Keppler (DD 765) - Naval Cruise Book

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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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Commander Dwight WADSWORTH, USN, took command of KEPPLER on 4 AUG 1966, reporting from short duty at Surface Missile System Project Office, Washington, D.C. KEPPLER is the fourth ship of its class on which the Captain has served. His other sea duty billets have included assign- ments on only one carrier and two cruisers so it might be safely stated that he considers himself qualified as a true destroyerman . Captain WADSWORTH, has guided KEPPLER through two successful deployments, one to SEASIA and this one to the MED NORTHERIM EUROPE. He has only the highest praise for the exploits and accomplishments of KEPPLER- MEIM who seem to have the ability to react in magnificent fashion to whatever challenge may appear. The ability of KEPPLER to live up to her motto of READY has made her a welcome addition to Navy Fleets around the world. Captain WADSWORTH wears the Bronze Star, with Combat ' V, The Navy Commendation Medal, with Combat ' V and the RVN Cross of Gallantry Medal as a result of KEPPLER ' s spectacular successes in Tonkin Gulf as a unit of the U.S. Seventh Fleet. Captain WADSWORTH has been relieved to return to Washington for shore duty and to spend some time with his family, consisting of his wife, Lynne, and their five children. All KEPPLERMEN wish Charlie Oscar Godspeed and Good Fortune for the future. CDMMATVDIIVG OFFICER CDR D. WADSWORTH i ' E XECUTIVE OFFICER CDR J. T. McOUESTEIV, JR. Commander John T. McQUESTEN, Jr., USN, relieved as Executive Officer on 5 December 1966 while KEPPLER was operating in the Tonkin Gulf as a unit of the U.S. Seventh Fleet. He reported to KEPPLER following a tour of shore duty as a member of the International Planning Staff of the NATO Military Committee, Washington, D.C. KEPPLER is the third ship of its class in which Com- mander McQUESTEN has served. Following an initial tour in destroyers, the Commander completed Naval Flight Training and served a tour as a Primary Flight Instructor in Pensacola, Florida. This tour was followed by sea duty as a Team Pilot with CARRIER AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING SQUAD- RON TWELVE in Quonset Point. Commander McQUESTEN returned to the Destroyer Navy with duty as Operations Officer, Staff COMMANDER DESTROYER DEVELOP- MENT GROUP TWO prior to serving a tour as Ope rations and Executive Officer aboard USS FRED T. BERRY (DD 858). Prior to reporting for Washington shore duty he completed a third consecutive tour of sea duty as Engineer Officer aboard USS SAN MARCOS (LSD 25). Relieved in September 1968, Commander McQUESTEN has served aboard KEPPLER through two successful deploy- ments, one to SEASIA and this one to the MED NORTHERN EUROPE. The Commander is married to LCDR Ruth B. Mc- QUESTEN, USN (W) who is currently serving as Special Services Officer, Naval Base Newport. The Commanders reside at 8 Faxon Green, Newport. ALL KEPPLERMEN, smile or not, wish Number One Godspeed and Good fortune for the future.

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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