Rich (DD 820) - Naval Cruise Book

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USS RICH DID 320

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CMH, fall WU5' QL:

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SIIIPQS IIISTIIRY ' HISTORY OF THE USS RICH IDD-820i USS RICH, built by Consolidated SteeICorporation,Orange,TeXGS WGS IGUDCIWSC3 OH 5 October I945. She is the second ship so named in honor of Lieutenant liunior gradel. Ralph McM.aster RICH, USNR. Lieutenant liunior gradel RICH was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic action while piloting a plane in Fighting Squadron SIX flying from the USS ENTERPRISE during the Battle of Midway. The first USS RICH IDE-695l, an escort vessel, was literally blown apart by three German mines off the Normandy coast on 8 June I944. On I7 February I962, RICH, in company with Task Group BRAVO sailed to Northern European waters for a period of four months. During this time, RICH visited England, Ireland, Holland, Norway, and Germany. In course of the latter visit, Task Group BRAVO became the largest U. S. Naval Force to enter the Baltic Sea since World War II. Upon her return to Norfolk, I6 June, I962, RICH engaged in antisubmarine WOFlGFG fFGining off the Atlantic coast, and participated in the annual midshipmen cruise which brought her to many of the Atlantic Coast Ports. From October 25, I962, until November 25, I962, RICH took part in the Crucial CUBAN QUARAN- TINE Operation. During this volatile period in our nation's history, RICH again worked with the familiar ships of Task Group BRAVO. The Christmas Holiday period of T962 was spent in Norfolk, RICH, along with other members of DESRON THIRTY-SIX used this time to prepare for their forthcoming conversions. The following ten month period found RICH in the New York Naval Shipyard undergoing Fram MKI conversion, designed to extend the life of the ship from eight to ten years, resulted in marked improve- ments in the habitability, machinery, deck and office spaces as well as complete new installations in the electronic and weapons areas. A On I8 November I963, RICH, departed the New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, New York for Norfolk. December 27, I963, marked RICH's departure date from Norfolk to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where she underwent Refresher Training. We returned to Norfolk 22 February I964, and commenced operation under the control of Com- mander Anti-Submarine Forces Atlantic. During the period March through June, RICH participated in ASW exercises in the Western Atlantic and conducted various competitive training exercises. For general excellence in readiness and training, RICH vygzliawarded the Battle Efficiency NE for Destroyer Squadron TWO for the fiscal year ending u y . RICH deployed with other ships of her squadron to the Mediterranean Sea on 3 August as a unit of the U. S. Sixth Fleet. After visiting Italy and Greece, RICH was assigned to Commander Middle East Force during the month of October, this deployment involved cruising the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, and provided visits at Aden, Mombasa, Kenya and Djibouti, French Somaliland, During the trip to Mombasa, RICH crossed the equator and became the first ship 'to fly the Drone Anti-Submarine Heli- copter IDASHI, in the south latitudes. RICH returned to the Mediterranean in November and visited gaports in Spain, France, and Sicily, and conducted ASW operations with other units of the Sixth Fleet. n I4 November, CDR. J.R. RIEDIGER, USN, relinquished command to CDR. F.A. CARRIER, USN. RICH returned to Norfolk on 22 December for holiday leave and upkeep During the period 25 Jan- UUTY to I2 February, RICH participated in Operation SPRINGBOARD with other units of the U. S. Second Fleet.