Merrill (DD 976) - Naval Cruise Book

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Vice Admiral Aaron Stanton Merrill The USS MERRILL (DD-976) is named in honor of Vice Admiral Aaron Stanton Merrill, U.S. Navy ( 1 890-1 961 ), an outstanding Cruiser Destroyer and Task Force Com- mander during World War II. A native Mississippian, Admiral Tip Merrill achieved ex- traordinary success during the United States first offensive operations against the enemy in the South Pacific. Most notable of his naval successes was the epic of Battle of Lmpress Augusta Bay, a brilliantly executed night action in which Merrill ' s small boys and cruisers defeated a more powerful enemy naval group sent to drive the newly entrenched American Land Sea forces from the Solomon Island Area. I lis be »kl leadership, daring tactics and indomitable fighting spirit during this battle and other naval actions contributed greatly to the success in the recapture of the Solomon Is- lands and won him the Navj ( ioss. the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit with two Gold Stars. i V ADM MERRILL

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SHIP ' S CREST The coat ol arms ol USS MERRILL (DD-976) serves as a heraldic remembrance of the ship ' s namesake. Vice Admiral Aaron Stanton Merrill. The colors blue and gold are the traditional colors of the United Stales Navj and the red, white and blue, out national colors, allude to Che ship ' s motto, SPIRIT ol 76 The crest is composed ol waves, symbolizing Vice Admiral Merrill ' s expertise in surface seamanship and demonstrated knowledge ol warfare tactics. The arrow is a symbol of leadership and material readiness. The anchor represents loyaltj and Naval Leadership, together with the crescent moon, an emblem ol the night, refers to the sobriquet. THE NAVY ' S NIGHTFIGHTER The five-pointed star signifying command, is flanked hv two six-pointed stars, whose total of twelve points symbolize Vice Admiral Merrill ' s command of Cruiser Destroyer Division 12 and simulate his successful Hanking strategy. The three stars together indicate his highest rank achieved The ship ' s motto. SPIRIT of 76. couples the year of MERRILL ' S christening with her hull number and the nation ' s bicentennial. In addition, this expression aplh summarizes characteristics which made Vice Admiral Merrill one of the Navy ' s greatest leaders courage, decisiveness and dedication SHIP DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS Built by Ingalls Shipbuilding Division ol Littion Industries Keel Laid June 16. 1975 Christened September I. 1976 Commissioned M arcn II. 1978 Length 563 Feet 4 Inches Beam 55 Feet DrafI 30 Feet Displacement y 200 Tons Complement 32 Officers 298 Enlisted s P eed 30 Plus Knots Aircraft Two SH-60B LAMPS MK ill Helicopters Propulsion Four General Electric LM-2500 Marine (ias Turbine Engines (Total - 80,000 Shall Horsepower) Armament Harpoon Ann Ship Missile NATO SeaSparrow Anti-Air Missile Two 5 54 Caliber Light Weight Gun Mounts Tuo 20mm Close In Weapon Systems MK 32 ASW Torpedo lubes hr SHIP ' SCREST

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Chronology of Events 01 Apr Depart San Diego, California 07 - 08 Apr Inport Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 09 Apr Penguin Missile Exercise 16 Apr Cross the Equator at the Internaltion Date Line 20 - 25 Apr Inport Sydney, Autstralia 02 - 05 May Inport Albany, Australia 20 - 26 May Inport Mina Sulman, Bahrain 27 May Commence MIO Operations in North Arabian Gulf 14-18 June Inport Dubai, U.A.E. 20-23 June Anchor Bahrain 04 July Cookout Talent Show 11-14 July Inport Muscat, Oman 15-20 July Gulfex97-3 26 July DC Olympics 08-11 Aug Inport Bahrain 13 Aug Transit Straits of Hormuz 22-25 Aug Inport Phuket, Thailand 02-06 Sep Inport Hong Kong 07 Sep Change of Command 25-26 Sep Inport Everett, WA 26 Sep-01 Oct Tiger Cruise 01 Oct Return San Diego, CA kr CHRONOLOGY