Meyerkord (DE 1058) - Naval Cruise Book

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A JQURNEY TQ THE NVESTERN PACIFIC m-.n...-...A.........,. , March 11, 1971 - July 5, 1971

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Liout nam Hairolol Dale it Moyorkorol Lieutenant Meyerkord was born in St. Louis, Missouri on October 9, 1937, graduated from Riverview Gardena High School in 1955 and received a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of Missouri. He received his commission on june 10, 1960 alter complet- ing Officer Candidate School. He served in the USS Los ftngefcs' fCA-1351 and the USS Duncan fDD-S741 prior to his assignment to Vietnam. In luly 1964 he brought his expertise, leadership, and dedication to Southeast Asia. As Senior Naval Advisor to the 23rd River Assault Group of the South Vietnamese Navy, he was involved in transportation and support of South Viet- namese troops in battle. His operations brought him under fire more than thirty times. His radio code name was llornblower , the legendary hero of C. S. Forester's novels. He became somewhat ofa legend himself for his dedication to his men, Vietnamese and American, became renowned throughout the River Assault Group. Lieutenant Meyerkord assumed co-leadership with a Vietnamese Commander of a miniature fleet of shallow draft patrol craft to protect three of the thirteen districts which form the vast delta region of the Mekong River. Historically, this waterborne domain has largely been regulated by feudal warlords and river pirates. The agricultural potential of its fertile rice paddies made it a focal point of the tumult of two decades of political conflict, Here, waterways substituted for roads, lacing the iungles so very familiar to the Viet Cong. ThrealS of ambush and instant death were daily companions to those of the River Assault Group. Lieutenant Meyerkord made many low-level aerial flights in the face of Viet Cong fire to gain vital intelligence data, These achievements brought him the posthumous award ofthe Air Medal. He was esen more daring in liti action with the River Assault Group. ln one action, when the enemy blocked his f1eet, he braved heavt fire to set up .2 shore command post from which he directed artillery and air support to turn imminent defeat into victory. In another action, he toolt over for wounded Vietnamese Commander, though wounded himself and facing heavy fire. He rallied his men and continued the fight until victory was assured. He was twice awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action. He lived up to his stated philosophx: ln order to conduct successful operations in this region, it is imperative that American advisors hate an aggressis e, but not reckless attitude. An advisor that is overlv cautious and places needless stumbling blocks in an operation is a handicap, ' Lieutenant Meyerkord was killed on Starch 16. 1965, while his craft vias in the van, leading the River Assault Group up another canal of the Mekong labyrinth. The tire that he drew that das was his last. His extraordinary heroism was recognized by the posthumous award of the Navy Cross.