1969

Command history report for 1969, from the Commanding Officer, CDR Gerald Michael Carter Jr, to the Chief of Naval Operations – in PDF format – click here DDG-8 1969
(contributed by )

In January, 1969, the USS Lynde McCormick shows America what a she was capable of doing during her fifth WestPac tour of duty as the flagship for COMDESDIV 172 in company with destroyers USS Richard S. Edwards DD 619, USS Frank Knox DD 742, and USS Black DD 666.

The USS Lynde McCormick’s ports of call on this cruise include Lahaina, Pearl Harbor, Midway, Guam, Subic Bay, Kaohsiung, Subic Bay, Hong Kong, Sasebo, Subic Bay, Manus, Cairns, South Molle, Brisbane, Pago Pago, Pearl Harbor.

The USS Lynde McCormick meets highest naval standards completing 72 missions in gun line operation. Gun damage assessments included damaging or destroying over 400 structures, 150 bunkers, mortar positions, bridges, supply dumps, sampans, and much close in support for troops ashore.

24 February 1969, Nha Trang, Viet Nam. The USS Lynde McCormick responds to an urgent call for help and support and moves into Nha Trang’s small cluttered harbor at 25 knots, in the still dark dawn of the morning, with her 5 inch 54’s firing star shells and high explosive projectiles into the surrounding hills, she swings broadside to the shoreline and comes to a full stop. The Viet Cong are making a determined attach on military positions and the airport. The naval gunfire spotters, both airborne and ground, direct fire to the advancing enemy. The overwhelming firepower and the array of star shells by the USS Lynde McCormick expose their positions to defensive fire from ground and airborne units causing the VC to retreat. The USS Lynde McCormick arcs high explosive projectiles into the VC’s escape trails. The extreme expertise of the ship’s officers and crew in maneuvering, and the ability to bring firepower onto the enemy have saved the day and a lot of marines lives.

27 February 1969, Qui Nhon, Viet Nam, The blazing 5 inch 54 caliber guns of the USS Lynde McCormick find their mark on enemy positions south of the city as the ship attacks a company size VC regiment base camp. Airborne birddog spotters direct the ship’s pinpoint gunfire and destroy the VC base camp. The USS Lynde McCormick then proceeds to destroy four enemy bunkers and two other structures.

15 April 1969, t he USS Lynde McCormick is patrolling in the Sea of Japan, when a North Korean plane shoots down a U.S. Navy EC-121 surveillance plane, killing all 31 Americans aboard. The USS Lynde McCormick does rescue and recovery, but to no avail.
( Time magazine article) ( Stars and Stripes Article)

21 June 1969, In port at Subic Bay, we were witness to the remains of the USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD-754) On 3 June 1969, the USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD-754) was cut in half by the Australian Aircraft Carrier MELBOURNE R-21. The bow sank taking over 80 sailors with it. The stern somehow stayed afloat. The USS FRANK E. EVANS was towed to Subic Bay, dry-docked, surveyed and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register. USS FRANK E. EVANS was towed out to sea, and in October of 1969 the stern half was sunk by the USS COCHRANE DDG 21 in torpedo and gunnery exercises.

1969 Cruise Book

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