Meyerkord (FF 1058) - Naval Cruise Book

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The ship reported to San Diego, California in July 1974, which is now her homeport. On 3 January 1975, MEYERKORD departed San Diego for her third Western Pacific deployment. After arrival at Subic Bay, R.P., the ship received a distress signal from the sinking Panamaian merchant ship, GULF BANKER. MEYERKORD removed GULF BANKERS thirty-one crew members and stood by until GULF BANKER sank to assure that she would not be a hazard to navigation. Also, during this deployment, MEYERKORD participated in the evacuations of Cambodia and Vietnam, and in fleet towing exercises, one a joint exercise with the Royal Thai Navy. MEYERKORD returned to San Diego in August 1975 for maintenance and repair. During November, the ship began an extensive inspection and training cycle in preparation for the next WESTPAC which she began on 22 May 1976. While deployed, MEYERKORD participated in a number of operations which included special surveillance, antisubmarine warfare exercises, naval gunfire exercises, marine support exercises and carrier task group operations. She also made a number of port visits in support ofthe Navyas Overseas Diplomacy program. MEYERKORD returned to San Diego on 21 December 1976. In 1977, MEYERKORD participated in many fleet exercises and good will visits to Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Washington, Mexico and Canada, MEYERKORD returned to Portland, Oregon in January 1978 to undergo a thirteen million dollar, fourteen month overhaul which was completed in February 1979. In May 1979. MEYERKORD visited Pugent Sound area participating in the annual Sea Fair activities. MEYERKORD commenced her fourth WESTPAC in February 1980 with RIMPAC 80, During this deployment, MEYERKORD visited Guam, Japan, and the Philippines. MEYERKORD participated in a search and rescue operation involving a merchantman, and completed the WESTPAC with participation in DAKOTA RUN. MEYERKORD deployed in October 1981, on her fifth WESTPAC visiting the Philippines, Mauritius, Australia and Malaysia. MEYERKORD was deployed to the Indian Ocean with the USS CONSTELLA- TION Battle Group and the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY Battle Group from December 1981 to April 1982. On June 9, 1983, MEYERKORD deployed on her sixth WESTPAC in company with the USS NEW JERSEY and other DESRON SEVENTEEN ships. World events forced the NEW JERSEY to other commitments and sent MEYERKORD to the Indian Ocean to escort the USS CARL VINSON Battle Group, Upon completion of MEYERKORD'S Indian Ocean tour, she was tasked with and saw the completion of humanitarian and salvage operations at the KAL O07 crash site, 25 miles off the Soviet Union. Ports visited included Manila, Singapore, Hong Kong and Sasebo. MEYERKORD returned to San Diego on December 12, 1983 and began preparation for her upcoming overhaul scheduled to commence in March 1984 at Long Beach.

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Ziff 60429 C41 Commander William D. Center, U.S. Navy Commanding Officer Commander Center was born in Dayton, Ohio in 1945. He attended high school and college in Los Angeles, California prior to entering the United States Naval Academy. Following his graduation and commissioning in 1968, he was assigned to USS HENRY W. TUCKER QDD-8751. After attending Destroyer School in 1970, he served as Chief Engineer on USS GURKE KDD-7831. ln December 1972, he assumed command of USS EXPLOIT QMSO-4401. This tour was followed by assignment as Executive Officer in USS BLANDY QDD-9433. He was awarded a Master of Public Administration degree by thc University of Washington in 1978 and was subsquently assigned as Chief Staff Officer, Destroyer Squadron THIRTY- THREE. Prior to assuming command of MEYERKORD in August 1982, Commander Center was assigned to the Strategic Concepts Group COP-6035, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Commander Center has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal twith combat V J the Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal. He is married to the former Karla Stoup, of Los Angeles, California and they have two sons, David and Steven.