Elliot (DD 967) - Naval Cruise Book

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USS ELLIOT (DD 967) USS ELLIOT (DD-967), a Spruance-class destroyer, is one of the world ' s most modern warships possessing advanced propul- sion systems, fully integrated combat systems and crew habitability not usually found aboard destroyers. Commissioned in 1977, ELLIOT is homported in San Diego, California. Designed and built by Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries, Pascagoula, Mississippi, ELLIOT is a member of the first major class of surface combatant in the U.S. Navy to be powered by gas turbine engines. Four General Electric LM-2500 en- gines, marine versions of those used on DC-10 and C-5A aircraft, drive the ship at speeds in excess of 30 knots. Twin reversible pitch propellers provide ELLIOT with a degree of maneuverability unique among warships her size. A highly versatile multi-mis- sion destroyer, ELLIOT has a primary mission operating in a Strike Warfare and Anti-Submarine Warfare role. ELLIOT ' S overall length is 563 feet and displaces 8,900 tons when fully loaded. ELLIOT is one of the most powerful and advanced platforms in the Navy ' s arsenal. The ship ' s weapon systems include the MK 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) which can carry and fire TOMAHAWK land-at- tack and anti-ship cruise missiles, HARPOON anti-ship cruise missiles, NATO SEA SPARROW anti-air missiles, two MK 45 5- inch (127mm) lightweight dual-purpose guns, two 20mm Vulcan Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS), four .50 caliber ma- chine guns and two triple MK32 torpedo tubes. A LAMPS MK-III SH-60B helicopter is embarked on ELLIOT to provide long-range reconnaissance and targeting data. The helo is capable of carrying and launching two MK46 anti-submarine torpedoes and carries one 7.62mm M-60 light machine gun. ELLIOT ' S decorations include two Battle E Awards, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one silver and three bronze stars. ELLIOT was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation in 1984 for her search efforts in support of the Korean Airlines Flight 007 which was shot down off the coast of the Soviet Union. ELLIOT was awarded a second Meritorious Unit Commendation for operations in support of exercise Kernal Potlatch 87-1, requiring prolonged extreme cold weather operations in the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea. During our six month deployment ELLIOT participated in three major ASW exercises, SHAREM 101, NAUTICAL SWIMMER, and LFA 13. Additionally, ELLIOT was involved in enforcing the United Nations sanction 661 against Iraq. ELLIOT spent several weeks in the Northern Arabian Gulf searching for vessels violating the sanctions, and also spent a week escorting the M V FAIR SKY, a confirmed sanctions violator. When the decision was made to increase the U. S. presence in the theater, ELLIOT became the flagship for the forces that would escort the new arrivals in the Gulf. ELLIOT joined the Arleigh Burke Destroyer JOHN PAUL JONES, the frigate STARK, and the destroyer MERRILL in escorting through the Strait of Hormuz, Maritime Prepositioning Ships and the Army War Reserve Ships, as well as the NEW ORLEANS Amphibious Readiness Group.

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USS ELLIOT (DD-967) WESTPAC 1995 v

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ELLIOT is the first Spruance-class destroyer to be named af- ter a Vietnam War hero. Lieutenant Commander Arthur James Elliot II, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert B. Elliot of Thomaston, Maine, was born 9 April 1933. He received a Bachelor of Sci- ence Degree from the Gorham State Teachers College in Gorha m, Maine, in 1955. In June 1956 he entered the Navy Officer Candidate School and was commissioned an Ensign in the Naval Reserve in October of that year. He then served suc- cessive sea duty tours in USS LYMAN K. SWENSON DD-729 and USS LITTLE ROCK CLG-4. In 1962 Lieutenant Com- mander Elliot was assigned as Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Commander, Naval Service Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Upon completion of that tour, he reported aboard USS JOHN KING DDG-3 for duty as the Operations Officer. In December 1967, Lieutenant Commander Elliot volun- teered for duty in Vietnam, where he served as Commanding Officer of PBR SQUADRON 57, operating in the Mekong Delta. Under his command, his squadron of river patrol boats achieved an outstanding combat record against the enemy, taking part in several major riverine operations. On 29 Decem- ber 1968, Lieutenant Commander Elliot was killed in action while leading his squadron in a riverine interdiction mission. Lieutenant Commander Elliot ' s awards include the Legion of Merit Medal, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Navy Expe- ditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm, the National Order of Vietnam (5th Class), and the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon. ELLIOT ' S coat of arms serves as a heraldic remembrance of the ship ' s namesake, Lieutenant Commander Arthur James El- liot, II. The red, white and blue partitions of the shield are pat- terned after the insignia of Lieutenant Commander Elliot ' s command. River Squadron Fifty-seven. Red is the heraldic symbol of courage, zeal, and leadership; white symbolizes in- tegrity; blue represents devotion and perseverance. The un- sheathed sword is symbolic of command, and its position on the shield, point downward, is significant of death in combat. The crest, composed of a mainmast and mainsail, symbol- izes the Elliot family ' s long association with the nautical heri- tage of their native state of Maine. Generations of the family engaged in the shipbuilding and sailing trades, including Lieu- tenant Commander Elliot ' s paternal grandfather and namesake Arthur James Elliot, whose shipbuilding firm launched the last five-masted schooner ever built. The pine tree emblazoned on the sail is the symbol of the state of Maine. The ship ' s motto, Courage, Honor, Integrity, is representa- tive of those values which characterized Lieutenant Com- mander Elliot throughout his Naval career. The motto serves as both a guide and an inspiration for the men and officers who will serve aboard USS ELLIOT throughout her commissioned life.