Harry Yarnell (CG 17) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 8 text:

Admrral Harry E Yarnell Harry Ervin Yarnell was born in iowa near lndepen dence 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 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 Asiatc Fleet during the Phillipine insurrection and the Boxer Rebellion Captain Yarnell commissioned SARA TOGA on November 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 ln October 1936 he was designated Com mander 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 devotion to duty that he de serves the Nations highest praise Rear Admiral Yar neil was transferred to the retired list of the U S Navy in his permanent rank of Rear Admiral in accordance with legis lation He was recalled to active duty during the period of emergency prior to the outbreak of World War ll 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. 4

Page 7 text:

1 Executive Officer Commander David J. Alexander

Page 9 text:

ShmWrHkkmy USS HARRY E YARNELL, ICG-172 was built at Bath Iron Works Corporation, Bath, Maine, and honors Admiral Harry E Yarnell, USN who was born in Iowa in 1875. Following graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1897 Admiral Yarnell had an illustrious career during World War I and retired from the Fleet. He was recalled to active duty during World War ll and subsequently retired permanently in 1944. He died in Newport, Rhode Island on July 2, 1959. YARNELL was launched in 1961 and commissioned on February 2, 1963 as a guided missile frigate IDLG-171. Following shakedown training at Guantanamo Bay Cuba, Yarnell deployed to the Mediterranean in 1966 and again in 1967 the ship was chosen to represent the United States at the Canadian 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 time a modern computer system and advanced electronic systems were installed. On July 12, 1969 YARNELL was recommissioned in Boston, Massachusetts. ln 1970, YARNELL served as flagship for Commanden South Atlantic Force for the UNITAS Xl cruise around South America. YARNELL was assigned to the Mediterranean SIXTH Fleet in late 1971 and returned in June 1972. ln 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 her missile systems and engineering plant. During 1975 and 1976, YARNELL was involved in various Atlantic Fleet exercises. YARNELL deployed to the Mediterra- nean for the sixth time in April 1976. During this deployment, YARNELL participated in both NA TO and SIXTH Fleet exercises as well as surveillance of Soviet Na val units, including the maiden voyage of CVSG KIEM YARNELL entered the Black Sea in September 1976, visiting Constanta, Romania, the second U. S. warship to do so in 30 years. ln September 1977 YARNELL deployed to Northern Europe as the flagship of Commander, SECOND Fleet! Commander Striking Fleet Atlantic and participated in the NA TO exercise 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. ln September 1979, YARNELL entered the Charleston Naval Shipyard for an extensive overhaul that upgraded engineering and combat systems. After returning to Norfolk in February 1980, YARNELL participated in COMTUEX 5-80, a multi-threat exercise, under the command of Carrier Group Eight. After an extensive combat systems readiness review in October, YARNELL departed Norfolk for the Indian Ocean, operation with Commander Carrier Group Eight embarked in USS INDEPENDENCE ICV-622. YARNELL returned to Norfolk in June 1981. During the summer of 1981 YARNELL operated off the Wrginia Capes and the Caribbean. ln March 1982, YARNELL deployed to the Mediterranean as flagship for Commander Cruiser Destroyer Group TWO, visiting ports in Yugoslavia and Romania among others. YARNELL returned to Norfolk in June. After an upkeep period YARNELL deployed to the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea in September 1982 participating in exercises United Effort, Northern Wedding and Baltops. Returning to Norfolk in October, YARNELL entered the Norfolk Shipbuilding Company Shipyard in December 1982. YARNELL departed the shipyard in March 1983, transitting to the New England operating area for two weeks. In April YARNELL participated in Exercise Solid Shield '83 with USS JOHN F KENNEDY ICV-672 then continued south to Gauntan- amo Bay, Cuba for interim refresher training. YARNELL returned to Norfolk in June 1983. ln August 1983, YARNELL, with Commander Destroyer Squadron TWENTY- TWO embarked provided anti-surface and anti-air warfare for the USS JOHN F KENNEDY I CV-6 7 2 battle group during REA DEX '83, YARNELL then returned to Norfolk to prepare for a six-and-a-half month deployment to the eastern Mediterranean. Departing in Septemben 1983, YARNELL Hrst visited the Brazilian port of Rio de Janeiro after crossing the Equator. YARNELL, still serving as flagship for COMDESRON 22, patrolled the Lebanese coast for most of the deployment, providing air and surface support for both the KENNEDY and USS INDEPENDENCE ICV-621 battle groups. During this time, YARNELL visited Villefranche, France, alongside the tender USS PUGET SOUND IAD-382 for an Interim Maintenance Activity IIMA V1 for maintenance. After returning to the Lebanese coast in time to observe the withdrawal of the final Marine contingent, YARNELL transitted to Rota, Spain and embarked Commander Cruiser Destroyer Group TWO, RADM Ming Chang, USN, to take part in NA TO exercies I TEAM WORK '84j. YARNELL then returned to Norfolk in April 1984, after receiving two Navy Expenditionary Medals for its work in the Eastern Mediterranean. , - jllih A . v E. 'tszrf 'Memes' 0 ,H ix X .' t L N fr: x r r l Q 2 t x gig ' Q V is t, 4. - 0 .nz .. A 'H xx 1' 0 Rama? . ... 4. I : -, 1.4 -