Buchanan (DDG 14) - Naval Cruise Book

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SHIPS MISSION An Adams class destroyer, the USS BUCHANAN is powered by four high pressured, oil fired boilers which provide a total of 70.000 horsepower to drive this two propeller. 4,547 ton ship at a speed in ex- cess of ,30 knots. Twin rudders are installed to provide maneuverability. All living and working spaces on board are air-conditioned to pro- vide maximum comfort and efficiency for the 350 crew members and necessary cooling to vital equipment. The bridge integrates tactical command and navigational func- tions in one enclosed space. Combat Information Center (CIO integrates detection, tracking, display and weapons control information in a central decision making area to provide tactical coordination of weapons systems against air, surface and subsurface threats. The major weapon systems on board are Tartar surface-to-air mis- siles. Harpoon surface-to-surface missiles, Anti-Submarine Rockets ( ASROC). torpedo tubes and 5 inch guns. The Tartar missile, fired from the twin arm launcher aft, is capable of destroying supersonic aircraft. Harpoon, the U.S. Navy ' s newest surface-to-surface missile system, is also fired from the missile launcher aft. ASROC, fired from the box- shaped launcher amidship. and the anti-submarine torpedoes, fired from torpedo tubes forward of the bridge, are used to combat submar- ines in conjunction with installed sonar. Two fully automatic 5-inch guns, are designed for use against air, surface and shore targets, round out the armament.

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IN MEMORIAM KENNETH RAY MONTONY AUG. 27, 1966 — JAN 21, 1990 At the time of printing of this book, BUCHANAN lost a valued crewmember and friend to a tragic rock climbing accident, HM2 Kenneth Montony. Ken unselfishly gave of himself to better the lives and welfare of all who knew him. His professional abilities were in the highest keepings of Naval Service, as evidenced by his award of the Navy Achievement Medal. The prayers of the crew go to him and his family. GOD BLESS YOU KEN.

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USS BUCHANAN (DDG-14) USS BUCHANAN is named in honor ot Captain Franklin Bu- chanan, United States Navy and ranking officer of the Confederate States Navy. Captain Buchanan ' s history is well documented. He served as the first Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy and took part in negotiations with Commodore Matthew C. Perry, which opened Japanese ports to the western world. He subsequently served in the Confederate Navy during the Civil War. He died in 1874 and is buried in the familv cemetery in Tabot County, Maryland. The USS BUCHANAN (DDG-14), the third destroyer named for this fearless and brilliant naval commander, has had a well established reputation to uphold. During World War II, the first BUCHANAN (DD-131 ), one of fifty destroyers transferred to the British Royal Navy, attacked and put out of commission the German submarine base at St. Nazaire, France. The second BUCHANAN (DD-484) won eleven bat- tle stars in World War II and culminated its illustrious career by con- veying General Douglas MacArthur from Yokohama, Japan, to the USS MISSOURI in Tokyo Bav for the surrender ceremonies which termi- nated World War II in the Pacific. The present BUCHANAN (DDG-14), has more than lived up to the reputation established by its two predecessors. DDG-14 ' s accom- plishments since being commissioned in February 1962. have been many. The following are most noteworthy; (1) In May 1962, the ship took part in the dedication ceremony of the USS ARIZONA Memorial, a memorial to the valiant men who gave their lives for their country on 7 December 1941. In March of 1965, BUCHANAN was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in the South China Sea in support of strikeoperationsover hostile territory: (.3) July 1966 saw BUCHANAN become the flagship for Commander, Seventh Fleet during his official visit to Bangkok, Thailand; (4) For six and one-half months, beginning in January 1968, BUCHANAN participated in offensive naval gunfire support; (.5) In 1969, the ship was again awarded the Armed Forces Ex- peditionary Medal for its tour in the sea of Japan where anti-air defense was provided for reconnaissance flights in the area; (6) In 1974, BU- CHANAN met extensive operational requirements in the Indian Ocean and the ship ' s overall improvement in material condition won DDG- 14 the coveted Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy for the most improved unit in the U.S. Pacific Fleet in the area of combat readiness; (7) In March and April of 1983, DDG-14 was part of the largest battle group since World War II to sail the Northern Pacific; (8) In July 1983, DDG-14 won the Commander Destrover Squadron 31 Battle Efficiency E ; (9) In August and September 1983 BUCHANAN was part of the USS NEW JERSEY Task Force operating off the coast of Central America; (10) In Julv 1986, DDG-14 won the Commander Naval Surface Force U.S. Pacific Fleet Battle Efficiency E ; (11) In July 1987, DDG-U deployed to the Indian Ocean as part of the USS RANGER BATTLE GROUP.