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Page 5 text:
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United States Ship DAVID R. RAY (DD-971) r f- -m jh USS David R. Ray (DD-971) is the ninth SPRUANCE class destroyer and the fifth to join the Pacific Fleet. Homeported in San Diego, California, DAVID R. RAY is assigned to Cruiser-Destroyer Group One and Destroyer Squadron Thirteen. Designed and built by Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries, RAY is a member of the first major class of surface ships in the U.S. Navy to be powered by gas turbine engines. Four General Electric LM-2500 engines, marine versions of those used on DC-10 and C-5A aircraft, drive the ship at speeds in excess of 30 knots. Twin controllable-reversible pitch propellers provide RAY with a degree of maneuverability unique among warships of her size. A highly versatile multi-mission destroyer, RAY is capable of operating independently or in company with Amphibious or Carrier Task Forces. Her overall length is 563 feet and she displaces 7800 tons. RAY ' S primary mission is to operate offensively in an Antisubmarine Warfare role. RAY ' S sonar, the most advanced underwater detection and fire control system yet developed, is fully integrated into a digital naval tactical data system, providing the ship with faster and more accurate processing of target information. Ship ' s weapons include two MK 45 lightweight 5 inch guns, two triple-barrel MK 32 torpedo tubes, an antisubmarine rocket (ASROC) launcher, and facilities for embarkation of antisubmarine helicopters. The ship ' s missle systems consist of the NATO Seasparrow Missile System, a short range surface to air, defensive weapon and the Harpoon Weapon System which employs a medium range, offensive, surface to surface anti-ship cruise missile. Additionally, the ship is equipped with rapid blooming offboard chaff, a decoy system used in an electronic warfare environment. Although built for maximum combat effectiveness, crew comfort and habitability are an integral part of RAY ' s design. Berthing compartments are spacious and the ship is equipped with amenities not usually found aboard destroyers including a crew ' s library, lounge, hobby shop, and gymnasium. Automated weapons and engineering systems permit operation of the ship, the size of a World War II light cruiser, by a reduced crew of 18 officers, 20 chief petty officers, and 250 enlisted men.
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Page 6 text:
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HM2 David Robert Ray USS DAVID R. RAY (DD-971), is named in honor of the late Hospital Corps man Second Class David Robert Ray. The son of Mr. and Mrs. David Ray, he was born on 14 February 1945, in McMinnville, Tennessee. He graduated from City High School in McMinnville in 1963. David Ray was a 1963 University of Tennessee alumni scholarship winner and attended the university ' s Knoxville campus from 1963 to 1966. He enlisted in the U. S. Navy at Nashville, Tennessee, on 28 March 1966 and subsequently reported to Recruit Training Command, Naval Training Center, San Diego, for recruit training. From June to October 1966, he attended the Naval Hospital Corps School, San Diego, after which he was assigned to the Naval Hospital in the USS HAVEN (AH-12). Following his tour in the hospital ship, David Ray next served at the Naval Hospital, Long Beach, California. In May, 1969, he requested a tour of duty with the Marines. He reported for instruction at the Field Medical Service School, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California, and in July he joined the Second Battalion, Eleventh Marine, First Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force. David R. Ray was serving as a corpsman with the battalion when he was mortally wounded on 19 March 1969, while treating wounded Marines. For conspicious gallantry at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty . . . near An Hoa, Quang Nam Province, in the Republic of Vietnam ... David Robert Ray was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. In addition to the Purple Heart Medal which was awarded for wounds received in action, he also had the Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with star, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. History of the USS DAVID R. RAY The USS DAVID R. RAY joined the fleet in a commissioning ceremony on the 19th of November 1977 at Ingalls Shipbuilding Division, Pascagoula, Mississippi. The principal speaker was the honorable James R. Sasser, United States Senator from David R. Ray ' s home state of Tennessee. Other participants included Mrs. Donnie M. Ray, David R. Ray ' s mother and the ship ' s sponsor; Vice Admiral James B. Wilson, USN, Chief of Naval Education and Training; and Captain David Turner, USMC, Ray ' s former executive officer. On Monday, 21 November 1977, the ship was underway for San Diego, arriving on 5 December. Following the Christmas leave period the ship underwent numerous equipment checkouts, sea trials, and shakedown training. The RAY returned to Ingalls for a five week shipyard period after this period ' s completion. On the return transit, the ship ventured south and crossed the equator. Two-hundred Polywogs were initiated by fifty-five Shellbacks in an early morning ceremony. The ship commenced a six month shipyard period in May of 1978 at Long Beach Naval Shipyard and during this time, main reduction gear 1 was changed out and the NATO Seasparrow Missile System, Harpoon Weapon System, Electronic Warfare Systems, Sonar Wide-Band Element Modification, and helicopter facilities modifications were installed. The ship successfully completed the propulsion plant light-off examination at the completion of this period. The USS DAVID R. RAY began 1979 in San Diego preparing for the Operational Propulsion Plant Examination scheduled for April. During the week of 19 February, the RAYscored a direct hit with a NATO Seasparrow against a supersonic drone while conducting system qualification trials. During the ensuing months, the ship underwent numerous inspections in preparation for the upcoming deployment. RAY set sail for its first Western Pacific deployment on September 8th. During a brief stop in Hawaii, Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (Light) 37 Detachment 6 embarked for the seven month deployment. Enroute to the South China Sea, the ship made stops in Midway and Guam. After visits to Yokosuka, Japan and Inchon, South Korea, the RAY arrived in Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. On November 22nd, the ship sailed for the Indian Ocean in response to the Iranian Hostage Crisis where she spend 58 consecutive days underway. Following a tender availability at Diego Garcia, where faulty main engine was replaced and a three day port visit to Colombo, Sri Lanka, the RAY then returned to Subic Bay. Crewmembers spent five days in Hong Kong during early March before heading home. The RAY completed its first deployment on March 29th, 1980.
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