Turner Joy (DD 951) - Naval Cruise Book

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Charles Turner Joy was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on February 17, 1895. In 1912, he entered the United States Naval Academy. He graduated and was commissioned Ensign on June 3, 1916. Following an initial tour on the USS PENNSYLVANIA from 1916 to 1921, he spent the interwar years in various as- signments, Flag Lieutenant to Commander Yangtze Patrol, Executive Officer of the USS POPE, Commanding Officer of the USS LITCHFIELD, Gunnery and Operations Officer of Commander Destroyer Battle F o rc e , Executive Officer of the USS INDIANAPOLIS, and Operations Officer of Commander Scouting Force. He distinguished himself during World War II first as Operations Officer of Commander Task Force Eleven, then as Commanding Officer of the USS LOUISVILLE, and finally as Commander Cruiser Division Six. Par- ticipating in numerous Pacific Campaigns-- including the Aleutian Islands, Guadalcanal, Marianas, Philippines, and Okinawa Cam- paigns--He was awarded the Bronze Star ADMIRAL C. TURNER JQY with Combat V and the Legion of Merit with three Gold Stars. Following postwar assignments as Commander Yangtze Force, Commander Task Force Seventy-four, and Commanding Officer of the Naval Proving Ground at Dahlgren, Virginia, he became Commander U.S. Naval Forces, Far East, in August 1949. For heroism during the Korean War he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Distinguished Service Medal by the Navy, When the Korean Armistice Conference opened in July 1951, ,Vice Admiral Joy represented the United Nations Command as Senior Delegate. In August 1952 he returned to the Naval Academy as its Thirty-seventh Super- intendent. He was transferred to the retired ranks of the U.S. Navy on July 1, 1954 and was advanced to the rank of Admiral on the basis of combat awards. Admiral Joy died in San Diego on June 13, 1956.

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SHIP,S HISTORY TURNER JOY is ageneral purpose destroy- er of the latest postwar class,the last of her kind to be built. She measures 418 feet in length, 45 feet 6 inches abeam, and displaces 3900 tons. Her steam turbines and twin screws propel her at speeds greater than 30 knots. Her firepower consists of three 5-inch dual-purpose guns and one twin 3-inch rapid-fire mount for surface and anti-aircraft firing, She also carries mod- ern anti-submarine weapons and is designed for the installation of more advanced weap- ons now under development. Her crew con- sists of 300 officers and men who are trained for such diverse duties as anti- submarine warfare, shore bombardment, and the screening of high speed vessels. The keel was laid on September 30, 1956. Launched on May 5, 1958, she was chris- tened by Admiral Joy's widow, Mrs. C. Turner Joy. The ship was built by the Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Company of Seattle, Washington, for the United States Navy and placed in commission on August 3, 1959. In August 1964, TURNER JOY, along with USS MADDOX fDD731J, was attacked by hostile torpedo boats in the international waters of the TONKIN GULF. In her first combat experience, TURNER JOY re- sponded by repulsing the attackers and was credited -with sinking two of the PT boats. The ship was awarded the Navy Unit Com- mendation by the Secretary of the Navy for her performance. In conjunction with the increased efforts of the United States in Vietnam, the 1966-1967 deployment was a period of extremely intense activity. TURNER JOY fired over 7000 rounds at a wide variety of shore and water borne targets both in North and South Vietnam, TURNER JOY was taken under fire by the enemy on six separate occasions. The ship received shore battery fire, taking one direct hit and receiving other minor damage caused by several near misses. Despite this increased activ- ity in the Seventh Fleet, TURNER JOY never failed to meet a commitment.

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COMMANDING GFFICER'S MESSAGE The most important and lasting facet of this TURNER JOY Cruisebook 1966-1967 is that for all of us it shall serve to recall the experiences we shared during our tour in the Seventh Fleet. The pictures of the crew, the action portrayed, the scenes we viewed will in years to come remind us of what TURNER JOY is. The fulfillment of missions assigned to the ship served the common United States goal in Southeast Asia--an area fraught with conflict for the e stablishment of national rights, self- determination, and freedom from external aggression. This fulfillment tells the story of this great ship. It is your story-you officers and men who by your dedication, professional ability, and unflinching resolve have made the TURNER JOY continue to live in high esteem, Your pride in your CDR. EDWARD S. BRIGGS ship is enviable, and it is fitting. You have served your country through her, and you have served well. This above all is the finest tradition which you have maintained. Let these pages remind you of your Story, and let them suggest that story to others. It will in years to come be more meaningful to all of you. It represents an important period of history in which you played a vit-al role. Moreover, it is the story not of the crew, but of shipmatesg the meaning is clear, and it tolls the bells of resounding success. lt shall always remind me of all of you who were and are TURNER JOY. I am proud and honored to have served with you. God speed and smooth sailing in future years.