Meyerkord (FF 1058) - Naval Cruise Book

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LIEUTENANT HAROLD DALE MEYERKORD l937-I965 Lieutenant Meyerkord was born in St. Louis. Missouri on 9 October l937. graduat- ed from Riverview Gardena High School in i955 and received a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of Missouri. He received his commission on IO June l960 after completing Officer Candidate School. He served on USS LOS AN- GELES QCA- I 355 and USS DUNCAN CDD-8745 prior to I3 July I964 when he brought his expertise. diplomacy. tact. leadership and dedication to the aid of South Viet- nam's struggle for South Vietnamese Navy. he was involved in more than thirty combat -operations in which he was under fire. Appropriately, his radio code name was Hornblower . the legendary hero of C.S. Forester's novels. 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 miniature fleet of shallow draft patrol craft to protect three of the thirteen districts which form the vast delta region of the Mekong River. This waterborne domain had largely been regulated by feudal war lords and river pirates. The Viet Cong had brought terror including kidnapping and murder of local and anti-Red leaders in their attempt to control this rice bowl . Here. waterways substituted for roads, lacing the iungles so very familiar to the enemy. Threats of ambush and instant death were ever present as the River Assault Group probed into insurgent territory. 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 of the Air Medal. But he was even more daring in action with his River Assault Group. ln one action. when the enemy blocked his fleet. he set up a shore command post from which he directed artillery fire and air strikes to save the day ln another action. he took over from the wounded Vietnamese Commander. Though wounded himself and facing heavy tire. he continued the fight until victory was assured. ln the best t d't' f H ' ' ' ' ra i lon o ornblower . his daring leadership continued through more than 3 I . O combat operations. He was twice awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action. He lived up to his stated philosophy: ln order to conduct successful oper- ations in this ' ' ' ' ' ' ' region. it is imperative that American advisors have an aggressive but kl not rec ess attitude. An advisor that is overly cautious and places needless slum- bling blocks in an operation is a handicap. l.ieutenant.Meyerkord was killed on l6 March I965, while his craft was in the van. leading his River Assault Group into insurgent territory. His boat was caught in the first fusilade from a Viet Cong ambush. He steadfastly returned the enemy's fire at point-blank range until mortally wounded. His extraordinary heroism was recognized by the posthumous award of the Navy Cross Lieutenant Meyerkord is survived by his wife, daughter. mother and father. all of St. Louis. Missouri.