Leftwich (DD 984) - Naval Cruise Book

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 a y r r cr- i f-r r ? 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 toward center allude to the highlands. The chevron-like shape, simulating ;i 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. SHIP 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 ..........................................................................................30 Feet Displacement ................................................................................8500 Tons Complement............................................................................Officers-21 Enlisted-310 Speed..........................................................................................30 Knots Armament .........................................................Two 5 inch 54 Caliber Gun Mounts MK 112 AS ROC Launcher Two MK 32 Torpedo Tubes NATO Seasparrow Harpoon Close In Weapons System (CIWS) Tomahawk Aircraft............................................................One SH-3 or Two SH-2 Helicopters Propulsion.......................................................Four General Electric LM 2500 Marine Gas Turbine Engines (Total - 80,000 Shaft Horsepower 3

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USS LEFTWICH DD-984 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. Homcported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, LEFTWICH is assigned to Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Five. SPR UANCE Class Destroyer is unique among todays warships in that it is the first major class to be powered strictly by gas turbine engines. LEFTWICH, as her sister ships, is powered by four General Electric LM-2500 engines. Designed originally for large aircraft (C-5A 747), these engines have been modified for marine use and produce 20,000 horsepower each. Her engines, in conjunction with twin controllable-reversible pitch propellers, arc capable of moving LEFTWICH through the water at speeds in excess of 30 knots and give her a degree of maneuverability unequalled by any other warship her size. LEFTWICH'S electrical generation plant is also driven by gas turbine engines (three Allison 501’s) which are designed to output 200 KW each. Crew comfort and habitability were also of prime consideration in LEFTWICH’S design. Berthing areas are spacious and considerable care was taken to equip the ship with features uncommon to most destroyers. Such features include a ship’s library, crew lounge, a well equipped gymnasium and many other items at crew’s comfort. As a highly versatile multi-mission destroyer, LEFTX'ICH is capable of operating independently or in company with amphibious or carrier task forces. Although equipped to handle a wide variety of mission areas, LEFTWICH’S primary missions are Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Strategic Strike Operations. LEFTW ICH possesses some of the most advanced -45VI equipment coupled with extensive sound silencing features to facilitate her accomplishment of these complex and demanding tasks. The ship is equipped with a sophisticated bow-mounted sonar, the SQS-53A, that is capable of active or passive detection and tracking of submarine contacts. In addition to her sonar, LEFTWICH'S ASW weapons suite consists of one or two helicopters, an Anti-Submarine Rocket (ASROC) launching system and two triple barreled Mark 32 torpedo tubes. All of these systems integrate with a digital computer system, the Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS). For the Strategic Strike mission area, LEFTWICH is equipped with TOMAHAWK, the Navy’s latest cruise missile system. This integrated combat system with its enhanced target information processing capability and resultant reaction time provides LEFTWICH with an accurate, long-range strike capability against surface targets unprecedented in destroyer-sized ships. LEFTWICH also boasts two 5-inch 54 caliber Mark 45 fully automatic gun mounts controlled by the digital Mark 86 Fire Control System. Additionally, the Harpoon antiship cruise missile, NATO Scasparrow consolidated into the weapons suite providing offensive and defensive firepower. Integrated with NTDS, these systems allow LEFTWICH to excel in her secondary missions of Naval Gunfire Support, Surface Warfare, and Anti-Air Warfare.

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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 Lejcune, 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 wjs 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 wjs serving 3S 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. 4