in various combinations of towels, sheets,
medical bathrobes, shower shoes, shower curtains (Shower curtains? Where did they come from?) and
chrome-plated helmets. Amidst this group stood LTJG Ben Sottile (alias “Mad Sicilian”) bedecked with
a crown of celery leaves (no olive leaves on board) and a sheet in lieu of a toga.
Standing out of sight of all this was the XO LCDR Harry Kinsley, who had learned of this spectacle only
shortly before, but had time to secure his old reliable Boson’s knife to his belt in the event of threat of
bodily harm to his person.
The XO entered the field of battle, followed by his loyal supporters from Operations Department
sporting various signs of encouragement on T-shirts (including one of billboard proportions).
The Mad Sicilian chose this time to make his entrance to the scene of battle amid fanfare furnished by
Phillip Jones, STG3 on his trombone and the heavenly sounds of the Bos’n Pipe blown by William
“Stretch” Johnson, BM3. Flower boy, Paul Wagner, FN; led the procession flinging flower petals along
the path. Close on his heels were Frank Colvin, TM3 (Captain of the Guard) and the imperial Roman
Legion composed of Jack King, BT1; Joe Purdom, BM3; James Germany, FN; Robert Garner, STG3;
James Byrne, GMM3; and A. J. Levandowski, SN. The “Mad Sicilian” in a sedan chair was kept cool by
Fan Boys (P. L. Medina, SH3 and Fred Smith, SHSSN). Attending to the personal convenience of their
leader were Polk, SN and Alonzo Smith, GMGSN.
About this time, a Helicopter pilot who had hovered over the fantail of TUCKER to transport Protestant
and Roman Catholic Chaplains that Sunday afternoon gaped in disbelief at the sight of Roman
legionnaires on a destroyer!
After all the fun and pageantry, the actual game was anticlimactic, but LTJG Ben Sottile won.
TUCKER returned to Yokosuka for 2 weeks in April, which allowed
a respite from the continuous at sea time. It became time for
maintenance, short (one or two day) crew training courses, short
leave periods and best of all, an R&R period. One noteworthy
accomplishment was the complete refurbishing of the mess decks,
which included a new white tile deck, the purchase and installation
of flower boxes complete with artificial flowers and above all, a
specially painted picture of TUCKER being replenished at sea.
This time in port, TUCKER also celebrated her 20th year
with a ship’s birthday party at the “Club Alliance” in
Yokosuka. This club lies just inside the main gate. The party
was held on two successive days so that all hands could
take part. There was a floorshow, good food and drinks and
a large birthday cake.
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All too soon it became time once again to head south. In May, MARKET TIME operations were established. TUCKER
was to be an integral unit of a task group of
destroyers, destroyer escorts and American and South
Vietnamese patrol craft and air forces whose purpose
was to deny Viet Cong vessels access to and use of
the waterways adjacent to the Coast of South
Vietnam. Steaming up and down the coast, anchoring
occasionally at Vung Tau and Qui Nhon, TUCKER daily
kept hundreds of junks under close scrutiny. TUCKER
had a Vietnamese “Advisor”, South Vietnamese Naval
Officer ENS Pham Phan aboard, who would be the
interpreter when it was necessary to use the motor
whaleboat to stop a vessel and search it.
The Engineering Officer LT John Varner leads the
“Advisors” via whaleboat to search a junk
suspected of smuggling arms to the south.
Besides LT Varner and ENS Phat Phan, the “Boarding
Crew” included LTJG Sam Ellis, Butch Jarvinen SM2, Jeff Rose
RM3 and Frank Smoot GMG3. Several junks were boarded
and searched during this period.
While TUCKER was assigned to Market Time operations,
on 16 May, a radio message was received that U.S.
Marines needed gunfire support near Da Nang. TUCKER
responded and thereby became the first ship in the
SEVENTH FLEET to use her five-inch guns for shore
bombardment in the Vietnam War. Shore bombardment
quickly became fashionable, reliable and necessary.
Shown is the exploded five-inch gun barrel of USS
SOMERS (DD 947).
In the early morning of 21 May 1965, TUCKER was steaming
on a parallel track just north of SOMERS off the Binh Thuan
province of Viet Nam (Just south of Cam Ranh Bay). USS
SOMERS (DD 947) on 21 May 1965 fired her first shots in support of the South Vietnamese Army units at Pham
Thiet and was credited with stopping a Vet Cong attack on a South Vietnamese government district headquarters
building. SOMERS had a shell explode at the end of her forward 5-inch gun. This resulted in injury to several
crewmembers and the death of the phone-talker for mount
51. TUCKER rendezvoused with SOMERS to hi-line their
Vietnamese advisors off to TUCKER before she headed to
Subic Bay for repairs and a memorial service.
TUCKER also served as a stores ship and refueled and
furnished various services to smaller ships, Coast Guard
Cutters, Salvage ships and Mine Sweepers that could go
into the shallower waters. They were able to stay longer on
their watch station because TUCKER provided technical
assistance, payday, fuel, food and ship's stores. TUCKER
would head for deeper waters, replenish the supplies and
then head near their shallow limit, where the smaller
vessels would come alongside to replenish.
On one such replenishment, Radar Technician assistance
was provided. Gary O’Neil, ET3 stepped aboard USS
Reclaimer (ARS 42) and assisted by repairing the surface
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search radar. The repair went fast, but the RECLAIMER was already underway, back to her station. The next day, a
helicopter was dispatched to retrieve O’Neil and transport him back to TUCKER.
TUCKER headed south on 4 June 1965 to meet USS Independence (CVA 62) who was en route to join the 7th
Fleet from Norfolk via the Indian Ocean. Her mission was to escort INDEPENDENCE into Singapore for four days of
rest and recreation.
On the way south, on 5 June, TUCKER crossed the equator
where thirty-six members of the crew, all experienced
"shellbacks" initiated the two hundred "pollywogs" on board
into the rites of King Neptune.
Shown is a copy of the certificate (10X14 size)
received by all TUCKER pollywogs initiated on 5 June
1965. Each new shellback also received a wallet size
card indicating the event.
Below, INDEPENDENCE comes into view in the Indian
Ocean.
TUCKER, Shellbacks all, headed for the Malacca
Strait. This Strait divides the Malay Peninsula and
Island of Sumatra. Traveling northwest, TUCKER
entered the Indian Ocean. Meeting up with
INDEPENDENCE,
TUCKER
escorted
her
to
Singapore. This was a welcome stop after 40
continuous days at sea. Singapore was the port of call
from 7-11 June.
TUCKER then began her way back the 1700 miles to Yokosuka via Subic Bay to commence her mid-term
availability. While steaming with USS Leonard F. Mason (DD 852), a sonar echo revealed a submarine close by.
This was an unexpected surprise, as this unknown submarine was not part of an exercise. MASON broke off to
continue north for other duties as a Gemini spacecraft recovery ship. TUCKER began a game of “cat and mouse” as
she followed the submarine for two days. Finally, the submarine was forced to surface. It was a Russian submarine
that couldn’t shake TUCKER. The next night, a Russian tender came upon the scene and during the midnight watch
change, made a maneuver to place themselves between TUCKER and the submarine, thereby allowing the
submarine to dive and escape. Overall, it was an interesting operation and an exemplary performance by TUCKER.
Finally arriving in Yokosuka on 25 June, TUCKER was ready for an overdue 6-week dry-dock and upkeep period.
Those crewmen with families in Yokosuka were finally able to relax and get some leave.
On 8 July, while in Yokosuka, LCDR J. A. Barber Jr. relieved LCDR H. W. Kinsley Jr. as Executive Officer.
This long period in port was spent working hard-and playing hard, with the hosting of a boxing smoker and other
athletic events, raising money for the Lepers Hospital, leave, ship's parties and tours.
In concert with the seven other ships of DESRON 3 in port, TUCKER collected $1000 toward the purchase of a
heating unit for the Koyama Leper Hospital. Two Catholic sisters who help run the hospital came to the ship to
explain the need for the heating unit. Showing slides, they explained that the temperature was continuously below
freezing in the winter months and even some of the hospital volunteers would get frostbite from the bitter cold. The
sailors of DESRON 3 met the $8000 total needed.
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Another interesting occurrence while TUCKER was in
Yokosuka was the spontaneous weekend “Jam Session”.
The TUCKER band consisted of lead guitar Cason
FN, bass guitar Eckman, FN, drummer Palmer IC3
and others. This photo shows the band practicing
in the DASH hangar while TUCKER was at sea.
The band members decided to get permission from the
Japanese who were responsible for Kamakura beach
about 10 miles from Yokosuka to use the bandstand for
an afternoon. What followed was beyond anyone’s
wildest expectations. The TUCKER music makers drew a
crowd of up to 5000 weekend holiday Japanese beachgoers listening to their newfound American friends. This
was quickly picked up by Tokyo radio and TV news
broadcasts.
Some of the TUCKER crew participated in sponsored
athletics. The bowling team, called the “Strikers”, made a good showing in a tournament in Yokohama, then walked
away with first prize in a TUCKER sponsored DESDIV 32 tournament. LTJG Ellis, the athletic officer organized a
boxing smoker as an intraship match. The two winners from TUCKER were Hartley FN and W. R. Eckman FN.
On 26 and 27 July, TUCKER held another ship’s party at
the Club Alliance. Captain Bergin, Commodore of
DESDIV 32 was in attendance to enjoy the festivities. In
August, just before the end of this in-port period, Rear
Admiral Walter H. Baumberger, Commander CruiserDestroyer Force Pacific, visited TUCKER. He came
aboard for an hour during his 3-day stopover in
Yokosuka. He talked informally with members of the
crew and toured some of the ship’s spaces.
Finally, TUCKER put to sea again on 10 August for ASW
exercises near Japan. She then returned to the South
China Sea.
during the latter part of 1965.
Vietnam in the background.
This photo, taken from USS Vesuvius (AE 15),
shows TUCKER coming into position for one of
several arms replenishments that she performed
Note the crates of shells on the deck of VESUVIUS and the coast of
Another of the many scheduled changes that had come to be accepted as
routine sent her to South Vietnam again for naval gunfire support (NGFS). For
thirty two consecutive days TUCKER sped up and down the coast, providing
five-inch shellfire where needed, day or night, often day and night, Naval
Gunfire Support for Allied combat operations. During a period of more than
forty days at this task, more than 5000 rounds of five-inch ammunition were
fired at Viet Cong targets and TUCKER earned a reputation for being on target
with accurate results.
It was around this time that the new TUCKER motto “Have gun, will
Travel” was born, based on the TV series of the same name. This image
was captured from the cover of the 1967 TUCKER cruise book. The
copyrighted image of the “Knight” chess piece had been replaced with
this one that looks more like a “Seahorse.”
Occasionally, TUCKER would anchor in the “exotic and growing” South
Vietnamese ports of Da Nang, Nah Trang, or Qui Nhon, for liaison and supplies.
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The photo shows a Vietnamese Patrol Boat alongside
TUCKER in Da Nang harbor. TUCKER served for a few days as
“Harbor Defense Ship” in Da Nang.
TUCKER’s mission as Da Nang harbor defense ship was to defend
assigned land areas, water areas and water approaches against
small surface craft attack, intrusion by deception craft, sabotage by
sneak attack, underwater swimmers or subversive personnel and
enemy mine laying operations. This required constant vigilance by
all hands. Various ships, mostly destroyers and destroyer escorts,
took turns at this assignment.
After this exhausting period of operating, 43 days at sea, a
breather was provided with five days of rest and recreation in Hong
Kong beginning on 22 September.
Hong Kong-reputed pearl of the Orient and it is. The floating village
of Aberdeen with its famous restaurants, the Mainland city of
Kowloon, gourmet dining and lavish nightclubs, Repulse Bay,
Victoria Peak, Tiger Balm Gardens, shopping for ivory, jade, pearls
and hand tailored clothes.
At the Aberdeen Floating Restaurant, patrons
would pick out their dinner from the giant fish
tank. Then it would be cooked and served with the
head still on it.
A similarity was found between Singapore and Hong
Kong - both exuding an international atmosphere in
exotic and colorful settings. The 5 days passed too
quickly. TUCKER once again turned south for another
two weeks on the gun line before a short period of
upkeep was required in Subic Bay.
Underway once more, back to NGFS in South Vietnam
where the tempo of operations had increased considerably. By the time TUCKER departed NGFS on 13 October,
TUCKER had not only been the first to fire, but had spent more time on station and fired more rounds of fiveinch/38 shells at the Viet Cong (more than 5,600) than any other destroyer in the 7th Fleet. In fact, the last few
rounds fired caused the deck plates near mount 53 at the stern to split wide open. Temporarily, pieces of steel plate
were welded across the split until TUCKER finally returned to Yokosuka. At that time, proper repairs were made by
replacing and re-welding the affected deck plates.
After two weeks upkeep and type training in Subic, she began another continuous month at sea, on search and
rescue operations in the Gulf of Tonkin. TUCKER also operated in the Tonkin Gulf with USS Joseph Strauss (DDG
16). They acted as an advanced SAR/AAW picket team, assuring that rescue operations for pilots could be done
safely.
During this month of November, TUCKER pioneered procedures for helicopter in-flight refueling and in the process
became the first destroyer in the world to conduct in-flight refueling of a helicopter at night. TUCKER kept two SAR
helicopters in the air all day on Thanksgiving 1965. Also she participated in SAR operations, which resulted in the
recovery of more than ten pilots who were on missions in Vietnam. TUCKER displayed a large banner on the helo
deck that proclaimed –
"TUCK'S TAVERN - GAS - EATS - OPEN ALL NIGHT."
Coordinated training with these versatile aircraft paid off 26 June 1966 when two pilots, one from USS
Constellation (CVA 64) and the other from USS Ranger (CVA 61), were plucked from the sea less than 3 miles
from the North Vietnamese coast and carried to TUCKER.
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TUCKER returned to Yokosuka on 4 December 1965 for the holiday leave and liberty period and also for a change of
command.
Perhaps the best record of TUCKER'S one and a half years as a forward unit of the
7th Fleet is seen through the following statistics, compiled during the leadership
of Captain B. C. Wilcox from departure from Yokosuka on 30 June 1964 through
return to Yokosuka on 4 December 1965:
Time at sea
Time in port
Time in homeport
Days at sea
Days in port
Fuel oil used
Underway replenishments
Steaming hours
Nautical Miles Steamed
63 %
37 %
23 %
331 days
196 days
6,091,195 gallons
121
9,808 hours
104,840 Nautical miles
CARRIERS OPERATED WITH:
USS
USS
USS
USS
USS
Bon Homme Richard
Hancock
Independence
Midway
Ranger
CVA
CVA
CVA
CVA
CVA
31
19
62
41
61
USS
USS
USS
USS
USS
Constellation
Hornet
Kitty Hawk
Oriskany
Ticonderoga
CVA
CVA
CVA
CVA
CVA
64
12
63
34
14
6 December 1965-- CDR J. H. D. WILLIAMS, USN RELIEVED CDR B. C. WILCOX
and became the TUCKER’s fourteenth commanding officer.
This photo from the 1963-1966-cruise book
depicts the Change of Command ceremony aboard
TUCKER in Yokosuka. Outgoing CO Burr Curtis
Wilcox is on the left and new CO John Henry
Donald Williams is on the right.
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1966
TUCKER departed from Yokosuka on 2 January 1966,
bound again for operations in the South China Sea.
After a brief stop in Subic Bay, TUCKER proceeded to
join USS Ticonderoga (CVA l4) on DIXIE station near
Nha Trang.
There, along with other destroyers, she screened
TICONDEROGA and served as lifeguard destroyer
during aircraft launching and recovery operations.
During the first two weeks of February 1966, TUCKER
provided more Naval Gunfire Support for United States
military forces in South Vietnam, bringing the 465
rounds fired against the enemy to more than 6,000
total. On 13 February TUCKER was relieved of Naval
Gunfire Support duties and proceeded to join USS
Joseph Strauss (DDG 16) as a member of the Tonkin
Gulf Search and Rescue Unit.
It was at this time, TUCKER spent 56 straight days
at sea without returning to port. This was to be
the longest continuous at sea time in TUCKER’s
history.
During this deployment, some of the crew of TUCKER
participated in a beard-growing contest. Of course, all
were clean-shaven when she finally reached port on 26
February.
The end of February 1966 found TUCKER in Yokosuka again for a brief upkeep period. A welcome new installation of
air conditioners in the after crew’s berthing
compartments allowed more comfortable sleeping
conditions alleviating the heat during operations in
the southern waters. During her three-week stay,
TUCKER received her annual Administrative
Inspection given by the Division Commander,
Commodore Kirk.
On 19 March, she headed southward once more to
resume the already familiar role of Naval Gunfire
Support ship; this time in the IV Corps area (around
the Mekong Delta region) of the Republic of Vietnam.
TUCKER departed the Gulf of Siam on 31 March,
having increased her total number of rounds fired in
Vietnam to more than 7,000. TUCKER entered Hong
Kong Harbor to enjoy 5 days of liberty and shopping.
This photo of ENTERPRISE was taken from USS
Fred T. Berry (DD 858) in Vietnamese waters
during May 1966.
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Heading back to YANKEE STATION in the waters off the coast of North Vietnam, TUCKER was able to get up close
and personal with the nuclear fleet. TUCKER
rendezvoused with USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) for an
underway replenishment, performed plane guard duty
and participated in a nighttime air strike operation.
TUCKER also operated with USS Bainbridge (CLGN
25). ENTERPRISE and BAINBRIDGE were part of
the world’s first nuclear powered surface fleet and both
had recently been loaned from the Atlantic (SIXTH)
fleet to the Western Pacific (SEVENTH) fleet.
This Photo shows USS Haleakala (AE 25)
rearming TUCKER left and USS Ticonderoga (CVA
14) right, off the coast of Vietnam.
In early May, TUCKER headed to the Tonkin Gulf for more search and
rescue duty. During May 1966 and part of June, She patrolled the Gulf,
ready to rescue any downed Navy or Air Force pilots.
The long wait paid off when on 25 June 1966, when TUCKER directed
the rescues of the pilots of a Navy A6 "Intruder" and a Navy A4 "Sky
hawk", both aircraft having been shot down by enemy shore batteries.
Released from SAR duty, TUCKER headed back to Yokosuka. Her long
WESTPAC tour was coming to an end.
Finally, flying the homeward bound pennant again, TUCKER
entered the familiar waters of San Diego’s harbor. Note the
balloons helping to keep the pennant aloft.
In July 1966, TUCKER returned to the United States, her 25-month tour
of the Far East completed. After a well-earned leave period, TUCKER
entered the Long Beach Naval Shipyard in September for an extensive
overhaul.
This time in the Long Beach shipyard, TUCKER received new
communications, ECM and navigation gear. The new equipment was
placed on a “Crossbar” aft above the DASH hangar. This was the last
“Silhouette” change (of several overall) on TUCKER for her remaining
7 years as a commissioned US Navy vessel.
This partial photo shows the new HUT and Crossbar.
The “HUT” was a modified trailer-like container, which housed the
workspace for specially trained electronics and communications
personnel to use and maintain the ECM gear and its associated
antennas (shown as the three “cans” on the crossbar.)
This
equipment could confuse enemy radar and disguise TUCKER in
several ways. The HUT was easily installed and therefore could be
easily removed and modified as necessary.
The Crossbar was large enough and versatile enough to also make it
easy to modify or add transceivers. Later additions to the crossbar
included new DASH helicopter video camera controlling equipment.
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1967
In January 1967, USS Henry W. Tucker (DD 875) left the shipyard. After a brief period of sea trials, she departed
for San Diego on 9 February to undergo Refresher Training. Following six weeks of Refresher Training, during which
TUCKER became operationally ready to perform all assigned tasks, TUCKER returned to Long Beach to undergo
final preparations for a six-month deployment in the Western Pacific. It was about this time that the crew began
calling TUCKER her new nickname, “HAPPY HANK”.
APOLLO ASTRONAUTS DIE IN LAUNCHPAD CAPSULE FIRE
While TUCKER was the San Diego operating area, Astronauts Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White
and Roger B. Chaffee were all killed when a fire erupted in their Apollo capsule during testing on 27
January 1967. This prototype capsule was necessarily redesigned and this subsequently set back
the Apollo moon landing program. The next mission (Apollo 7) would not take place for 21 Months,
in October 1968.
TUCKER departed Long Beach and pointed her bow westward on 19 June 1967. Making the journey to WestPac with
TUCKER were USS Rupertus (DD 851) and USS Hopewell (DD 681). During the transit, TUCKER stopped at
Pearl Harbor for 5 days and then Midway for fuel. On the way to Yokosuka, the three ships participated in “Economy
Speed Trials”. To the great joy of the engineers in the boiler room, TUCKER easily won the competition. Onward to
Yokosuka, TUCKER dodged a whale in her path. The three ships arrived in Yokosuka on 9 July. The first order of
business was the TUCKER change of command ceremony.
12 July 1967 -- CDR S. D. KULLY, USN relieved CPT J. H. D. WILLIAMS
and became the TUCKER’s fifteenth commanding officer.
USS Henry W. Tucker (DD 875) got underway from Yokosuka on 14 July 1967 and headed for duty in the South
China Sea. TUCKER was to rendezvous with USS Forrestal (CVA 59) who was arriving after a long journey from
the Atlantic via the Indian Ocean to take her assigned duty off the coast of Vietnam. Commander Task Group 77.6
was COMCARDIV 2, RADM Harvey P. Lanham. He was embarked on USS Forrestal (CVA 59). TUCKER arrived in
the vicinity of FORRESTAL on 17 July and CTG 77.6 assumed tactical command of TUCKER. She was directed to
exercise independently within visual signaling range and to be in station B1 by 1800. TUCKER and FORRESTAL
proceeded together to Subic Bay. They arrived in Subic Bay on 18 July and remained in Subic for the next 4 days for
re-supply, repairs and refueling.
Moored at Buoy 25 in Subic Bay are USS Dixie (AD 14), USS Henry W. Tucker, (DD 875) and USS
Rupertus (DD 851). This photo was taken from FORRESTAL while she was at the Cubi Point naval air
station pier.
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TUCKER and RUPERTUS got underway at 0400, 22 July and headed for Yankee Station. COMDESDIV 32, Captain
John K. Beling was embarked aboard
RUPERTUS. FORRESTAL got underway at
0800.
After clearing the harbor, TUCKER began an
ASW sweep as protection for FORRESTAL.
Photo shows RUPERTUS and TUCKER
astern of FORRESTAL Steaming toward
Yankee Station.
Yankee Station is in the Tonkin Gulf and is
midway (60 miles either way) between North
Vietnam to the west and Hainan Island to the
east. Normally two carrier battle groups
operate at Yankee Station, but as FORRESTAL's battle group approaches, there soon will be three carrier groups
operating there. The other two carriers are USS Oriskany (CVA 34) and USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31).
For the next two days, all operations were normal, but on 29 July at 0315, FORRESTAL reported a man overboard.
TUCKER and USS Rupertus (DD 851) broke off from normal carrier operations and began Search and Rescue. For
the next two and a half hours, the man overboard search continued. A helicopter dispatched to assist with the
recovery found the man with the help of TUCKER’s surface search radar. A rescue seat was lowered from the helo,
but perhaps due to exhaustion or hypothermia, the man who had fallen from one of the flight elevators of
FORESTALL into the sea on a very dark night, lost his grip. At that point he disappeared. TUCKER had just arrived
in the area and only was able to recover the life ring tossed to the man overboard, but there was no sign of the
man.
At 0545 SAR operations were discontinued without success. All regular operations were resumed by 0600. TUCKER
was ordered to stay behind and continue the search. At 1054, after almost 8 hours of searching, the message was
received from FORRESTAL;
“CLOSE TO ASSIST AT BEST SPEED”
At flank speed, TUCKER steamed toward FORRESTAL and sighted the billowing smoke, not knowing for sure what
to expect.
At 1052, a second launch from FORRESTAL was being readied when the tragic fire began with the accidental
launching of a Zuni rocket from an F4B Phantom aircraft. This rocket launch was not the result of error on the part
of the FORRESTAL crew. The rocket streaked across the flight deck and struck the external fuel tank of an A4E
Skyhawk aircraft.
The stricken A4E Skyhawk was assigned to LCDR John McCain, readying for takeoff. Within five seconds the fuel
ignited, spreading under other aircraft loaded with ordnance and fueled for the second launch of that morning. LCDR
McCain scrambled out of the cockpit, onto the nose and dove into the fire on the deck. He attempted to rescue a
fellow pilot, but was immediately blown back by the first of many explosions.
At breakout of the fire, LCDR James Bloedorn was the FORRESTAL Officer of the Deck (OOD). James Bloedorn was
previously an officer aboard TUCKER during the years 1958-60. Now, a LCDR, James Bloedorn, the senior officer on
the bridge, witnessed the beginnings of fire that erupted on the aft portion of the flight deck. He sounded the fire
alarm and shortly after, ordered the carrier to go to General Quarters. Captain Beling was immediately summoned
and assumed command on the bridge.
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This photo of John McCain and his flight squadron
was taken in 1965. McCain is front right.
NOTE: After this incident, John McCain refused to
accept an offered early release from his service
commission. He instead took a new assignment as
a pilot operating from USS Oriskany (CV 34).
Three months later, on 26 October, he flew a
mission over North Vietnam and was shot down.
This was the beginning of his 6-year stay as a
prisoner of war at the “Hanoi Hilton.”
Huge clouds of black smoke billowed three hundred feet
into the air. Scores of flight deck personnel rushed to
contain the spread of the flames from reaching thirteen
adjoining aircraft all loaded with ordnance.
This photo was taken
FORRESTAL flight deck.
of
the
fire
from
the
In one minute and thirty-four seconds after the fire
started, the first 1000 lb. bomb exploded. Flying
shrapnel tore into other aircraft, ruptured more fuel
tanks and spread lakes of flaming aviation fuel over the
deck. In a period of four minutes, seven major high
order explosions shook the entire ship ripping seven
huge holes through the thick armored steel flight deck
with some reaching through the ship to the water line.
Countless high and low order detonations continued.
Some 40,000 gallons of jet plane fuel leaking from punctured aircraft fuel tanks, spread into holes ripped through
the deck, spreading flames to many compartments far below the flight deck.
Courageous firefighting teams, officers and enlisted men were knocked down, injured, or killed by the series of
explosions. Rockets, missiles and 20 mm shells shot across the flight deck and ejection seats fired into the air.
Twelve minutes after the last major explosion, but with minor explosions continuing, flight deck directors moved
aircraft from near the island super structure while firefighting teams kept the fire from advancing farther forward.
Aircraft, some still in flames, were jettisoned in an effort to keep the fire from spreading. Fires continued out of
control in the after part of the ship far into the night.
Other ships on Yankee Station were re-assigned to assist FORRESTAL. Some of them were USS Oriskany (CVA
34), USS Bausell (DD 845), USS George K. MacKenzie (DD 836), USS Samuel N. Moore (DD 731) and USS
Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31). About 30 minutes after the fire started a number of Chinese and Vietnamese
boats began moving in closer to get a look at what was going on. It was known that these vessels were used to
radio reports of US fleet activities in the Tonkin Gulf. At one point, a vessel closed within 2000 yards of
FORRESTAL. To clear out the unwanted gawkers, one of the destroyers opened fire with their 5 inch gun. The
nearest offending boat blew up in a shower of pieces. All the other intrusive curiosity seeking boats immediately
turned tail and cleared the area.
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TUCKER once again assisted in rescue operations for
overboard survivors. She re-traced the debris-strewn
waters to search for survivors and anything else of any
value. Items left behind are typically picked up by the
local boats, as there was a bounty paid for ID cards, dog
tags etc, anything that could be used as propaganda.
The picture is the FORRESTAL fire and USS
Rupertus (DD 851) steaming alongside. RUPERTUS
closed to within 20 feet of the Carrier at 1100 (A
remarkable and courageous act of seamanship) so
that her fire hoses could assist in extinguishing the
carrier fire.
At 1130 29 July, USS George K. MacKenzie (DD 836)
proceeded up close to the port quarter of FORRESTAL to employ fog foam and OBA Canisters. Two stubborn fires
remained in the hanger deck area.
At 1447 on 29 July 1967, FORRESTAL began steaming in the direction of the hospital ship USS Repose (AH 16) in
company with TUCKER and BAUSELL, while helicopters from the other carriers and the remaining ships continued
to search for survivors. Helicopters from the Carriers ORISKANY and CONSTELLATION continued to bring aboard
additional firefighting equipment and began moving many of the severely wounded to their ships for more
immediate attention. At approximately 2250 FORRESTAL began transferring, via helicopter, the rest of their injured
to the hospital ship.
Finally all fires were extinguished at 1200, 30 July 1967. Heroic crewmembers had risked life and limb to battle the
blaze, rescue fellow crewmembers and save their ship. At 1410, 30 July, REPOSE, after a long day of taking aboard
the injured, broke off to proceed to Da Nang Harbor, arriving there at 2015.
FORRESTAL, TUCKER and BAUSELL remained behind
at sea and began the journey escorting FORRESTAL to
Subic Bay. BAUSELL reported having serious
mechanical (overheating) problems with one of her
screw shafts. At 1900, BAUSELL reported a boiler
failure.
This Photo of FORRESTAL was taken from USS
Bausell (DD 845) after the fire was out.
The FORRESTAL crew of over 5,000 men had saved
their ship. One Hundred Thirty-four crewmembers made
the supreme sacrifice. Another one hundred sixty-one
men were injured with sixty-four personnel sustaining
severe injuries.
RADM Harvey P. Lanham, Commander Task Group 77.4 transferred his command on 31 July and embarked via
helicopter in USS Constellation (CVA 64). He assumed operational control of TUCKER and BAUSELL. TUCKER
was re-directed to return to plane guard duty for USS Constellation (CVA 64) and USS Oriskany (CVA 34).
In August while TUCKER was refueling from USS Kawishiwi (AO 146) while assigned to plane guard duty for
ORISKANY, the rudder jammed and an emergency breakaway occurred. It is a very tense and dangerous moment
when this occurs. Fortunately, everything turned out all right. After the rudder problem was fixed, the refueling
operation was completed.
The entire month of August was spent operating in the gulf, except for a few days of ASW training with the USS
Cusk (AGSS 348) that included a successful DASH torpedo launch. These ASW games were much more engrossing
than chasing carriers and offered a welcome relief to a very busy and dangerous time at sea.
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After a brief five-day stop in Subic Bay in early September 1967,
there was a short training period in waters near Subic. TUCKER
once again headed west, this time in company with USS Coontz
(DLG 9). The two ships pulled into the harbor in Da Nang for a
day of briefings and a night of anti-PT-Boat exercises.
TUCKER and COONTZ steamed to northernmost end of the
Tonkin Gulf. They relieved the ships on station, a point where the
enemy coastline was visible. For the rest of September and most
of October, this was a busy time. Their duties included keeping
track of all shipping into Haiphong harbor assisting in control of
aircraft and rescuing any downed pilots, refueling helicopters and
regular replenishments.
Just before the end of this mission in the Tonkin Gulf on
October 19, TUCKER temporarily headed south to flee
Typhoon Carla.
This photo from the 1967 cruise book shows her 100th
in-flight helicopter refueling, a technique TUCKER
pioneered. Note the TUCKS TAVERN sign that was
drawn by Robert Hover, PN3. A new banner had to be
made, because the original one was lost during the late
1966 Long Beach yard period.
TUCKER was relieved from SAR station duties on 21 October
1967 by USS Wiltsie (DD 716). The first stop was Subic to
quench a 45-day thirst and then a rough ride to Kaohsiung,
Taiwan.
She entered, Kaohsiung’s harbor on 27 October for ten days of
upkeep. This marked the first extensive period in port for the
men of TUCKER in more than three months, having spent 90
of the previous 95 days at sea.
Following the visit to Kaohsiung, TUCKER proceeded to the
British Crown Colony of Hong Kong for five more days of
R&R.
TUCKER departed Hong Kong on 10 November 1967 for the
final mission of her deployment, Naval Gunfire Support. No
sooner had TUCKER arrived on the assigned NGFS area,
than US forces ashore called for gunfire assistance. Firing
was commenced immediately and continued day and night
for the next two weeks. TUCKER fired over 1500 rounds,
before she was released to Subic Bay on 25 November. She
completed ASW exercises along the route.
This photo from the 1967 cruise book is of TUCKER on
the gun line.
Leaving Subic, TUCKER again participated in exercises, this time with USS Tunney (APSS 282) to act as a target
ship for that submarine.
TUCKER then started the journey home to Long Beach, stopping at Buckner Bay for fuel on a rainy morning. Then it
was on to Yokosuka, where there were a few days for Christmas shopping. Living spaces were loaded with gifts and
souvenirs for family and friends back home.
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Finally, TUCKER set an easterly course in company with USS Hopewell (DD 681) and headed for Pearl Harbor on
the way. Rough weather prevented refueling at Midway. She made a brief stop at midnight in pouring rain at Pearl
Harbor for fuel, then at flank speed, leaving HOPEWELL lagging behind, headed directly home.
TUCKER, with a crewmember dressed as Santa Claus on the
signal bridge, arrived in Long Beach on 23 December 1967, to
be greeted by a host of friends and relatives wishing her and
her crew a most welcome "Merry Christmas."
TUCKER is preparing to tie up outboard of USS Eversole
(DD 789). TUCKER’s loved ones and family members are
waiting on the EVERSOLE fantail.
TUCKER received a letter of commendation for this deployment
from Tactical Commander Captain K. B. Brown, COMDESRON
17 for her work on SAR:
“IN YOUR DIRECT SUPPORT OF NAVY AND AIR FORCE STRIKE AIRCRAFT AND OF THE ATTACK
CARRIER STRIKING FORCE SEVENTH FLEET YOU PERFORMED VITAL SERVICE FOR YOUR
COUNTRY.
YOU REPEATEDLY DEMONSTRATED THAT HENRY W. TUCKER IS MANNED BY WELL TRAINED,
COMPETENT AND SKILLED DESTROYERMEN. YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BE PROUD OF YOUR
SHIP AND YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
WELL DONE.”
These statistics from the TUCKER cruise book for 19 June 1967
through 23 December 1967 are as follows:
Days at sea
151
days (80% at sea)
Days in Port
37
days
Fuel oil used
3,191,265
gallons
59
Steaming hours
3,548
hours
Nautical miles steamed
53,434
miles
Rounds of naval gunfire support
1,514
five-inch shells
TUCKER received and proudly wore the "E” for combat efficiency and had recently received the coveted
“Meritorious Unit Commendation” for action in Vietnam during her just completed six-month tour in WESTPAC.
The Battle Efficiency Award, commonly known as the Battle "E", is awarded annually to the small number of
U.S. Navy ships, submarines, aviation and other units that win their battle effectiveness competition.
The criterion for the Battle Efficiency Award is the overall readiness of the command to carry out its assigned
wartime tasks and is based on a year-long evaluation. The competition for the award is’ and has always been,
extremely keen. To win, a ship or unit must demonstrate the highest state of battle readiness. Ships that win a
battle efficiency competition are authorized to paint a white "E" with black shadowing on their stacks or elsewhere to
give evidence of the honor. TUCKER’s “E” was painted on the forward stack.
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1968
THE PUEBLO INCIDENT
During TUCKER’s period of maintenance in Long Beach, on 23 January 1968, North Korean Naval
vessels and MiG jets attacked USS PUEBLO (AGER 2). PUEBLO was a Navy vessel sent on an
intelligence mission off the coast of North Korea. One man was killed and several were wounded. The
eighty-two surviving crewmembers were captured and held prisoner for 11 months. To this day, the
PUEBLO is being held by North Korea and is still listed as a commissioned ship in the US Navy.
After a period of six months in maintenance, upkeep, training, during this period in the Long Beach Naval Shipyard,
TUCKER once more began serious preparations for deployment to WESTPAC. TUCKER got underway from Long
Beach to Seal Beach on 1 July 1968, where all available hands participated in on-loading ammunition. TUCKER
returned to Long Beach that same day.
Two days later, on 3 July, TUCKER departed to Western Pacific waters and her third extended cruise in support of
Allied operations in the Vietnamese War. Once underway, joined by USS Rupertus (DD 851), TUCKER proceeded
to Pearl Harbor. The first night out was marked by heavy weather. Gary Maher, Damage Controlman Third Class was
injured while securing items on deck. TUCKER immediately altered course and increased speed to rendezvous with
a helicopter from the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), appropriately named “Angel 77.” This Navy “Angel” flew Maher
from TUCKER to the carrier CORAL SEA. After receiving first-aid treatment aboard CORAL SEA, he later returned
to TUCKER.
The fourth of July occurred during the rough seas, but Independence Day was not totally lost, because the seas soon
became calm and warm. TUCKER and RUPERTUS slowed to enjoy a cookout and a belated but spectacular
Independence Day fireworks display featuring roman
candles and skyrockets. An additional spectacle for
RUPERTUS in company with TUCKER was the
“manning of the rail” by TUCKER’s crew, with each man
twirling a lighted sparkler. RUPERTUS radioed and
announced that the effect was significant and sent
TUCKER a “Well Done.”
Arriving on 8 July, TUCKER would remain for 4
days. This photo of the ARIZONA Memorial was
taken from the helo deck as TUCKER entered Pearl
Harbor. The new Arizona Memorial was dedicated
in 1962.
Upon leaving Pearl Harbor, TUCKER proceeded to
Kahoolawe Island for gunnery practice. This island is
about 7 miles off the coast of Maui and was used for
many years by the Navy for gunfire practice, until 1993.
Upon completion of gunnery practice, TUCKER and
RUPERTUS continued on to Midway Island. At Midway
only 6 hours, TUCKER was again underway, arriving at her new (for the third time) homeport of Yokosuka, Japan,
on 22 July 1968.
118
One unfortunate incident became a source of amusement.
The ship’s laundry broke down shortly after departure from
Hawaii. Since all Navy units endeavor to assist their fellows
in need, RUPERTUS offered to do TUCKER’s laundry. As
the dirty laundry was high-lined aboard RUPERTUS,
TUCKER expressed her thanks by hoisting a specially made
“Fruit of the Loom” pennant in recognition of her services.
This incident was one of many that marked the friendly
rivalry TUCKER had with RUPERTUS.
Crewmembers are holding the “Fruit of the Loom”
pennant.
After arrival in Yokosuka TUCKER received briefings on her
upcoming duties from the officers and men of Destroyer
Squadron 9, whose ships she was relieving. After two weeks
in Yokosuka, TUCKER got underway for her participation in the real action to come. But first, there was a refueling
stop in Kaohsiung Taiwan and then it was on to Subic Bay, Philippines, for a day, arriving there on 11 August.
Wasting no time, TUCKER got underway on 12 August
and participated in OPERATION SEA DRAGON, firing
on North Vietnamese coastal artillery sites and
waterborne logistics craft north of the DMZ.
TUCKER operated with the heavy cruiser USS
Boston (CAG 1) during operation Sea Dragon. Note
the 8” triple guns that were used for gun line
operations during her one and only Westpac
deployment.
For two weeks, In these operations off the Southern
Panhandle of North Vietnam, TUCKER’s four five-inch
guns sank four waterborne logistics craft, damaged three
more, attacked numerous coastal defense gun sites,
created many secondary fires and explosions on the
beach and destroyed a beach logistics loading area.
This picture taken aboard TUCKER shows spent
canisters from the five-inch guns. Note the ship on
the horizon. It is an ammunition supply ship,
possibly USS Vesuvius (AE 15). TUCKER is following
the arms supply ship to the shelter of Cam Rahn
Bay to rearm. The ammunition supply ship had
gone “dead in the water” and had to be towed by a
sea tug. The barely visible dot on the horizon just
to the right of that ship is the sea tug.
TUCKER was also called upon to refuel helicopters inflight on a moment’s notice. The climax of the SEA
DRAGON mission was a high-speed dash to the Demilitarized Zone to assist US Marines under heavy attack.
TUCKER’s accurate fire hit North Vietnamese bunkers, mortar positions and troop concentrations, greatly aiding
allied operations in that area.
119
Recognition of TUCKER’s ability to do her job and do it well came in the form of a congratulatory message from the
SEA DRAGON Task Unit Commander when he said:
“FOR THE SHORT TIME I HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH YOU, I WITNESSED A FIGHTING
SHIP WITH AGGRESSIVENESS AND DETERMINATION. YOU JOINED THE SEA DRAGON TEAM LIKE
AN OLD PRO AND I HIGHLY COMMEND YOU. CONTINUE THAT FIGHTING SPIRIT.”
On 27 August, TUCKER headed a little way south of the DMZ to the Qui Nhon area to provide NGFS for the soldiers
ashore. Her second mission involved providing Naval Gunfire Support in the II Corps area of South Vietnam; most of
it being near the cities of Tuy Hoa and Qui Nhon. In one week of operations off the coast of South Vietnam,
TUCKER’s gunnery team showed its competence by destroying 31 enemy structures, damaging 26, sinking one
enemy sampan, damaging two more, interdicting two well-traveled enemy supply routes and firing nightly
harassment and interdiction missions against enemy positions. She also refueled U.S. Navy “Swift” patrol boats,
who reciprocated by delivering TUCKER’s mail to shore.
Again, recognition of TUCKER’s expert marksmanship came from the Naval Gunfire Support Task Unit Commander.
His message stated:
“YOUR PERFORMANCE IN THE TWO DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS OF I CORPS AND II CORPS WAS
OUTSTANDING. YOUR IMPRESSIVE RECORD OF STRUCTURES AND SUPPLY BOATS DESTROYED
OR DAMAGED IS INDICATIVE OF ACCURATE SHOOTING AND A PROFESSIONAL GUNNERY TEAM.
WELL DONE.”
By the end of her gunfire missions, TUCKER’s guns had sent 3,051 projectiles on their way to enemy targets.
TUCKER, the first U.S. Navy ship to fire at Viet Cong targets, had now expended 11,572 rounds of five-inch
ammunition during her participation in the Vietnamese conflict.
A highlight of TUCKER’s Naval Gunfire Support operations was the visit of two U.S. Marine gunnery spotters,
Sergeant Robert D. Zehe and Lance Corporal Michael McCook. Both men had spotted for TUCKER many times, but
had never enjoyed the opportunity to visit a Navy destroyer and see a shipboard gunnery team in action. As an
interesting note, Sergeant Zehe stated that TUCKER had been the first ship whose gunfire he had spotted when he
arrived in Vietnam in 1967 and would be the last prior to his return to the United States on September 5th. Both
Marines were offered traditional TUCKER hospitality and toured the ship to watch her conduct a nighttime firing
mission. In return for TUCKER’s hospitality, Sergeant Zehe and Lance Corporal McCook invited six of TUCKER’s
men, including GM1 Larry Finton, RM3 Robert Aiello, TM3 Robert Peterson and SN Percy Stewart, to go ashore with
them at Qui Nhon. During this visit, the men had the chance to visit the Republic of Korea’s TIGER Division
Headquarters and see first-hand how Naval Gunfire Support Missions were planned.
TUCKER began providing plane guard duty on 7
September for the carrier group that included USS
America (CVA 66), USS Bennington (CVS 20) and
USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31).
TUCKER then participated in several days of realistic
anti-submarine warfare exercises with the submarine
USS Medregal (AGSS-480), in which TUCKER’s
Anti-Submarine Warfare team proved their capabilities
by completing each exercise successfully.
TUCKER was honored this year (1968) by receiving the coveted Anti-Submarine Warfare “A” Award, awarded
annually to the best ASW ship in each destroyer squadron. The “A” was proudly emblazoned on the ASROC
launcher.
120
CDR Kully reported in a family-gram dated September 19 1968,
the following statistics for this 6-week deployment to
Vietnamese waters starting on 12 August:
Rounds fired on SEA DRAGON operations
1750
Helicopter transfers
22
Rounds fired on DMZ operations
120
Swift Boat refuelings
3
Rounds fired on Naval Gunfire Support operations 1293
Helicopter refuelings
15
20
Days at Sea
42
Vertical replenishments
1
Days in Port
4
TUCKER began the trip back to Yokosuka by heading first to Subic Bay. On the way to Subic, one of those wellappreciated barbecues was held on the helo deck. The Barbecue was
up to the high quality that made TUCKER’s food famous throughout
the SEVENTH Fleet, with all hands having a selection of steaks cooked
to order, baked beans, assorted salads, vegetables and desserts.
While the crew was enjoying the barbecue and relaxing, a helicopter
from the nearby carrier USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) flew
close to TUCKER and hovered above the ship and indicated by
gestures that its crew would like to join the barbecue. Within a
moment’s time, the now famous “TUCKS TAVERN” sign was unfurled
and five juicy steaks were hoisted skyward to be devoured by the
happy and hungry crew of a “Bonnie Dick” helo. Such service to
SEVENTH Fleet helicopters had made “TUCK’s TAVERN” a much
sought-after “watering hole” in the Tonkin Gulf and deserved a
reputation for fast, 24-hour service in the ready rooms of those
carriers fortunate enough to have had TUCKER nearby.
The “Bonny Dick” helo is waiting for their chow. This may be
the first recorded instance of “Take Out” food orders from U.S.
Navy ships at sea!
TUCKER entered Subic Bay for only a day to refuel and
then headed back to the northeast. She arrived in Yokosuka
on 20 September for 2 welcome weeks of upkeep and
liberty.
The Commodore arrives aboard TUCKER.
While in Yokosuka, Commander Destroyer Division 32,
Captain Robert Vollertsen, visited TUCKER on 30
September, inspected the crew and presented awards to
many deserving crewmembers. The following day he
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hoisted his pennant in TUCKER and stayed for the next six weeks. This made TUCKER the division flagship for this
period.
THE FIRST APOLLO LAUNCH
Apollo 7 was launched from Cape Canaveral on 11 October 1968. This was the first manned Apollo
space flight after the disastrous launch pad fire that killed Astronauts Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Edward
White and Roger Chaffee. Understandably, NASA (and the rest of the world) was on edge. The
flight lasted 10 days and 20 hours. Although head colds plagued the astronauts Wally Schirra, Donn
Eisle and Walter Cunningham, the flight met all objectives and was completed successfully. Re-entry
and recovery went well. Apollo's flotation bags had their first try-out when the spacecraft splashed
down in the Atlantic southeast of Bermuda, less than two kilometers from the planned impact point
and promptly turned upside down. When inflated, the brightly colored bags flipped the command
module upright. The crew was deposited on the flight deck of USS Essex (CV 9) by 8:20 am EDT.
TUCKER put to sea on 3 October 1968 with a special hoist mounted on the fantail. Also, an exact replica of the
Apollo Command Module had been received on board. After several of days of training with the hoist and capsule,
TUCKER was ready to participate as an Astronaut
Recovery Ship for the APOLLO 7 space flight.
Alternating with USS Rupertus (DD 851) on
station 300 miles south of Japan, a point directly
under the Apollo orbit, TUCKER was ready to assist
in the capsule recovery if needed. Ships that were
available at the time were deployed on a latitude
and longitude that was on the orbital path, should a
delay in re-entry occur.
This photo shows the special hoist and dummy
Apollo capsule used for training.
While TUCKER was on the recovery station, besides
recovery training, there was other training that took
place. The DASH helo was rolled out for flight
training. As the drone helicopter was making its
approach to the landing deck, control of the drone
was lost. The DASH helo hit the mast and spinning
in mid-air, exploded and sank 25 yards off the port
side.
Four days into the APOLLO mission, the seas at TUCKER’s
station became rough and a threatening tropical storm was
approaching.
Since recovery at that location would be
unlikely anyway, TUCKER was ordered back to Yokosuka.
TUCKER and USS Chevalier (DD 805) are among ships
flying their colors in Kaohsiung Harbor on 31 October
1968.
TUCKER, in company with RUPERTUS again departed
Yokosuka on 28 October, bound southward. Practicing
highline transfer operations on the way, the two destroyers
entered Kaohsiung Harbor on 31 October. There was only
one day of liberty, but those who could go ashore helped the
citizens of Kaohsiung celebrate the birthday of their
President Chiang Kai-shek. There was a parade, fireworks
and a holiday festive atmosphere reminiscent of our own 4th of July.
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While in Kaohsiung, TUCKER proudly flew all her dress ship
flags for the occasion. Underway again, TUCKER and
RUPERTUS entered the waters of Hong Kong Harbor on 2
November 1968. This time in Hong Kong was to last 5 days.
The photo at the left shows Mary Soo’s paint crew
alongside in Hong Kong harbor, the Captain’s gig lowered
and a Water Taxi waiting for the liberty crew.
This photo was taken of Hong Kong’s Lockhart
Road in the Wanchai District. Note the movie
marquis advertising the newly released “The
Green Berets” starring John Wayne.
Leaving Hong Kong on 7 November, TUCKER and
RUPERTUS headed once again into the South China
Sea. Their destination was Subic Bay. At this time
in
Subic
Bay,
Captain
Robert
Vollertsen,
COMDESDIV 32 departed TUCKER and sent this message:
IT HAS BEEN A REAL PLEASURE TO FLY THE DESDIV 32 PENNANT FROM HENRY W. TUCKER’S
YARDARM FOR THE PAST SIX WEEKS. ALL STAFF MEMBERS TOOK PARTICULAR NOTE OF THE
SPIRIT AND PRIDE DISPLAYED BY EACH OFFICER AND MAN OF THE CREW. BOTH I AND MY STAFF
LOOK FORWARD TO THE POSSIBILITY OF AGAIN EMBARKING IN YOUR FINE SHIP. FROM
PERSONAL OBSERVATION, IT IS OBVIOUS TUCKER WILL EVEN IMPROVE UPON HER PAST
RECORD OF OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE.
After three days in Subic, TUCKER got underway on 12 November for plane guard duty with USS Coral Sea (CVA
43). TASK GROUP 77.6 consisted of CORAL SEA, TUCKER, USS Bausell (DD 845), USS Robert K. Huntington
(DD 781) and USS George K. MacKenzie (DD 836).
In the darkness of early morning on 21 November, TUCKER broke off from chasing the CORAL SEA to search for
and rescue a downed pilot. An oil slick was found, but there was no sign of the pilot and there were only small
pieces of debris. By noon that day, the search was abandoned.
Two days later, TUCKER was detached from plane guard duty and headed south to rendezvous with USS Sterett
(DLG 31) and USS Jenkins (DD 447), for SAR duty near the coast of Vietnam. On 1 December, TUCKER made
her way once more for plane guard duty with the CORAL SEA. This didn’t last long, because the next day, TUCKER
broke away to participate in ASW exercises with USS Davidson (DE 1045). The submarine USS Bream (AGSS
243) was to be the mouse in this cat-and-mouse game. After four days, TUCKER returned to plane guard duty with
the CORAL SEA.
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Another of the temperamental habits of the DASH helo was
the counter-rotating blades. Sometimes a gust of wind would
tip it over when it was not quite up to speed to get airborne.
This picture shows one of those broken DASH helo rotors.
Finally, on 8 DECEMBER 1968, TUCKER headed north to return to
Yokosuka. TUCKER in company with USS George K. MacKenzie
(DD 836), USS Taylor (DD 468) and USS Huntington (CL 107)
raced to keep up with USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) before entering
Tokyo Harbor on 3 October 1968 and back to her homeport of
Yokosuka.
This deployment to Vietnam waters included 30 consecutive days of
sea operations and away from homeport for 45 days. TUCKER was
home for rest, repair, inspections and holiday celebrations. For the
Christmas celebration, TUCKER’s dress ship lights were replaced
with blue bulbs and Christmas trees appeared in various parts of the
ship.
WORLD EVENTS THAT OCCURRED IN DECEMBER 1968
During TUCKER’s holiday period in Yokosuka,
Apollo 8 was launched, circled the moon,
returned to earth and was recovered.
The
Astronauts James Lovell, Frank Borman and
William Anders lifted off from Cape Canaveral
on 21 December. The astronauts were the first
humans to witness an “Earth-Rise” on 24
December when the spacecraft came into view
of the Earth from the backside of the moon.
Also, on the same day as the “Earth-Rise” photo, the USS Pueblo Sailors, led by Captain
Lloyd Bucher arrived in San Diego after the North Koreans released the eighty-two Pueblo
crewmen from 11 months of captivity.
124
1969
Finishing her holiday rest period, TUCKER began an extended mission of ten weeks away from Yokosuka. Leaving
on 16 January 1969 with a fuel stop in Buckner Bay, Okinawa, TUCKER arrived at Subic Bay on 20 January.
PRESIDENT NIXON TAKES OFFICE
The 37th President Richard M. Nixon gave his first inaugural address to the nation on 20 January 1969.
TUCKER again got underway on 22 January along with USS Standley (DLG 32), a new guided missile frigate from
the East Coast. After some electronics testing and some drills, the two vessels headed almost due west en route to
Da Nang. A highlight of TUCKER’s voyage to Da Nang was accepting a challenge from STANDLEY to a “drag race.”
Although twenty-three years older than STANDLEY,
TUCKER stepped on the gas and showed her wake
to the dismayed crew of the newer ship! Early the
next morning both ships arrived and anchored in the
mountain-ringed bay of Da Nang Harbor. The motor
whaleboat was lowered and placed into antiswimmer personnel guard duty. TUCKER remained
in the harbor only long enough for several of
TUCKER’s officers and men to receive briefings
concerning her next operations.
Leaving the harbor that same day, TUCKER
proceeded to the Southern Search and Rescue
Station, in company with USS Fox (DLG 33). After
more than two weeks there, TUCKER was relieved
by USS Agerholm (DD 826) and headed for TASK
GROUP 77.6 for five days with USS Coral Sea (CVA
43) as plane guard.
TUCKER in line, waiting for her turn for UNREP
(Underway Replenishment) from CORAL SEA.
Finally, on 16 February, after three uneventful weeks of patrolling the coast, then chasing the carrier CORAL SEA,
TUCKER returned to the role she originated back in
May of 1965, Naval Gunfire Support. This time it
was in the I Corps area of the Republic of Vietnam.
Two days later, in the Chu Lai area, TUCKER closed
to within a mile of the entrance to Chu Lai Harbor
for boat transfer of Army officer observers from the
AMERICAL Division aboard TUCKER so they could
witness a demonstration of TUCKER’s naval gunfire
in action.
A few days later, a small personnel helicopter
(Model LOH 6) brought Army LtCol James
Durbin
aboard
for
a
“Snoopy”
DASH
demonstration. The nickname for this type of
helicopter was the “Loach.”
Durbin was brought on-board to witness the newest
development in the DASH helicopter.
Although
DASH was designed for ASW operations, this time it was fitted with a video camera. Another part of the new DASH
125
modification was added for “Hand Off” control to a chase helicopter that would then control the DASH in-flight from
not too far away. This aided and enhanced land based spotters to direct TUCKER’s five-inch shells to the targets.
This DASH modification was nicknamed “Snoopy DASH”.
TUCKER then spent time supporting the SECOND Division of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. She worked
closely with the U.S. Navy’s Coastal Advisory Group 16, near Quang Ngai. Their men were advisors to the
Vietnamese Navy’s junk patrol forces. TUCKER bombarded areas from which the VC were attacking and harassing
the junk base. During one day in this area, TUCKER attacked over 100 targets, achieving a remarkable amount of
destruction with a minimum expenditure of ammunition.
Highlighting this gun line period was the mission of 27
February 1969, where TUCKER was also able to do
something rarely done by destroyers: She provided
gunfire support near Quang Ngai and simultaneously
sent a medical civic action team to provide medical aid
to villages only one-half miles from where her shells
were impacting.
LT William. F. Gee, DESDIV 32 Doctor and TUCKER
crewmember R. (Doc) Rice HM1 are shown
providing medical aid.
TUCKER closed to about a mile from the coast and a
Vietnamese Navy junk came alongside. Onboard
TUCKER at the time, was LT W. F. Gee. Doctor Gee was
the Medical Officer for DESDIV 32, which consisted of
TUCKER, RUPERTUS, MACKENZIE and WADDELL.
Doctor Gee had sailed with TUCKER individually on
several occasions. This RVN vessel then took on-board
Dr. Gee, two other TUCKER crewmembers. They were LTJG M. McDermott, (Public Affairs Officer) and R. (Doc) Rice
HM1, TUCKER’s Hospital Corpsman. Accompanying the group was a photo-journalist team from the SEVENTH Fleet
Public Affairs Office in Saigon, consisting of Journalist Second Class John J. Mullaly and Photographer’s Mate Third
Class Dale Newton, who were embarked in TUCKER during her gun line period to gather hometown and feature
news stories to be released to the press.
Once ashore, the group could see TUCKER's shells impacting on abandoned houses along the beachfront. This
was definitely a "different" experience being on the receiving end of TUCKER's gunfire! Traveling by jeep
to a village, they provided medical aid to treat almost 100 Vietnamese citizens, many of which were battle wounds
inflicted by the North Vietnamese Army.
There were US Army officers stationed in the village with the RVN Army forces in a triangular fort reminiscent of
"Fort Apache" fortifications on the American frontier. (Angled pointed stakes were surrounding it). They then went
by jeep a bit further inland where Doctor Gee and "Doc" Rice provided basic medical care for almost 100 of the
villagers, an incredible number of cases, including one ancient-looking lady who complained of being tired all the
time. When Doctor Gee asked her how many children she had, she answered "Fourteen". This medical mission took
most of the day. Upon completion of that long day, they were returned via the junk to TUCKER.
TUCKER detached from the gun line on 1 March and
headed independently south for R&R in Bangkok
during the previous 37 days, TUCKER had fired 1155
rounds of five-inch shells. Rounding the southern tip of
Vietnam, she headed southwest, then west and finally
northwest, arriving in Bangkok waters on 4 March
1969.
This photo was taken as TUCKER made her way
up the Chao Phraya River to Bangkok, Thailand
on 4 March 1969. The Sea Detail sailors on the
port bridge wing are rendering honors to a
passing British destroyer.
Getting some much-needed R&R, TUCKER remained
at anchor in Bangkok for six days.
126
Departing Bangkok on 9 March, TUCKER returned to the
northern SAR station in the Tonkin Gulf, sometimes only forty
miles from Haiphong, North Vietnam. Patrolling with USS
Worden (DLG 18) for ten mostly uneventful days, TUCKER
was relieved by USS Rogers (DD 876) and headed north to
Kaohsiung Taiwan. While in Kaohsiung, TUCKER had a
surprise visit from a Material Representative of Commander,
Cruiser-Destroyer force, Pacific Fleet. He remarked that
TUCKER was one of the most materially outstanding ships he
had seen in WESTPAC. After taking on fuel and fresh water,
TUCKER got underway to Yokosuka.
On the way north, a Sunday cookout was enjoyed. On
the helo deck and another “smoker” was staged. It
featured not only seven boxing matches, but also what
is probably a “first” for ANY ship in WESTPAC:
TUCKER’s own version of the popular Japanese sport of
“sumo” wrestling, featuring the classic meeting of the
“irresistible force” with the “immovable object”; a
spirited clash between LTJG Jeffery Leonard and Senior
Chief Sonar Technician Ronald Payne. It is truly an
understatement to say that this was an event which
will be long remembered by those who beheld it!
Arriving 28 March in Yokosuka, the Officers and men
of TUCKER enjoyed two weeks of liberty.
This photo was taken of the Yokosuka main
gate, with the banner proclaiming the “Cherry
Blossom Festival” on 6 April 1969. Note the
crowd of Japanese citizens entering the base
for the festival open house.
Departing for Sasebo on 11 April, and then arriving
on 14 April, TUCKER’s stay was interrupted by what
was to be her most famous assignment, racing to
the site of the EC-121 shoot down incident in the
Sea of Japan.
THE EC-121 SHOOTDOWN INCIDENT
The EC-121 shoot down incident occurred on 15 April 1969 when an American EC-121 Warning Star
on a reconnaissance mission was shot down by North Korean MiG aircraft over the Sea of Japan. All
31 Americans on board were killed in the shoot down, including 30 Navy personnel and 1 Marine.
The plane crashed 90 miles away from the North Korean coast. The EC-121 could fly up to 300 mph,
with a normal fuel range for 20 hours flight. It was unarmed and carried six tons of electronics
equipment.
A bulbous dome on the top of the fuselage housed special radar equipment and there was about six
tons of electronic equipment packed into the area otherwise used for cargo or passengers. There
were three 30-man life rafts on board the plane and weather conditions were relatively favorable for
rescue if the men survived.
127
An American EC-121 reconnaissance plane took off from Atsugi Naval Air Station in Japan at about 0700 on Tuesday
15 April 1969. With the call sign Deep Sea 129 (DS 129), it was to make a routine mission of signal intelligence
collection along a racetrack course off the North Korean coast. The plane arrived on station 90 miles off N. Korea at
about noon and began its recon patrol.
About 5 hours into the flight, two North Korean MIG fighters took off from a base used for training. Their progress
was monitored by the USAF 6918th Security Squadron at Hakata, Japan. Additionally, the Naval Security group
listening post at Kamiseya, Japan was intercepting Russian radar tracking of the EC-121 in progress. At 1347 these
two MIGs approached and the American spy plane disappeared from all tracking radars. DS-129 was never seen or
heard from again.
Two hours later, an American Air Force C-130 search and rescue plane took off from Tachikawa to search for the
missing EC-121.
TUCKER’s liberty had begun. It was barely time enough to grab a beer and some dinner when the call came.
“All hands return to your ship immediately”
USS Henry W. Tucker (DD 875) and USS Dale (DLG 19) were nested at berth six at Sasebo and were the two
U.S. ships closest to the last known position of the missing American EC-121. At about 1700, both ships were
ordered by COMSEVENTHFLT to get underway ASAP and proceed to the Sea of Japan to search for the downed
plane.
TUCKER needed three hours to light off boilers and make sufficient steam for getting underway. DALE, with major
equipment out for repair at the Ship Repair Facility (SRF) Sasebo, estimated needing 10-12 hours to get underway.
TUCKER executed an emergency recall of her crew and got underway at 2008 leaving only 13 enlisted men ashore.
DALE beat her reported ETD and got underway at 2105, only an hour behind TUCKER.
At 0330 Wednesday morning, DALE caught up with TUCKER and TUCKER increased speed to 25 knots as the two
ships passed through the Tsushima Strait, approximately one third the way to the crash site. The two ships
continued north as the sun rose Wednesday morning. At 1020 DALE detached from TUCKER to remain near the
Japanese mainland. They were to receive a SAR Helicopter from
shore. TUCKER increased her speed to 27 knots in a beeline for
the crash site.
Steaming ever closer to the crash site, shortly before 1400,
TUCKER was approached by a Russian TU-16 Badger aircraft.
The Soviet bomber was only a few hundred feet above the sea
surface. TUCKER went to general quarters, but the Russian
aircraft displayed no hostile intent. It passed down TUCKER’s
starboard side, then turned north and departed. At 1647, two
more Soviet bombers circled TUCKER as the ship neared the
search scene.
At 1939, TUCKER arrived on station, the first American ship to
arrive on scene 85 miles off the N. Korean coast and about the
same distance south of the Russian navy base at Vladivostok. In
the darkness, TUCKER launched her motor whaleboat and
began searching for aircraft debris and possible survivors as well
as any classified materials from the downed spy plane.
Two Russian destroyers had been on scene since the previous
evening and collecting debris in coordination with several
American Air Force search planes. The Russian destroyers departed the area as TUCKER approached late
Wednesday afternoon. As the Russians steamed away to the north, one illuminated TUCKER with fire control radar.
DALE arrived on scene at 2110 and assumed tactical command of the SAR effort.
During that night, TUCKER was first to recover aircraft debris, including a section of fuselage with bullet holes and
bits of human flesh. DALE sighted a floating body at 0130, but was unable to recover it in the darkness.
128
On Thursday morning 17 April, TUCKER’s motor whaleboat crew found and recovered the bodies of LTJG Joseph
Ribar and AT1 Richard Sweeney. These were the only two bodies recovered of the 31-man crew of America’s EC121. Also retrieved were some personal effects of Philip D. Sundby CT3 and B. F. Conners ADR1.The bodies were
brought aboard the ship, wrapped in cloth mattress covers and stored in the butter and egg locker as a makeshift
morgue. USS Sterett (DLG 31) arrived on scene at 1900 with COMDESRON 3 aboard and the Commodore
assumed duties as OTC and on-scene commander. The three ships continued searching through the night.
CINCPAC ordered TUCKER to rendezvous with
Russian destroyer Vdokhnovenny (D 429) on
Friday 18 April. This was the first cooperative
meeting of Soviet and American warships since the
Cold War began at the close of World War II.
The photo shows TUCKER and the Russian
Destroyer VDOKHNOVENNY motor whaleboats
approaching each other. Note the C-130 circling
overhead.
The two small boats closed the distance between the
destroyers and met midway in between. After the
formalities of the quick meeting were completed, the
collected debris the Russian Destroyer had retrieved
prior to TUCKER’s arrival on scene was passed into
TUCKER’s motor whaleboat.
After her historic rendezvous with the Soviet destroyer,
TUCKER met with DALE and received DALE’s collected
aircraft debris, refueled with USS Tappahannock (AO
43), then headed south to return the bodies and debris to
Sasebo.
Entering Sasebo Harbor, TUCKER was boarded from a
small harbor boat that carried two caskets made ready for
the recovered bodies. The crew was already in their dress
blue uniforms for their arrival in front of the world's
assembled communications media and dignitaries. Several
agents of the Naval Investigative Service came on-board to
catalog and photograph the laid out debris in the hanger
deck.
The photo shows the recovered debris on TUCKER
being inspected and cataloged by Navy security
officials before it was removed in port. The officer in
the lower right foreground is TUCKER’s LTJG James
Atwill.
Minutes after the brow was in place, six enlisted TUCKER
sailors in dress blues with white gloves carried the flagdraped casket of Sweeney AT1 across the brow to a
waiting Navy ambulance in full view of worldwide news
media. A photo of the event appeared in newspapers all
over the world the next morning. A few minutes later, six
TUCKER officers escorted the body of LTJG Ribar ashore
in similar fashion. Amid the shrill of the Bos’n’s Pipe, the
slap-slap of the Honor Guard’s weapons, there was this
highest of military tradition, bestowed at this moment of
tragedy.
This photo appeared in the Tuesday April 22 “Stars
and Stripes” newspaper shows the casket of R. E.
Sweeney AT1 being brought to shore.
129
Later that Sunday, Captain, CDR S. D. Kully and his Executive Officer, LCDR James L. May, answered questions at a
press conference ashore with representatives of the world’s media including NBC, CBS, ABC and the U.S. wire
services as well as Life Magazine and Pacific Stars & Stripes. The news conference concluded a week in which
TUCKER’s CO and XO participated in the only press conference conducted before worldwide media following the
historic shoot down of the EC-121.
During the press conference, these “facts” for USS Henry W.
Tucker (DD 875) came to light:
TUCKER was the first American ship underway to search for the EC-121.
TUCKER was the first American ship to arrive on scene.
TUCKER was the first American ship to collect debris.
TUCKER was the only ship to recover bodies.
TUCKER was the only ship to peacefully rendezvous with a Soviet destroyer in more than 25 years.
TUCKER was the only ship chosen to deliver bodies and consolidated aircraft debris to Sasebo.
The bodies of LTJG Joseph Ribar and Richard Sweeney AT1 were then flown to Atsugi Naval Air Station where a
second memorial service was held.
TUCKER left Sasebo at 0800 on Monday 21 April and returned the Sea of Japan. She made rendezvous with USS
Saint Paul (CA 73) for the transit back to the search scene, where both ships joined Task Force 71 to patrol the
area for the next seven days. Task Force 71 grew to include 31 ships and was routinely shadowed by Soviet
destroyers and aircraft.
TUCKER detached from TF 71 on 27 April and joined USS Ticonderoga (CVA 14) for transit to Subic Bay. After
one day of liberty in Subic Bay, TUCKER departed on 1 May, en route to the III Corps area of Vietnam. While
leaving Subic, TUCKER took on board a new type of ordnance, a five-inch projectile called RAP (Rocket Assisted
Projectile), which extended the gun range an extra 10,000
yards.
This RAP projectile introduced to the fleet in May 1968 was the
first advancement in five-inch ordnance since 1946. After firing,
a two-second rocket burn strategically occurred in mid-flight and
could effectively double the maximum projectile range to 20,000
yards.
The photo is of a swift boat alongside TUCKER while at
anchor at Vung Tau. The swift boat brought NGSF laiason
officers to TUCKER for gunfire target planning.
TUCKER arrived at the Mekong Delta 3 May and anchored off
Vung Tau for naval gunfire support missions in coordination with
spotters ashore. TUCKER conducted gunfire support missions
from various anchorages in the area for a week. The anchorage
was well within the mouth of the Mekong River, so anchorages
there were subject to changing currents and tides. Constant
vigilance was necessary to ensure that the anchor was secure. Throughout the day and night, TUCKER would swing
to port and starboard in the changing tides. This never was a problem while in the open sea. This duty continued for
a week, broken only by an occasional nighttime unrep for ammo, fuel and supplies back at sea. TUCKER would then
return to the river to continue her NGFS duties.
Detached from this duty, TUCKER got underway for a port visit to Hong Kong from 13-18 May.
130
This photo was taken overlooking Hong Kong Harbor
from Victoria Peak.
TUCKER left Hong Kong 18 May for transit to Yokosuka with
a brief fuel stop 21 May at Buckner Bay, Okinawa. The ship
arrived finally at her homeport in Japan on 23 May.
TUCKER left Yokosuka on 8 June, headed for South Vietnam
and the gun line. After a fuel stop in Buckner Bay, TUCKER
was diverted once again north to the Sea of Japan. This time
on Peacetime Air Reconnaissance Patrol Station, she was
ready to go to the assistance of any Navy ship or aircraft
requiring aid. She operated with USS Benjamin Stoddert
(DDG 22). The continued presence of Russian Destroyers in
the area who were nicknamed “Ivan” helped break what
would be a very boring routine.
Upon the conclusion of her duties in the Sea of Japan, on 25
June, TUCKER received the following congratulatory
message from Commander, Destroyer Division 252, Task Unit Commander embarked in STODDERT:
KUDOS AND ALOHA
1.
OF THE THREE “SHOTGUNS” I’VE HAD ON PICKET STATION WITH ME IN THE SEA OF JAPAN
YOU HAVE BEEN FAR AND AWAY THE BEST.
2.
YOUR SHIPHANDLING, INITIATIVE, RESPONSIVENESS, RELIABILITY, GENERAL ALL-AROUND
ALERTNESS PLUS THE APPEARANCE OF BOTH YOUR SHIP AND CREW HAVE BEEN
OUTSTANDING.
3. IT HAS BEEN MY SINCERE PLEASURE TO HAVE HAD YOU AS A MEMBER OF THIS TASK UNIT.
GOOD LUCK, GOOD HUNTING AND BON VOYAGE.
After 10 days in the chilly waters in the Sea of Japan, TUCKER once again headed south and returned to naval
gunfire support throughout the I Corps area and in the vicinity of Da Nang. This was her third gun line assignment in
the last 5 months. In a short 12 days TUCKER participated in both day and nighttime shore bombardments. An in
addition, a number of US Navy small vessels were supplied with ice, ice cream and other stores making their lives a
little more comfortable. TUCKER returned to Yokosuka on 13 July for an upkeep period and a change of command.
CDR Kully compiled these statistics for his deployment starting with departure from Long
Beach California on 3 July 1968:
Days at sea - - - - - - - - - -
224
Days in port Yokosuka - - - -
114
Days in port, others - - - - - -
39
Miles steamed - - - - - - - - Fuel oil (gal) consumed - - - Underway replenishments - - Vertical replenishments
75,423
(as of 30 June)
4,299,557
(as of 30 June)
75
----
4
Highline transfers - - - - - - -
16
Helo transfers - - - - - - - - -
115
Helo refuelings in-flight - - - -
10
Boat transfers - - - - - - - - -
46
Rounds fired in the last year - - -
7181
Rounds fired – SEA DRAGON OPS - - -
1758
Rounds fired – DMZ (Aug 1968) - - - -
120
Rounds fired – NGFS - - - - - - - - -
5303
Total rounds fired by TUCKER since
She fired the first shot in May 1965 - -
15,702
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15 July 1969 -- CDR W. L. STORY, USN relieved CDR S. D. KULLY and
became the TUCKER’s sixteenth commanding officer.
APOLLO 11
Apollo 11 landed on the moon on 20 July. Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon
followed by Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin the following day. At this time, the United States seemed to be at
the peak of her technological prowess.
While in port, TUCKER received three congratulatory messages. The first was from the administrative superior,
Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Force, U.S Pacific Fleet (COMCRUDESPAC) congratulating TUCKER as one of the
outstanding destroyers in the area of personnel retention. TUCKER was credited for a commendably high rate of
personnel retention at all levels.
The second message was also from COMCRUDESPAC, noting that TUCKER was a force leader in contributions to
the annual Navy Relief Society’s charity drive.
The third message was from Commander Destroyer Squadron Three, (COMDESRON 3) informing TUCKER of the
fact that she had submitted 555 news releases to the Navy’s Fleet Home Town News Center during the first six
months of 1969, more than any other ship of her class in the
entire U.S. Navy.
With a new Commanding Officer, TUCKER departed Yokosuka
on 22 July and headed once again to the coast of Vietnam. Her
new assignment was the “gun line” and two periods of naval
gunfire support for Allied units in the northern half of the
Republic of Vietnam.
After a brief refueling stop at Okinawa on 25 July,
TUCKER arrived on the “line” on 28 July, racing ahead of
the high seas and destructive winds of typhoon Viola all
the way.
This first gunfire assignment kept TUCKER occupied all up and
down the coast until 6 August. During that time she supported
various units of the U.S. Army and Marine Corps and earned the
praise of her airborne spotters by the accuracy and rapidity of
her fire. The bridge repeatedly heard the spotter comment,
“Beautiful… those rounds were right in there… you people are reaffirming our faith in naval gunfire and
it’s great to work for a ship that knows how to shoot!” During this first line period, TUCKER was reported to
have “destroyed 20 bunkers, 3 enemy structures, a tunnel and a wooden platform, damaged 30 bunkers, 3 more
structures and caused 17 fires and 8 secondary explosions.”
Upon departing the gun line for Singapore, TUCKER received the following message from the Naval Gunfire Support
Task Unit Commander:
YOUR PERFORMANCE WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE. SORRY I DID NOT SEE YOU CLOSE ABOARD
BUT FOLLOWING YOUR SHOOTING BY MESSAGE TRAFFIC WITH THE KUDOS YOU RECEIVED
FROM CUSTOMERS MAKES A “WELL DONE” CLEARLY WARRENTED. HAVE A PLEASANT R&R
IN SINGAPORE. WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RETURN ON THE 15TH.
Every ship takes advantage of the proximity to the equator to cross it whenever possible and this time was no
exception. Singapore is only about 80 miles north of the equator. On 8 August, TUCKER polliwogs were initiated
into the mysteries of the deep. This was the third of five equator crossings for TUCKER.
132
TUCKER’s crew had the relatively rare opportunity to participate in a ceremony known to mariners throughout
history, “Crossing the Line.” In this
ceremony,
“Pollywogs”,
(novices)
are
initiated into “The Mysteries of the Ancient
Order of the Deep,” by King Neptune Rex
and his Royal Court. It is a boisterous and
colorful ceremony in which “Pollywogs”
become “Trusty Shellbacks”.
Shown is the wallet sized shellback card
given to all TUCKER crew initiated that
day.
The following day brought another welcome
experience for TUCKER, the chance to visit the
commercial crossroads of Southeast Asia, the
colorful city of Singapore. TUCKER arrived on
a most special day, August 9, which was the
date of the 150th Anniversary of the founding
of Singapore in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles of
the East India Company.
Arriving in Singapore, TUCKER tied up at the Royal
Navy Base, away from town. A highlight of the stay
in Singapore was the hospitality afforded TUCKER by
her counterparts of the British Royal Navy at Her
Majesty’s Naval Dockyard, where she was berthed.
The HMS LONDON, a modern guided-missile frigate
was TUCKER’s “host ship” during her stay. Shuttle
busses took the crew in small groups to Singapore.
The visit was for three liberty days.
This photo shows a TUCKER sailor on liberty in
Singapore as he strolls along the Marina District
walkway.
There was Singapore’s version of Hong Kong’s Tiger
Balm Gardens and a very large public park “Botanical
Gardens” area with monkeys roaming freely.
TUCKER left Singapore on 13 August and returned to the gun line, once again to the I & II Corps areas of Vietnam.
Most of TUCKER’s missions were again in the northern half of South Vietnam. At one point, she remained near the
city of Nha Trang for several days to forestall a possible enemy attack on the vital bridges in the area. Most of her
missions were in support of the U.S. Army’s AMERICAL Division, based in Chu Lai. During this second gun line
period of this cruise, TUCKER destroyed 30 bunkers, 74 structures, 2 wooden platforms and one tunnel, damaged
35 bunkers and 56 structures, sank 12 boats and sampans and killed eight of the enemy.
While supporting the AMERICAL Division, TUCKER hosted a number of visitors aboard, including the air spotters,
who discussed the tactical situation with TUCKER and an Army photo-journalist from the AMERICAL Division who
was gathering information on the characteristics and capabilities of naval gunfire.
133
The most important visitors were Major General Lloyd B. Ramsey,
Commanding General of the AMERICAL Division, Colonel Jack L. Treadwell,
Commanding Officer of the 11th Light Infantry Brigade and LT Colonel
Paul R, Girave, Commanding Officer of the 6th Battalion, 11th Field
Artillery. General Ramsey presented TUCKER with an AMERICAL Division
plaque in recognition for her services, stating that he gave TUCKER his
“best wishes and respects,” complimented TUCKER on her “fine
performance and outstanding shooting,” and said that her support of his
troops gave him and his officers “a greater appreciation of and a greater
respect for the capabilities of naval gunfire.”
One day, during this second gun line period, the forward gun mount train (rotate)
motor failed during firing. In order to stay on the gun line, James Goodman, GMG2
rotated the mount by hand, which allowed continued accurate fire.
During this gun line period, TUCKER also received two more congratulatory messages from the Naval Gunfire
Support Task Unit Commander. This first, received on 24 August, read as follows:
WELL DONE TO YOUR PROFESSIONAL DESTROYERMEN. YOU’RE CHEERFUL WILLING ATTITUDE
AND SHARP SHOOTING MOST GRATIFYING. YOU ARE WELCOME ON THE GUN LINE AT ANY TIME.
KEEP CHARGING.
This second message was received the day TUCKER detached from the gun line and read:
CONGRATULATIONS UPON COMPLETION OF AN OUTSTANDING GUN LINE TOUR AND A HEARTY
“WELL DONE” FOR YOUR SUCCESS IN ENHANCING ARMY APPRECIATION OF NAVAL GUNFIRE
SUPPORT. YOU ARE WELCOME BACK ANYTIME.
TUCKER left the gun line on 2 September and arrived in Subic Bay on 3 September, for a one night fueling stop.
During the transit back to Yokosuka, the time was used to clean the ship and conduct necessary battle training so
that she would remain ready for any eventuality. However, not all of the time was spent working. On Sunday, 7
September, TUCKER had another of the skeet shoots on the helo deck; winner of the shoot was AT1 Kenneth
Whitson, Leading Petty Officer of WV Division. There was also a “card” of 3 bouts of the fifth running of the HENRY
W. TUCKER Silver Gloves Championships. These boxing matches featured the musical talent of Bob Hover, PNSN
and Joe Wynne, SN who entertained during intermission with country and western music. The day was concluded
with an outdoor cookout, featuring barbecued hot dogs and hamburgers. TUCKER arrived home in Yokosuka on 8
September.
These statistics were compiled in the cruise book for this
deployment period of 3 July 1968 to 8 September 1969:
Days Underway
266
Days in port Yokosuka
121
Total days in port
44
Miles steamed
88,556
Gallons of Fuel Oil (NSFO)
5,318,885
UNREPS
90
Helicopter transfers
125
Helicopter re-fuelings
10
Total five-inch rounds fired
11,253
TUCKER remained in Yokosuka for 6 weeks of planned restricted availability, (PAR) until 19 October 1969. The crew
enjoyed plenty of time in their homeport until she got underway once more for some training exercises but only for one
day for post-availability checks in the nearby operating area. The weather was very bad, so after such a long time in
port, the longest in-port time on this entire cruise, continuous “general quarters” meant for a lot of seasickness.
TUCKER then returned to Yokosuka, arriving about 1530 hours, for four more days.
134
This cruise book photo shows waves slamming against
the bow, ricocheting off the gun mount and engulfing the
bridge.
27 October found TUCKER once again in the Sea of Japan for
ECM surveillance interspersed with various training exercises
with USS Waddell (DDG 24) and USS Sterett (DLG 31).
This time, the sea was not quite as rough, but it was very cold.
This type training would last until 14 November.
This cruise book photo shows TUCKER
returning from USS Waddell (DDG 24).
whaleboat
TUCKER arrived at Sasebo on 15 November for 5 days.
After an operational readiness inspection and refueling,
TUCKER departed south toward Vietnam again.
She made an intermediate stop at Hong Kong for another
five days, celebrating Thanksgiving. TUCKER arrived at
Subic Bay on 26 November. Only one day was needed to
refuel, rearm and prepare for another turn on the gun
line off the coast of Vietnam. TUCKER departed Subic on
27 November.
The last gun line assignment for this deployment was for
support of the 101st Airborne Division of the US Army, thus supporting OPERATION ROSE, from 30 November until
15 December, a period of sixteen days. TUCKER provided gunfire support to the II Corps. Round after round was
fired in response to forward air observers. This tour on the gun line saw the ship experience many of her most
difficult UNREP experiences. The weather was rough and the deck was constantly wet and dangerous. At one point,
the sea was so rough, TUCKER steamed into the relatively calm water of Cam Ranh Bay for refueling and rearming
from USS Rainier (AE 30) to avoid the rough seas.
Released from this duty, TUCKER proceeded to Kaohsiung Taiwan for refueling on the way back to Yokosuka. No
sooner was TUCKER underway again when on 19 December, TUCKER was called upon to perform search and
rescue duties in the Taiwan straits. An Air Force KC-135 was missing somewhere in the Taiwan straits. TUCKER,
joining the search and rescue, immediately discovered conclusive evidence that that plane had in fact gone down.
Establishing the location coordinates, TUCKER crew used
grappling hooks to pick up pieces of the wreckage. After
more than three days on this SAR duty, the crew was not
sure they could make it back to Yokosuka in time for
Christmas. But, early in the morning of 25 December,
TUCKER arrived back to her homeport. CDR W. L. Story
managed to get TUCKER back in time for the Christmas
celebration. Waiting for the crew in Yokosuka were 26 bags
of mail that finally caught up with them.
On the last day of 1969, TUCKER said goodbye to
“DASH”. The temperamental drone helicopter had
finally worn out its welcome. The DASH was offloaded for good.
The DASH (Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter) program was
cancelled by the Navy in 1969. Although low reliability was the official reason, the manufacturer pointed to the
expenses of the Vietnam War and the lack of any need for an antisubmarine capability in that war.
END OF SECTION 5
135

Section Five - USS Henry W. Tucker DD/DDR 875

Transcription

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