Truett (FF 1095) - Naval Cruise Book

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,LJ ! I This cruisebook is dedicated to the officers and men of the USS TRUETT and to the contributions they made during TRUETT's deployment to the Mediterranean. Leaving port on 2 August 1988, no one knew what the next six months would bring. No one was sure where TRUETT would go, what mission she would be called upon to perform, or what challenges she and her crew would face. When the deployment was all over and TRUETT returned to Norfolk in 1 February 1989, everyone took pride in the fact it was a very successful deployment. The pages which follow are a collage of the events in which TRUETT participat- ed. TRUETT travelled to many countries including, Spain, Italy, Turkey, France and Israel. She part? sipated in a joint NATO exercise, showed the flag in many different ports, and spent numerous hours patrolling the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. When the ship was in port, TRUETTMEN found many ways to entertain themselves. They attended receptions, toured the host countries, and relaxed on the beach. No matter what activity TRUETTMEN participated in, they conducted themselves with dignity and honor. Pictures alone cannot recreate the events, but the memories col- lected within these pages are an attempt to capture the high points, the hard hours of work and the many hours on the beach. May the memories collected here be the ones we retain the longest. .

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..... , QUINCY H. TRUETT CHIEF PETTY OFFICER UNITED STATES NAVY CITATION: For extraordinary heroism on the night of 20 January 1969 while serving with River Division 551, engaged in armed conflict against North Vietnamese and Viet Cong communist aggressor forces on the Kinh Dong Tien Canal in the Republic of Vietnam. As Patrol Officer of two River Patrol Boats CPRB'sD in company with an Armored Troop Carrier CATCJ and two other PBR's, Chief Petty Officer Truett was aboard the fourth boat in the column when the entire unit came under intense enemy fire. PBR 8137, the boat ahead of Chief Petty Officer Truett, was taken under extremely heavy fire and began to burn, forc- ing the five occupants aboard into the water. Observing the men struggling to reach the safety of a ditch, Chief Petty Officer Truett ordered his PBR into the area of the burning craft to recover the men in the water. Without regard for his own personal safety, he deliberately exposed himself to the blistering enemy fire, positioning himself on the bow of his boat to provide covering fire and to assist the men from the water. Because of several bright fires from grass huts burning along the canal bank, Chief Petty Officer Truett was completely visible to the enemy during the entire rescue. Mortally wounded after he had helped rescue the last man from the water, Chief Petty Officer Truett, by his outstanding valor, concern for his shipmates' safety and inspiring devotion to duty, contributed directly to the safe recovery of the crew of PBR 8137. His selfless efforts were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. I