Leftwich (DD 984) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 88 of the 1981 volume:

USS LEFTWICH (DD-984) is the twenty-second Spruance Class Destroyer to be designed and built by Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries in Pascagoula. Mississippi. Homeported in San Diego. LEFTWICH is assigned to Cruiser-Destroyer Group THREE and Destroyer Squadron SEVEN. The Spruance Class Destroyer is unique among today's warships in that it is the first major class to be powered strictly by gas turbine engines. LEFTWICH, as her sisters, is powered by four General Electric LM-2500 engines. Designed originally for large aircraft, these engines have been modified for marine use and produce 20.000 horsepower each. Her engines, in conjunction with twin controllable-reversible pitch propellers, are capable of moving LEFTWICH through the water at speeds in excess of 30 Knots and give her a degree of maneuverability unequaled by any other warship her size. Built with future growth in mind. LEFTWlCH's design is modular in nature thus allowing for the easy installation of entire subsystems within the ship, this makes LEFTWICH a ship of the future as well as the present. Her modular construction and the consequent ease with which she can accept the installation of new weapons and electronics systems destines LEFTWICH to be a proving ground for new military technology. Crew comfort and habitability were also of prime consideration in LEFTWlCH’s design. Berthing areas are very spacious and considerable care was taken to equip the ship with features uncommon to most destroyers. Such features includes a ship's library, crew's lounge, a well equipped gymnasium, hobby shop, and many other items aimed at crew comfort. Enhancing these specifically designed-in comforts is the added benefit of a much reduced required manning level resulting from the incorporation of the many automated weapons and engineering systems. As a highly versatile multi-mission destroyer. LEFTWICH is capable of operating independently or in company with amphibious or carrier task forces. Although equipped to handle a wide variety of mission areas. LEFTWlCH’s primary mission is that of Antisubmarine Warfare. LEFTWICH possesses the most advanced ASW equipment in existence to facilitate her accomplishment of this complex and demanding task. The ship is equipped with a sophisticated sonar, the SQS-53, that is directly integrated with a third generation, digital computer system, the Naval Tactical Data System. In addition to her sonar. LEFTWlCH’s ASW weapons suit, an Antisubmarine Rocket (ASROC) and two triple barreled Mark 32 torpedo tubes, also complexes with NTDS. This integrated combat system provides LEFTWICH with an enhanced target information processing capability and an extremely fast threat reaction time. LEFTWICH also boasts two 5-inch 54 caliber Mark 45 fully automatic gun mounts controlled by the digital Mark 86 Fire Control System. The ship's missile system consists of the NATO Seasparrow Missile System, a short range surface to air. defensive weapon and the Harpoon Weapon System which employs a medium range, offensive surface to surface anti-ship cruise missile. Additionally, the ship is equipped with rapid blooming offboard chaff, a decoy system used in an electronic warfare environment. In conclusion, USS LEFTWICH constitutes a destroyerman's dream as she incorporates the best of a technology unequaled by any other Navy in the World. Her exceptional propulsion system and fully integrated combat system combine with her modular construction to make LEFTWICH a platform not to be surpassed. LCOL W. G. Leftwich, Jr., USMC Lieutenant Colonel William G. Leftwich. Jr., was bom on April 28,1931 in Memphis. Tenn., and graduated from Central High School in that city. He was commissioned a Marine Second Lieutenant on June 5. 1953 upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy. As brigade captain in his senior year at the Naval Academy, he was specially commended at graduation for exemplary officer like qualities which contribute to the development of naval spirit and loyalty within the Bridgade. Upon entering the Marine Corps, he completed The Basic School at Marine Corps Schools. Quantico. VA., in January 1954. and later served as a rifle platoon commander with the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, N. C. During 1955-56. he served with the 3rd Marine Division on Okinawa. On his return to the United States, he was stationed at Camp Pendleton. California, where he was promoted to captain in July 1957. He then began a three-year assignment at the Naval Academy, serving as a company officer. An excellent athlete himself, he also voluntarily performed collateral duty as assistant varsity tennis coach and battalion football coach. In 1960. he rejoined the 2nd Marine Division, serving as a company commander until 1962 when he was named aide-de-camp to the Commanding General. In June 1963, he was assigned as aide to the Commandant. Marine Corps Schools. Quantico. He was promoted to major in July 1964. He later completed a course of study in the Vietnamese Language prior to reporting for duty in Vietnam in January 1965 as Assistant Senior Advisor to the Vietnamese Marine Brigade. Joining Task Force Alfa, he participated in 27 major operations against the Viet Cong in the central highlands of Vietnam, and spent more than 300 days in the field. He was wounded in the battle of Hoai An. March 9.1965 and. besides the Purple Heart, was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism. According to his citation, he “ ... played a major part in all phases of the successful reliel of the village of Haoi An. which was under heavy enemy attack by two Viet Cong battalions ... By his own personal example .... he led the attack ... Despite injuries by enemy machine-gun bullets in the back, cheek, and nose, he went to the aid of a mortally wounded comrade ... and delayed his own evacuation until he could call for additional air strikes and brief the task force commander of the 2 situation. He returned to the United States in January 1966. served as an instructor at The Basic School, then completed the Command and Staff College in June 1967 and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in November 1967 while serving as a systems analyst with the Manpower Management Information Branch. G-1 Division. He later became head of the Systems Analysis Section. In 1968. LtCol. Leftwich was selected by the Under Secretary of the Navy to be his Special Assistant and Marine Corps Aide. He served in this capacity under the Honorable Charles F. Baird, and Mr. Baird s successor as Under Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable John W. Warner. In April 1970. he began his second tour of duty in Vietnam, serving initially as an infantry battalion commander with the 2nd Battalion. First Marines. On June 30. he assumed duty as Commanding Officer of the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced). On November 18.1970. LtCol. Leftwich was killed in a helicopter crash during an emergency extraction of one of his reconnaissance teams. In accordance with his practice of accompanying every emergency extraction called for by his reconnaisance teams, he was serving as senior extract officer for such a mission on the day of his death. The team had incurred casualties and requested an emergency extraction from enemy-infested territory in an area beginning to be enveloped by dense fog. The team was extracted under LtCol. Leftwich's personal supervision, then, the helicopter began its ascent, it crashed into a mountainside in enemy territory, killing all aboard. A partial list of his medals and awards includes: The Navy Cross, the Silver Star (posthumous), the Legion of Merit with Combat V and two gold stars, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with one gold star, the Purple heart with two gold stars, and various personal awards from the Republic of Vietnam. LtCol. Leftwich was survived by his wife, the former Jane Ferrer, and two sons. William G. III. and Scott F. He was also survived by his mother. Mrs. Mattie H. Leftwich of Memphis. His father was deceased. Construction and Commissioning The Ship’ The origin of the christening ceremony for ships goes back into the dawn of recorded history. The custom has survived through the ages and today is practiced in some form by all seafaring nations. Until the mid 19th century. U. S. Navy ships were christened by men. In 1946 Mrs. Lavinia Watson Fanning became the first woman to sponsor a ship as she christened the sloop GERMANTOWN in Philadelphia. Since that occasion, the honor has always been Sponsor bestowed on a woman. Sponsors for the USS LEFTWICH are Mrs. William G. Leftwich. Sr., mother of Lt. Col. leftwich. and his widow. Mrs. Jane Leftwich Michael. According to tradition, the spirit of the sponsor enters the ship at the time of christening and remains there forever. The ship becomes a part of her. and she a part of it. as it sails the seas preserving America's freedom. 3 The Ship’s Crest The colors blue and red are symbolic of loyalty and courage, attributes of Lt. Col. Leftwich who was killed in action in Vietnam. The areas of blue refer to the lowlands or delta areas of Vietnam and the yellow sections rising towards the center allude to the highlands. The chevron-like shape, simulating a mountain, stands as a symbol of Lt. Col. Leftwich's courageous effort during an emergency extraction from enemy territory by helicopter during which he met his death. The vertical band refers to the numerical designation of the First Marine Division, the organization with which he served. The gold stars allude to separate awards of the Legion Of Merit, and the silver star by the base alludes to the posthumous award of the Silver Star Medal. The gold cross patty represents the award of the Navy Cross. The trident and dolphins are symbolic of vigilance and maritime dominance. 4 mm gWjrtM WestPac ’81 Ship’s Log Departed San Diego Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Subic Bay, R. P. Sasebo, Japan Maizuru, Japan Yokosuka, Japan Pusan, Korea Subic Bay, R. P. Subic Bay, R. P. Singapore Crossed Equator Singapore Hong Kong Sasebo, Japan Subic Bay, R. P. Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Arrived San Diego 1 April 1981 12 15 April 1981 30 April - 4 May 1981 8-11 May 81 17-18 May 81 26 May - 1 June 1981 4-8 June 1981 12-23 June 1981 28 June - 7 July 1981 20-27 July 1981 30 July 1981 26 Sept. - 1 Oct. 1981 7-12 October 1981 15- 27 October 1981 1-4 November 1981 16- 17 November 1981 23 November 1981 ■Hiniunniit Commanding Officer Cdr J. A. Carney, USN Commander James ALLEN CARNEY is a native of the state of Arkansas. Born in Fort Smith, his family later moved to Hot Springs where he attended school until entering Hendrix College in Conway in 1957. Following commissioning at OCS in 1961, he was assigned to USS PRINCETON (LPH-5) where he served successively as Personnel Officer and Assistant Navigator. He graduated from Destroyer School in Newport, Rhode Island in 1964 and was assigned to USS ROBERT K. HUNTINGTON (DD-781) as Weapons Officer. Commander CARNEY'S next assignments include a one year tour as an advisor to the South Vietnamese Navy and a tour as Assistant Professor of Naval Science at the University of Kansas. He was then assigned to the Naval War College as a student in the Command and Staff Course, graduating in June of 1972. Following a tour as Weapons Officer in USS DEWEY (DLG-14), Commander CARNEY was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OP-39) as Anti-Air Warfare Training Coordinator and Surface Warfare Officer Program Coordinator. Commander CARNEY served as Executive Officer in USS JESSE L. BROWN (FF-1089) from September 1975 to April 1977. Following a tour as Force ASW Officer on the staff of Commander Naval Surface Force, U. S. Pacific Fleet, he received orders as Prospective Commanding Officer, USS LEFTWICH (DD-984). Commander CARNEY received a bachelor's degree in Economics from Hendrix College and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas. His military decorations and awards include the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V”, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Vietnamese Navy Honor Medal First Class and the Vietnamese Civil Action Unit Citation. Commander CARNEY is married to the former Betty Kate BROWN of Hot Springs, Arkansas. She is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and has also received a Master’s Degree (in Education) from the University of Kansas. Together, they and their two sons, Allen and Logan, reside in San Diego, California. 9 Executive Officer LCDR W. H. Parks, USN Lieutenant Commander Parks received his commission in 1970 after graduating from the U. S. Naval Academy. He first served as ASW Officer and Personnel Officer onboard USS HANSON (DD-832). His following assignment was that of Weapons Officer of the USS STEIN (FF-1065). Following completion of Department Head School in 1973, he served as Weapons Officer onboard USS BUCHANAN (DDG-14) and then Engineer Officer of the USS PYRO (AE-24). LCDR Parks received his Master's Degree in Weapons Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California prior to reporting as Executive Officer aboard the LEFTWICH. 11 Commander, Destroyer Squadron SEVEN CAPT R. G. Zeller, USN Captain ZELLER was born in 1937 in Olney, Illinois, the son of Mr. Mrs. Raymond ZELLER. He was commissioned an Ensign, U. S. Navy on February 5, 1960. He has served in several destroyers in both the Atlantic and Pacific, including USS WILKINSON (DL 5), USS KENNETH D. BAILEY (DDR 713), and USS JOHN W. THOMASON (DD 760). He has commanded USS JOHN WILLIS (DE 1027), USS FURSE (DD 882) and USS BROOKE (FFG 1). Tours ashore have included the U. S. Naval Post Graduate School, Vietnam and Washington, D. C. Washington tours have included assignment as an Operations Analyst in the Systems Analysis Division of OPNAV (OP-96), Military Assistant to the Secretary and Deputy Secretaries of Defense, and most recently as Executive Assistant to the Director, Navy Program Planning, OP-090. Captain ZELLER’S decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and Combat V and various campaign and service medals. He is married to the former Britt LILJEROS of Chicago, and they have two daughters, Leslie and Kristen. 13 Lt. Aasland Navigation Admin Department Left to right standing: MAC Blunk, GSCS Kalima, QM3 Pepe, HM2 Myer, PC2 Redmon, PN2 Carpenter, YN3 Kelly, HM1 Herron. QMC Deeley. Kneeling: QMSN Whiting, NCI Engelman, PN1 Hayes, QMSN Beck, QMSA Eastgate, PNSN Lau, LT Aasland. PC2 Redmon B B LCDR Ezzell A Division Left to right standing: ENS Akins, Division Officer, FN Clark, FN Richardson, EN3 Potter, GSMC Hinson. Kneeling: EN1 Wright, EN2 Reinhardt, EN2 Eaton. Left to right standing: EN3 Potter, EN2 Reinhardt, FN Romagnoli, FN Richardson, EN1 Wright. Kneeling: EN3 Lionberg, EN3 Bartholomew, FN Clark, FN Liboy. MP Division Left to right: GSM2 Harmon, GSE2 Clark, GSEC Cook, FN Nicholas, GSMFN Pikey. GMS2 K. Schulz. Left to right standing: LT Roberts, Division Officer, GSM3 Bankston, GSM2 Calvert. GSM2 Goss, GSM2 Baker, GSE1 McGraw, GSM1 Reid, GSM2 Coker, GSM2 Klopfer, GSMC Dodson. Kneeling: GSM3 Morey. GSE2 James, GSM2 Vrabel, GSE2 Zachrel, GSE3 Boll, GMS2 Davis, GSMFN Miller, ENFN Bourkas, FN Sobnosky, GMS3 G. Schulz, FN Standiford. 21 24 a E Division LT Schmitz, Division Officer Left to right standing: LT Schmitz. IC2 Marrill. EM2 Pettit. EM3 Higazi, EM3 Obermeyer. IC1 Jenkins. EMCS Kirkhuff. Kneeling: IC3 Terrell, IC3 Chisolm, EM3 Polk. EM3 Haller, EMI Rodriquez, IC2 Schrieman. R Division LTJG Shuga, Division Officer Left to right standing: HTC Wilkin, MRFN Barrett, HTFN Barbier, HT3 Corsello, MRFA Roberts, HT1 Decarlo. Kneeling: HTFA Bertonazzi, HT2 Mullaley, HT2 Dubose, HT3 Sawtelle, HT2 Popp. 27 Supply Dept. Left to right: MS2 Gamboa, MS3 Nodine, MSI Hansen, MS3 Johnston. MSI Tayco, MS3 Herrela, MS3 Jones, MS3 Pough. DKC Fernandez. SKC Encarnacion DKC Fernandez, DKSA Church, LTJG Kuklis SK3 Poquiz, SK2 Jones, SK3 Villena, SKI Sorrells, SKC Encarnacion SH3 Richley, SHSN Palmer, SH3 Castro, SHI Tubig, SH3 Maxwell Lt. Acree Operation’s Dept. OC Division ENS Ledbetter, Division Officer Left to right standing: SMI Vassar, SM3 Harper, SM3 Sheperd, SMI Creamer. Kneelinq: SMSN Flores, SMSN Cooper RM3 Penkalski, RM2 Wilkins RM3 Simmons RMSA Marshall RM2 Kidd, RM2 Wilkins 35 OD Division LT Smith, Division Officer 36 Left to right standing: BM1 Muslovski, SN Carn, SA Rudy, BMSN Brooks, SA Cephus, SA Chandler, SN Skillman, SN Torres, SA Scott, SN Van Dyke, BM1 House, BMC Lucy, LT Smith. Kneeling: BM2 Jager, BM3 Berzac, BMSN Heiskanen, BM3 Knudsen, BM3 Morton, BM3 Siebenaler, BM3 Cortese, BM3 Beers, SA Andrea, SN Stevens, BM2 Pratt. Left to right: SA Broxton, SA Rea, BM3 Cisneros, SA Barrett, BM2 Allen, SA Synhorst, BMSN Obermeyer. 37 m 01 Division LT Wright, Division Officer Left to right standing: 0S2 Goedelman, SN Storm, 0S2 Chidester. Kneeling: 0S2 Davis, 0S2 Phillips. 38 CA Division LT Anderson, Division Officer Left to right standing: GMT1 Speir, STG3 Sherry, STG1 Mathews, STG1 Dysh, STG3 Holloway, STG1 Betts, STGC Garrison. Kneeling: GMTSN Killian, TM3 Wilfong, GMT3 Palmer, GMTSN Buckles, STG3 Grove. Left to right standing: STG2 Hurley, STG3 Hyde, STG3 Weber, STG3 Asquith, GMT2 Blanton, LT Anderson. Kneeling: STG2 Giffen, STG1 Hart, STG3 Kirkpatrick, STG3 Dahlstrand, STG3 Johanson. 41 CE Division LT King, Division Officer Left to right standing: DSC Hood, ET3 Burke, ET2 Nowack, DS3 Lossaso, ET1 Sullivan, DS2 Emig, ET2 Smith, ET3 Klemme, ET2 Jerrard, ET3 Frisbie, ENS Booth. Kneeling: ET1 Taylor, ET1 Cate, DS2 Berry, DS2 Martinez, ETSN Sandoval, ET3 Douglass. 42 CG Division LT Reynolds, Division Officer Left to right standing: FTG2 Zieba, FTG2 O’Neill, FTGSN Anderson, FTG1 Wicker, FTGC Sorenson, GMG3 Fraley, GMG1 Burpo, GMG1 Morgan, LT Reynolds. Kneeling: FTG2 Sharpe, GMG3 Myre, GMGSN Rice, GMG2 Busby, FTG3 Allen, GMG3 Mericle, GMG1 Peterson. Left to right standing: GMM3 Carter, SA Pressley, FTM3 Cox, FTM2 McAlpin, FTMSN Harlos, FTM2 Grant, LTJG Lewallen. Kneeling: GMM2 Saenz, GMMSN Benson, SA Carter, GMM2 Kost, FTM1 Hinojosa. LTJG Lewallen, Division Officer CM Division s Commanding Officer’s Inspection 46 ISI Award Ceremonies 47 PACE Instructor, Ray Monske PACE Program College credit courses were offered in Math and English through the Navy's PACE Program. 48 Burial at Sea LEFTWICH gave a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer his final resting place in the South China Sea. Project Handclasp The LEFTWICH Project Handclasp Program distributed over 32,000 pounds of food and material to charitable organizations in WestPac ports. 50 IS Sunny Cookouts 52 On A Steel Beach STG2 Giffen, STG3 Asquith, STG1 Betts GMG3 Myre 53 Free Time Was Spent In Various Activities GSM2 Klopfer FTG3 Anderson 54 LT Anderson FTM2 Grant -.VA . ■■wk Wi Sunrise V- ? -■ f’ti-t+v'.'f. 62 64 65 67 69 Me? I'm Don Jagoe, I drive ships. 73 We’re not going home until when? November 23, 1981 Cruisebook Staff Cruisebook Officer: LTJG Lewallen Contributing Associates: RM1 Lewis RM2 Perales FTG3 Allen 80 WALSWORTH WWW PUBLISHING I COM PA N Y til MAKIIMX •••'• CruiM- Book Sale- Office 889 Grand Avcnuc-Oflx San ! •. CA 92109 K a o Wake Island wmm NAVY DEPARTMENT LIBRARY 3 0399 1002 9034 5 mm