Benner (DD 807) - Naval Cruise Book

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CAPTAIN RICHARD C. MAURER JR., USN Captain Richard C. Maurer, Jr., USN, was born in Douglas, Wyoming on January 29, 1926. In June of 1943 he enlisted in the Navy as an Apprentice Seaman. In 1944, he won an appoint- ment to the United States Military Academy, Annapolis, Maryland where he received a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned as Ensign in the United States Navy. During his climb through the ranks Mr. Maurer served aboard USS TOLEDO (DA-133), USS DIPHDA (ADA-59), USS RODGERS (DDR-876), a tour of duty with Commander Western Sea Frontier, and USS ENDURANCE (MSO-435). As a Lieutenant, Mr. Maurer served as a staff officer for Commander Allied Naval Forces Central Europe. Returning to sea, Lieutenant Commander Maurer served on board USS McCAFFERY (DD-860). After studying at the Armed Forces Staff College and a tour of duty at the Naval Academy, Commander Maurer relieved Commander R. J. TRIBBLE as Commanding Officer of USS BENNER (DD-807). He was the 15th CO. for BENNER. During the 1968 WestPac cruise Mr. Maurer received the rank of Captain. On 16 August, 1968 Captain Maurer was relieved as Commanding Officer by Commander LeRoy A. Hamilton. Captain Maurer is presently attached to the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. oidt Comir in OS!

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fare Group One. She then began a series of local ASW Operations leading up to the ship ' s sixth Western Pacific deployment since rejoining the Pacific Fleet. In May on one of these exercises, BENNER was the first ship to conduct an In-Flight Refueling of a Helicopter. On 12 August 1965, BENNER and the rest of Anti-Submarine Warfare Group One departed Long Beach for a six month deployment to the Western Pacific. BENNER joined Task Force 77 operating off the coasts of North and South Vietnam. During this period BENNER joined a Sea-Air Rescue Team in the Gulf of Tonkin, during which BENNER conducted the first opera- tional in-flight refueling of helicopters and assisted in the rescue of downed pilots. On the 18th of January 1966, BENNER began her transit back to Long Beach, which was completed on the 3rd of March. While in the states BENNER continued her upkeep and had a shipyard availability which increased her ECM capabilities. BENNER took part in HUKASWEX 66 and upon completion made final preparations for her 66-67 WestPac Cruise. On this cruise BENNER spent much time on Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin. On the morning of 6 January 1967, BENNER drew first blood when she fired upon three small logistic craft which were visible only when they rode the crest of a swell. On the next afternoon the ship fired on an aircraft battery that had fired at friendly aircraft; after a 20 round fire for effect, air craft reported that the battery was effectively destroyed. When BENNER detached she showed the enemy the true temper of the sword upon her crest. During this period the ship fired 1281 rounds of 5 inch ammunition while conducting 36 fire missions and 8 counter battery fire missions. BENNER then headed for Kaohsiung, Taiwan where she took part in Taiwan Patrol. Upon completion of this patrol BENNER started her long trip back to Long Beach. The ship arrived in Long Beach on the 12th of May and took a well deserved rest until 12 June when 39 NROTC Midshipmen embarked for their summer cruise. During this time BENNER went to Pearl Harbor, San Francisco, and San Diego. During the period 7-12 November, BENNER served as rescue planeguard for USS TICONDEROGA (CVA-61) and took part in an actual SAR mission in which a Skyhawk A-4 and F-4 Phantom collided in mid-air. As a result one pilot and several pieces of wreckage were recovered. During the period 6 to 8 February BENNER successfully under- went her annual Administrative and Pre-deployment Inspection. It was also during this period the BENNER along with the other ships of DesDiv 29 were transferred to Destroyer Squadron 29. DesRon 29 was assigned as a unit of Cruiser- Destroyer Flotilla Seven and Anti-Submarine Group Three. BENNER then began her final preparations for her forthcoming Western Pacific Cruise.

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■•■w COMMANDER LEROY A. HAMILTON FEBY Maurer Officer edtiie elieved nilton. ' itagon, Commander LeRoy A. Hamilton assumed command of USS BENNER (DD-807) on 16 August 1968, following a tour of duty as Operations Officer in USS TOPEKA (CLG-8). Commander Hamilton was commissioned in 1952 after gradua- tion from tfie Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps at Northwestern University. Following his first sea duty assignment in USS MATHEWS (APA-96), he has served in USS VAMMEN (DD-644), Chief of Staff Officer for Commander Destroyer Squadron NINETEEN, USS TOPEKA (CLG-8) and USSWALKE (DD-723) where he was the Executive Officer. Tours ashore included duty at Headquarters, NINTH Naval District, Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE, Fleet Training Group, San Diego, and U.S. Naval Station, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Commander Hamilton has been awarded the China Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. Commander and Mrs. Hamilton and their three children, Susan, Steven and Scott, reside in Westminster, California.