Eversole (DD 789) - Naval Cruise Book

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( Anti-Submarine Rocket), DASH (Drone Anti-Sub- marine Helicopter), new ASW torpedo tubes, and a new highpowered sonar installed, EVERSOLE be- came one of the best outfitted ASW ships in the world. Upon completion of FRAM in February 1963, EVERSOLE journeyed south from Bremerton to her new horneport of Long Beach and became a unit of Destroyer Squadron 23, the famed Little Beaver Squadron of World War II, formerly commanded by Admiral Arleigh ( 31 Knot ) Burke. The fol- lowing year saw EVERSOLE participate in exer- cises in both the new states of Hawaii and Alaska in preparation for her first WESTPAC Cruise as a FRAMed destroyer. This preparation included the development of the technique of refueling heli- copters in flight - a technique which met with great success and is being used throughout the Fleet today. During the ensuing cruise, the ship distin- guished herself with the setting of a Navy-wide transfer record during Underway Replenishment but the traditionally light-hearted atmosphere of the homeward bound voyage was sobered by news of the outbreak of naval hostilities in Southeast Asia. The USS MADDOX (DD-731) had been taken under enemy fire off the coast of a small country to which EVERSOLE would soon return - VIET NAM. Indeed the 1965-1966 WESTPAC Cruise saw EVERSOLE once again firing her guns in anger during Naval Gunfire Support Missions in the Gulf of Tonkin. When not steaming off the coast of Viet- Nam, the ship saw many weeks of patrol between the Chinese Communist mainland and Nationlist Is- land of Taiwan (Formosa). The days in and around the combat zone were long and demanding, and all hands were grateful for their ship ' s return to Long Beach in March, 1966. EVERSOLE then entered the yards for over- haul and her crew began another training cycle for yet another deployment to the Far East. That cruise began on November 4, 1966 with EVERSOLE ' s de- parture from Long Beach. California. Following the successful completion of ASW Group Is Operational Readiness Evaluation in Hawaii and a short visit to Japan, EVERSOLE proceeded to the demanding Yankee Team op- erations in Tonkin Gulf. During this and later periods off the Viet Nam coast, the ship received various assignments including SAR (Search and Rescue) missions for downed pilots, naval gunfire missions in support of Marine units ashore, and screening operations for several aircraft carriers, including the nuclear-powered Enterprize (CVAN- 65). Extended at-sea periods demanded a ready and efficeint Underway Replenishment capability; and EVERSOLE ' s performance in this area was con- tinuously among the best in the Pacific. Helicopters In-flight Refueling, pioneered by EVERSOLE and Destroyer Division 232, rose to a new level of op- erational readiness, and developments in the field of ECM (Electronic Countermeasures) warfare proved highly significant. Heavy weather marked the month-long patrol off Nationalist China, but upkeep periods in Kaoshiung and later in Sasebo, Japan provided time for necessary repairs. Visits to other ports such as Hong Kong; Subic Bay, Philippines; and Yokosuka, Japan provided necessary relaxation for the crew. Departing on her homeward-bound journey from Yokosuka, EVERSOLE made only short refueling stops at Midway and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and sighted the coast of Southern California early on the morning of 12 May 1967. Thus ended the seven month deployment which is the subject of this cruise book. k so WAISWORTH Mnctlin. »o US»

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