Whetstone (LSD 27) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 8 text:

C , ,,u,ef,...,f....-..-r-..4.,...a-I ' 4 NaraPresidentialUfHYCiYUYl0f1- tri February. im, wriersrane was deployed 'O Chfisfmcs lslund lo' UPP'0,XlmU'e'Y,0 e mom' 'O ggrt,q,,are in Joint Task Farce Eight operations in that area. Upon completion of this deployment aria un irtterior: orerhaal, the ship took part in refresher training off San Diego and was the first erm to ae awarded the COMPHIBTRAPAC Excellence Award for outstanding achievement while ,ntierr59,rrg refresher training, From October until December of that year WHETSTONE was deployed tg the Caribbean as a unit of both Task Force l28 and Task Force 53 during the Cuban Crisis. Daring the Vret Navi Crisis, WHETSTONE mode three WESTPAC Cruises in U 0 'e'YeU' Period Und earner! the Viet Nom Service Medal. On another deployment between May and August, l965, WHET- STONE tree-,ported the Third Marine Battalion to Okinawa as a part of Amphibious Squadron FIVE and landed Marines at DaNang. Following extensive overhauls in T967, WHETSTONE wus Ggoin rn Vietnamese waters rn l968 as a part of Assault Ready Group Bravo. The ship participated in two arnphibrous operations, Badger Tooth and Badger Catch, in support of Marines on the beach ln early 196-9WHETSTONE again distinguished herself by once more winning the COMPHIBTRAPAC Award of Excellence during refresher training along with the Green E Award for operational excellence Between May and October of i969 WHETSTONE was again off the shares of Vietnam, this time as an element of Amphibious Ready Group Alfa. In perhaps her grandest hour, WHET- STONE participated in the following operations: Bold Pursuit, Mighty Plgyf' DefinQf Slondrn HBYNIY COVE, Und Keystone Cardinal. Returning to the United States in late Oc- taber af 1969, WHETSTONE prepared for her last cruise - a trip into de-activation ance again, in San Diego after twenty-four years of service.

Page 7 text:

Jef. 24.3 'Ti ff-R. V is , A or B.. 1 1, Q - --'a 'BW9 1 l - -or ifwmw y -v ,, 0 4:-...nv ,., ,,,,,m,1' 5, 5 Y 1 , -f if .. .c - 7 ' - is A. - wmv t ' f '-'-we ,. pr 1 h A k .1 ,. ,Na . IM. v K ,tn v . x, K ., -Q . ' H, -4-,,,, ...W ' Q. 1 is Q rf' - 4' ' f - A rr - --ru-f -. 4. -0 ...S .. 1 , , . Landing Ship Docks lLSD's1 are named after famed historical sites in til, United States The WHETSTONE was named in the memory of Wbetstane Point, Maryland, tire site of Fart McHenry and the Battle of Baltimore. lt was during this battle of the 'Har of 1312 snot Francis Smit Key composed the lyrics for our National Anthem, The Star Saangled Banner ' Built by Boston Naval Shipyards, the sbip's keel was laid Aoril 7, 1345, lalla-ed by its launching in July of that year and its commissioning on February l2, 1746 While tire HHETSTONE -as co-rf. missioned too late to participate in WorldWar ll,sbe did assist the Seventh Fleet in its occupational duties and was awarded the Occupational Service Medal and the China Service Medal WHETSTONE was a victim of tbe reduction in military strength in 19491, and -as decomrrrrssroned and placed in the Reserve Fleet at San Diego on 20 October l?-18 With the outbreair of bnstilities in Korea, WHETSTONE was removed from the Reserve Fleet and returned to active duty rn October of l950. During the Korean conflict, the WHETSTONE distinguished herself by being tbe first Navy sbrp to salvage a downed Russian MIG from Korean waters, thereby orovrdraq 'Oli-reble tecbnical infor- mation to United Nations Forces. For its performance in Korean waters, VHETSTOHE was awarded the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. ln 1953 WHETSTONE rescued nine Japanese fishermen from their overturned fishing boat In 1954 WHETSTONE ance again showed ber versatility by evacuating men, women, and children from north and gentfgl Viet Nqm for which she was awarded the Viet Nom Ribbon of Friendship and the Viet A I +-.f wi W Sllilff lliliflll'

Page 9 text:

25 April 3-4 May 24 May 26 May 28 May 4 June 6June i0 June 27 June - 6 July l0 July - i9 July i0 July 20 July 23 July 7 August i0 August 31 August l September 4September 7 - W September 20 September pepurgiued sa., Diego ment await Arrived DQNQUQ, RVN, relieved uss TORTUGA iLSD-26ig iained Amphibious Ready Group ALFA Departed DaNang Arrived Subic Bay, RPI Departed Subic Bay Arrived DaNang, participated in Gallant Leader ll Available for special Ready Group Alto operations Operation Bold Pursuit Operation Mighty Play Avoid Typhoon Tess Departed DaNang Arrived Subic Bay Departed Subic Bay Arrived DaNang CNO, Admiral Moorer, visits WHETSTONE Avoid Typhoon Dorie Assistant Secretary of the Novy, Honorable JON!! Hrttlr, visits WHETSTONE Operation Defiant Stand Hong Kong visit cancelled 2l - 27 September Enroute Nha Be iSaigonl in support lrlt operation 'Breezy 27 September 30 September 30 September l October 2Octobcr 5October 8 October 9 October 30 October 3l October Cove Enroute DaNang Arrived DaNang Departed DaNang Arrived Cuo Viet to load Marines and equtemeei for operation Keystone Cardinal Enroute Okinawa Avoid Typhoon Flossie Arrived Buckner Bay, OlKiI10'0e FWS' ltl-7'9 Y 55 5575 Depart Buckner Bay enroute to Delhtor. Colt' Arrived Deltriar, offloaded Marines Arrived San Diego, Calif.