Harry Yarnell (CG 17) - Naval Cruise Book

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HIP'S HI TORY USS HARRY E. YARNELL, built at Bath Iron Works corporation, Bath, Maine, was named to honor Admiral Yarnell, who was born in Iowa in 1975. After graduation from the Naval Academy in 1897, he had an illustrious career during World War I and retired in 1939 after serving as Commander-in-Chief of the Asiatic Fleet. He was recalled to active duty during World War II and retired permanently in 1944. He died at Newport, Rhode Island, on July 7, 1959. YARNELL was launched in 1961 and commissioned on February 2, 1963 as a guided missile frigate QDLG- 17j. Following Shakedown training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, YARNELL deployed to the Mediterra- nean as flagship of Destroyer Squadron TWENTY- SIX in 1964. After a year in her homeport of Norfolk and participation in various Atlantic Fleet exercises, YARNELL returned to the Mediterranean in 1966 and again in 1967. In 1967 the ship was chosen to represent the United States at the Canadian Naval Assembly in Halifax, Nova Scotia. ,From 1968 to mid-1969 YARNELL was placed out of commission in Bath, Maine, for a major overhaul, during which a modern computer system and advanced electronic systems were installed. On July 12, 1969 YARNELL was recommissioned in Boston, Massachusetts and spent the remainder of the year in Shakedown training and missile exercises in the Caribbean. In 1970, YARNELL served as flagship for Commander, South Atlantic Force for the UNITAS XI cruise around South America. YARNELL was again as- signed to the Mediterranean SIXTH Fleet in late 1971 and returned in June 1972. In August 1973 YARNELL deployed to the-Mediterranean for the fifth time and played a key surveillance role during the Middle East Crisis. YARNELL entered the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in January 1974 for a one year complex overhaul to update the ship's missile systems and engineering plant. During 1975 and 1976 YARNELL was involve in various Atlantic Fleet ex- ercises including CARIBREX 2-76. In this exercise YARNELL served as flagship for Commander Carri- er Group FOUR and received the Top Operatorl' award for operational excellence from Commander, SECOND Fleet. YARNELL deployed to the Medi- terranean for the sixth time in April 1976. During this deployment, YARNELL participated in both NATO and SIXTH Fleet exercises as well as surveillance of Soviet naval units, including the maiden voyage of CVSG KIEV. YARNELL entered the Black Sea in September and visited Constanta, Romania, the sec- ond U.S. warship to do so in thirty years. In May 1977, YARNELL participated in Exercise Solid Shield. Operations subsequest to May included var- ious training exercises conducted off the east coast of 4 the United States and extensive missile firings in the Caribbean in August. In September YARNELL de- ployed to Northern Europe as flagship of Command- er, SECOND Fleetf Commander Striking Fleet At- lantic and participated in the NATO exercise Ocean Safari 77 in October. YARNELL began her seventh Mediterranean deployment in April, 1978, conduct- ing operations in the Black Sea and participating in the NATO exercises National Week, Dawn Patrol and Display Determination. YARNELL also hosted a cruise for guests that included the Royal Family of Monaco before returning to Norfolk in October. In January 1979, YARNELL entered the Charleston Naval Shipyard for an extensive overhaul that up- graded engineering and combat systems. After return- ing to Norfolk in February 1980, YARNELL spent the spring conducting training exercises off the east coast and undergoing refresher training and weapons systems trials in the Caribbean. In September YAR- NELL participated in COMTUEX 5-80, a multi threat exercise, under the operational command of Carrier Group EIGHT. After a extensive combat sys- tems readiness review in October, YARNELL de- parted Norfolk for an Indian Ocean deployment. In December YARNELL became an operational unit of the SEVENTH Fleet and entered the waters for which Admiral Harry E. Yarnell was responsible from 1936-1939, as Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Asiat- ic Fleet. During the deployment YARNELL operat- ed with Carrier Group EIGHT and after port visits to Perth, Australia and Mombasa, Kenya she returned to Norfolk in June 1981. In July YARNELL was underway as flagship for Commander Cruiser De- stroyer Group TWELVE in concentrated exercises off the Virginia Capes with several destroyers and the NATO Standing Naval Forces Atlantic. In August with Commander Amphibious Squadron EIGHT and elements of Tactical Air Control Squadron 21 em- barked, YARNELL conducted an opposed transit of the Amphibious Squadron to training areas off Vie- ques Island, southeast of Puerto Rico. In October 1981 YARNELL entered the Norfolk Naval Ship- yard and returned to Norfolk in late December. In March 1982 YARNELL deployed to the Mediterra- nean as flagship for Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group TWO. Highlighting this cruise was a visit to Rijeka, Yugoslavia, Istanbul, Turkey and serving as flagship for Commander SIXTH Fleet during a port visit to Constanta, Romania. In August YARNELL deployed to the North Atlantic and participated in NATO exercises Northern Wedding, United Effort and BALTOPS. Returning to Norfolk in September YARNELL spent the remainder of the year prepar- ing for 1983 operations.

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ADMIRAL HARRY E. YARNELL Harry Ervin Yarnell was born in Iowa, near Independence, on October 18, 1875. He attended country schools and the Independence High School, and was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy from the Third Iowa District in 1887. He was graduated with distinction, ranking fourth, in the class of 1897. He served at sea for two years as required by law before being commissioned as Ensign, U.S. Navy, on July 1, 1899. Subsequently he served aboard various vessels in the Asiatic Fleet during the Philippine Insurrection and the Boxer Rebel- lion. Captain Yarnell commissioned the SARATOGA, on No- vember 16, 1927 and served as her commanding officer until September, 1928, when he was appointed Chief of the Bureau of Engineering and Engineer in Chief of the U.S. Navy with the accompanying rank of Rear Admiral. In October 1936, he was designated Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet with the rank of Admiral. For his services as Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for which his citation states in part, He has shown such exceptional ability, courage, tact, and devotion to duty . .. that he deserves the nation's highest praise . . Y' Rear Admiral Yarnell was transferred to the retired list of the U.S. Navy in his permanent rank of Rear Admiral, and, on July 16, 1942, was advanced to the rank of Admiral in accor- dance with legislation. He was recalled to active duty during the period of emergency prior to the outbreak of World War II to serve in the Office of the Secretary of the Navy as Special Advisor to the Chinese Military Mission, and later in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, until relieved of all active duty in December 1944. He resided in Newport, Rhode Island until his death on July 2, 1959.

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I f 1 I ,N H I Q N I OPERATIONS OFFICER LCDR Mac McGinty WEAPONS OFFICER LCDR T.B. Fox I CHIEF ENGINEER LCDR Robert Meyett SUPPLY OFFICER LCDR Michael Simcich