Shelton (DD 790) - Naval Cruise Book

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Dedication SUCCESSFUL ACCOMPLISHMENT of any deployment to the Western Pacific requires completion of a wide variety of tasks. From Ianuary to Iune, 1967, when SHELTON was called upon to perform in almost every area required of a US. Navy destroyer, her officers and men made 790 syn- onymous with ever ready spirit and clean, sharp execution. She provided escort services to the aircraft carrier Uss HANCOCK fCVA 191 on the voyage west and on YANKEE station. From there she steamed north at full speed to assume escort duties for the nuclear cruiser Uss LONG BEACH fCLC:fNj9j on PIRAZ station, her primary mission being to protect the large missile ship from at- tack by small, fast PT boats. After a short breather for upkeep in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, she reported for gunfire support duty off the coast of South Vietnam where she was repeatedly complimented by air spotters and ground forces on the outstanding accuracy and effectiveness of her 5 guns. During this time she was also given an opportunity to assist Sea Dragon forces on patrol just north of the Demilitarized Zone. When she was not fighting she served as SOPA administration ship in Hong Kong, B.C.C., and carried the President's People-to-People program to Iloilo, Panay, Republic of the Philippines. The demands of this 6 months were exacting, and SHELTONIS outstanding record could not have been compiled without the sincere dedica- tion and cooperation of every man. It is with great personal pride and pleasure that I dedicate this book to the officers and men of the SHELTON and to those who constantly pro- vide the inspiration to their loved ones engaged in the defense of our nation. x X J I V ,J Wsifiitgft l

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,ff Aw , js INEVITABLY, as SHELTON prepared to set sail for the Western Pacific, years of tradition and myth colored the thoughts of those on board and those to be left behind. Every one of us could almost see the image of the swashbuckling sailor created by the millions of tars who had sailed before us. Foreign seas and foreign ports beware! Then the lines were cast off, reality returned, and We found ourselves with a lot of friends, a lot of work, and along cruise. We were rich in time, poor in money, and torn between the excitement of what lay ahead and the sorrow of good-bys. Given these conditions we plotted our course and alotted our time. The days were long and holidays rare. We became alternately a tight, smoothly functioning team afloat and 3oo curious seekers of experience in the lands of the East. Time and ports raced by, our meager funds decreased, and our loved ones suddenly seemed closer at hand. Our minds were full and the cruise was over. The swashbuckling, sword swinging role had not been ours, but a greater image was. We came home educated, confident defenders of freedom, and ambassadors of good will who had done a job of which our nation can be proud. 3