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USS  OUELLET  (DE-1077)

1972 Westpac

This chronology was compiled using Deck Logs, the 1972 Ouellet Cruise Book, the USS Ouellet Ship’s History 1970-73, and the National Archives’ Naval Gunfire Support records.

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Jan 27  (Thu)

Underway from Pearl Harbor in transit to Subic Bay   

Jan 30  (Sun)

Refueled at Midway   


FAMILYGRAM Ii

Feb 01  (Tue)

Crossed International Date Line at 27 degrees north 

Feb 06  (Sun)

Refueled at Guam

Feb 10  (Thu)

Moored Subic Bay

Feb 14  (Mon)

Underway from Subic Bay  

Feb 16  (Wed)

Joined USS CONSTELLATION (CVA64) on Yankee Station.  Assumed Plane Guard duty

Feb 18  (Fri)

OUELLET DECK LOG FOR FEBRUARY 18, 1972

0000


Operating with USS CONSTELLATION (CVA64) and USS MAHAN (DLG11) on Yankee Station

0844

Assumed duty as primary plane guard in station 1200-2500 yards astern USS CONSTELLATION

1628

USS CONSTELLATION  advised they were preparing for emergency landing of an inbound F-4 aircraft

1639

The aircraft crashed on approach about 2600 yards ahead of OUELLET

1649

OUELLET’s plane guard detail was able to rescue the Radar Intercept Officer, but the pilot was lost.

1728

A doctor from the carrier was brought to OUELLET by helo

1746

Recovered aviator and doctor were returned to the carrier by helo.

2325

Underway replenishment.   In life guard station 1000 yards astern USS HALEAKAIA (AE25) 

Feb 27  (Sun)

USS ALBERT DAVID (DE-1050)  arrived on Yankee Station to relieve USS OUELLET as escort

Mar 04  (Sat)

Upkeep in Subic Bay

Mar 12  (Sun)

Underway to Yankee Station. USS E.F. LARSON (DD-830) in company

Mar 16  (Thu)

USS HIGBEE (DD-806) arrived on Yankee Station to relieve USS OUELLET


Note: On April 19, while on station at South SAR, a Mig-17 dropped a bomb that hit Higbee. Although the bomb hit the aft gun mount only 4 crew members were injured as the area had been evacuated due to a hung round.

Mar 20  (Mon)

Arrived at PIRAZ station [I believe we operated with the USS Sterett (DLG31)]

Mar 30  (Fri)

Releived on PIRAZ station by USS CHICAGO (CG11)


Enroute to Yankee Station

Apr 01  (Sat)

Arrived at Yankee Station and assumed Plane Guard duty for USS CORAL SEA (CVA43)


Conducted ASW exercises with USS SCULPIN (SSN-590)  into Sunday morning

Apr 02  (Sun)

(Easter) Detached from Yankee Station enroute to PIRAZ station

Apr 03  (Mon)

Detached from PIRAZ to join USS JOHN R CRAIG (DD-885)  to assist in search for man overboard reported from CRAIG. SAR conducted with negative results. OUELLET returned to PIRAZ

Apr 06  (Thu)

Detached from PIRAZ - transit to South SAR   


Assisted in rescue of downed pilot


  HELO DETACHMENT REPORT

Apr 07  (Fri)

OUELLET relieved by USS MAHAN (DLG11),  but remained on station at South SAR to control a "Big Mother" helo for a downed pilot recovery off Hon Mat Island

Apr 09  (Sun)

Departed South SAR- transit to Gunline

1014

Fire mission (H&I) range 22,000 yards [Harassment in Interdiction]

1435

Ceased firing, 79 rounds expended

2319

Fire mission (H&I) range 24,000 yards

Apr 10  (Mon)


0010

Ceased firing, 46 rounds expended

0020

Fire mission (Tank) range 24,000 yards

0230

Ceased firing, 41 rounds expended

Apr 11  (Tue)

OUELLET DECK LOG FOR APRIL 11, 1972

0000

On NGFS standby station at DMZ

0336

Commenced fire mission (H&I) range 18,000 yards

0423

Received hostile fire

0556

Receiving hostile fire

0610

Fire Mission complete, 124 rounds expended

0651

Commenced mission (H&I) range 23,000 yards

0725

Fire Mission complete, 70 rounds expended

1009

Commenced fire mission (H&I) 22,000 yards

1019

Receiving hostile fire

1200

Receiving hostile fire

1227

Secured from NGFS, 191 rounds expended

1250

Enroute to rendezvous with USS CAMDEN (AOE2)

1454

Set refueling detail

1609

Refueling complete. Received 14,923 gal

1807

Highline transfer complete. 22 loads transferred  

1833

Enroute to join USS HANCOCK (CVA19) for escort duties

2314

Relieved USS FRANCIS HAMMOND (DE1067) as escort

Apr 24  (Mon)

OUELLET DECK LOG FOR APRIL 24, 1972

0000

On escort station 3000-4000 yards astern USS HANCOCK (CVA19)

0810

Helo transfer. 2 men received aboard.

0827

Detached to proceed to DMZ gun line

1220

Reported for NGFS duties

1320

Fire mission (Supply Area) 13,500 yards

1417

Mission complete, 15 rounds expended

1550

Fire mission (Troop Concentration) 23,000 yards

1655

Mission complete, 80 rounds expended

1657

Receiving hostile fire from vicinity of Cap Lay & Tiger Island

1709

Commenced counter battery fire

1739

Hostile fire and counter battery fire ceased. Received 17 rounds, fired 26 rounds

1905

Fire mission (Troop Concentration) 24,000 yards

2046

completed NGFS missions, 87 rounds expended

2129

Commenced NGFS missions as assigned

2141

Fire mission (Troop Concentration) 24,000 yards

2151

Mission complete, 40 rounds expended

2210

Fire mission (Troop Concentration) 14,000 yards

2217

Mission complete, 30 rounds expended

2251

Fire mission (Troop Concentration) 17,000 yards

2259

Mission complete, 30 rounds expended

2354

Fire mission (Illumination) 12,000 yards

2359

333 rounds expended for the day

Apr 26  (Wed)


2331

Fire mission (Tank) 24,000 yards

Apr 27  (Thu)


0016

Mission complete, 26 rounds expended

0121

Fire mission (H&I) 24,000 yards

0146

Mission complete, 80 rounds expended

0415

Fire mission (Artillery Site) 25,000 yards

0500

Mission complete, 94 rounds

0854

Fire mission (H&I) 20,000 yards

0917

Mission complete, 40 rounds expended

1124

Fire mission (Artillery Site) 24,000 yards

1225

Mission complete, 44 rounds expended

Apr 28  (Fri)

OUELLET DECK LOG FOR APRIL 28, 1972

0100

Fire mission (Troop Concentration) 24,000 yards

0131

Received 5 rounds of hostile fire

0201

Mission complete, 150 rounds expended

0207

Fire mission (H&I) 18,000 yards

0228

Mission complete, 60 rounds expended

0229

Fire mission (Vehicle) 18,500 yards

0251

Mission complete, 70 rounds expended, proceeding to DaNang

0819

Moored port side to USS SAMUEL GOMPERS (AD37), anchored in DaNang harbor

0848

USS ROARK (DE1043) moored alongside OUELLET starboard side

1520

noted hull damage caused by camel between GOMPERS and OUELLET due to sea swell

1918

USS  ROARK was underway

1926

Underway to join USS CORAL SEA (CVA43) as escort.

Apr 29  (Sat)

OUELLET DECK LOG FOR APRIL 29, 1972

0050

Relieved USS FRANCIS HAMMOND (DE1067) as escort for USS CORAL SEA (CVA43).

0300

Repairs to hull damage completed

0438

Relieved of escort duties by USS FRANCIS HAMMOND (DE1067

0638

Enroute to rendezvous with USS CAMDEN (AOE2) to refuel and replenish.

0922

Alongside USS CAMDEN.

1003

Completed replenishment. 26,830 gal of fuel, 273 rounds of 5/54 and 1 passenger received. 3 passengers transferred to Camden [probably Hull Techs from GOMPERS who had worked on hull damage]

1010

Enroute to DMZ gun line

1330

Conducted boat transfer with USS WADDELL (DDG24)

1420

Commenced NGFS duties as directed

1713

Fire mission (Artillery Site) 23,000 yards called by air spotter

1734

Mission complete, 53 rounds expended

1822

Fire mission (Tank) 23,000 yards

1911

Mission complete, 40 rounds expended

1925

Fire mission (Tank) 25,000 yards

2030

Mission complete, 23 rounds expended


NGFS April Summary: 4 structures destroyed, 1 structures damaged, 2 secondary explosion 


MARINE CORP NGFS REPORT FOR APRIL 1972

May 01  (Mon)

OUELLET DECK LOG FOR MAY 1, 1972

0000

On DMZ NGFS station in support of 2nd and 3rd ARVN Divisions

1237

Commenced fire mission (Supply Area) 15,000 yards called by air spotter

1247

Mission complete, 14 rounds expended. 1 secondary explosion observed

1832

Completed NGFS assignment

2003

Enroute to NGFS Point Betsy approximately 40 miles south of DMZ

2131

On station [as I recall we were repositioned to serve as communication relay]

May 02  (Tue)


0156

Worked with air spotter. Fired 5 rounds illumination on a supply area at 24,000 yards

0218

Mission complete

May 03  (Wed)

Detached from NGFS duties, enroute to Subic Bay for maintenance and upkeep     


MESSAGE FROM TASK GROUP COMMANDER


NGFS May Summary: 1 secondary explosion


MARINE CORP NGFS REPORT FOR MAY 1972

May 05  (Fri)

Moored Subic Bay

May 10  (Wed)

Message received advising of the mining of Haiphong Harbor


MESSAGE


FAMILYGRAM IV

May 22  (Mon)

Underway from Subic Bay

May 24  (Wed)

Relieved USS SARSFIELD (DD-837) on Yankee Station as escort for USS SARATOGA (CVA60) 


SARATOGA (partial) DECK LOGS FOR MAY 25 to JUNE 2, 1972

Jun 03  (Sat)

SARATOGA escort duties assumed by USS RICHARD S EDWARDS (DD950)

Jun 04  (Sun)

OUELLET DECK LOG FOR JUNE 4, 1972

0000

Enroute to NGFS gun line


Relieved USS ALBERT DAVID (DE1050)  on the Gunline.... Commenced NGFS

0601

Commenced firing (H&I) 21,000 yards

0624

Ceased firing, 25 rounds expended

1221

Refueled helo (171 gal pumped)

1807

Commenced firing (Command Post) 19,000 yards called by air spotter

1825

Mission complete, 24 rounds expended

1852

Fire mission (VC/NVA Position) 22,000 yards called by air spotter

1904

Ceased firing (18 rounds) 3 structures destroyed.

Jun 06  (Tue)


0030

Fire mission (H&I) 23,000 yards

0239

Mission complete, 39 rounds expended

0926

Fire mission (Missile Site) 17,000 yards called by air spotter

0954

Mission complete, 21 rounds expended

1004

Fire mission 14,000 yards called by ground spotter

1007

Mission complete, 8 rounds expended

Jun 07  (Wed)


0225

Fire mission (H&I) 20,000 yards

0422

Mission complete, 60 rounds expended

0842

Fire mission (VC/NVA Position) 15,300 yards

0900

Mission complete, 26 rounds expended

1110

Fire mission (Mortar) 16,000 yards called by air spotter

1152

Mission complete, 10 rounds expended

1258

Fire mission (Troop Concentration) 24,000 yards called by air spotter

1307

Mission complete, 17 rounds expended

2009

Fire mission (Mortar) 24,000 yards called by ground spotter

2020

Mission complete, 10 rounds expended

2149

Fire mission (Ammo Storage) 16,700-17,600 yards called by ground spotter

2358

Mission complete, 15 rounds expended. 1 structure damaged

Jun 08  (Thu)


2327

Fire mission (H&I) 23,500 yards

2344

Mission complete, 40 rounds expended

Jun 09  (Fri)


0025

Fire mission (H&I) 14,000 yards

0431

Mission complete, 56 rounds expended

0746

Fire mission (Assembly Area) 14,000 yards called by air spotter

0839

Mission complete, 35 rounds expended

1701

Fire mission (Troop Concentration) 18,000 yards called by air spotter

1750

Mission complete, 42 rounds expended

Jun 10  (Sat)


0406

Fire Mission (H&I) 20,000 yards

0438

Mission complete, 20 rounds expended

1033

Fire Mission (Troop Concentration) 17,000 yards called by air spotter

1100

Mission complete, 25 rounds expended

1855

Fire mission (VC/NVA Position) 23,000 yards called by ground spotter

1925

Mission complete, 23 rounds expended

2138

Fire mission (H&I) 15,000 yards

2321

Mission complete, 40 rounds expended

Jun 11  (Sun)


0212

Fire mission (H&I) 20,000 yards

0336

Mission complete, 50 rounds expended

0747

Fire mission (VC/NVA Position) 23,000 yards called by air spotter

0810

Mission complete, 20 rounds expended

1006

Fire mission (AA Site) 21,000 yards

1108

Mission complete, 30 rounds expended

1415

Fire mission (Troop Concentration) 21,000-22,000 yards called by air spotter

1501

Mission complete, 135 rounds expended. 1 secondary explosion and 3 structures damaged

1945

Fire mission (Troop Concentration) 24,000 yards called by ground spotter

1952

Mission complete, 5 rounds expended

Jun 12  (Mon)


2315

Fire mission (H&I) 19,000-20,000 yards

Jun 13  (Tue)


0323

Mission complete, 72 rounds expended

1032

Fire mission (VC/NVA Position) 19,000 yards called by air spotter

1050

Mission complete, 32 rounds expended. 3 structures destroyed

1110

Fire mission (VC/NVA Position) 22,000 yards called by air spotter

1128

Mission complete, 31 rounds expended. 1 structure destroyed

1131

Fire mission (VC/NVA Position) 21,000 yards called by air spotter

1139

Mission complete, 14 rounds expended. 1 structure damaged

1827

Fire mission (Troop Concentration) 21,000 yards

1830

Mission complete, 12 rounds expended

2237

Fire mission (H&I) 17,000 yards

2359

Mission complete, 49 rounds expended

Jun 14  (Wed)


2240

Fire mission (H&I) 14,000 yards

2254

Mission complete, 33 rounds expended


MESSAGE FROM TASK GROUP COMMANDER


NGFS June Summary: 10 structures destroyed, 12 structures damaged, 1 secondary explosion


MARINE CORP NGFS REPORT FOR JUNE 1972

Jun 18  (Sun)

Upkeep in Sasebo, Japan

Jun 22  (Thu)

FAMILYGRAM  V

Jun 25  (Sun)

Underway – transit to Gulf of Tonkin. Modified speed of advance to allow Typhoon Ora to pass ahead

Jun 27  (Tue)

Diverted to Subic Bay to escort USS SARATOGA (CVA60)

Jun 28  (Wed)

Underway to Subic Bay

Jun 29  (Thu)

Underway as escort with USS SARATOGA enroute Yankee Station

Jul 01  (Sat)

Arrived Yankee Station operating as escort and plane guard for USS SARATOGA

Jul 09  (Sun)

SARATOGA (partial) DECK LOGS FOR JULY 1 to JULY 8, 1972

SARATOGA DECK LOG FOR JULY 9, 1972

0205

OUELLET lost all power and maneuverability due to low water in only steaming boiler

0245

OUELLET restored boiler and resumed normal operational status

1930

OUELLET relieved by USS WHIPPLE (DE1062) and detached to proceed to NGFS duties

Jul 10  (Mon)

Arrived on Gunline

1231

Fire mission (VC/NVA Position) 16,400 yards called by ground spotter

1829

Mission complete, 2 rounds expended. 2 structures destroyed

2328

Fire mission (H&I) 23,700-24,300 yards

Jul 12  (Wed)


0326

0326 Mission complete, 25 rounds expended

0202

0202 Fire mission (H&I) 6,800 yards

0235

0235 Mission complete, 37 rounds expended

1354

1354 Fire mission (Artillery Site) 25,400 yards

1620

1620 Mission complete, 15 rounds expended

2157

2157 Fire mission (Artillery Site) 19,400 yards

2201

2201 Mission complete, 20 rounds expended

Jul 15  (Sat)


1604

1604 Fire mission (Beached Landing Craft) 12,000 yards observed by ship

1612

1612 Mission complete, 24 rounds expended

2025

2025 Fire mission (Artillery Site) 24,000 yards called by air spotter

2035

2035 Mission complete, 10 rounds expended

Jul 16  (Sun)

Departed Gunline to escort USS MIDWAY (CVA-41)


MIDWAY (partial) DECK LOG FOR JULY 16, 1972

2219

MIDWAY assumed tactical command of USS OUELLET. USS TOWERS (DDG9) detached

Jul 17  (Mon)

MIDWAY DECK LOG FOR JULY 17, 1972

0900

USS OUELLET detached. Relieved by USS JOSEPH HEWES (DE1078)

Jul 18  (Tue)


0053

Fire mission (H&I) 21,000 yards

0432

Mission complete, 35 rounds expended

Jul 20  (Thu)


2208

Fire mission (H&I) 24,000 yards

2209

Mission complete, 5 rounds expended

Jul 21  (Fri)


0000

Fire mission (H&I) 25,000 yards

0045

Mission complete, 10 rounds expended

0146

Fire mission (H&I) 24,000 yards

0406

Mission complete, 38 rounds expended

1534

Fire mission (Artillery Site) 23,000 yards called by air spotter

1647

Mission complete, 55 rounds expended

Jul 22  (Sat)


0338

Fire mission (H&I) 21,000 yards

0500

Mission complete, 45 rounds expended

Jul 23  (Sun)


0746

Fire mission (VC/NVA Position) 24,000 yards called by air spotter

1112

Mission complete, 30 rounds expended

Jul 24  (Mon)


0840

Fire mission (Assembly Area) 25,000 yards called by air spotter

1031

Mission complete, 50 rounds expended

Jul 25  (Tue)


0926

Fire mission (H&I) 23,000 yards called by air spotter

1000

Mission complete, 20 rounds expended

2225

Fire mission (Mortar) 22,000 yards

2359

Mission complete, 30 rounds expended

Jul 27  (Thu)


0001

Fire mission (H&I) 24,000 yards

0006

Mission complete, 30 rounds expended

0026

Fire mission (H&I) 18,000 yards

0133

Mission complete, 36 rounds expended

1230

Fire mission (Mortar) 21,000 yards called by air spotter

1244

Mission complete, 36 rounds expended. 1 site damaged

1340

Fire mission (Mortar) 20,000 yards called by air spotter

1358

Mission complete, 20 rounds expended

1613

Fire mission (Artillery Site) 14,000 yards

1635

Mission complete, 40 rounds expended

2342

Fire mission (Base Camp) 24,000 yards

Jul 28  (Fri)

OUELLET DECK LOG FOR JULY 28, 1972

0000

Conducting NGFS on Station "E" at Point Joey

0007

Completed fire mission, 100 rounds expended

0119

Commenced firing (H&I) 19,000 yards

0251

Ceased firing, 63 rounds expended

1040

Relieved by USS BADGER (DE1071).  Eroute to rendezvous with USS SANTA BARBARA (AE28)

1134

On station 200 yards off starboard beam of SANTA BARBARA

1159

Vertrep complete 354 rounds 5/54 taken on board

1315

On station "G" at Point Joey

1554

Commenced firing (Troop Concentration) 11,000 yards

1622

Ceased firing, 50 rounds expended

1704

Fire mission (Staging Area) 15,000 yards called by air spotter

1714

Mission complete, 4 rounds expended

1731

Commenced firing (Mortar) 10,000 yards called by air spotter

1733

Ceased firing due to gun casualty, 3 rounds expended

1749

Gun partially operational

Jul 29  (Sat)

OUELLET DECK LOG FOR JULY 29, 1972

0000

On station "G" at Point Joey making repairs to hydraulic leak on gun

0616

enroute for boat transfer with USS PROVIDENCE (CLG6)

0658

Passengers, Captain Paul Dallman & LCDR Gerald Higbee, on board

0703

Enroute to boat transfer with USS RICHARD S EDWARDS (DD950)

0747

4 men transferred to EDWARDS.  proceeding to rendezvous with USS PASSUMPSIC (AO107)

0850

alongside PASSUMPSIC  

0952

fueling complete, 15,796 gal received

0958

Helo from USS SANTA BARBARA (AE28) delivered 25 bags of mail

1000

enroute to DaNang

1620

Anchored at anchorage 15 in DaNang harbor

1635

Whale boat clear of ship

1833

Harbor tug alongside with mail

1852

Whale boat back aboard ship

1910

Underway for Point Angela

2110

Received boat from USS Trippe (DE1075) for mail transfer

Jul 30  (Sun)

OUELLET DECK LOG FOR JULY 30, 1972

0000

On station Red at Point Allison

0634

Enroute to station Blue at Point Allison

0712

Whale boat delivered mail to USS SAMPLE (DE1048), USS ROARK (DE1053), USS RUPERTUS (DD851) & USS DAVIDSON (DE1045)

0816

Boat returned with BTFN Ronald Voegler

0858

Boat departed with mail for USS MULLINNIX (DD944) & USS HOLLISTER (DD788). Also delivered Captain Dallman & LCDR Higbee to MULLINNIX.

0948

Boat departed with mail for USS PARKS (DD884), USS GLENNON (DD840),

 USS

 USS HAROLD E HOLT (DE1074) & USS RICHARD S EDWARDS (DD950)

1213

Enroute to transfer mail to USS NEWPORT NEWS (CA148)

1300

Transferred mail to NEWPORT NEWS boat (Ouellet's whale boat screw was fouled by stray line)

1352

Enroute to station Blue

2053

Enroute to station "Q"

2223

Commenced firing (H&I) 23,000 yards

2251

Ceased firing, 23 rounds expended

Jul 31  (Mon)


0319

Fire mission (H&I) 16,000 yards

0359

Mission complete, 31 rounds expended

Aug 2   (Wed)


0500

Fire mission (Troop Concentration)

0530

Mission complete, 72 rounds expended

Aug 04  (Fri)

Moored Hong Kong   

Aug 07  (Mon)

CDR John F Baumgardner relieved CDR Albert L Henry as Commanding Officer


CHANGE OF COMMAND BOOKLET

Aug 10  (Thu)

Underway from Hong Kong

Aug 11  (Fri)

Moored Subic Bay   

Aug 12  (Sat)

FAMILYGRAM  VI

Aug 13  (Sun)

UNDERWAY WATCH BILL

Aug 15  (Tue)

Underway from Subic Bay

Aug 18  (Fri)

Refuel at Guam

Aug 22  (Tue)

Refuel at Midway

Aug 25  (Fri)

Moored Pearl Harbor

Documents History 70-73.pdf CB1972.pdf