Newman K Perry (DDR 883) - Naval Cruise Book

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OMMAN G OFFICER COMMANDER J. A. SMITH , USN John Arthur Smith was born in Brockton, Massachusetts on August 4th, 1925, son of Mrs. Edna CWalshJ Smith and the late Thomas A. Smith. He graduated from Brockton High School in 1943 and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Commissioned Ensign in the United States Naval Reserve on February 23, 1945, he advanced through his promotion cycle, attaining the rank of Commander on November 1, 1962. Following graduation from the Maritime Academy, his first duty was aboard USS PERRY CDD-8445, He was released from active duty in 1947. In 1950, he was recalled for the Korean conflict and served in the USS WEEDEN CDE-7975 and USS GOODRICH CDDR-8315, In 1953, he was ordered as Assistant Head of the Naval Science Department at the Massachusetts Maritime Acad- emy. During this tour of duty, he was appointed to the regular Navy. In August 1955, he was ordered to report in connection with fitting out USS FORREST SHERMAN CDD 9313, the first completely new destroyer to be built since World War II, and became her first Engineer Officer. In 1956, he was selected for the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program and in January 1957, he reported for instruction and operational training at the U. S, Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit, Idaho Falls, Idaho. He was next assigned to the Idaho Branch Office of the Atom-ic Energy Commission as the local Test Program Officer for the prototype sur- face ship nuclear propulsion plant and later became Chief Engineer of the plant. From 1959-1960, he served as Executive Officer of USS FISKE CDD- 842D. In August 1960, he reported in connection with fitting out USS ENTERPRISE, the world's largest warship and the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. He subsequently served as Assistant Reactor Officer and Reactor Officer of that ship when it was commissioned. While assigned to ENTERPRISE, he participated in three Mediterranean deployments, Cuban Quarantine Operations and Operation Sea Orbit, the circumnavigation ofthe world by Nuclear Task Force One. Upon his detachment from ENTERPRISE in July 1965, he was presented the Navy Commendation Medal for Meri- torious achievement in the field of naval reactor operations during installation, testing, three years of steaming and first refueling of the USS ENTERPRISE's eight reactors - largest power producing nuclear reactor complex in the world. He completed the Naval Warfare Course at the Naval War College prior to relieving as Commanding Officer, USS NEWMAN K. PERRY CDD 8835, Commander Smith holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine and Electrical Engineering and a license as 'LChief Engineer, Any Horsepower , in the U, S, Merchant Marines. In addition to the Navy Commendation Medal, he wears the Navy Expeditionary Medal, Naval Reserve Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern CampaignMedal, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star in lieu of second award. Commander Smith is married to the former Lorraine Sullivan of North Easton, Massachusetts, they have four children, Kerry, Kevin, Kim, and Kristin Smith and pres- ently reside at 28D Jefferson Road, Newport, Rhode Island.

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In 1959, NEWMAN K, PERRY joinedDestroyer FlotillaSIX, serving as Flagship for three months and changing her homeport to Charleston, S. C. She again deployed to the Mediterranean and served as Flagship for Commander Destroyer Squadron SIX, An extensive yard period followed PERRY's return to Charleston. The ship's 3-inch gun mounts were removed and the latest, most effective, air search radar equipment was installed. Many interior areas of the ship were also renovated. Following this overhaul, NEWMAN K. PERRY left Charles- ton for another period of refresher training at Guantanamo Bay, ,Cuba in preparation for her participation in the first manned Mercury capsulerecovery of May 5, 1961. August 3, 1961 found NEWMAN K, PERRY again operating in the Mediterranean, this time in the Black Sea Area. After returning briefly to her home port in March 1962, the ship participated in the Presidential Naval Review in April and two amphibious operations in the Caribbean. She then returned to Charleston for a well earned Navy Yard overhaul. Routine summer Training Operations were climaxed in October 1962 by the sudden deployment of Destroyer Squad- ron SIX' in the Vanguard of the Cuban quarantine forces. Besides fulfilling her mission as a radar picket ship, NEWMAN K, PERRY earned added praise for a high state of overall readiness which enabled her to perform many other duties as well. Returning to Charleston for a short stay after the quaran- tine was lifted, she returned once again to the Mediter- ranean in 1963. In April 1964, NEWMAN K. PERRY left the active fleet to enter Boston Naval Shipyard for FRAM I conversion. During a period of eleven months, the newest anti-submarine warfare equipment was installed. Leaving Boston in March 1965, NEWMAN K, PERRY proceeded to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to again undergo refresher training and then in May arrived in Newport, Rhode Island, her new home port. June and July found her participating as an active unit of Destroyer Squadron TWENTY, making preparations to become its Flagship and to deploy again to the Mediterranean in August 1965. NEWMAN K, PERRY spent the fall of 1965 inthe Mediter- ranean, returning to Newport late in December. 1966 found her participating in Operation Springboard 66 in the Caribbean, and numerous local anti-submarine war- fare exercises. The 1965-66 Atlantic Fleet Competitive Year was completed in June 1966 with NEWMAN K, PERRY being awarded her 5th Battle Efficiency E . Preparations were made during the fall of 1966 for NEWMAN K, PERRY to return to Pacific waters and she departed Newport, Rhode Island in October 1966 for duty with the Pacific Fleet. While attached to the SEVENTH Fleet she conducted operations in the gulf of Tonkin, the gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea off the coast of Vietnam, 1

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X HAEQN 46 w USS N K PERRY KDD 8835 QW, FLEET PosT OFFICE f, 3 NEW YORK NtW YORK 09501 IN REPLY REFER To 'D 'fl NN X E RY .sssxx -, 1 r n, - - - f ,'s f '9 41 2 1- 9 - .fbi Magi ,N g ,.. Z h ,I 1 , 4' . - wiv- ' .- I V ' ' ' : xxsS .' 8 May 1967 This cruise book pictorially presents a warship and her crew - steaming and fighting in their element, the sea, to preserve peace around the world. It is the story of a destroyer, workhorse of the fleet, and these pages portray its versatility. Yet, a ship is only as good as the individuals who man it. The personality and ability of its crew is reflected to a great extent in the ship's performance. NEWMAN K. PERRY compiled an enviable record during a long and arduous deployment to Southeast Asia, from October l966 to May l967. The varied and challenging operations afforded the ship an opportunity to demonstrate her capabilities. Every assignment, from providing Naval Gunfire Support for friendly forces ashore along the coast of South Vietnam to the challenging role as minesweeper tender in the Gulf of Tonkin, was completed in superb fashion through the hard work and skilled efforts of our crew. It was a team effort with every man on board parti- cipating. Each of them deserves a share of the praise his ship has received for each one has made a significant contribution. with the accomplishments of this cruise behind us, we can take deep pride in the fact that NEWMAN K. PERRY has performed an important duty for the United States of America and the free world. J. A . SMITH ' Commander, U. S. Navy Commanding