John Rodgers (DD 983) - Naval Cruise Book

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«Ui , ulA - l HISTORY OF USS JOHN RODGERS Following commissioning on 14 July 1979 at Pascagoula. MS, USS JOHN RODGERS fDD-983) conducted Refresher Training at Guantanamo Bay. Cuba, and later established the Vieques Island Naval Gunfire Support Range record. In January 1980 the ship entered Pascagoula for four months post shakedown and overhaul. In July Sea Eagle returned to the Caribbean for a goodwill cruise and refresher training through the middle of August, setting the range record at VIEQUES ISLAND for the second time. On 18 November JOHN RODGERS was on her way toward her first overseas deployment, to the Mediterranean Sea as Flagship, Commander Destroyer Squadron Thirty-six. While operating with the Sixth Fleet, the ship was awarded the Hook ' em award for tracking a highly evasive submarine for over eleven hours. Sea Eagle returned to Charleston in early April 1981. From 4 September through 26 October, JOHN RODGERS participated in Ocean Venture Phase VII. a joint US Spanish naval exercise, and Phase VIII. a joint US Dani- sh German naval exercise in the Baltic Sea. Sea Eagle also participated in SHAREM 44, a US British Dutch ASW exercise, conducted in the English Channel. The ship ' s second major deployment, this time to the Middle East, began 11 February 1982. Assigned to COMIDEAST- FOR, the ship operated in the Arabian Gulf from early March through June. In May JOHN RODGERS crossed the equator for the first time while transiting toward Mombasa, Kenya. The ship returned to Charleston on 28 July. After only one month inport, Sea Eagle was underway again for two months of operations in the Pacific Ocean. In December the ship completed a very successful INSURV Inspection. During March 1983 the ship participated in READEX 1-83. a major Fleet exercise involving over 70 ships. During the exercise JOHN RODGERS successluUy fired all of its weapon systems. The Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable John Lehman, toured Sea Eagle 28 March, prior to the ship ' s return to Charleston 1 April. The ship departed Charleston for its most recent deployment to the Mediterran- ean Sea on 29 April 1983. Mm F

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USS JOHN MEDITERRANEAN DEPLOYMENT |iitffi iiiiiii 9 29fAPRIL-21 NOVEMBER 1983

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NAMESAKES Commodore John Rodgers [1772-1838) Commodore John Rodgers served in CONSTELLATION and commanded MARYLAND during the Quasi-War with France. He commanded JOHN ADAMS during the Tripolitan Wars and was Commodore of the Mediterranean Squadron in 1805. In the War of 1812, he captured 23 prizes and rendered valuable service on land, defending Baltimore during the attack on Fort Henr ' . Later he served as a highly successful President of the Board of Commissioners. USS OHN RODGERS (DD-983) is the third ship named in honor of Commodui. Rodgers. his son and great grandson; all of whom served the Nav ' and the Nation with gre distmction. The careers of these men provide the crew of JOHN RODGERS a heritage of service in the finest traditions of the United States Navy. Rear Admiral John Rodgers (1812-1888) His son. Rear Admiral John Rodgers. led the North pacific naval expeditions just prior to distinguished service with the Union Navy during the Civil War. Following the war, he commanded the Asiatic Squadron, the Mare Island Naval Station and the Naval Observatory. Commander John Rodgers (1881-1926) Commodore Rodgers ' great grandson. Commander )ohn Rodgers, became the Navy ' s second naval aviator and received the Distinguished Service Medal for mines- weeping operations in World War I. He later served as an aircraft squadron commander on the Navy ' s first carrier, USS LANGLEY. He also pioneered trans-ocean, non-slop flight, participating in the first attempt at non-stop flight from California to Hawaii in 1925. Commander Rodgers served as Assis- tant Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics until his death in an airplane crash in 1926. COAT OF ARMS The official crest of USS JOHN RODGERS symbolizes the service of three members of a prominent Navy family. The anchor represents the service of Commodore John Rodgers, who acted as president of the Board of Naval Commissioners following the War of 1812 until 1837. His son. Rear Admiral [ohn Rodgers, led exploring expeditions in Chinese waters and through the Bering Strait in 1855: the compass rose is symbolic of his service. Commander John Rodgers, great-grandson of Commodore Rodgers, was a pioneer of Naval Aviation and his service is alluded to by the wings. The sea eagle, a sharp-eyed, marine bird-of-prey, represents the ship ' s primary mission of detection and tracking of submarines, with the addition of incredibly deadly striking ability. The three arrowheads refer to the multi-mission capabilities of JOHN RODGERS.