1969

The Navy Unit Commendation was presented on 18 April to the OZBOURN and the other ships of Destroyer Squadron NINE by Rear Admiral Mason FREEMAN, Commander Cruiser-Destroyer, Pacific. The OZBOURN was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation by the Secretary of the Navy for exceptionally meritorious service during the period 15 June 1966 to 6 September 1968 in the conduct of sustained combat operation against enemy aggressor forces in Southeast Asia.

On 25 April, OZBOURN reported to Commander Fleet Training Group, U.S. Pacific Fleet for six weeks of refresher training following the shipyard overhaul and prior to the upcoming WESTPAC deployment. After Refresher Training OZBOURN, with four midshipman aboard, participated in the Portland Rose Festival. She then participated in the fleet exercise "BEAGLE BARON" from 8 to 15 July 1969. During the intense period of training OZBOURN fired two torpedoes, one deck launched and the other launched by ASROC. OZBOURN then returned to Long Beach for two weeks to complete her midshipmen training, before participating in the Seattle Sea Fair from 28 July to 2 August in Seattle, Washington.

OZBOURN departed Long Beach in company with other units of Destroyer Division Ninety-Two on 26 September for a six month deployment to the Western Pacific. After stopping for repairs and supplies in Yokosuka, OZBOURN arrived at DaNang on 24 October for Naval Gunfire support duties. For the next 30 days she operated off the coast of I Corps providing gunfire support. During this period OZBOURN refueled ten times, rearmed nine times, and viturally replenished three times. She fired a total of 6,569 rounds of five inch ammunition.

The remainder of the deployment was spent engaged in various evolutions, such as ASW operations off Okinawa, radar picket station in the Sea of Japan, plane guarding on Yankee Station, and in port periods in Sasebo, Japan and Bangkok, Thailand. On 17 March 1970 OZBOURN left Yokosuka and began the long transit to the United States.

OZBOURN arrived in Long Beach on 1 April and began a two month yard overhaul and tender availability with the USS ISLE ROYALE (AD-29). On 13 May Rear Admiral Robert E. Saizer, Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla THREE, presented the Destroyer Squadron NINE Battle Efficiency plaque to OZBOURN‘s Commanding Officer, CDR. Stewart. This was the second consecutive Battle Efficiency Award won by OZBOURN, giving her the distinction of having held the honor since 1967. CDR STEWART then presented personal awards earned during the deployment, including the Vietnam Service Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

On 19 June a large group of first and third class midshipmen embarked OZBOURN for a six week training cruise, PACMIDTRA 6-70. On 20 June CDR STEWART was relieved by CDR E. W. NUMBERS in a ceremony aboard OZBOURN. The midshipmen cruise took the ship through operations in the Southern California Operations Area to San Francisco, Everett, Washington, and then to the Mid-Pacific Operations Area and Pearl Harbor. The midshipmen debarked on 5 August after a rewarding cruise.

Most of August and the first half of September were spent at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard getting the ship in material condition prior to the upcoming FIRST Fleet exercise, ROPEVAL 4-70. The entire month of October was spent in port at Long Beach preparing for the November deployment to WESTPAC. On 13 November OZBOURN departed Long Beach or a six month operational deployment in WESTPAC.

OZBOURN participated in the Anti-submarine Exercise ASWEX 66-70 from 10 to 15 December and conducted Naval Gunfire Support exercises from 18 to 21 December. Christmas was spent in Kaoshiung, Taiwan before meeting USS Hancock (CVA-19) on Yankee Station for New Years.

1971 >>