Spruance (DD 963) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE FIRST AND THE FINEST time on 4 October 1975. On 28 October 1975 SPR UANCE departed Norfolk for furtber testing including system suitability, belicopter certification and weapons accuracy followed by sbakedown training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Upon completion of Final Contract Tri- als and Post Sbakedo wn A vailability in Pasca- goula, Mississippi, SPR UANCE returned to Norfolk, Virginia for additional testing prior to commencing a restricted availability at Norfolk Na val Sbipyard wbicb was completed in late December 1976 Due to major equipment modifications dur- ing tbe restricted availability and large tur- nover of tbe commissioning crew, SPR U- ANCE returned to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for Refresher Training and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico for spotter exercises with the Tbird Marine Division as well as Gunfire Sup. port Qualifications. Additional testing in Au. gust 1977 of all installed weapons systems conclusively proved tbe capabilities of SPRUANCE'S arsenal. On 13 June 1977 CDR. CORMA CK relieved CDR. HAR- BRECH T as Commanding Officer. SPR UANCE was runner-up in tbe Destroy- er Squadron T WEN TY-TWO Battle E competition for tbe competition year ending September 197 Z Individual awards included: Operations EZ Communications CZ Com- bat Information Center CZ Anti-Submarine Warfare AZ Gunnery EZ Missile EZ En- gineering E'j and tbe Damage Control NDC .

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THE U I TED STATES SHIP SPR UANCE SPRUANCE proudly bears the name of Ad- miral Raymond Ames SPRUANCE who is perhaps best known for his brilliant display of tactics and strategy at the battle of Midway in June 1942 where he defeated a large Japanese carrier force. Bom July 3, 1886 in Baltimore, Maryland, he attended the United States Na- val Academy, graduating with the class of 1907 Prior to being promoted to flag rank in 1940, Admiral SPRUANCE commanded sev- eral destroyer type ships, including USS BAINBRIDGE IDD-11. He also had a long association with the Naval War College as a member of the staff prior to World War ll and as President from 1946 until his retirement in 1948 after 41 years of na val service. ln 1952 he was called out of retirement by the President to serve as Ambassador of the Philippines. 1975 ffl Admiral SPR UANCE died at his home on the Monterey peninsula in 1969. USS SPR UANC E is the first ofa new class of 30 Na vy destroyers developed to protect and maintain America 's strength on the oceans of the world through the turn of the century. The first ship to bear the name, the keel was laid on 27 November 1972. Launched and chris- tened on 10 November 1973, SPR UANCE was sponsored by lllrs. Raymond A. SPR UANCE, the gracious wife of the late Admiral Raymond A. SPR UANC E. The ship was delivered to the Navy on 12 August 1975 at Pascagoula, Mis- sissippi. SPR UA NC' E departed on her maiden voy- age on 22 September 1975 for extensive post- deli very structural integrity testing. Upon completion she arrived at Norfolk for the tirst I C

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