History – 1960-1964 - USS Henry W .Tucker (DD-875)

History of theUSS Henry W. Tucker - DDR 875Section Four1960 ~ 1964Taiwan PatrolCrisis in LaosFRAM ConversionLast Updated: October 19, 2009Tonkin Gulf Incident

HISTORY OF THE USS HENRY W. TUCKER 1960 - 196419608 January 1960 -- CDR R. M. HANSON, USN, relieved CDR K.S. IRWINand became the TUCKER’s tenth commanding officer.In early 1960, Destroyer Squadron 3 was designated to become a semi-permanent member of the U.S. 7th FleetWESTPAC, home ported in Yokosuka, Japan.This was to be the first (of three) extended stays in WESTPAC with Yokosuka as TUCKER’s homeport. This first onewould be for 31 months, and then returning to CONUS for 12 months and a complete rebuild (FRAM), and then backto Yokosuka for another 26 months. The third extended WESTPAC tour for 26 months was in the 1968-1970 period.THE U2 CRISIS OF 1960A SAM-2 missile shot down an Air Force U2 pilot, Francis Gary Powers on 1 May 1960, while he wasmaking a reconnaissance flight over the Soviet Union. Powers was tried in the Soviet Union andsentenced to 10 years in prison; in 1962 he was exchanged for the Soviet spy Rudolf Abel.On 3 May 1960, TUCKER, as a member of DESRON 3, steamed out ofLong Beach with six of the seven sister members of the squadron. Thesquadron flagship was USS James E. Keyes (DD 787), the DESDIV32 flagship was USS Rupertus (DD 851), and with USS Higbee(DDR 806), USS Eversole (DD 789), USS Leonard F. Mason (DD852), and USS George K. MacKenzie (DD 836). USS Orleck (DD886) was in San Diego, and got underway independently to meet upwith the remainder of the squadron. This deployment for TUCKER, wasto last for more than two and a half years, as she was changing herhomeport from Long Beach to Yokosuka, Japan.Note: Only TUCKER and HIGBEE were the DDR configuration.Shown is the 1960 DESRON 3 patch.DESRON 3 was further divided into two divisions. DESDIV 31consisted of HIGBEE, ORLECK, EVERSOLE and KEYES. DESDIV 32consisted of TUCKER, RUPERTUS, MASON and MACKENZIE.One of TUCKER’s new missions with her intelligence gathering gearwas to be part of the U2 support and protection program. New flights had been originating from locations inWESTPAC. Because of the U2 shoot down over the Soviet Union, a decision had to be made whether to continuethese surveillance flights.While TUCKER was underway, heading for WESTPAC, the U2 flights were ordered to continue. Therefore the missionand equipment on TUCKER could then be used as intended.The squadron arrived in Pearl harbor under foggy conditions at 0600. That day, 9 May the “Honolulu Star Bulletin”newspaper headline read “ALOHA, DIVISIONS 31 AND 32!” Included were file pictures of the destroyers, and astory line that said “1890 MEN ON 7 SHIPS VISIT HAWAII FOR TWO DAYS ON WAY TO FAR EAST”Leaving Hawaii, at 0700 of 11 May, TUCKER and the other destroyers participated in gunnery practice beforecontinuing west. The squadron arriving at Midway Island on the morning of 14 May for refueling only stayed about4 hours. The squadron steaming in formation crossed the International Dateline, and retarded the clocks. Theships gained an extra Wednesday. The various destroyers took turns breaking off formation for torpedo firingpractice. The entire squadron arrived in Yokosuka on 21 May after an eighteen-day transit of the Pacific.SECTION 4 - 1

HISTORY OF THE USS HENRY W. TUCKER 1960 - 1964TUCKER tied up outboard of ORLECK at 0900 at buoy D4. The nest of 8 ships were USS Piedmont (AD 17), USSJames E. Keyes (DD 787), USS Orleck (DD 886), TUCKER, USS Eversole (DD 789), USS Quapaw (ATF110), LCU (1475), and LCU (1476). All were receiving services from PIEDMONT.This relief map highlights Tokyo bay, Tokyo, Yokohama, and Yokosuka, along with the most prominentand recognized landmark in all of Japan, Mount Fuji. This was to be the new home for TUCKER for morethan half of the next thirteen years. It is said that if you see Mount Fuji on the last day of your stay inJapan, you will return.While in Yokosuka, TUCKER was outfitted with very sophisticated, at least for 1960, Electronic Counter Measures(ECM) equipment, including the ULQ-1 recording and data analyzing gear for all received radar/radio signals. Also,this new ECM equipment was able to do Simulation, meaning TUCKER could make radar false echoes, causingships to appear where there were none, and Jamming, causing ships to disappear from the radar screen. This ECMand recording equipment was housed in a small box-like room called the tactical deception hut on the deck behindthe aft stack.SECTION 4 - 2

HISTORY OF THE USS HENRY W. TUCKER 1960 - 1964To operate the new systems properly, TUCKER had “guests”aboard. Two Air Force Majors came aboard in Yokosuka and wentalong for the ride as “advisors”.This chart shows the Yokosuka Naval Base where TUCKERand the rest of DESRON 3 would be berthed when in their“new” home.Following these two weeks of availability in Yokosuka,TUCKER plunged into the routine of 7th Fleet operationsand attained a tempo of operations that was not to relax forthe duration of her stay.TUCKER got underway on 4 June for Taiwan Patrol with herdivision by heading southward toward the Taiwan straits andKaohsiung.TUCKER and HIGBEE who had the special gear installed asDDR’s, began taking turns on Patrol with their DESDIV 31 andDESDIV 32 partners. Each ship on Taiwan Patrol would steam totheir designated station, zones 1, 2, 3 and 4. On station, theywould traverse their own typical 20-mile elliptical route in thestraits. TUCKER would have a larger route on the southern end ofthe straits, which would take them on a loop more southerly thatincluded the Chinese island of Hainan. This patrol duty would last for about a week to 10 days before TUCKERwould return to Kaohsiung for maintenance and a little R&R.President Dwight D. Eisenhower on a visit to Manila, embarked on USS Saint Paul (CA 73) on 17 June 1960 for atrip from the Philippines to Taiwan. SAINT PAUL had prepared a presidential stateroom on board for the occasion.Heading for Taipei, Taiwan, SAINT PAUL with the President aboard passed through the Formosa straits. TUCKERwas assigned as forward escort, and while in the vicinity of Quemoy and Matsu, observed massive shelling of theislands by the Communist Chinese. After this trip through the Taiwan straits, the President arrived at Taipei, andmet with Generalisimo Chiang Kai-shek. TUCKER then returned to her Taiwan Patrol duties.This special patrol allowed intelligence gathering for any aircraft, SAM (Surface to Air Missile) site, or radar facilitywithin a couple hundred miles from the coast. Supporting ground stations could then use TUCKER’s information totriangulate exact locations of radar and SAM site electronic signatures.TUCKER also operated in support of OPERATION SNOW WHITE. This operation was for direct surveillance supportfor the beginning of U2 spy flights, from Taiwan, which flew missions mostly over the People's Republic of China.Beginning in late 1959.SECTION 4 - 3A total of 30 Taiwanese pilots had been trained in theUS by the CIA for piloting U2 aircraft, and they begansurviellance flights from their home country in late1959. The Taiwanese pilots were called the “Black CatSquadron” and participated in an on-going operationcode-named PROJECT RAZOR”. Although 102 flightsoriginated from Taiwan over a period of 15 years, thefirst Taiwanese flight to be shot down did not occuruntil 1962. TUCKER when on-station acted as earlywarning of radar tracking sites, missiles, and aircraftin the vicinity.On 8 August, TUCKER left the Taiwan Straits toflee a typhoon, before returning on 11 AugustAfter 5 more days of Taiwan Patrol, TUCKER madeHong Kong a port of call on 16 August 1960. ThenTUCKER returned for more duty in the Straits of Formosa. After two more weeks of patrol, TUCKER took libertyand upkeep time in Kaohsiung. During this stay in Kaohsiung, The TUCKER fast pitch softball team beat the MAAG(Military Assistance Advisory Group) team stationed there three times.Once more, TUCKER went back to Taiwan Patrol, spending 29 days at sea, before TUCKER returned to her

HISTORY OF THE USS HENRY W. TUCKER 1960 - 1964homeport of Yokosuka on 24 September 1960.Leaving Yokosuka in early October, TUCKER joined Coral Sea (CV 43) for plane guard operations. It was businessas usual until 17 October when CORAL SEA launched an A4D aircraft that immediately plunged over the side. Nopilot recovery attempt was possible.From 11 November until 19 November, TUCKER participated in the amphibious exercise OPERATIONPACKBOARD off Okinawa. OPERATION PACKBOARD was a training maneuver emphasizing jungle warfare andanti-guerrilla operations. This exercise in northern Okinawa by elements of the 7th Fleet and the 3rd Marine Divisionrevealed the helicopter to be a successful weapon against guerrilla forces and a useful means of supplying troops injungle terrain. On 16 November, TUCKER rendezvoused with USS Platte (AO 24) for mail call and refueling.DESDIV 32 joined destroyers of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force for allied anti-submarine warfaretraining on 5 December 1960. Despite heavy weather the exercise was conducted and proved extremelybeneficial to TUCKER’s state of training. And respect for the seagoing prowess of TUCKER’s Japanese hosts wasmeasurably increased. The exercise was interrupted by a downed plane report east of Kyushu. Both Americanand Japanese ships joined in a massive search. The Air Force F-100 pilot was located on the second day by USSCastor (AKS 1), but too late.Upon return to Yokosuka on 10 December, preparations were made for a candy cane Christmas. The barrels ofMount 51 were elevated and a half of a truck tire was inserted in each barrel. The ship moored to TUCKER’s portside is USS Orleck (DD 886). The added Red and white wrappings made the candy canes. J. Freeman BM3 wasTUCKER’s highly successful, and very appropriate 1960 Santa Claus, The Japanese orphans brought aboard forthe Christmas party were treated to gifts handed out by Santa and the kids loved him.SECTION 4 - 4

HISTORY OF THE USS HENRY W. TUCKER 1960 - 19641961THE FIRST LAOTIAN CRISIS OF 1961In December 1960, Royal Lao troops under rightist command stormed Vientiane. Kong Le, his troopsand Souvanna fled to the Pathet Lao-controlled Plain of Jars. The communist world and some nonalignednations like India now upheld Souvanna as Lao rightful Prime Minister. The United States andthe West recognized a new military-controlled Vientiane government, technically under anotherprince Boun Oum, as Prime Minister.By December 31, 1960, tension in Laos worsened. Forces earmarked to support operations in defense of mainlandSoutheast Asia against Communist aggression in Southeast Asia, were placed on DEFCON 2 (the defense conditionimmediately below outbreak of war). Three naval task groups, including the two strike carriers USS Lexington(CVS 16) and USS Coral Sea (CV 43) were ordered to depart Okinawa immediately for operations in the SouthChina Sea.The TUCKER crew worked furiously all night to load stores, fuel, and ammo preparing to quickly get underway.Leaving Yokosuka, she headed for the carrier group in support, heading for the coastal waters of China at battlestations. In a short time, TUCKER was assigned once again as a plane guard during flight operations for USS CoralSea (CV 43).An A4D exploded on 6 January 1961 as it hit the carrier CORAL SEA's deck, careened into men and planes andexploded again as the aircraft bounced over the side. The next day, an A4D lost control and hit the water in aninverted attitude. USS Rupertus (DD 851) recovered a wing tank. On 11 January, a third A4D crashed into thewater and no recovery was made. Rescue attempts were made, but men and aircraft were all lost at sea.Following a week of high alert, the forces were returned to DEFCON 3 on 16 January 1961, and ordered to remainno more than four hours steaming distance away. Eventually, on February 25, DEFCON 4 (normal operations) wasre-established.PRESIDENT KENNEDY TAKES OFFICEJohn F. Kennedy took office on 21 January as the 35th President of the United States.In March 1961, TUCKER made an unscheduled four-day stop in Subic Bay because of sonar problems. TUCKERthen rejoined USS Midway (CVA 41) in time to make a scheduled Hong Kong visit. This Hong Kong visit was cutshort when on 19 March 1961, TUCKER became involved in an emergency sortie triggered by another Laotian crisisin Southeast Asia. This time it was the armedconflict between The North Vietnamese and thePathet Lao forces.Again, TUCKER operated as plane guard andsurveillance for the carriers LEXINGTON andCORAL SEA.On 15 May 1961, Richard Baker FT2 had a seriousproblem with his appendix. The Doctor on theCORAL SEA and the TUCKER HospitalCorpsman, Cliff "Doc" Helms HMC recommendedthe highline transfer take place for surgery thatnight, But TUCKER was on the edge of fairlyrough seas due to a nearby typhoon at the time,making the night time highline transfer at sea even more treacherous. Baker was high lined to CORAL SEA forsurgery the following morning.TUCKER returned to Yokosuka shortly after 1 June. This marked the first anniversary of TUCKER’s stay in theWestern Pacific as a permanent member of the SEVENTH Fleet. After a few days stay, TUCKER got underway againand changed parent carriers, this time, USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31). TUCKER, after a few days ofSECTION 4 - 5

HISTORY OF THE USS HENRY W. TUCKER 1960 - 1964operations in the South China Sea, was involved in a search and rescue mission, which might have developed into amajor disaster. Acting on a report that the Philippine ship DE LA PAZ with more than 100 people on board wassinking near Macclesfield Bank. Macclesfield Bank is due east from the Philippine Island of Luzon and half way to theVietnamese coastline. The task group proceeded at high speed in steadily mounting seas to the reported positiondespite knowledge of another embryo tropical depression gaining strength within 50 miles of the position. Themerchant ship UNION PIONEER rescued more than 90 persons but reported that "37" persons may still be in thewater. Bucking 40 to 50 knot winds and heavy seas, the search was conducted throughout the night of 23 June tono avail only to learn that UNION PIONEER had in fact recovered all survivors.After departure from rescue operations, TUCKER joined USS Saint Paul (CA 73) and proceeded north toHokkaido. While SAINT PAUL entered Otaru, TUCKER anchored in the southern Hokkaido city of Hakodate for herfirst Japanese port visit since arriving in WESTPAC 14 months before. Hakodate, a city of 250,000 people rarelyvisited by U.S. Navy Ships, opened its arms to TUCKER. For five days, TUCKER sailors relished the exclusiveness ofa city's hospitality and left with a deeper appreciation of the Japanese people, their culture, and the supposedlyinscrutable East. One day later, along with USS Higbee (DD 806), TUCKER made a leisurely trip to Sasebo.25 August 1961 -- CDR E. H. WERDELMAN, USN relieved CDR R. M. HANSONand became the TUCKER’s eleventh commanding officer.While TUCKER was in Sasebo on 8 September, Larry D. Stromme EM3 was electrocuted in the Chief’s quarters. Thisoccurred when he forgot to unplug a toaster he was working on before he cut the power cord.October 1961, in the course of a strenuous operational schedule,TUCKER exercised with the carriers USS Coral Sea (CV 43),USS Midway (CVA 41), USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31),and USS Ranger (CVA 61). She battled through Typhoon Nancythe first few days of October, evaded Typhoon Tilda on October 10and 11, and rode out Typhoon Violet , October 29 and 30, within aperiod of five weeks.TUCKER was also an active participant in two large exercises,OPERATION WARMUP, was an amphibious landing exercise nearOkinawa. TUCKER also participated with TASK GROUP 70.4 inOPERATION BASE HIT. OPERATION BASE HIT was a large airoperations exercise in the North Philippine Sea, which took placein mid-November. The carriers BON HOMME RICHARD,LEXINGTON and CORAL SEA, along with destroyers fromDESVIV 32, DESDIV 231 and DESDIV 232 practiced simulatedcoordinated air attacks.Later in November, TUCKER, operated with TASK GROUP 77.7, and visited Okinawa. TUCKER returned to Yokosukaon 3 December and spent a month in her homeport for the holidays.SECTION 4 - 6

HISTORY OF THE USS HENRY W. TUCKER 1960 - 19641962After the holiday period on 2 January 1962, TUCKER departed Yokosuka escorting USS Lexington (CVS 16). Aftervisiting both Sasebo and Okinawa, TUCKER returned to Yokosuka on 29 January 1962.February 21 1962 found TUCKER visiting Subic Bay, and then upon getting underway, took shore bombardmentpractice at the Tabones Islet impact area near Subic. She then arrived on 24 February in Hong Kong, only to havedevelopments in Vietnam interrupt her visit and force an early departure. By direction of the U.S. Joint Chiefs ofStaff, units of the U.S. Military were combined into the U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, on February 8,1962. The announcement of this new command, centered in Saigon, required nearby Naval units to go on alert.During the first week of March 1962, TUCKER was operating with the USS Ranger (CVA 61). One morning, justbefore dawn, TUCKER was on station in front of RANGER, just off her starboard bow.STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE - While the ship is at sea, engine room and fire room crew alternatetheir pumps every day. This is normally done between 0400 and 0500 hrs.While changing over pumps in the after engine room a series of events took place which caused the after fire roomboilers to run low on water making it impossible for them to makesteam. Because of the inability to make steam, this caused the lossof power to the port shaft and caused the after engine roomgenerator to be knocked off line.In an attempt to remedy the situation, the forward engine roombegan to cross connect condensate & steam sending it aft. Thiscaused a drain on system and the forward engine room could notmeet the demands for the boilers on line. The steam pressuredropped in all engineering spaces and in doing so the forward engineroom generator was knocked off line as well as the loss of power tothe starboard shaft.This photo demonstrates the relative size difference betweenan aircraft carrier and a destroyer.What followed were a total loss of steam to all engineering spaces,and a total loss of electricity throughout the ship.STANDARD CONFIGURATION - When a ship loses electricalpower, the Emergency Generator automatically kicks in.As luck would have it the Emergency Generator failed to start.TUCKER was now “Dead in the Water” without power, and almostinvisible in the predawn darkness. This made it virtually impossibleto communicate with the carrier or to sound any alarms. To add to the gravity of the situation, RANGER was closingin fast on TUCKER. It is unknown if RANGER saw TUCKER dead in the water or not. The carrier passed within 50yards of TUCKER to the portside.After a short period of time the cause of the problem was determined, the boilers were relit and TUCKER wasunderway again. This all occurred with better than three quarters of the crew asleep. Only a handful of the crew,mostly those on the bridge, saw what a close call it was.TUCKER celebrated her seventeenth year as a member of the U.S. 7th Fleet on 12 March 1962. TUCKER wasactually assigned to the 7th Fleet in August of 1945. TUCKER arrived back in Yokosuka on 15 March.TUCKER departed Yokosuka on 23 March, accompanied by USS Leonard F. Mason (DD 852). TUCKER proceededto an area just off Chinhae, Korea for a three-day joint anti-submarine warfare operation with the Navy of theRepublic of Korea. During this operation, TUCKER fired the hedge hogs, and the ROK Navy fired some of their depthcharges. As part of the exercise, a highline transfer was done. While this was happening, a wave came over the sideand about twenty members of the crew were knocked to the deck. The Koreans got a chuckle out of this.SECTION 4 - 7

HISTORY OF THE USS HENRY W. TUCKER 1960 - 1964For many of the crew, this was the first time they had ever trained with a foreign Navy, and the experience wasconsidered invaluable.After departing the Chinhae area, TUCKER and MASON made a stop in Sasebo, and then returned to Yokosuka.TUCKER departed Yokosuka on 13 April 1962, still operating with MASON, and accompanying USS Lexington(CVS 16). The three ships arrived in Kobe Japan. Kobe is one of Japan’s largest cities. TUCKER had an open housefor the people of Kobe, and about 2000 Japanese showed up to visit the ship. At this time, some of TUCKER’screwmembers donated blood to the local blood bank.TUCKER and LEXINGTON departed Kobe on 16 April for a week of operations at sea.TUCKER arrived back in Yokosuka on 24 April 1962. For 10 long hard days, the crew chipped, cleaned, scrubbed,painted, dismantled, reassembled, and made preparations for the most detailed of all Navy inspections, a check ofthe ship’s material condition and fitness for further service by a Board of Inspection and Survey. This Board wascomposed of hull, ordinance, engineering, and electronics experts (Most of them were Admirals).The 2 day inspection took place on 4 May 1962. The board not only declared TUCKER fit for rehabilitation andmodernization, but was awarded such high marks in the various material divisions, that TUCKER is ranked in theupper 10 percent of all destroyers in the fleet. After the inspection, TUCKER remained in Yokosuka for 2 weeks asshe was restored to a “ready for sea” condition.Ready again, on 21 May 1962 TUCKER along with USS Leonard F. Mason (DD 852) and USS Higbee (DDR806) departed Yokosuka and steamed for Sasebo, Japan.TUCKER arrived in Sasebo, Japan on 23 May 1962 and tied up to the pier behind USS Pictor (AF 54). The nextday TUCKER moved to the refueling pier. While taking on fuel a valve did not get closed. Fuel oil filled one of the 3"gun tubs and oil ran over the hatch lips down to the deck, over the starboard side and into the bay. Most everyonehad to help clean up the mess.Leaving Sasebo on 24 May, TUCKER joined USS Midway(CVA 41) and other destroyers, USS George K.MacKenzie (DD 836), USS Rupertus (DD 851), USSLeonard F. Mason (DD 852) and USS Higbee (DDR806) for 2 weeks of replenishment and refueling at seaoperations.TUCKER arrived in Hong Kong harbor on 12 June 1962for a few days of R&R. Departing Hong Kong, TUCKERspent the next 10 days at sea.TUCKER (left) and RUPERTUS (right) refuel fromUSS Midway (CVA 41) on 25 June.At this time, TUCKER participated in an annual firing forqualifications as a Naval Gunfire Support Ship in theTabones Islet impact area near Subic Bay. In thisexercise, a small aircraft came down the port side frombow to stern towing a target sleeve. The 3” guns openedfire and snapped the cable, which sent the sleevefluttering to the water. The airplane made a second andthird pass. Each time, the 3” guns hit the cable. The pilotinformed TUCKER he had no more target sleeves, and thetest was necessarily completed.Then TUCKER moved into position for shorebombardment. The drill consisted of traversing the firinglocation at various speeds. There was a large circle of white painted rocks with one in the center. TUCKER receiveda grade of EXCELLENT.SECTION 4 - 8

HISTORY OF THE USS HENRY W. TUCKER 1960 - 1964TUCKER tied up in Subic Bay 29 June 1962 for what was to be 5 days of liberty, only to get underway. Orders werereceived along with USS George K. MacKenzie (DD 836) to escort USS Valley Forge (LPH 8) to Laos. Once atsea, the ships steamed south at flank speed. The corner was turned on 1 July and the three ships entered the Gulfof Siam.THE LAOTIAN CRISIS OF 1962President Kennedy ordered U.S. forces deployed to Thailand on 15 May, both to reassure Thailand ofthe U.S. commitment to its defense and to discourage further Communist advances on the SoutheastAsian Peninsula. The US Marines had established a presence in Northeast Thailand to protectThailand from the North Vietnamese intrusion into Laos, and the west side of the Mekong River.Thailand was a member of the SEATO alliance, and allowed the establishment of this airstrip and thecontingent of Marines.While the Marines were strengthening their posture in northeastern Thailand, U.S. officials werereporting definite progress in the negotiations being held in Geneva and Vientiane. Encouraged bythese signs and hoping to influence the Geneva talks even further. President Kennedy ordered majorelements of the U.S. combat forces withdrawn from Thailand on 29 June.This evacuation from Laos was ordered by President Kennedy to try to stabilize the pro westgovernment and to remove an obstacle to peace in the region.TUCKER, MACKENZIE, and VALLEY FORGE anchored off the coast of Thailand, while the VALLEY FORGEconducted a helicopter evacuation of 300 Marines and equipment.One of the final helicopters returning had a mechanical problem and went into the water. All personnel wererescued, but the ships remained in the area until it sank. This was to ensure that the helicopter would not fall intounfriendly hands. The return trip to Subic Bay was at a muchmore leisurely pace.TUCKER and MACKENZIE departed Subic Bay on 9 July 1962for a rendezvous with USS Midway (CVA 41) near Okinawa.On 13 July, TUCKER, RUPERTUS and MASON enteredBuckner Bay for a two-day stop, after which TUCKERparticipated in six more days of operations at sea. ThenTUCKER and MASON broke off. MASON’s tour wascompleted, so she headed back to CONUS. TUCKER visitedIwakuni Japan for three days R&R starting 21 July.In early October TUCKER, while operating with MIDWAY,was on hand when USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63) arrived.KITTY HAWK was the most modern and formidable airstriking force with which TUCKER had ever operated.KITTY HAWK, the newest attack carrier of the US Navywas on her first assigned overseas deployment. KITTYHAWK joined the U.S. 7th Fleet on 7 October 1962,relieving USS Midway (CVA 41) as the flagship.Relieved from carrier duty, TUCKER made her last portof call in Hong Kong for a week. The crew was allowedto purchase items and store them on the ship fortransport back to the United States. Prior to this, someammo had been off-loaded, allowing one of the ammostorage areas to be used for this purpose. TUCKER thenreturned to Yokosuka.The TUCKER crew enjoyed the unique sights ofBeppu.SECTION 4 - 9

HISTORY OF THE USS HENRY W. TUCKER 1960 - 1964In the first week of October 1962, TUCKER and USS Rupertus (DD 851) visited the port of Beppu, Japan, locatedon Kyushu Island. After a few days in Beppu, TUCKER and RUPERTUS proceeded to the port of Kagoshima locatedjust south of Beppu also on Kyushu Island. These visits were referred to as “Good Will Tours”.Prior to leaving Yokosuka, TUCKER welcomed aboard several members of a U.S. Marine Band stationed in Yokosukaso they could participate in local parades in these ports. While in Beppu and Kagoshima, the ships held open house,hosting several hundred civilian and dignitaries while shipmates spent liberty in ports seldom visited by U.S.warships.THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISISThe crisis began on 14 October 1962 when U.S. reconnaissance imagery revealing Soviet nuclearmissile installations on the island were shown to U.S. President John F. Kennedy and ended fourteendays later on 28 October 1962, when Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev announced that theinstallations would be dismantled.Shortly after leaving Kagoshima on 15 October, TUCKER and RUPERTUS were ordered to quickly change courseand relieve USS Buckley (DDR 808) and USS Turner Joy (DD 951) who were assigned to TG 36.2.The crew widely speculated that this had something to do with the Cuban Missile Crisis. Rumors wereflying fast. A sonar contact had been picked up of an unidentified sub days earlier. The sub was tentativelyidentified as a USSR type “W” submarine. Once, again, all hands found themselves involved in maintaining the readyposture of the 7th Fleet.Once the sub surfaced, it identified itself via flashing light as a Soviet ship. TUCKER took a position approximately300 yards to the starboard side of the sub while RUPERTUS maintained a station approximately the same distanceon the sub’s port side. The sub continued on a northerly course and never submerged. It may have beenexperiencing engineering problems.Many crewmembers took advantage of this, taking pictures and movies and in general were surprised to see aRussian sub this close up. The shadowing lasted approximately two and a half days and for the most part this wasuneventful. The submarine was moving north, probably back to Vladivostok, the Russian seaport. At one point, thesubmarine sent a message that if either ship crossed her bow, she would open fire. This continued for those two anda half days. The waters were getting colder and rougher. Waves began breaking over the bow. On 18 October,TUCKER and RUPERTUS were relieved and joined USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63). KITTY HAWK was also on fullalert and had been shadowing TUCKER and RUPERTUS. After only two more days the two destroyers were relievedand returned to Yokosuka.The morning of 2 November 1962, USS Henry W. Tucker (DDR 875) and USS George K. MacKenzie (DD 836)backed away from the pier at Yokosuka with a band playing. Loved ones, tears in their eyes, stood and watched.THE HOMEWARD BOUND PENNANTShips that have been assigned outside the United States continuously for 270 or more days practiceflying the homeward bound pennant. It is flown in place of the normal commission pennant at thetime the ship gets underway to proceed to a United States port. Once out to sea, it is secured untilthe day of arrival in the United States. The pennant is about 200 times longer than its width at thehoist. The homeward bound pennant consists of white stars on a blue field at the hoist, and isdivided red over white at the fly. It has one star for the ship's first nine months continuously outsidethe United States, plus another star for each additional six months. Thirty-one months represents 4stars. The length of the pennant is one foot for each member of the crew who has been on dutyoutside the United States for nine months or more, not to exceed the length of the ship itself.SECTION 4 - 10

HISTORY OF THE USS HENRY W. TUCKER 1960 - 1964As TUCKER turned and headed out of Tokyobay, the “Homeward Bound” pennant, attachedto the mast, was set free from the tie-down atthe stern light. The flying pennant reachedfrom the main mast, all the way to the stern.TUCKER and MACKENZIE stopped for refueling atMidway Island. There was time for swim call on thebeach, and a softball game between TUCKER andMACKENZIE. TUCKER won the game. On 9November, they arrived in Pearl Harbor for theweekend.arrived in San Diego to a pier with family members cheering.Finally, flying the homeward bound pennant again,TUCKER entered the familiar waters of San Diego’sharbor. She was home after 31 months in WESTPAC,After less than 2 weeks in San Diego, on 26 November,TUCKER departed San Diego for the journey to Boston.The destroyer stopped at anchor for 2 days in AcapulcoMexico. There was a cruise ship at anchor nearby, andwater skiers were passing close by TUCKER. The followingday, there was some excitement on the fantail.While at anchor in Acapulco harbor, James McAlpineRDCA was fishing off the fantail, and managed tocatch this sailfish.After fighting it with the help of a few other crewmen anda little ingenuity, the sailfish was hoisted to the deck.Soon later there was the appearance of a few hungrysharks. Those that saw this spectacle couldn’t help butremember the water skiers from yesterday!TUCKER anchored outside the mouth of the PanamaCanal on 4 December 1962, waiting for a long line ofvessels to take their turn passing through the canal.Liberty in Balboa, the entrance to the canal on the Pacificside was short. The next morning on 5 December 1962,TUCKER began the 8-hour passage through the PanamaCanal.This photo was taken aboard TUCKER inside one ofthe locks of the Panama Canal in December of 1962.SECTION 4 - 11

HISTORY OF THE USS HENRY W. TUCKER 1960 - 1964This information about the Panama Canal has been taken from the TUCKERPlan of the day for Sunday 2 December 1962.The Panama Canal is a lock and lake type canal traversing the Isthmus of Panama joining theAtlantic and Pacific Oceans. The canal itself is about 44 miles long. During the transit of the Canalthe ship will pass from salt water to fresh water and back to salt water. A system of locks andpumps must be used during the transit to raise or lower the ship (depending on whether transit isfrom Pacific to Atlantic or the opposite) from sea level of one ocean to the other. (Sea level in theAtlantic is not the same as sea level in the Pacific).IOWA class battleships have passed through the canal with a clearance of 4 inches. The IOWA classBB had a full load displacement of 57000 tons – or about 20 times that of TUCKER. The largeaircraft carriers of today can not pass through the canal, but instead must go around Cape Horn,adding many days steaming time from Atlantic to Pacific. The canal is 109 feet 4 inches wide.Vessels with maximum draft of 35 feet can pass through the canal.The Panama Canal Zone is governed and operated by a federally appointed Governor. In times ofEmergency, the final authority over operation of the Canal is the Commanding General, U.S. Army,Caribbean.Here are some miscellaneous regulations, about transit of the Panama Canal.1. Police whistles will not be used when rendering honors.2. Pilot and other canal personnel on board during transit will be furnished meals without charge.3. The ship’s boat will remain ready for lowering on short notice at all times.4. Line handlers may be required and should be designated and ready to go at all times.5. In case of fire on board, the ship will sound repeatedly 5 prolonged blasts (4-6 seconds) on thewhistle.6. Oil pollution Act is in effect at all times. No pumping of bilges.7. Ships will not blow tubes during transit.After 5 more days at sea, traveling north in the Caribbean and Atlantic, TUCKER arrived at the Naval WeaponsStation in Earle New Jersey on 10 December 1962 to off-load ammo.The trident-shaped pier complex (shown in thepicture) extends 2.2 miles into Sandy Hook BayNew Jersey and comprises 2.9 miles of piertrestlelength.On 13 December 1962, TUCKER and arrived at hernew home in Boston harbor, at the Charlestown NavalShipyard. It was a very cold day, with steamy vaporcoming off the surface of the warmer water, somethingthe crew had not seen for quite a long time.TUCKER was now ready to commence the next chapterof her already storied history.SECTION 4 - 12

HISTORY OF THE USS HENRY W. TUCKER 1960 - 19641963FRAM MK I - Developed primarily for the Gearingclass destroyers, it was a complete reconstructionof the ship.FRAM MK I included the rebuilding of thesuperstructure, rehabilitating the engines andelectronics and installing ASROC, DASH, SQS-23Sonar System. Also installed were new air-searchSPS-40 radar, SPS-10 surface search radar, andtwo triple MK 32 torpedo launchers. FRAM MK Irequired that the destroyer lose one of it'sforward twin 5-inch/38 cal. gun mounts. FRAM MKI extended the life of TUCKER by 10 years.The TUCKER crew was reduced in size, and moved into the second floor of a Charlestown Shipyard barracks. Thecrew of USS Leonard F. Mason (DD 852) occupied the first floor. Later, TUCKER crew moved to their ownbarracks that were nicer accommodations above the base cafeteria. This was to become the crew’s new home forthe next ten months.8 January 1963—LCDR P. E. SMITH, USN relieved CDR E. H. WERDELMAN andbecame the TUCKER’s twelfth commanding officer. (During FRAM)By the fiscal year 1959, there remained 44 original GEARING class destroyers that had not been converted intoeither dedicated submarine warfare destroyers (DDE),hunter-killer destroyers (DDK), radar picket destroyers(DDR) or for specialized research. Further, severalGEARINGs were simply not completed with their variousparts going to other GEARINGs damaged in the course ofoperations. The longer length GEARING class made excellentcandidates for the FRAM program and while only 49 of allvariants of GEARING class destroyers were scheduled forFRAM, that number eventually grew to include 80 vessels ofthe 98 commissioned. Of the remaining 18, 15 vesselsreceived the MK 2 modernization.TUCKER was one of the FRAM Mark 1 ships.As is the case of most projects of this scale there was nohard and fast rule of exactly what each ship received duringthe overhaul as changes were made throughout the yearsthat the modernization was carried out.Mark I, usually referred to as FRAM I, was intended to extend the useful life of the ships by 10 years with acomplete rehabilitation of all shipboard components in hull, machinery, ASW sensors and weapons systems. Thisgroup was restricted to Gearing Class units and included the addition of such systems as DASH, ASROC, SQS-23SONAR, VDS and Mark 32 torpedo tubes. One of the forward 5"/38 twin guns (Mount 52) was removed during therebuild.Mark II, usually referred to as FRAM II, was planned to extend each ship's life by 5 years. It was a less aggressiveupgrade and was used on the Sumner Class, DDR's and DDE's (3 of which were Fletcher Class). The overhaulincluded the addition of the DASH system but retained all three 5"/38 mounts and the addition of the Mark 32torpedo tubes and VDS (Variable Depth Sonar).SECTION 4 - 13

HISTORY OF THE USS HENRY W. TUCKER 1960 - 1964This photo shows LCDR P. E. Smith with the Yard Commander and worker placing a coin under the mastas it is being installed. The coin is a half dollar piece, probably a Franklin Half Dollar coin.STEPPING THE MASTThis ancient custom of “stepping the mast,” by placingcoins under the step or bottom of a ship’s mast duringconstruction, dates from antiquity. One belief from GreekMythology is that should the ship be wrecked duringpassage, the coins would ensure payment of the crew’swages for their return home. Since at least the constructionof USS Constitution, this tradition has been passed on as asymbol of good luck for U.S. Navy ships.15 March 1963 was the official dateTUCKER was re-designated DD875 as she began this period ofextensive rehabilitation andmodernization.In the following months, whileTUCKER was in the final stages ofthe FRAM conversion, the shipearned an EXCELLENT reputation asa ship that is “smart, ship shape,and on the ball”.TUCKER also received the DASHDrone Helicopter complete with theDASH helo hanger. The pictureshows A Gyrodyne QH-50C UAVdeparting the U.S. Navy Destroyer, USS Hazelwood (DD 531), on an antisubmarineWarfare (ASW) training mission, armed with two MK-44 acoustic homingtorpedoes. The QH-50C UAV was guided by a human pilot to the target area using the Ship’s Radar system. Thepilot was the sonar operator located on the launching ship. Target Acquisition was achieved using the ship’sAN/SQS-23 Sonar system.The FRAM MK 1 for TUCKER included the ASROC. The ASROC (Anti-Submarine Rocket) was the U.S. Navy's mainship-borne standoff anti-submarine weapon from the mid-1950s to the1980s. In June 1963, the ASROC was designated as RUR-5A. In 1965the MK 46 lightweight torpedo replaced the MK 44 as the conventionalASROC payload.The SPS-40 Air search radar and the SPS-10 surface searchradars were also installed at the shipyard.At the time, the SPS-40 was the most advanced (solid state and digitalelectronics) and accurate long distance (more than 250 nautical miles)radar in general Navy service. It became the preferred Air Search radarfor Naval ships for the next 30 years.SECTION 4 - 14

HISTORY OF THE USS HENRY W. TUCKER 1960 - 1964TUCKER personnel maintained their outstanding reputation by consistently ranking number 1 among all the FRAMships undergoing overhaul in Boston. This was evidenced byweekly material inspection by shipyard officers.Some of the crew witnessed the commissioning of the new guidedmissile cruiser USS Harry E. Yarnell (DLG 17) on 2 February1963, while in the Charlestown Navy shipyard.The USS CONSTITUTION “Old Iron sides” moored at the gateof the Charlestown Naval Shipyard was a daily sight forTUCKER crew, as they would pass it on their way out of theshipyard and into Boston for liberty.The USS CONSTITUTION is the oldest commissioned ship in theUS Navy. Annually, in association with the 4th of July festivities,the ship (towed by tugboat) makes a tour of the Boston harbor area.TUCKER crew began to “grow” as new sailors came aboard. The ship’s complement grew from 5 Officers and 140men to 12 Officers and 224 men by the time the yard period came to an end.23 September 1963-- CDR B. C. WILCOX, Jr., USN relieved LCDR P. E. SMITHand became the TUCKER’s thirteenth commanding officer.TUCKER’s first sea trial finally came in October. TUCKER departed the shipyard outto sea, and the day was spent doing various maneuvers at different speeds. One suchmaneuver was called a “crash back”. The ship, at flank speed, would be brought tofull astern, until the ship would come to a full stop.TUCKER returned to the shipyard around 1900 hours, and while making the approachto the pier, the order is given to reverse one of the screws. The engine rooms(forward and aft) normally receive numerous changes of speed. This is done usingwhat are called Standard Bells. (This is Standard Operating Procedure forentering and leaving port.) During this time the right Indicator broke loose fromthe handle for the Starboard Shaft on the Bridge Engine Order Telegraph, but thehandle remained functional. The Engine Order Telegraph receiver in the ForwardEngine room remained at 2/3 Ahead. As the ship was approaching the pier ratherfast, the Bridge ordered both shafts Full Astern.The order was answered by the AfterEngine Room (Port Shaft crew), butbecause of the malfunction, the ForwardEngine room crew continued to proceedat 2/3 Ahead. It was at this time theBridge noticed the problem but by thattime it was too late to stop the ship fromhitting the pier.The pier sustained minor damage, but TUCKER had to go backinto dry dock to repair damages to the sonar dome. This repairtook more than a week.A hearing into the situation was held shortly after TUCKER tied up. Itwas determined not to be anyone’s fault, strictly a mechanical failure.This full investigation took place immediately and nobody left hisassigned sea detail until it was completed, which was near 2400 hours.A pin holding the handle on the engine order telegraph had sheared offwhen the handle was moved from forward to back. By the time theengine room got the message, via sound powered phone, and the screwwas reversed, TUCKER had already hit the pier.SECTION 4 - 15

HISTORY OF THE USS HENRY W. TUCKER 1960 - 1964PRESIDENT KENNEDY ASSASSINATEDWhile TUCKER was in the Charlestown Naval Shipyard in the afternoon 22 November 1963, the badnews came about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas. Vice President L. B.Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President.TUCKER was still in the yard at the time, and the crew was still berthed in the base barracks orother military housing. The order came quickly for the duty crew to place the TUCKER flag at halfmast.Word spread fast about the events in Dallas, and any sense of normal operations weresuspended while the news was unfolding on TV. The people of the metropolitan area of Charlestownand Boston were just as shocked. Some businesses closed, and others went through the motions ofbeing in business, but all kept their attention to the fast breaking national news. We would all quicklylearn that it was the same everywhere in the country.The remainder of the year was used to put the final touches on TUCKER, and to allow leave periods for the crew tocelebrate the holidays with their families.The coming of the New Year promised to be an exciting new adventure for all aboard this ship with refurbishedpropulsion, new weapons, and the latest in communications and electronic detection systems.SECTION 4 - 16

HISTORY OF THE USS HENRY W. TUCKER 1960 - 19641964TUCKER departed Boston on 7 January 1964, having completed the 13-month FRAM overhaul, a new ship from themain deck up and possessing some of the most advanced weapons systems afloat. She stopped at the Earle NewJersey ammo supply depot to re-arm, then continued south.TUCKER arrived at Norfolk about noon the followingday. She stayed overnight, long enough to take on fueland stores. Getting underway early in the morning of the9th, she continuing to the Panama Canal. TUCKER wasenroute for a little over 4 days. The weather along theway was uncharacteristically cool and rough. TUCKERarrived at the Atlantic entrance at Cristobal Canal Zonein the evening of 13 January 1964.TUCKER entered the first lock of the Panama Canalon 14 January, heading back to the familiar watersof the Pacific to rejoin the Seventh Fleet.THE PANAMA CANAL RIOTS OF JANUARY 1964For quite some time, there existed a nationalistic feeling from many Panamanians that the UnitedStates treated the Canal as exclusively their own. On 9 January students took to the streets for threedays, clashing with local police to protest that the Panamanians were not given enough say aboutthe affairs of the Canal. The US Military in Panama was on high alert at this time. One such particularwas that the flag of Panama was only flown at one location along the canal. Although the unrestseemed to be over by the time TUCKER arrived at the canal, tensions were still in the air, and shoreliberty for US Military personnel was severely restricted.TUCKER anchored out for the evening at the northwest entrance to the canal. The next morning she entered theGatun Lock to begin the 8-hour trip to the Pacific side. She was lifted through three locks to the artificially createdGatun Lake by one of the world’s largest earthen dams. Near the south end of the canal, the continental divide wascrossed after which TUCKER passed through three more locks, lowering her down to the Pacific Ocean side of thecanal. TUCKER stopped overnight at the pier at Rodman NavalStation at Balboa. Liberty that night was only allowed at theNaval Station club and recreation facilities. The following day,TUCKER took on fuel and stores for her continued journey.That same afternoon, TUCKER’s softball team played a gameagainst the team from USS George K. Mackenzie (DD 836).MACKENZIE was also heading back to the west coast afterundergoing FRAM modernization at the Brooklyn Navalshipyard. After a rocky start, TUCKER’s softball team easilywon the game.Departing the canal early in the morning of 16 January on theway northwest to Long Beach, TUCKER, steamingindependently, made a three-day visit to Acapulco Mexico.Arriving in Acapulco’s harbor on January 19, TUCKER stayedfor three days.This photo of TUCKER anchored in Acapulco Bay, wastaken from an Acapulco hillside. During this visit toAcapulco, many local citizens visited the ship as guestsof some of the crewmembers.SECTION 4 - 17

HISTORY OF THE USS HENRY W. TUCKER 1960 - 1964The trip north on the Pacific side was much more calm, warm and sunny. This allowed topside work to be done, andeven a bit of sunbathing. TUCKER arrived in Long Beach on 28 January 1964. More new crew additions and returnsfrom classroom training and leave periods filled the next 4 weeks. Although Long Beach was the new homeport forTUCKER, she began her refresher training out of San Diego.24 February 1964 marked the beginning of refresher training for the next six weeks. Training covered all phases ofdestroyer operations, which was completed on 3 April 1964. TUCKER would head out to the San Diego training areaon Monday, Typically stopping at the San Clemente Islandanchorage area overnight. The training with other ships thenwould continue the next day. They would train all week, arrivingback in San Diego on Friday for a liberty weekend. This cycle oftraining would begin again on the following Monday morning.During this refresher training, TUCKER made rendezvouswith USS Ernest G. Small (DDR 838) to transfer by highlineaboard another new TUCKER sailor.In early May, TUCKER transferred from her training port to LongBeach. During her stay in San Diego and then Long Beach, thefinal polish was put to men and machines during four months ofrefresher training and exercises. The training, besides the usualship maneuvers, UNREPS, and various drills, the equipment,weapons, and electronics were all expected to be kept in tip-topshape. The heavy Monday thru Friday schedule made the crewbone weary, and liberty was a welcome respite. When the callcame, TUCKER was ready for WESTPAC, as a unit of DestroyerSquadron 3, the new " Asiatic Squadron", to be home ported in Yokosuka, Japan for two years. TUCKER, USSRupertus (DD 851), USS Orleck (DD 886), and USS George K. Mackenzie (DD 836) became the re-formedDESDIV 32.TUCKER participated in a 4 day ASW exercise with ORLECK, RUPERTUS, MACKENZIE, and USS Ernest G. Small(DD 838) on 13 April 1964. Each ship, in turn, became guide; in a columnar (1000 yard separation) night operationunder darken ship conditions.Some time in late April, TUCKER took part in a search and rescue effort to find evidence of two fighter jets that hadcollided in midair. In May, TUCKER hosted a dependent’s cruise for family members. This is usually the lastscheduled home event before an extended overseas deployment. TUCKER spent her final few days alongside thedestroyer tender USS Isle Royale (AD 29) for last minute boiler and other repairs before deployment.Final preparations completed, TUCKER and MACKENZIEleft for their new home on 23 May 1964. About 1 day beforearriving in Pearl Harbor, the Captain of MACKENZIE whohad rank over TUCKER, stopped for swim call. The twoships stopped, lowered their motor whale boats, and menarmed with M1 rifles patrolled for sharks.This picture leftshows TUCKER’sswim call withthe “SharkPatrol” at ready.The rope net wasdraped over theside, and manysailors participated. Most were surprised at how warm the water was sofar out into the Pacific. TUCKER and MACKENZIE stopped for a threedayvisit to Pearl Harbor Hawaii on 1 June.Shown is the patch TUCKER used for this WESTPAC deployment.There was a contest on board to design the patch. Ross ScottSOG3 won the design contest and received $25.SECTION 4 - 18

HISTORY OF THE USS HENRY W. TUCKER 1960 - 1964The two destroyers then made a refueling stop at Midway Island, and arrived in Yokosuka on June 13 for anotherWESTPAC tour, as a unit of Destroyer Squadron 3, the new Asiatic squadron.There was a chance to get settled, but not for long. On 30 June 1964 TUCKER undertook her first operation as aforward unit of the U. S. 7th Fleet, on patrol duty in the Taiwan Straits. Just before getting underway, LCDR HarryW. Kinsley Jr. was assigned as TUCKER’s new Executive Officer. Taiwan Patrol consisted of alternating four days onpatrol and three days in port for a month. Kaohsiung was the favorite port of many, who remember Ox-drawn carts,"Nancy's," pedicabs, a memorable ship's party and painting the Red Cross sponsored Kaohsiung orphanage.TUCKER returned to Yokosuka on 4 August, only to be ordered to get underway unexpectedlythe following morning.THE TONKIN GULF INCIDENTSECTION 4 - 19In early 1964, the Navy was given orders tofocus more attention on the coast of NorthVietnam using its longstanding OPERATIONDESOTO PATROL. The Desoto Patrol employeddestroyers, specially fitted out to detectopponent's radio and radar signals in intelligencegathering missions outside the internationallyrecognized territorial waters and along thecoasts of the Soviet Union, China, North Korea,and North Vietnam.In the afternoon of 2 August, in the Tonkin gulf,the Communists dispatched three Soviet-built P-4 motor torpedo boats against USS Maddox(DD 731). Three torpedoes were launched, oneeach, from the P-4s. The MADDOX made anevasive maneuver and two of the torpedoespassed within 200 yards. As MADDOX firedback at the torpedo boats with her 5-inch guns,a direct hit sank one of the boats. In themeantime, the carrier USS Ticonderoga (CV 14) who was departing Hong Kong at the time, directed fourcrusader jets to the scene.Only one round from enemy deck guns hit the destroyer; it lodged in the MADDOX superstructure. The NorthVietnamese naval vessels were not so fortunate. Shellfire from MADDOX hit the attackers. Then F-8 Crusaderjets dispatched from the aircraft carrier TICONDEROGA strafed all three P-4s and left one boat dead in thewater and on fire. The action over, MADDOX steamed toward the mouth of the Gulf of Tonkin and supportingnaval forces.The USS Turner Joy (DD 951) was ordered to join USS Maddox (DD 731) on 4 August, which had beenfired on by three North Vietnamese torpedo boats two days before. On 6 August, TURNER JOY and MADDOXbelieved themselves to be engaged by North Vietnamese vessels in a foul-weather night action lasting two anda half hours. After two hours of melee without contact, Captain Herrick of the MADDOX gave the order forboth vessels to steam away from the Gulf of Tonkin.TUCKER headed for the Tonkin Gulf along with other ships of the7th Fleet but had to sail into the teeth of Typhoon Kathy while onthe way. Waves up to 35 feet high crashed over the bow, poundedthe forward gun mount, and splashed as high as the pilothouse.The crew did a masterful job of navigating through the tailend of this vicious storm.TUCKER first made for Subic Bay for a quick retrofit of her ECMgear. An access hole was cut in the starboard side bulkhead just aftof the bridge. TUCKER took on fuel, took on stores, the yardworkers swarmed all over the signalmen's shack, running antennasand their cables and putting in new racks. Then a few “special” CT’s(Communication Technicians) came aboard with silver suitcases, and

HISTORY OF THE USS HENRY W. TUCKER 1960 - 1964took over the shack for the duration of this mission. They ate in the shack; they slept in the shack; and spoke to noone of the crew. They were on board to monitor North Vietnamese radio traffic, radar locations and signatures foruse in possible future air strikes.On 9 August, the crew, at general quarters, entered the gulf watching intently, via the surface and air search radars,and the sonar, for any sign of hostile activity. TURNER JOY and MADDOX had long departed the Tonkin Gulf, andTUCKER did not know what to expect. The surface search radar and the sonar revealed suspicious echoes, but afterevaluating the passive sonar “ears”, these were interpreted as a school of fish and a flock of hungry sea gulls.This, then, was the determinative start, the beginning of theintensified war effort in Vietnam. And it was the beginning ofTUCKER’s continuous weeks at sea and continuous monthsaway from her homeport.The fall of 1964 was spent almost continuously on specialoperations in the South China Sea, with some upkeep timein Subic Bay, Philippines. At sea operations were with TASKGROUP 77.5, steaming with USS Ticonderoga (CVA 14),USS Joseph Strauss (DDG 16), and USS Orleck (DD886).In Mid-October, TUCKER returned to Subic Bay for somemuch-needed repairs. A scheduled one-week stay stretchedto almost three-weeks as spare parts needed were notavailable and needed to be flown in. At this time, while inSubic, three sailors from South Korea, LTJG Chun Sik Song, Chung Won GM2, and Chun Sol, FT2 came aboard fortraining to gain some of the professional knowledge their young Navy needed. They stood watch alongside the crewand of course imparted much knowledge about their own Navy customs and traditions.Subic, the port TUCKER came to visit often with the mixed feelings of delight, for some, disappointment for others.The crew experienced beautiful tropical weather, Binictican golf course, the skeet range, Grande Island, and ofcourse, Olongapo, which can only be described by the eye of the beholder. During this visit, TUCKER was host shipto the HMS Dido (F 104), a British destroyer, with fun and close rapport for all. A softball game was organizedbetween the DIDO and TUCKER. Unfortunately, the TUCKER team lost the game.On 27 October, TUCKER again got underway to resume operations in the South China Sea. After four more weeksof at-sea operations, TUCKER was given a break, and she made a short visit to Hong Kong. This was the first timemost of the crew visited Hong Kong. It was a time to have custom tailored clothes made, a time to visit VictoriaPeak, eat a great dinner at the Aberdeen floating restaurant and seethe unique sights Tiger Balm Gardens. Of course, the holiday seasonwas not far off, and much Christmas shopping was done.This photo was taken of the Tiger Balm Gardens hillside inHong Kong in November 1964.After 3 days in Hong Kong, TUCKER participated in a veryimpressive CINCPACFLT weapons demonstration near the Philippineswith four aircraft carriers, about 12 destroyers, two cruisers, and afew submarines. This show was a demonstration for Washington’sNavy Brass. The aircraft from the carriers put on quite a show.Finally, TUCKER headed back home for Yokosuka. The weatherturned much cooler as TUCKER headed north with quite choppy season the way home. Arriving on 3 December, the crew spent a month ofholiday leave period interspersed with various exercises andAdministrative and NTPI inspections. This time, TUCKER was back inYokosuka for a longer period. TUCKER initially was moored to theoutboard of the destroyer tender USS Markab (AD 21). During this holiday period, as each of the ships would taketheir turn at repairs from MARKAB, the ships would change position. The stack was variously 2 to 4 ships includingUSS Orleck (DD 886), USS Leonard F. Mason (DD 852), USS Higbe (DD 806), USS Ernest G Small (DD838) and USS Joseph Strauss (DDG 16). The senior ship in port was the flagship of the 7th fleet, USSOklahoma City (CLG 5). Embarked in OKLAHOMA CITY as SOPA was Captain H. A. Seymour. Other shipspresent in Yokosuka were the supply ship USS Mars (AFS 1), and, along with various other Coast Guard and yardcraft.SECTION 4 - 20

HISTORY OF THE USS HENRY W. TUCKER 1960 - 1964Yokosuka is the 7th Fleet's gateway to Japan; Tokyo, and Mt. Fuji, skiing at Nikko, Leave in Kyoto or Yokohama,"Thieves Alley" - a variety of activities to satisfy all interests, including more Christmas shopping for family andfriends back home.A regular holiday occurrence for TUCKER when she celebrated the holidays in a foreign land was the orphan’s party.This time, fifty orphans from a home in Yokohama joined the crew on Christmas Eve for refreshments entertainmentand presents. Alonzo V. Smith GMGSN made a great Santa Clause, and the TUCKER 6-piece “combo” provided themusic. Many of the officers and crew pitched in their time and legwork to decorate, secure presents, and to assure agood time for all.Also, during this holiday period, the TUCKER athletic teams fared well against other ships berthed in Yokosuka.TUCKER had teams participating in basketball, bowling, and boxing.To continue the History of USS Henry W. Tucker (DD 875), select History years 1965-1969.SECTION 4 - 21