8
Hosts: Bill & Ulla Melyan Email: [email protected] 32nd Reunion— Jacksonville, Florida Inside this issue: USS STODDARD DD566 WWII * Korea * Vietnam Website: www.ussstoddard.org Date: April 2020 USS STODDARD ALUMNI NEWSLETTER Double Tree by Hilton Jacksonville Riverfront 1201Riverplace Blvd. Jacksonville Fl. 32207 Reservations: 1-800-222-8723 “USS Stoddard Group Code STO “ Standard Room - $119 Riverfront Room - $139 Riverfront Suite - $159 Rate Good Three Days Before / After Reunion Breakfast for 2 Included Additional Breakfast $10 Free Parking Stoddard Tidbits 2 Navy Ship Namesakes 3 Namesakes (Cont.) 4 Namesakes (Cont.) 5 Chaplain’s Report 6 Secretary Report 6 Westpac 63-64 (pics) 7 Stoddard History 7 Ship’s Store 8 The 32nd Stoddard Reunion for 2020 has been cancelled and re-scheduled for Jacksonville the following year: September 15th thru 18th, 2021 The USS Stoddard 32 nd Reunion has been cancelled for 2020. After talking with our tour director who informed us the Mayport Naval Base has been closed to civilian traffic and the clo- sure of restaurants and other venues for the reunion, it was decid- ed to cancel the 2020 Reunion. We secured the Double Tree by Hilton Jacksonville Riverfront in Jacksonville, Florida for the Reunion in 2021. The hotel has agreed to honor the rate for next year. If you have already made hotel reservations, please call the hotel and change the dates. Please stay safe, we want to see you next year! There will be no newsletter in July, the next newsletter will be February 2021 with the 32nd Stoddard Reunion details.

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Page 1: USS STODDARD DD566 WWII * Korea * Vietnamussstoddard.org/images/2020Reunion/Newsletter - April -2020.pdf · USS Stoddard Alumni Newsletter—April 2020 Page 4 The Seaman: James Stoddard

Hosts: Bill & Ulla Melyan

Email: [email protected]

32nd Reunion— Jacksonville, Florida

Inside this issue:

USS STODDARD DD566 WWII * Korea * Vietnam

Website:

www.ussstoddard.org

Date:

April 2020

USS STODDARD

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

Double Tree by Hilton Jacksonville Riverfront 1201Riverplace Blvd. Jacksonville Fl. 32207

Reservations: 1-800-222-8723

“USS Stoddard Group Code STO “

Standard Room - $119 Riverfront Room - $139 Riverfront Suite - $159 Rate Good Three Days Before / After Reunion Breakfast for 2 Included Additional Breakfast $10 Free Parking

Stoddard Tidbits 2

Navy Ship Namesakes 3 Namesakes (Cont.) 4

Namesakes (Cont.) 5 Chaplain’s Report 6

Secretary Report 6 Westpac 63-64 (pics) 7

Stoddard History 7

Ship’s Store 8

The 32nd Stoddard Reunion for 2020 has been cancelled and re-scheduled

for Jacksonville the following year: September 15th thru 18th, 2021

The USS Stoddard 32nd Reunion has been cancelled for

2020. After talking with our tour director who informed us the

Mayport Naval Base has been closed to civilian traffic and the clo-

sure of restaurants and other venues for the reunion, it was decid-

ed to cancel the 2020 Reunion. We secured the Double Tree by

Hilton Jacksonville Riverfront in Jacksonville, Florida for the

Reunion in 2021. The hotel has agreed to honor the rate for next

year. If you have already made hotel reservations, please call the

hotel and change the dates.

Please stay safe,

we want to see you next year! There will be no newsletter in July, the next newsletter will be

February 2021 with the 32nd Stoddard Reunion details.

Page 2: USS STODDARD DD566 WWII * Korea * Vietnamussstoddard.org/images/2020Reunion/Newsletter - April -2020.pdf · USS Stoddard Alumni Newsletter—April 2020 Page 4 The Seaman: James Stoddard

USS Stoddard Alumni Newsletter—April 2020 Page 2

Follow-up from February Newsletter

on Stoddard Boiler Incident

I was the engineering officer of the light off

watch stationed in the forward engine room dur-

ing the start-up of fireroom and engine room

equipment. Anyone interested in finding out

more about the incident please email me or call

my phone.

Richard Ahlmeyer—MMCM USN Retired

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 928-770-4301

On the 16th of

this month, I traveled to

my local Safeway Super

Market to refresh my

refrigerator with food

for the coming week. I

arrived early in the

morning, as in Califor-

nia we have been placed

on lockdown due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19), to

find the large parking lot filled with no place to

park. I then spied a woman leaving and grabbed

her spot immediately.

Inside the large grocery store, I found all of

the isle ways naked of products on the shelving, and

hundreds of folks with shopping carts overflow-

ing. (The hoarders had settled in). All of the isles

perhaps several hundreds of feet long were lined up

to the back of the store with people waiting to check

out. A store employee who happened to just pass

by at this moment, told me that it will take 45

minutes to over an hour to get to the register. So in

line, I waited with my 8-10 items in my shopping

cart.

After about 10-15 minutes of going nowhere,

another store employee came down the isle, pulled

my cart out of the line, and lead me forward to a

new register that she was about to open. She said

that she had saw my cap, and I immediately began

to thank her for the courtesy that she had bestowed

on me in that moment. Her father, it turns out, was

also in the Navy in WW2. Thanking her again for

her courtesy, I again thanked her once more and

also said, “and my President at that time also

thanks you now”. And she asks, “and who was that

she said”. I replied: John F. Kennedy. What fol-

lowed was an over whelming moment of silence.

All of this because of a Stoddard Ball Cap in

a Grocery Store in California early in the morning.

Stoddard Tidbits You may want to

put on your calendar the

scheduled release on June

12, 2020 of an exciting

Navy WWII war movie

staring Tom Hanks.

Pre-production photog-

raphy took place in Janu-

ary 2018 at sea on board

HMCS Montréal, a frigate

of the Royal Canadian Na-

vy. In March 2018, and

filming had commenced in

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

aboard USS Kidd. The

USS Kidd is a Fletcher-Class Destroyer like USS

Stoddard.

The movie is based on the novel The Good

Shepherd (1955) a nautical and war novel by C.

S. Forester. Below is part of the story:

During the early days of the United States'

involvement in World War II, an international convoy

of 37 Allied ships, led by Commander Ernest

Krause, crosses the treacherous North Atlantic while

being hotly pursued by a wolfpack of German U-

boats. The film focuses on Krause, a career officer

who was finally given command of a destroyer, USS

Keeling (radio code named '"Greyhound"). Unlike the

prototypical hero, he must battle his own self-

doubts and personal demons to be an effective lead-

er of the defenders. See you at the movies!

Page 3: USS STODDARD DD566 WWII * Korea * Vietnamussstoddard.org/images/2020Reunion/Newsletter - April -2020.pdf · USS Stoddard Alumni Newsletter—April 2020 Page 4 The Seaman: James Stoddard

USS Stoddard Alumni Newsletter—April 2020 Page 3

Fort Gorges in Casco Bay Calendar Islands—Casco Bay

How One Battle in the Civil War Produced Three Medal of Honor Recipients and the Names of Four U. S. Navy Destroyers in WWII

The Battle: Attack on Yazoo City, Mississippi- 5th March 1864 The Yazoo expedition ended in a small but sharp engagement at Yazoo City on March 5, 1864. The

battle included a number of black troops, including former slaves from Mississippi who had enlisted in the

Union army. Because of their presence, the battle of Yazoo City was particularly ferocious and would serve

as a template for much of the fighting to come in 1864 and 1865. The Yazoo River had long been viewed as

a likely avenue of approach for the Union navy, but the river had been blocked by Confederate batteries at

Snyder’s Bluff north of Vicksburg and by Fort Pemberton in the north, an earthen and cotton bale fortifica-tion just west of Greenwood. With the fall of Vicksburg, however, the river was open to Union navigation, at

least part of the way. The purpose of the 1864 expedition was two-fold: first, Sherman wanted to capture or

destroy the enemy’s cotton and corn in order to “Impress on the people along Yazoo and Sunflower that we

intend to hold them responsible for all acts of hostility to the river commerce.” Second, he hoped to draw

Confederate cavalry in the region to the defense of the Yazoo and away from his main column. On March

5, 1864, USS Marmora was assigned to support the 11th Illinois Volunteer Infantry in defending Yazoo City, Mississippi from fierce Confederate attacks. During this action Stoddard was assigned with two other sail-

ors (Franks and Laffey) to dismount one of the ships rifled howitzers, mount it on a field carriage and take

it ashore to support the Illinois Volunteers. To quote from a report by Rear Admiral Porter to Secretary of

the Navy. Gideon Welles: “…At this time the fighting in the city was hand to hand. The gun was placed in

position in the street and did good service, helping very much toward winning the day. The crew at one time was driven from the gun, they did not have sufficient support to hold it, but the soldiers seeing the

crew driven, rallied charged on the rebels and retook it, losing three men in the charge, and wounding

James Stoddard of the Marmora…I am proud to say that the Navy was well represented by three sailors,

who nobly stood by their guns through the whole action, fighting hand to hand to save the gun and the

reputation of the Navy. The sailors are highly spoken of by the army officials for their gallant conduct.

Their names are…James Stoddard, William J. Franks, and Bartlett Laffey of the Marmora. I would recom-mend them for your consideration.” A more detailed report by the Commanding Officer USS Marmora indi-

cates that while the gun was severely damaged during the attack, “to the bravery of that gun crew may

have attributed to the change of fortune of the day…I would most respectfully solicit in their behalf that

you would confer a medal of honor on the following men: James Stoddard, seaman, shot through the neck,

slowly recovering, William J. Franks and Bartlett Laffey.

The Tinclad: USS Marmora (1862-1865, "Tinclad" # 2) USS Marmora was a 207 -ton stern wheel “tin clad” paddle steamer river gun boat in the United

States Navy. Marmora was built at Monongahela, Pennsylvania, in 1862, was purchased by the Navy at

St. Louis, Missouri, on 17 September 1862 from Messrs. Brenan, Nelson, and McDonnell; and commis-

sioned at Carondelet, Missouri, on 21 October 1862, Captain Robert Getty in command. USS Marmora was

soon sent to join the Federal forces campaigning against the Confederate fortress at Vicksburg, Mississippi.

During the rest of 1862, she took part in mine clearance and other operations in the Yazoo River. In Janu-ary 1863, Marmora went up the White River to help capture Fort Hindman, Arkansas, and subsequently

was active on the Yazoo, White and Little Red Riv-

ers. Decommissioned in July 1865, following the end of the Civil

War, USS Marmora was sold the next month.

(Continued on Page 4)

USS Mamora

Namesake: Variant spelling of Marmara, an

Island in the Sea of Marmara. Laid Down: 1862

Acquired: 17 September 1862 Commissioned: 21 October 1862 Decommissioned: 7 July 1865 Fate: Sold, 17 August 1865 Displacement: 207 long tons (210 t) Length: 155 ft. Beam: 33 ft. 5 in. Draft: 4 ft. 6 in. Speed: 6.9 knots 7.9 mph Armament: 8 x 24-pounder guns 2 x 12-pounder guns 6 x 14-pounder guns

Page 4: USS STODDARD DD566 WWII * Korea * Vietnamussstoddard.org/images/2020Reunion/Newsletter - April -2020.pdf · USS Stoddard Alumni Newsletter—April 2020 Page 4 The Seaman: James Stoddard

USS Stoddard Alumni Newsletter—April 2020 Page 4

The Seaman: James Stoddard (Continued From Page 3)

James Stoddard (born 1838, date of death unknown) was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil

War and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions

during an engagement in Yazoo City, Mississippi. Born in 1838 in Port Robinson, Upper Canada (in pre-

sent-day Ontario), Stoddard enlisted in the U.S. Navy on September 21, 1863, in Detroit. On April 16,

1864, Stoddard was awarded the Medal of Honor and on May 8, 1864 was promoted to Acting Masters Mate

for his heroic action during the battle of Yazoo City. Stoddard continued to serve as an officer on USS Mar-

mora until late 1864 when he was transferred to USS Choctaw, another steamer in the Mississippi Squad-

ron. Choctaw continued operations in the lower Mississippi into 1865, and Acting Masters Mate Stoddard

was discharged from the Navy on May 20, 1865 (well beyond his year enlistment) near New Orleans. No

records have been located to indicate where Stoddard settled after the Civil War. His year of death or where

he is buried is unknown and sad for a Medal of Honor recipient.

The Seaman: William J. Franks William J. Franks was born in Pittsboro, North Carolina in 1830. He enlisted in the Navy on Sep-

tember 16, 1863. Franks received the Medal of Honor and was promoted to Acting Master's Mate in recog-

nition of his actions. Franks was discharged from the Navy in August 1865, and settled in Arkansas. He

married Mary Francis in 1865, after his separation from the Navy; according to the 1880 Federal census,

they had five children. William J. Franks died in April 1880 and is buried in Maple Springs Cemetery in

Batesville, Arkansas.

The Seaman: Bartlett Laffey Bartlett Laffey was born in County Galway, Ireland, he enlisted in the United States Navy from Mas-

sachusetts on March 17, 1862 and was assigned to stern wheel gunboat USS Marmora. Seaman Laffey re-

ceived the Medal of Honor for his actions at Yazoo City. He died at Chelsea, Massachusetts, on March 22,

1901. ************************************************************************************************************************************

Each Medal of Honor citation for Stoddard, Franks, and Laffey reads:

Off Yazoo City, Miss., 5 March 1864. Embarking from the Marmora with a 12-pound howitzer mounted

on a field carriage, (Stoddard) (Franks) (Laffey) landed with the gun and crew in the midst of heated battle and, bravely standing by his gun despite enemy rifle fire which cut the gun carriage and rammer, contributed to the turning back of the enemy during the fierce engagement. ********************************************************************************************************************** The WWII Ships:

USS Stoddard (DD-566) was a Fletcher-class destroyer of the

United States Navy, named for Master's Mate James Stoddard, who was

decorated for heroism during the Civil War. Stoddard was laid down at

Seattle, Washington, by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. on 10

March 1943; launched on 19 November 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Mil-dred Gould Holcomb; and commissioned on 15 April 1944, Commander

Horace Meyers in command. Stoddard earned three battle stars for

World War II and three battle stars for the Vietnam War. She was the

last Fletcher-class to be stricken from the U.S. Navy, in 1975. On 30

June 1976, Stoddard was transferred from the inactive ship facility, Mare Island, California, to the Pacific

Missile Test Center at Point Mugu. The required equipment removals were accomplished, and the ship was

modified to perform a new service. During the next few years she served as a target in various weapons test programs, including the Tomahawk Project. Having survived this first group of test assignments, Stoddard

was given a new challenge. In November 1983, a Block 0 Phalanx went aboard the Stoddard for the first

time. In November 1984, Stoddard returned to Port Hueneme. In June 1985, Stoddard again set sail, this

time with a Block I Baseline 0 Phalanx to protect her. After facing supersonic diving targets, she again re-

turned to Port Hueneme, unscathed, in September 1985. The tests continued into the winter of 1989-1990.

During the testing, Stoddard was subjected to attack by no less than forty-three targets, from subsonic

BQM drones to supersonic MQM-8 Vandal missiles. Stoddard final fate was to be towed by USNS Salvor (T-

ARS-52) to an assigned position near the island of Kauai, Hawaii. Seal Team One installed charges, which

sank her 64 nautical miles NNW of the island of Kauai, Hawaii, in the Barking Sands Missile Range on 22 July 1997. The ship lies at a depth of 2,550 fathoms. (Continued on Page 5)

Page 5: USS STODDARD DD566 WWII * Korea * Vietnamussstoddard.org/images/2020Reunion/Newsletter - April -2020.pdf · USS Stoddard Alumni Newsletter—April 2020 Page 4 The Seaman: James Stoddard

USS Stoddard Alumni Newsletter—April 2020 Page 5

The WWII Ships: (Continued From Page 4) USS Franks (DD-554), a World War II-era Fletcher-class

destroyer in the service of the United States Navy, was named

after Medal of Honor recipient Acting Master's Mate William Jo-

seph Franks. Franks was launched on 7 December 1942 by

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation, Seattle, Washington;

sponsored by Mrs. Martha F. W. Carr, a cousin of Acting Mas-ter's Mate Franks, and commissioned on 30 July 1943, Lieuten-

ant Commander N. A. Lidstone in command. Franks received

nine battle stars for World War II service. Credited with the first

swimming rescue of downed Navy aviators, Mel Collins radar

man and first SEAL rescue diver. Franks was placed out of com-

mission in reserve at San Pedro, California 31 May 1946, and

sold for scrapping on 1 August 1973.

The WWII Ships: Two ships in the United States Navy have been given

their name in honor of Bartlett Laffey. USS Laffey (DD-459) was a Benson-class destroyer of the United States Navy during World

War II. She was the first destroyer named for Bartlett Laffey.

Laffey was laid down on 13 January 1941 by Bethlehem Ship-

building Company, San Francisco, California; launched 30 Octo-

ber 1941; sponsored by Miss Eleanor G. Forgerty, granddaughter

of Seaman Laffey; and commissioned on 31 March 1942, Lieu-tenant Commander William E. Hank in command.

The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal was just about to begin

when the Japanese force, a group of two battleships, one light

cruiser, and 14 destroyers, under Vice Admiral Hiroaki Abe, ap-

peared on the horizon. Laffey lashed out at the enemy with gun-

fire and torpedoes. At the height of the violent battle, the battle-ship Hiei came through the darkness and both ships headed at

full speed for the same spot. They missed colliding by 20 feet. Laffey unleashed her torpedoes and, using

all her firepower, raked the battleship's bridge, wounding Admiral Abe, and killing his chief of staff. Admi-

ral Abe was thereafter limited in his ability to direct his ships for the rest of the battle. With a battleship

on her stern, a second on her port beam, and two destroyers on her port bow, Laffey fought the Japanese

ships with the three remaining main battery guns in a no-quarter duel at point-blank range. She was hit by

a 14-inch shell from Hiei. Then, a torpedo in her fantail put Laffey out of action. As the order to abandon

ship was passed, a violent explosion ripped the destroyer apart and she sank immediately with heavy loss of life. This action earned her the Presidential Unit Citation. Of the 247 crew members aboard, 59 were

killed, including the commanding officer, William E. Hank. The wounded in the engagement numbered 116.

The second ship was USS Laffey (DD-724),

an Allen M. Sumner class destroyer which was laid down less than a year after the loss of the first Laffey

and named for that ship as much as for Seaman Laf-

fey. Launched in 1943, and commissioned in Febru-

ary 1944, the ship earned the nickname "The Ship

That Would Not Die" for her exploits during the D-

Day invasion and the battle of Okinawa when she successfully withstood a determined assault by con-

ventional bombers and the most unrelenting kamika-ze air attacks in history. Laffey received the Presi-

dential Unit Citation and five battle stars for World

War II service, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation

and two battle stars for Korean War service, the Mer-

itorious Unit Commendation during the Cold War, and the Battle "E" during all three conflicts. Today, Laffey is a U.S. National Historic Landmark and is pre-

served as a museum ship at Patriots Point, outside Charleston, S.C.

Page 6: USS STODDARD DD566 WWII * Korea * Vietnamussstoddard.org/images/2020Reunion/Newsletter - April -2020.pdf · USS Stoddard Alumni Newsletter—April 2020 Page 4 The Seaman: James Stoddard

USS Stoddard Alumni Newsletter—April 2020 Page 6

Saigon

Ex-USS Stoddard

al plapp,

chaplain…

Chaplain’s Corner

May They Rest In Peace

Batiste, Earnest SHL2 68-69 3-13-2015

Ehmke, James EN3 65-66 4-20-2019

Frank, Adair C. BTG3 43-46 10-11-2013

Hale, James “Jerre” BT1 63-65 11-25-2016

Hodil, George W. Jr. PN3 51-53 12-16-2008

Holley, Wesley L. EMP3 52-53 4-04-2015

Magill, Robert T “Bob” DC2 51-54 12-17-2019

Maholm, Joash “Joe” BT2 66-69 11-6-2016

McLernan, James J. PN2 53-55 8-24-2005

Reynolds, G. W. “Bill” ET1 51-52 3-2-2020

Rhodes, Ronald T. TE3 53-55 3-11-2009

Sharrah, Ron “Logan” LCDR 62-63 11-24-2010

Swafford, Wm. “Sonny” MM2 58-59 3-12-2016

Voorheis, John R. SK1 56-60 4-16-2017

Here is a photo of USS Stoddard that some may not have seen before.

I picked this up a number of years ago while visiting the museum ship USS Turner Joy, DD 951, in Bremerton, WA. Stoddard had operated with Turner Joy in Vietnam, and I found this photo posted on a bulletin board by their ship’s store….so I photo-graphed it and cleaned it up a bit.

Dale Haskin—RD1 1958

Our anxiety has increased. Our sense of nor-

mal has changed and we are unsure of our next step

as the Pandemic carries on. I would like to tell you a true story of what has remained one of the most im-

portant stories of my life and hopefully will give you

courage and faith. After I left the USS Stoddard, I

went to Corpsman school at Balboa Naval Hospital in

San Diego, CA. I use to seek sanctuary from the loud

music and chaotic noise of the barracks by going to the small chapel on the hospital grounds so I could

read my book in quiet. As I was reading in the chapel

one afternoon a light began to appear in the front up-

per left-hand corner of the room, up close to ceiling.

As the light grew, an Orb, in a warm intensity to the size of a basketball, I felt an all-consuming calm and

peace. I was suspended in time as the light moved

from the upper corner of the room to where the front

altar met the floor. The light was brilliant, not dis-

turbing but soothing. The only thought in my head

was, “no matter what happens, even if you are killed, you will be alright. All of this took place surrounded

by a feeling of love. When I returned to Vietnam for

the Tet Offensive of 68, I flew MediEvac missions into

Hue, the bloodiest battle for the Marine Corps during

the Vietnam war. I brought out bodies stacked like a cord wood in a helicopter with fresh bullet holes. The

experience of the light brought me comfort then and

now. I know we will be alright. I wish you all Peace

and Love and light. May we all grow in Wisdom and

Understanding from what we are experiencing..

Al MME3 65-66

I hope each of you and your family is safe

and well and adapting to our new normal.

During the next months, as we work

through this disruption, we will try to keep in

touch. If we have your email address, or if you wish to share your email address, we will keep up

with the news from our members.

You may check to see if your email address

has changed in the last year – some are being re-

turned. Please send any information regarding

your email address to [email protected]. Our next newsletter will be in February

2021 with all the news about our 32nd Reunion in

Jacksonville, FL. Bill & Ulla have graciously

agreed to host the reunion next year. The hotel

has agreed to honor all prices, etc. for next year. The 32nd Stoddard Reunion is September

15th thru the 18th, 2021.

Please remember to change your hotel res-

ervations to the correct dates.

God bless each of you until we come to-

gether in Jacksonville, Florida in 2021.

Carlene

carlene rauh,

secretary...

Page 7: USS STODDARD DD566 WWII * Korea * Vietnamussstoddard.org/images/2020Reunion/Newsletter - April -2020.pdf · USS Stoddard Alumni Newsletter—April 2020 Page 4 The Seaman: James Stoddard

USS Stoddard Alumni Newsletter—April 2020 Page 7

USS STODDARD DD566 WWII * Korea * Vietnam

President: Bill Melyan

email: [email protected]

Secretary/Newsletter Editor: Carlene Rauh email: [email protected]

Treasurer: Bill Melyan

email: [email protected]

Storekeeper: Marlene Brant email: [email protected]

Chaplain: Al Plapp

email: [email protected]

Webmasters: Dan & Roxane Withers

email: [email protected]

Email/Database Coordinator: John Rauh

email: [email protected]

Roger Gress

GMG3

working on gun mount

during the

1963-1964

Westpac

Cruise

Pictures From Roger Gress GMG3

E.E. Mahaffey

(left)

E. Hudson (middle) &

R.K. Housley

in Hong Kong

Harbor

1963-1964

Westpac Cruise

PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE USS STODDARD (DD-566)

FPO SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. November 8, 1968

************************************************** OFFICAL PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RFELEASE

ON BOARD USS STODDARD (DD-566) OFF THE

COAST OF QUI NHON, REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

NOV 7---FOUR SECONDARY FIRES LIGHTED ENEMY

POSITIONS NORTH OF QUI NHON TODAY AS THIS

7TH FLT DESTROYER SHELLED THE AREA.

GUNNERS MATE THIRD CLASS T. E. CAIN OF JOHNSONVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA

REPORTED: “AT ONE POINT DURING THE

MISSION WE STOPPED FIRING TO COOL THE GUN

BARRELS. AS THE SMOKE FROM OUR GUNS LIFT-

ED, I COULD MAKE~OUT TWO FIRES THAT WE HAD STARTED ON THE HILLSIDE."

SIGNALMAN SECOND CLASS BILLY J.

BROWN OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA

ADDED, "I WAS A PHONE TALKER QN THE BRIDGE

DURING THE SHOOTING. AFTER WE SPOTTED THE FIRES, I COULD SEE ALMOST EVERY ROUND

DROPPING ONTO THE AREA. IT LOOKED LIKE WE

WERE FLATTENING EVERYTHING IN THE VICINITY."

THE AIRBORNE SPOTTER, WORKING WITH THE RUPBLIC OF KOREA’S CAPITAL DIVISION, RE-

PORTED TWO MORE FIRES IGNITED AND “TWO

STRUCTURES COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY TWO

ROUNDS OF GUNFIRE. THEY’RE NOT THERE ANY-

MORE.”

BEFORE THE MISSION WAS COMPLETED

STODDARD'S GUNS HAD DESTROYED

FOUR (4) STRUCTURES, HEAVILY DAMAGED SEVEN

(7) MORE, DESTROYED A BUNKER, CUT SEVERAL

INFT ILTRAT ION TRAILS, AND VIRTUALLY ELIMI-NATED TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FIVE (275)

YARDS OF TREE-LINE COVER.

IN OTHER ACTION LATER IN THE DAY,

STODDARD FIRED ON A SUSPECTED VIET CONG STAGING AREA, DESTROYING TWO STRUCTURES

AND COLLAPSING A SYSTEM OF TRENCHES.

A 25-YEAR OLD SAN DIEGO BASED DESTROYER,

STODDARD IS COMMANDED BY CDR JAMES E. LACY OF SAN DIEGO.

USS Stoddard History

Page 8: USS STODDARD DD566 WWII * Korea * Vietnamussstoddard.org/images/2020Reunion/Newsletter - April -2020.pdf · USS Stoddard Alumni Newsletter—April 2020 Page 4 The Seaman: James Stoddard

USS Stoddard Alumni Association

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hit

e

L

$27

_______

_

________

Golf S

hir

t – w

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e

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$28

_______

_

________

Golf S

hir

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$26

_______

_

________

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$30

_______

_

________

Sw

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hir

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$24 _______

_

________

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$24 _______

_

________

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XX

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$27 _______

_

________

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hir

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XX

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$29 _______

_

________

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t – c

ream

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$24

_______

_

________

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$24 _______

_

________

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ream

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$27 _______

_

________

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$29 _______

_

________

Jacket

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$39

_______ _________

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41

_______

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________

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$13

_______ _________

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$13

_______

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________

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Coffee M

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$ 6

_______ _________

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_______

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_______

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_______

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_______

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_______

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_______

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