Benner (DD 807) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 71 text:

On target! Fire for effect! Cease fire. Target destroyed. The CANBERRA is taking hits close ' aboard. Captain t o rders commence fire. nigga ., 1 . l w l F 4 1 Zi All ahead Flank, indicate turns for 27 knots. Right full rudder. Steady course 085. Opening up from the coast.

Page 70 text:

Lookout reports counterbattery gun- fire coming from the beach. The five-inch guns of BENNER and STRUASS, along with the eight-inch guns of CANBERRA, found their mark as targets along the 00.-asf Were deSt1'03'id one after algofher. For a time it seemed as if the Task Group WELS 301118 to be allows O mam up an down the St firin at will Without any return of fire when suddenly counterbatteries opened up oiiotfllie threegships and the first sustained duel between navalBXg2I?Ui?1i Egffeghigg Ibagtiiries took place, During an eight minute Period OH February 26' O n S,Of five-inch ammunition in destroying an enemy gun Slte that had fcaken the three Shlps under fire It was Hanoi's boast that one of the ship's had been set afire and sunk by their guns but in retiring at 27 knots all three ships left a trail of heavy black smoke which possibly lead Hanoi to believe that their guns had found the mark, N0116 Of the Sh1PS SUSta1I1ed any damage from the encounter. Time and again the three ShlpS were taken under counter- battery but the only damage to any of the three was light damage to CANBERRA when she took an air burst close aboard. Each time fire from BENN ER and the other two ships silenced the shore batteries. General Quarters is sounded as the ships steal toward the coast under the cover of the early morning fog. CANBERRA opens fire on shore targets with her eight-inch guns. Bridge p e r - sonnel s u r ve y the coast line,

Page 72 text:

LOOKS LIKE A GOOD PARTY WW- BENNER The ship so badly port, all On March 12 1967 after thirty more days on the line stood into Sasebd, Japan for a two week upkeep lperiod. i ts used this period for the repairs and replens men needed after her extensive underway time. While in h d n' ed the BENNER's ship party held on two consecutive an s e joy nights at the Japanese Health Club. Foods, drink, entertainment, and BENNER's own band provided the festivities as all hands enjoyed their well deserved break. x Would you believe a girl? The Three Musketeers Duty Shore Patrol? 3 68