Du Pont (DD 941) - Naval Cruise Book

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SHIP'S SPONSOR The ship's sponsor, Mrs. Henry B. Du Pont chris- tened USS DUPONT on 8 September 1956. Mrs. Du Pont is the Great grand-neice of Rear Ad- miral Du Pont. HISTORY There have been three ships in the United States Navy which have been named in honor of Rear Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont. The first DUPONT was Tor- pedo Boat No. 7, launched in 1897 and stricken from the record in 1920 when she was sold. The second DUPONT was one of the famous four-stack destroyers, QDD-1525, which was launched in 1918 and saw exten- sive service during World War II. This DUPONT was decommis- sioned in 1946 and sole in 1947. The third USS DUPONT QDD-9415 is the seventh destroyer of the For- est Sherman Class. DUPONT was originally commissioned on 1 July 1957, at the Boston Naval Ship- yard and temporarily placed out of commision on 23 May 1969 at the same shipyard while she received an extensive anti-submarine war- fare modification. During DUPONT's active years she spent almost three years of time on six separate deployments in the Medi- terranean Sea. In June 1959, DUPONT took part in the official opening of the St. Lawrence Sea- way and in August 1959 served as one of the plane- guards for President Eisen- hower's first historic flight to Europe. She also has partici- pated in America's space pro- gram in the recovery of two space shots - Walter Shirra's Mercury Capsule and Gemini V. In May 1963, DUPONT served as the command ship during the search for the USS Thresher and in 1965, was a station ship in Santo Domingo during the Dominican Republic Crisis.

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REAR ADMIRAL SAMUEL FRANCIS DU PONT, USN Rear Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont was born in Bergen Point, New Jersey, on 27 September 1803. He was appointed a Midshipman on 19 December 1815, and had advanced to the rank of Rear Admiral on 16 July 1862. During the War with Mexico, he commanded the U.S. Sloop CAYNE, receiving the thanks of Congress for distinguished service in San Diego, Mazatlan, San Jose, and other ports. During the Civil War, because of his promptness and efficiency in keeping open the water communications between Washington and the Northern States, Captain Du Pont was appointed as the Chairman of the Naval Strategy board, which recommended, among other things, to blockade the South and to split the Confederacy by seizing the Mississippi. He was also given command of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, whose mission was to seal off the entire Atlantic coast from North Carolina to the Florida Cape. His first major operation was in capturing Port Royal Sound, South Carolina, on 7 November 1861, an opera- tion which required 50 ships and 12,000 troops. Again he was cited by Congress. RADM Du Pont used Port Royal Sound as a supply and operations base for his.South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. RADM Du Pont died in Philadelphia, Pennsylva- nia, 23 June 1865, and was buried in the family cemetary near Wilmington, Delaware. USS DUPO DD-941 SHIP's INSIGNIA DUPONT's insignia contains in the center, a ship's wheel, which lends a nautical motif to the coat of arms of the Du Pont family, the motto Paratus Munito - Expe- ditus Assault freely translated means, Ready in De- fense, Prompt in Attack. The two stars on both sides of the wheel represent the rank of Rear Admiral Du Pont for whom the ship was named. On 16 July 1862, the rank of Rear Admiral was established and Rear Admiral Du Pont was among the first four officers named to this rank. The others were RADM Goldsborough, RADM Foote and RADM Farragut. The ship's insignia was drawn and designed by Fire Control Technician Cgunsl Second Class R.E. Williams, USN, in the late 1960's. DUP N o f 1:-fky ' F l 4 if ri 7 . 5 ik ' ,f 5 f . fi f jx 4: fl P X 1: N' 4:6 ip 1, 1 iq SAME- , 5 I.

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Ai On June 1967, DUPONT left Norfolk for a seven month Vietnam deployment. During this time DUPONT fired more than 20,000 rounds of 5 shells in support of the 3rd Marine Division and 15th Marine Regiment at the DMZ of Vietnam DUPONT was taken under fire on four separate occasions by North Vietnamese shore batteries. On 28 August while going to the aid of another ship she received heavy fire which resulted in a hit on Mount 52 fwhere the ASROC launcher is todayj. One man was killed and eight wounded The ship, however, remained on station and con- tinued her support of the Marines ashore. During this deployment the DUPONT officers and crew were awarded: 3 Bronze Stars, 8 Purple Hearts, 7 Navy Commendation Medals, 21 Navy Achievement Medals, 11 COMSEVENTHFLT Letters of Commendation, and all hands received the Navy Meritorious Unit Award. She returned to Norfolk in January 1968. After over- haul and routine operations, DUPONT returned to Viet- nam in August 1968, arriving in the IV Corps area of South Vietnam on 10 October. After a goodwill tour to Sydney, Australia, and Welling- ton New Zealand, she returned to Norfolk on 1 1 April, and then headed for Boston and her Antisubmarine Warfare Modernization. Q 'w 5,5 wmv.: 'N 5,.w w . i.Tf 4 gxXC