Meyerkord (FF 1058) - Naval Cruise Book

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TABLE OF CONTE SAS Subject Page LT. Dale Meyerkord 2 USS MEYERKORD-A History 3 Uss NEW JERSEY 113B-621 5 Commanding Officer 6 Executive Officer 7 Departing San Diego for WESTPAC 8 Department Heads I4 The OFFICERS I6 OPERATIONS 22 SUPPLY I 30 NAVIGATl0NfMED1CAL 37 WEAPONS ' 40 ,f Subject Port' Of MANILA Flight Quarters Crossing. the Line Singapore Hong Kong ENGINEERING JAPAN KA L. OPS-007 Cruise Book Staff Tigers, Tigers HOMECOMING The Last Page , 5 . , . -1 1 Page 52 54 56 60 62 65 81 88 96 98 102 104

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'Wu-,. VIETNAM VETERAN'S MEMORIAL Washington, D.C. Photograph taken by NCI CSWJ Michael S. Williams, USN Lieutenant Harold Dale Meyerkord 1937-1965 Lieutenant Meyerkord was born in St. Louis, Missouri on 9 October 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 10 June 1960 after completing Officer Candidate School. He served on the USS LOS ANGELES QCA- 1351 and the USS DUNCAN QDD-8741 prior to 13 July 1964 when he brought his expertise, diplomacy, tact, leadership, and dedication to the aid of South Vietnam's struggle for freedom. As Senior Naval Advisor to the 23rd River Assault Group of 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 ofC.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 a minature fleet of shallow draft patrol craft to protect three of the thirteen districts of the vast delta region of the Mekong river. The waterbone domain had largely been regulated by fuedal 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 jungles 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. In 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 fire, he continued the fight until victory was assured. In the best tradition of Hornblower , his daring leadership continued through more than 30 combat operations. He twice was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action. He lived up to his stated philosphyg ln order to conduct successful operations in this region, it is imperative that American advisors have an aggressive, but not reckless attitude. An advisor that is overly cautious and places needless stumbling blocks in an operation is a handicap. Lieutenant Meyerkord was killed on 16 March 1965, 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 steadily 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, father, all of St. Louis, Missouri. I i 1 i 1 1. 1 i 3 ll A ' 1 5 'Q .