Belknap (DLG 26) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDING OFFICERS 1. Capt. john T. Law, USN 7 Nov 64-19 july 66 2. Capt. Earnest C. Hipp, jr., USN 19 july 66-8 Dec 67 3. Capt. james H. Aldrich, USN 8 Dec 67-12 Dec 69 4. Capt. Charles D. Allen, USN 12 Dec 69-15 jan 71 5. Capt. Francis E. Field, USN 15 jan 71-Aug 72 6. Capt. Robert L. Walters, USN Aug 1972- BELKNAP is a frigate, the first of nine guid- ed missile ships in the advanced class which bears her name. She is the second U.S. Navy ship to bear the name Belknap , and is named after Rear Admirals George Eugene Belknap, U.S. Navy C1832-19031, and Reginald Rowan Belknap, U.S. Navy C1871-1959j. Her keel was laid on 3 February 1962 at the Bath Iron Works Corporation, Bath, Maine. She was commissioned at the Boston Naval Shipyard on 7 November 1964. Extensive tests were con- ducted following commissioning including shakedown training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in February of 1966. Upon completion of her training period, BELKNAP joined the United States SECOND FLEET. In early autumn 1966, BELKNAP par- ticipated in a combined NATO operation off the coast of Norway. Later that year she was deployed in the Mediterranean, returning to Norfolk, Virginia early in 1967. Twice BELKNAP has served in the combat environment of the Tonkin Gulf. During the Fall and Winter of 1967 and 1969, BELKNAP was involved in operations with the SEVENTH FLEET in the Western Pacific. Six weeks of midshipmen indoctrination cruises off Newport, Rhode Island were includ- ed in her 1970 itinerary. While conducting operations in the Caribbean that same year, she was summoned to the Mediterranean Sea. This was an emergency operation to meet the crisis of the jordanian Civil War. BELKNAP and her crew received the Meritorious Unit Commen- dation for their role in this contingency opera- tion. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 1. LCDR. Walter R. Shafer, USN 2. CDR. William E. O'Leary, USN 3. CDR. Otto W. Will Ill, USN july 68-Dec 69 4. CDR. Peter C. Conrad, USN Dec 69-Mar 71 5. CDR. George Tsantes jr., USN Mar 71-May 72 6. CDR. james E. Law, USN May 72- - BELKNAP has made significant con- tributions to anti-submarine warfare. Many of these are the results of successful ASW helicopter operations. BELKNAP was the first U.S. Navy ship to employ an operationally deployed helicopter in fleet mission roles. In the summer of 1971, BELKNAP par- ticipated in a NATO exercise which took her to Nova Scotia and Bermuda. In September of that year, BELKNAP deployed for a six month tour of duty with the SIXTH FLEET. ln March of 1972, BELKNAP entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard to undergo a complex regular overhaul. System readiness tests and refresher training at Guan- tanamo Bay, Cuba followed the overhaul period. March, April, and May of 1973 were filled with the tasks necessary to prepare BELKNAP for another Mediterranean deployment. The story of that deployment is told in the following pages.

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