Cogswell (DD 651) - Naval Cruise Book

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.ll rf ll d f' Forward and U.S. Marine ground forces, the ship earned a high reputation for her rapid and accurate fire. COGSWELL's other assignment was a four-day tour as shotgun ship for USS WAINWRIGHT QDLG-28l on PIRAZ station just 25 miles off the coast of North Vietnam. During our infre- quent periods of relaxation we had an oppor- tunity to visit Hong Kong, B.C.C.g Yokosuka, Japang and Subic Bay, P.l. That the 25th Anniversary Cruise of COGSWELL has been an unqualified success in making a significant contribution to United States objectives in the Vietnam conflict, is a tribute to every member of the crew. You all have worked long and hard hours, frequently performing the most difficult of tasks, always in good spirits and consistently attaining the desired results. Wherever your paths lead in the future, you will always be able to look back upon this period in your lives with pride and satisfaction in a job WELL DONE. ': 1 T-F! 'FERT Meyer xecutive Officer '-my Y ff' 99417 391 W' f if Q g Mx Wi F N 5 war F?

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GDR F.W. Kraft Commanding Officer Commander Frederick W. Kraft was assigned to the Gunnery Department of USS MACON CCA-1323 upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1952. -During his two years in MACON, he also served as Legal Of- ficer. After attending CIC Officers School in Glenview, Illinois, CDR Kraft reported to USS WALKE CDD-7235 as Gunnery Officer in February, 1955. In July, 1957, he was transferred to the U.S. Naval Academy where he served as an instructor and assistant Soccer Coach in the Department of Physical Education. After two years at the Naval Academy, he joined the Staff of COMDES- RON 14 as Operations, Gunnery and ASW Officer. As a Lieutenant, CDR Kraft took command of the Fleet Tug, USS UTE QATF-765, homeported in Pearl Harbor in January, 1961. A year and a half later he reported to the Staff of CINCPACFLT as Personal Aide and Flag Lieutenant, a position which he held until July, 1964. CDR Kraft's second command was the Ocean Mine- sweeper, USS EMBATTLE CMSO-4341, from Sepi tember 1964 to September 1966. During this time EMBATTLE participated in the initial stages of the U.S. Navy's coimter-infiltration patrol, Operation Market Time, off the coast of the Republic of Viet- nam from April to August, 1965. In September 1966, CDR Kraft joined the newly formed Staff of Commander River Assault Flotilla ONE as Assistant Operations and Plans Officer. For the next year he served in the Republic of Vietnam helping organize and plan the operations of the Mekong Delta Riverine Force. For his exceptionally meritorious conductnin the performance of out standing service in Vietnam, CDR Kraft was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat V, On 9 December 1967, CDR Kraft took command of the USS COGSWELL CDD-6519, Gaptain's On 17 August 1943 USS COGSWELL QDD-6511 was commissioned at Boston, Massachusetts. One of several hundred destroyers built during the World War ll years, 1941-45, her mission upon joining the Fleet was to help defeat the en- emy and bring peace to a war-torn world. Her designers never conceived that 25 years later, without the benefit of a major modernization program, this same ship would be operating in Southeast Asian waters still fighting for t h e principles of freedom and self-determination for all mankind. The years have changed her face a bit -- newer and more modern commu- nications and electronics equipment and wea- pons systems -- but the heart within her, the dedicated Navy men that give her life, still beats as strong as in those early Pacific cam- paign days of 1944. COGSWELL departed San Diego on 17 June 1968 for the Western Pacific and returned on 19 December 1968. During that period the ship spent 78 percent, 145 of 186 days, of her time at sea and steamed more than 55,000 nautical miles in the process. More than half of it as a rescue destroyer for USS CONSTELLATION QCVA-645. During November, COGSWELL plied the coastal waters of South Vietnam from Pointe Ca Mau in the South to Hue in the North. Firing in SHPPOIT of Vietnamese, Korean, U.S. Army

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Standing: Lcdr D. C, Meyer, Ltjg R, T, Riley, Ltjg J. J. Bos, Ltjg R, A, Volkwein, Ltjg G, M, Michelson, Ens T, A, Collier, Ens. T, K, Calhoun, Ltjg D, C, Malloch, Ltjg E, L. Olsen, Ltjg L, R, Forbrich, Ens R, L, Dubrule, Ens S, M, Sim, Ens J. A. Maurel, Ltjg D, A, Tennant, Kneeling: Lt J. W. Athanson, Lt B. W. Hulbert, Lt T, L, Selden, Lt D, R, Sprague, Not pictured: Ens S, W, Brintnall, Ens H. Hull. W w L, Q 5 , 4 . ,SQ TS? 'I:'r 44 84 fhcers C an: .s ig ' 31. P F I l' I