Boston (CA 69) - Naval Cruise Book

 - Class of 1969

Page 83 of 168

 

Boston (CA 69) - Naval Cruise Book online collection, 1969 Edition, Page 83 of 168
Page 83 of 168



Boston (CA 69) - Naval Cruise Book online collection, 1969 Edition, Page 82
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Boston (CA 69) - Naval Cruise Book online collection, 1969 Edition, Page 84
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Page 83 text:

On 18 August, 1969, while she was on the gunline, BOSTON received word that she had received the Bat- tle Efficiency E for Atlantic Fleet cruisers. It was the second year in a row that BOSTON received the award, and it was a fitting tribute to the ship herself and to the professional ability of her officers and crew. Upon her departure from the gunline BOSTON took a detour to Yokosuka, japan to give her crew some much deserved liberty. The hardships of the 24 hour- a-day gunfire support missions off the coast of the Republic of Vietnam became forgotten memories for the officers and men of BOSTON as they enjoyed their four days in japan. On the homeward journey BOS- TON stopped briefly in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and then BOSTON headed east for Acapulco, Mexico for some additional liberty before outchopping the Pacific Fleet and heading through the Panama Canal and onward towards Boston, Massachusetts. Homecoming in Boston, Massachusetts was a special occasion for the men who served on BOSTON presently and in years past. Her homecoming on November 15, 1969 may have been the last one for the great lady of the sea-BOSTON is bound for inactiva- tion as she was at the end of World War II. BOSTON has served her country well. Her name bears the symbolism of tradition of the Navy itself. From 1776 to 1970 BOSTON has meant seapower for the United States of America. USS Boston providing shore bombardment off the coast of the Republic of Vietnam-1969 79

Page 82 text:

? USS Boston steaming in the Pacific-1944 Camden, New jersey. Here, the New York Shipbuild- ing Company went to work modernizing the war veteran. Among the many changes, three-inch guns replaced her 40mm antiaircraft battery, and her after eight-inch gun turret gave way to a twin launch Terrier anti-aircraft missile battery. On November 1, 1955, BOSTON was recommissionedp it made history as the world's first guided missile cruiser. For the next 11 years following her recommission- ing, BOSTON served with the Second Fleet in the Atlantic and the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. Dur- ing her many cruises to the Mediterranean from 1955 to 1966, BOSTON acted as flagship and was involved in many NATO exercises. Then, on March 4, 1967, she sailed for the Pacific for the first time since World War ll, and joined the U S Seventh Fleet off the coast of Vietnam in the South China Sea and the Gulf of Tonkin. Since then, the ship has returned to Vietnam twice more for seven months in 1968 and for six months in 1969. During her first two deployments, BOSTON took part in Operation Sea Dragon against North Viet- namese supply lines to the south. Her eight-inch guns were used not only against shore implacements, roads, bridges, and supply centers, but also against enemy logistics craft in coastal waters. She also fired gunfire support for Marines ashore at the Demilitarized Zone and fired in support of U. S. amphibious landings in which her eight-inch guns softened up the beaches prior to landings and acted as artillery for the advance inland. BOSTON saw a great deal of action in the waters off the coast of North Vietnam and was fired upon on many oc- casions. l I 78 On May 22, 1969, BOSTON departed from the South Annex of the Boston Naval Shipyard and head- ed on her thi-rd 12,000 mile trip to Southeast Asia. After transitting the Panama Canal, BOSTON stopped briefly at Pearl Harbor, Guam, and the Philippines. She arrived on the gunline on june 28th. From june 28th until she received orders to head home to Boston on October 7th, BOSTON fired more than 18,000 rounds of five and eight inch projectiles at enemy targets from just below the DMZ to south of Cam Ranh Bay east of Saigon. BOSTON inflicted heavy damage on enemy targets. During her four months on the gunline, BOSTON de- stroyed or damaged 339 enemy bunkers and structures, caused 119 secondary fires and explosions, knocked out 18 mortar and rocket sites, and a great deal addi- tional damage. Conducting Naval Gunfire Support Missions in the Republic of Vietnam requires a timely and precise teamwork with a Naval Gunnery Liaison Officer sta- tioned with the troops on the beach. These spotters, whether they be airborne or in the jungles, are responsible for finding the target, relaying the target'S position to the ship, spotting the rounds, and as- sessing the damage of the gunfire. After each firing mission, spotters come over the voice circuit to the Naval gunship supporting his troops and tells the ship how she did. Some of the spotter comments which BOSTON received were, Excellent-dead center on target-one of the best missions l've observed, BOS- TON is best in my book. Glad BOSTON was here- otherwise we may have been on the receiving end of what was out there, outstanding job.



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