Keppler (DD 765) - Naval Cruise Book

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s ifi ' i f Following a warm bon voyage from our families and friends in frigid 10° weather, KEPPLER got underway for what was to be a highly successful cruise to the Mediterranean Sea and Northern Europe on the 15th day of February 1968. The ensuing days left little time for leisure. Upon reaching the rendezvous area, KEPPLER really turned to plane guarding and escorting for the aircraft carrier Essex, taking part in anti-submarine exercises with the other destroyers and destroyer escorts, and last but not least, performing the enormous amount of routine shipboard work. Despite such perplexities as high seas, chronic seasickness and new, untrained personnel, the KEPPLER crew developed into a tight-knit, well trained and Ready unit by the time it reached the Straits of Gibraltar on 1 March. Disguised as a merchant vessel, KEPPLER slipped unnoticed through the Straits in the darkness of night. After four days of transit in the Med, KEPPLER reached Naples, Italy, her first port of call, on 4 March. KEPPLERMEN now transposed from swashbucklers to sightseers. Naples was used as a stepping stone in visiting such notable sights as historic Rome, dormant Mount Vesuvius, the ruins of Pompeii, and the resort cities of Sorrento and Capri. Naples itself turned out to be an adventurous and exciting visit with its wayward nightlife and rapacious street vendors with their classic salutation, Hey, Joe. More than likely, Naples will probably be remembered most by KEPPLERMEN in years to come. March 13th found KEPPLER underway for more Hunter-Killer (ASW) Exercises. During these exercises KEPPLER ' S own World War I Flying Ace, LTJG A. J. Snoopy Epstein, through no fault of his own, managed to lose one drone through a mechanical failure, or so he says. After spotting and tracking a Russian submarine, KEPPLER prepared herself for the next port of call on 21 March, Monte Carlo, Monaco. This plush and unique resort on the Riviera left little to be desired. So diversified were the activities during our visit to this principality that KEPPLERMEN involved themselves in swimming and skin-diving in the crystal clear coastal waters, skiing in the nearby French Alps and the continual friendliness of the local populace. Highlights of the visit included an audience and cocktail party with Prince Rainier and Philadelphia-born Princess Grace, an open house of the ship which saw 3,000 to 4,000 visitors cross the quarterdeck and a basketball game between the Monacan National team and the KEPPLER KINGS. Although the game was lost by our team, player-coach Billy Lee Dobbins considered it a moral and a good-will promoting victory. At 0900, 29 March after 7 sunny days in the Riviera, KEPPLER regretfully got underway for further ASW exercises. The three weeks which followed were, perhaps the most difficult for the crew. Not only were we followed by several Russian destroyers and cruisers, but our next port of call, Malta, was delayed some seven (7) days. This extended sea period was not a lost period for the Mighty K for not only did we make a six (6) hour stop-over in Naples for a new drone but also invaluable ASW and HUK experienced was gained. Finally KEPPLER reached the precipiced shores of Valetta, Malta on 17 April. KEPPLERMEN found this city filled with much antiquity and history despite its minute size. Many important battles were fought on this island including one by Garibaldi and his Red-Shirts during the Italian Unification in the 19th Century. During World War II Malta endured much bombardment by the AXIS Forces because it was a stronghold of the British. Malta, being a tax-free port, allowed KEPPLERMEN to purchase their favorite beverage (coke anyone?) at very reasonable prices. Leaving Malta on April 25th did not deter the KEPPLER spirit but rather enhanced it as all eyes were looking toward Northern Europe. With a 30 April pit-stop in El Ferrel, Spain scheduled, KEPPLER put all boilers on the line and steamed straight for this Spanish fuel depot. Hard-pressed for time KEPPLER navigated the Straits of Gibraltar in dusk of early evening affording KEPPLERMEN to view and photograph the mythical Prudential Building high atop the Rock of Gibraltar. Our re-fueling date was met and KEPPLER returned to sea that same day. KEPPLER arrived in Bremen, Germany on 3 May to kickoff German-American Friendship week. KEPPLER, joined by the WARRINGTON partook in skillfully planned festivities including parties, brewery visits and local sight seeing, all of which were sponsored by the city of Bremen. Moored outboard of two German Destroyers, hosts for our visit, many new friends were made and

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SHIPS CHARACTERISTICS ' USS KEPPLER (HH liS) Built by Bethlehem Steel Company, San Francisco, California Keel Laid 23 April 1944 Commissioned 23 May 1947 Length 390 feet • 6 inches Beam 41 feet - 21 2 inches Displacement 3477 Tons Propulsion Two shafts developing 60,000 h.p. ARMAMENT 2 Twin 5 38 Mounts 2 Mk 25 Torpedo Tubes 2 Mk 32 Triple Torpedo Tubes 1 Mk 15 Hedgehog Projector DASH HISTORY DP USS KEPPLER (nn-7B5) Named for Reinhardt J. KEPPLER, Boatswain ' s Mate First Class, Congressional Medal of Honor winner at the battle of Savo Island, KEPPLER ' S keel was laid at the San Francisco Yard of the Bethlehem Steel Company on 23 April, 1944. She was accepted on 20 May 1947, and was commissioned on 23 May 1947 as (DDE-765). Commissioned as a general purpose destroyer, KEPPLER being assigned to Destroyer Force, Pacific Fleet, cruised to the Far East after her shakedown cruise. In 1949 KEPPLER entered the San Francisco Shipyard for major conversion. She emerged as an anti-submarine destroyer of the Lloyd THOMAS (DDE-764) class, which was an anti-submarine warfare conversion of the Gearing (DD-710) class. Deployment in the summer of 1950 included an extended cruise in the Mediterranean. However upon arrival in Greece, KEPPLER was ordered through the Suez Canal to the Far East. She then operated in the Formosan and Korean area until her return to Newport in 1951. Since that date she has deployed to the Mediterranean four times, Europe twice and South America once. In July 1958, KEPPLER became a unit of Task Group Bravo an anti-submarine Warfare Force of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. In February 1961, KEPPLER entered the New York Naval Shipyard for FRAM II modernization and rehabilitation, a program designed to extend the useful life of a World War II type vessel. She was completed in October 1961, the first of her type, as an ASW specialist. Since completion of the FRAM II overhaul, KEPPLER has undergone refresher training in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and participated in an ASW capacity in subsequent Atlantic Fleet exercises. KEPPLER took an active part in the Cuban Quarantine in the fall of 1962. In October 1966, KEPPLER deployed to the Western Pacific where she participated in Operation Sea Dragon, which prevented enemy shipping along the North Vietnam coast. She participated in coastal bombardment of North Vietnam, and rescued an Air Force pilot whose plane had been shot down. In March 1967, KEPPLER ' S forward gun mount received a direct hit by enemy fire, and the six injured crewmen were the first casualties to an Atlantic Fleet destroyer serving in Vietnam. Returning from Vietnam in May 1967 KEPPLER participated in Anti-Submarine Warfare exercises off the eastern coast of the United States. On 15 February 1968 KEPPLER departed on a Mediterranean and Northern Europe deployment returning to Newport on 14 June to prepare for overhaul in the Boston Naval Shipyard scheduled to commence 6 September 1968. Having transited both Suez and Panama Canals, having operated in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and winner of the E four times, KEPPLER ' S many years of service have been that of a well trained and ever ready man of war.

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i sSk frequently throughout the city of Bremen, German American Sailors could be seen taking in the sights together or visiting the local Ratskeller. Intermittent rain prevailed during our stay but it did not dampen KEPPLER spirit and good conduct which remained unblemished throughout the cruise much to the delight of Captain WADSWORTH. 9 May found Keppler traveling up the Weser River toward Holland. The next day KEPPLER arrived under inclement skies in Rotterdam with many sailors still feeling the ill effects of that good German beer. Tulip gardens, windmills, quaint Dutch villages were the prime targets of the sightseers and camera bugs. In Rotterdam KEPPLER expe rienced the first of two anti-war demonstrations she would receive while in northern Europe. Not allowing themselves to be provoked in any manner KEPPLERMEN avoided all head-to-head confrontations with the demonstrators. Not even a bomb scare during an open-house of the ship could deter the crew from their primary mission, the promotion of good will. KEPPLER departed from Rotterdam on 15 May to arrive in Belfast, Northern Ireland two days later. Belfast located in Ulster County Is one of the six Irish colonies governed by England in Northern Ireland. The Irish people were extremely warm and hospitable toward the American sailors except for a small minority faction which marred the Mayor ' s Parade. KEPPLER ' S crack marching unit took part in the parade and just as they passed the Mayor ' s stand, eight mop-haired youths threw themselves in the path of the marching unit. Without as much as losing a step, the unit proudly and with heads high, ignored the demonstrators completely. For this, KEPPLER ' S marching unit was given quite an ovation by the Irish people watching the parade while the demonstrators received catcalls. Captain WADSWORTH and Commander McQUESTEN, the Executive Officer attending the parade received hearty congratulations for a job well done by the KEPPLERMEN from the city officials and concerned citizens. Once again the Tours Officer LTJG LAMBERT, did a fine job in arranging a sight seeing trip to the medieval castles, the rolling Glens and the jagged coast line of Northern Ireland. With another good will victory under her belt KEPPLER departed Belfast on 20 May for further operations, this time North of the Artie Circle. At 1210 66°-30 North ' on 22 May 1968 spear-headed by our fearless and benevolent Junior Ensign. Mr. W. F. WOMBLE, attired in full dress whites, KEPPLER crossed the Arctic Circle. ENS WOMBLE was given the honor of painting KEPPLER ' S bull nose blue which he performed well enough to make a boatswain ' s mate proud. On 28 May KEPPLER reached the last port of call, Stavanger, Norway. This Scandanavian fishing city was rich in hospitality, cleanliness, scenic beauty and primarily, as KEPPLERMEN can attest to, good looking blond girls. The main point of Interest for the eager sightseers was a busman ' s holiday aboard the CLIPPER, which took them deep into the breathtaking fjords which meander their way into the Norwegian coast. Legend has It that If Norway ' s coast was stretched out In a straight line, it would reach Johannesburg. South Africa. A particular note of Interest in Norway was the quantity and diversity of the food served. One could never read the Norweagian Menu, so one merely pointed to any item and he was certain to receive anything from an assorted seafood plate to a tender Reindeer Steak. On 4 June, after nearly 4 months overseas, KEPPLER set a South Westerly course toward CONUS. Upon leaving Stavanger, KEPPLER was greeted by the friendly North Atlantic with five days of turbulent seas. Nonetheless with their families and friends on their minds, KEPPLERMEN paid little attention to the undulating Atlantic. On 14 June, KEPPLER navigated through Narragansett Bay into Coddington Cove and its final destination Pier One, crammed with dependents. As we look back on this MED NOREUR Cruise, It can be considered nothing short of a complete success. The moral was high at all times and despite a few misdemeanors the misconduct was kept down to a minimum. These successes can be attributed to the excellent leadership of our Commanding Officer and Executive Officer. KEPPLERMEN can be proud of these two bellwethers and, of course, themselves for their outstanding contribution to the promotion of American good-will and ambassadorship toward the world around us.