Floyd Parks (DD 884) - Naval Cruise Book

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v-F5-agwe THE HISTORY OF THE FLOYD B.PfRRKS On june 4, 1942 Major Floyd Bruce Parks, Squadron Commander for Marine Fighting Squadron 221, was reported missing in action during an attack against the japanese over Midway Island. For his heroism Major Parks was awarded posthumously the Navy Cross. A Gearing Class destroyer was constructed in honor of Floyd B. Parks by the Consolidated Steel Corporation of Orange, Texas. On March 31, 1945 Mrs. Floyd B. Parks christened the ship at launching ceremonies. After preliminary underway exercises the USS FLOYD B. PARKS was commissioned on July 21, 1945, and proceeded to what was to be her home port for the next 25 years-San Diego, California. Since commissioning the PARKS has deployed for duties in the Western Pacific eighteen times under the direction of seventeen different commanding officers. Probably her most outstanding action was her participation in the 60 day siege on Wonson Harbor during the Korean War. The PARKS spent more time than any other ship in this engagement which was to prove the longest siege in the history of the United States Navy. The history of the FLOYD B. PARKS is marred by one major tragedy. On March 11, 1956 while conducting operations with the Seventh Fleet the PARKS was involved in a collision with the heavy cruiser USS COLUMBUS. The collision resulted in the deaths of two men and the loss of a 40 foot section of the PARKS' bow. The ship was repaired in the Long Beach Naval Shipyard. In 1963 the FLOYD B. PARKS underwent major reconstruction under the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization Program QFRAM 13 in Bremerton, Washington, receiving much of the equipment that attributes to her present operational readiness. A ff

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, . ..,-. Q.. UL- , .mg-41 ,-...V - V A A f . . A :-., ,ag g CYD'-ill FUN A MESSAGE FROM Tl-IE CAPTAIN TQ ALL I-IANDS TO ALL HANDS: OurV1969-70 cruise from August to February in FLOYD B. PARKS can best be described as a testimonial to your "can don effort as the FLOYD B. PARKS never missed a commitment while operating with the most sea time of all the deployed destroyers in the Seventh Fleet. In this time you demonstrated the PARKS, ability as a shotgun protector of Piraz, a chaser of aircraft carriers, and finally a flinger of shells to protect the troops ashore in Vietnam. Operationally it was a well-rounded destroyer tour which demanded and got the best efforts of all hands as the ship covered 45,000 miles from departure to her return to San Diego. P The high point of our cruise was certainly the two week stay in Hong Kong as station ship. Most of us shopped and enjoyed the port as if it were our last chance and that turned out to be all too true. The pictures and comments within this cruise book are intended to make you remember the pleasant highlights of the cruise, but I want you all to know that I thank you for the steady every-day effort which enabled FLOYD B. PARKS to attain the recognition as a top ship. Best Wishes. 51 SQ .MW J. F. Donovan CDR USN .,..L,-Q.-an-Li1e1fQgg'Fgli411- 4l' s.r' swf'-ff4L i'1i!.?i5 , 11, fil?!:51ifE'ijIfE??fg:1:s: "Af-2213

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