Leftwich (DD 984) - Naval Cruise Book

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The 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 toward 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 by helicopter from enemy infested territory 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 the awards of the Legion of Merit, and the silver star in base 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. Design Characteristics Built by .......................................... Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries Pascagoula, Mississippi Keel Laid ........................................... 12 November 1976 Christened ............................................ 27 May 1978 Commissioned ......................................... 25 August 1979 Sponsor .................................. Mrs. Jane (Leftwich) Michael Length ............................................... 563 Feet 4 Inches Beam ......................................................... 55 Feet Draft ........................................................ 29 Feet Displacement ............................................... 7800 Tons Complement ............................................. Officers — 19 Enlisted — 245 Speed ....................................................... 30+ Knots Armament ............................. Two 5 inch 54 Cal. Cun Mounts MK 112 ASROC Launcher Two MK 32 Torpedo Tubes NATO Seasparrow Harpoon Aircraft .......................... One SH-3 or Two SH-2 Helicopters Propulsion ....................... Four General Electric LM 2500 Marine Cas Turbine Engines (Total - 80,000 Shaft Horsepower) Ship's Crest Ship

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LCOL W. G. Leftwich, Jr., USMC Lieutenant Colonel William G. Leftwich, Jr., was born 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 relief 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 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. Ill, and Scott F. He was also survived by his mother, Mrs. Mattie H. Leftwich of Memphis. His father was deceased.

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t Commanding Officer Commander James L. Burke Commander James Lawrence Burke was graduated from the City University of New York in June 1964 and received his commission from the Officer Candidate School in October of that year. Previous assignments in the destroyer force include: Executive Officer, USS BRADLEY (FF-1041); Engineer Officer, USS RAMSEY (DEC-2); Communications and CIC Officer, USS CARCIA (DE-1040); and Operations and Supply Officer, USS DARBY (DE-218). Additionally, he was Commanding Officer, USS ANTELOPE (PC-86) from 1971-1973 and served in the Republic of Vietnam as Officer in Charge of a Swift Boat from 1967-1968. Other assignments include tours ashore as Director of Training, Fleet Combat Training Center Pacific and Aide and Flag Secretary to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Japan. Commander Burke attended the U.S. Naval Destroyer School and is a graduate of the Command and Staff Course at the Naval War College. His military decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V , the Navy Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon. Commander Burke is married to the former Jane Margaret Brodahl of West Covina, California. They and their three sons, Jim Jr., John, and Michael, reside in Fletcher Hills. 6