Hue City (CG 66) - Naval Cruise Book

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5a'l l'lc of l'l'ue 05111 The city of Hue, South Vietnam, was the site of one of the fiercest battles of the Vietnam War. Three under strength U.S. Marine battalions, consisting of fewer than 2,500 men, attacked and soundly defeated more than 10,000 entrenched enemy troops, liberating Hue for South Vietnam. Situated in central Vietnam, Hue was the country's cultural capital, a unique blend of French and Vietnamese influence. The Imperial City, it gracefully retained the glory of Vietnam's past while its universities educated Vietnam's brightest minds for the future. Hue was a symbol of everything the Vietnamese people admired and respected. For this reason, it was spared the terrible effects of war-until Tet 1968. During the lunar New Year holiday of Tet-a very important week-long holiday celebrated all over Vietnam-the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army launched a massive assault on South Vietnam. They seized the American embassy in Saigon. They also seized the city of Hue and its population of about 140,000 citizens. This Tet Offensive began on January 31, 1968. The Battle of Hue lasted four weeks and cost some 142 American lives. Marines of the 1st and 5th Regiments, fighting alongside the Republic of Vietnam's 1st Division, were supported by U.S. Army 7th and 12th Cavalry Regiments, among other units, in the battle for Hue. North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces were driven out of Hue little by little as U.S. Marines retook the city one block at a time. The Marines retook the Treasury building, the university, the hospital, the Provincial Headquarters and, finally, the citadel. Cn February 26, 1968, the city of Hue was declared secure. U.S. forces remained another week to ensure the city' s safety. H0':J6SI.OME1lnfe3ESreigjal3II2:redobGonzalez was awarded the Medal of USS Gonzalez CDDG-365 honor? tive and beyond he can of duty' Today, e memory of this hero. Additionally, countless Silver Stars and Purple Hearts were awarded for other acts of heroism. N41 - -

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l I CREST The fortress recalls the Citadel at Hue, for which the U.S. Marines fought so valiantly to capture. The oriental dragon symbolizes both the fierceness of the siege and the fighting spirit of the crew of the USS HUE CITY. MOTTO FIDELITY, COURAGE, HONOR represents the finest qualities of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps: fidelity to one's comrades and the values of the country, courage to do one's duty regardless of the consequences, and honor as a principal virtue of the military profession. SEAL The coat of anns in full color as in the blazon, all upon a white background and enclosed within a dark blue oval border edged on the outside with gold chain and bearing the name USS HUE CITY at top and CG 66 in base, all in gold. SHIELD Dark blue and gold are the traditional Navy colors, red is emblematic of courage and sacrifice. The trident represents past and present and symbolizes sea power and the vertical launch system of CG 66. The tines of the trident represent the modern Aegis cruiser capabilities of anti-air, land, and surface warfare, while the bottom spike denotes the ship's anti- submarine capabilities. The crossed swords form a saltire with the upper and lower quadrants depicting the two Vietnams and the point where they cross illustrating the location and strategic importance of the battle for Hue. The smaller shield at center commemorates the Marines' victory and the raising of the U.S. flag upon capturing the provincial headquarters in Hue. The crossed Navy cutlass and Marine mameluke sword also express strength through teamwork and cooperation, and are combined with a palm wreath symbolizing the battle and victory. 5