50 Years Ago This Month - USS Mullinnix DD-944 Shelling Enemy Positions in Vietnam

50 years ago, USS Mullinnix DD-944 spent the majority of the calendar year in Southeast Asia.

Check out http://www.mightymux.com/1966Vietnam.html for all the details - videos, pictures, sounds, music, etc.

Also, check out http://www.mightymux.com/1966Pictures.html for hundreds of pictures of this "around the world" cruise travelled by Mullinnix.

And the Mullinnix Crew from '66 @ http://www.mightymux.com/ShipCrew66.html.

Drink one for me,
Woody

50 Years Ago This Month: USS Mullinnix NOT Doing Much...

Check out http://www.ussmullinnix.org/1965Cruise.html and/or http://www.ussmullinnix.org/1965Pictures.html.

Drink one for me, Woody

50 Years Ago Today – Happy New Year From the USS Mullinnix DD-944

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel by Frank A. Wood

The ship enjoyed ringing in the new year still at D&S Piers. LTJG R.O. Dulin, Jr provided the rhyming midwatch deck log to ring in 1963.

Here we are, moored starboard side to in berth two zero six; In the U.S. Naval Base, Norfolk, Virginia, what a terrible fix! The ship is on cold iron, and I’m cold too; Sure wish this log entry was through. All services are being received from the pier; With the tragic exception of some New Year’s cheer. Material Condition Yoke is set; And conditions of Readiness Five in not all wet. COMDESRON 32 is embarked on this ship; And SOPA is COMASWFORLANT, he’s hip!

The limited log may have been caused by MM3 D.E. Rymer. At 0315, Shore Patrol HQ, Norfolk, reported that the machinist mate had been thrown in jail until 11 January and a $300 bond for reckless driving. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

To be continued... Woody

50 Years Ago Today - Mullinnix Arrives Home in Norfolk

50 Years Ago Today - Mullinnix Arrives Home in Norfolk Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel by Frank A. Wood

8 December: Mullinnix is steaming independently on base course 333, speed 21 knots in accordance with CINCLANTFLT Deployment Schedule enroute to Norfolk from US Naval Station, Trinidad.

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10 December: Khrushchev sends a nine-page letter to Kennedy indicating that the US and the Soviet Union have come to the final stage of the Cuban affair. (On 12 December, in a major 2 ½-hour speech to the Supreme Soviet Council – his first major address since the Cuban crisis – Khrushchev asserts that a US “pledge” not to invade Cuba exists. He warns, however, that if the United States carries out an invasion, Cuba would not be left “defenseless.” Later, at a press conference, Kennedy tells reporters that, in the best judgment of the United States, all strategic missiles and IL-28 bombers have been removed from Cuba.)

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10 December: Mullinnix arrives Norfolk, Virginia. The ship’s attempt to anchor to Anchorage D North was aborted after 2 hours due to the weather. She tied up outboard of USS Norfolk DL-1, Pier 20, D&S Piers. Mullinnix remained in Norfolk for the holidays and a well deserved rest.

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Though curtailed by the Cuban missile crisis, Unitas III yielded rich dividends, both as a training exercise in antisubmarine warfare and as a goodwill cruise. Like its predecessors, it enabled the participating crews to develop an appreciation of each other’s professional competence. “We have worked together, and observed each other closely,” Admiral Tyree commented after a series of exercise, “and we’ve developed a deep respect for each other’s professional abilities.”

Unitas III thus served the tree-fold purpose of strengthening the ASW capabilities of the Eastern Hemisphere navies, furthering inter-American good-will, and, perhaps most importantly, developing a strong feeling of mutual respect among the hemisphere navies.

Cmdr. Harvey Shaw discussed the success of the Mullinnix cruise with The Virginia-Pilot in an article in titled:

“Excel as Envoys - Officer Tells Of Latin Tour”
18 December, 1962:

“NORFOLK – “We didn’t buy them. We earned them with sweat, work and the ability of the American blue-jacket as an ambassador.” That’s the way Cmdr. Harvey Shaw summed up four months of work with Latin American navies and visits to South American ports.

Shaw, skipper of the destroyer Mullinnix, told a MACE (Military and Civilian Employees) Club luncheon in the Lafayette Yacht Club Monday how his 300-man crew won the affection of Latin Americans during the Hemisphere operation called “Unitas III.”

ANTI-SUB TECHNIQUES

Like Unitas cruises in 1958 and 1961, the objective was to work out antisubmarine warfare techniques with Latin American navies, using three U.S. ships and a squadron of patrol planes. The real work at hemisphere understanding was done in port, however. The weapons were music and sports.

In one Brazilian city, the Mullinnix sailors were challenged to a basketball game. The Brazilians fielded their Olympic team. The score was 112 – 12. “We might have lost on the score, but we won otherwise, ”Shaw said, when some 10,000 spectators swamped the Mullinnix team and carried it from the stadium on their shoulders.

In Chili, the ships “rifle” team, using military issue guns, placed third. It competed against the No. 1 rifle team in the country.

In Uruguay, a young Mullinnix sailor, with only high school track experience, placed third in a tough race and made the front page of the local newspaper. In another town, 15,000 Chileans wept while the U.S. band played their national anthem. “In our country,” the commander said, “we are ashamed to wave the flag, but in their country we waved our flag and it was a wonderful thing.”

TOUR OF SLUMS

On a number of occasions, Mullinnix sailors were put to the test by Communist sympathizers. A Recife, Brazil Communist newsman asked Shaw to send a sailor on a tour of the slums. The sailor, a first-class petty officer, was then interviewed. Apparently he gave the right answers because the ship got a fair write-up. Shaw said.

In Santiago, the capital of Chili, another Communist sympathizer asked the leader of the Mullinnix band, a chief musician, if the band would play for a Mississippi Negro audience if asked. “I’m a musician, not a politician. What would you like to hear?” the chief replied.

To be continued... Woody

50 Years Ago Today - Mullinnix Heads Home To Norfolk

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel by Frank A. Wood

1100 3 December: John McCloy meets with Soviet negotiators. Earlier, in one of the final sessions between the US and Soviet negotiators, Vasily Kuznetsov told McCoy, “all right, Mr. McCloy, we will get the IL-28’s out as we have taken the missiles out. But I want to tell you something, Mr. McCloy. The Soviet Union is not going to find itself in a position like this ever again.”

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4 December: Mullinnix sat outboard of USS Borie DD-704 and US Soley DD-707, when she departed San Juan for exercises at sea while enroute to Trinidad, W. I., arriving on 4 December.

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1730 4 December: ExComm discuss future policy toward Cuba with President Kennedy. They agree to continue aerial reconnaissance to verify the removal of the IL-28s and to insure offensive weapons are not reintroduced into Cuba. If another U-2 is shot down, ExComm decides that the US should respond by attacking one or more SAM sites. (John McCone writes to McGeorge Bundy the following morning to recommend that “diplomatic measures be taken” to assure that the US does not find itself in the position of having to attack Soviet-controlled bases in Cuba.

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5 December: Mullinnix is starboard side to Pier 2, US Naval Station, Trinidad, West Indies. Alongside port is HMS Ulster. At 0800 RADM Tyree Jr., COMSOLANT struck his flag from Mullinnix. Crew manned the starboard rail for observance of the COMSOLANT departure ceremonies on the pier.

6 December: The ship got underway for Norfolk, Virginia.

To be continued... Woody

50 Years Ago Today – Soviet Union Blinks

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel by Frank A. Wood

0145 25 October: Kennedy transmits a message to Khrushchev acknowledging his letter of yesterday. Kennedy makes it perfectly clear he is not going to back down and requests Khrushchev to “take the necessary action to permit the restoration of the earlier situation (e.g. – no missiles in Cuba).

0715 25 October; USS Essex and USS Gearing DD-710 hail and attempt to intercept the Soviet tanker Bucharest. Since there is no reason to suspect the ship carriers contraband, the Bucharest is allowed to continue its voyage to Cuba.

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25 October: Mullinnix arrives and moors port side to pier at the naval arsenal, Callao, Peru. Later, she moved to the Repair Pier, Callao, at which the ship took on an additional 56,006 gallons of fuel.

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1426 25 October: At the prompting of the United States, U Thant sends a second message to Khrushchev and Kennedy asking them to avoid direct confrontations between Soviet and US ships will the quarantine remains in effect.

1700 25 October: During an ExComm meeting, CIA Director McCone tells the group that some of the missiles are now operational in Cuba.

1743 25 October: The Commander of US quarantine forces, Admiral Alfred Ward, orders the USS Kennedy DD-850 to proceed toward a Lebanese freighter, the Marucla. The USS Kennedy informs the Marucla that night by radio that the ship will be boarded the following morning. (the Marucla was cleared through the blockade after its cargo was checked.)

The president issues National Security Action Memorandum 199 authorizing the loading of multistage nuclear weapons on aircraft under the command of the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR).

0600 26 October: the CIA reports that construction of IRBM and MRBM bases in Cuba is proceeding without interruption.

1000 26 October: Kennedy tells ExComm that the blockade alone won’t stop the Soviet Union. They discuss an invasion again. Kennedy decides to up the pressure on the Soviets by increased the frequency of low-level flights over Cuba from twice per day to once every two hours.

Later that morning, the president orders the State Department to proceed with preparations for a crash program aimed at establishing a civil government in Cuba after an invasion and occupation of the country. CINCLANT estimates that up to 18,000 US casualties might occur during the first ten days of fighting.

1300 26 October: John Scali, State Department correspondent for ABC News, lunches with Aleksandr Fomin at the Occidental Restaurant in Washington at Fomin’s urgent request. Formin, officially the Soviet embassy public affairs counselor, is (unofficially) known to be the KGB’s Washington station chief. Noting that “war seems about to break out,” he asks Scali to contact his “high-level friends” in the State Department to ascertain whether the United States would be interested in a possible solution to the crisis.

Blink

1400 26 October: The United States asks Brazil to have the Brazilian ambassador to Havana, Luis Batian Pinto, to meet privately with Fidel Castro and give him reassurances that the United States us unlikely to invade Cuba if the missiles are removed.

1800-2100 26 October: The State Department begins receiving a message from the US embassy in Moscow containing a new, private letter from Khrushchev. The message arrives in four sections over the span of three hours. It appears to have been written by Khrushchev himself, Bobby Kennedy calling it “very long and emotional”. It contains a proposal for a settlement: “I propose: we, for our part, will declare that our ships bound for Cuba are not carrying any armaments. You will declare that the United States will not invade Cuba with its troops and will not support any other forces which might intend to invade Cuba. Then the necessity of the presence of our military specialists in Cuba will disappear.”

Blink

Mid-evening 26 October: The USS Cony DD-508, part of the Randolph task group, investigates a sonar contact (possibly C-19).

1935 26 October: Scali meets with Fomin again, reciting a message given to him by Dean Rusk, “I have reason to believe that the US government sees real possibilities and supposes that the representatives of the two governments in New York could work this matter out with U Thant and with each other. My impression is, however, that time is very urgent.”

2200 26 October: ExComm reconvenes to consider if the Khrushchev letter is authentic and compare it to the proposal from Aleksnadr Fomin.

Later that night, unknown to ExComm members, Bobby Kennedy and Anatoly Dobrynin meet at the Soviet embassy (one of a series of secret meetings between the two). Robert Kennedy offers to introduce the Turkish missiles into a potential settlement.

At about the same time, Khrushchev receives a communiqué from Castro, stating he feared the US invasion was imminent. Khrushchev apparently understands the cable as a warning of an impending invasion and as an attempt to get Khrushchev to launch the missiles in Cuba against the United States.

Castro orders Cuban antiaircraft forces to open fire on all US aircraft flying over the island. When Soviet Ambassador to Cuba Alekseyev asks Castro to rescind his order, he is rebuffed.

New additional targets are identified with the low-level surveillance. Military planners consequently revise air attack targeting and plans. The airstrike plan now includes three massive strikes per day until Cuban air capability is destroyed. Some 1,190 bombing sorties are planned for the first day of operations.

To be continued... Woody

50 Years Ago Today – Cuban Crisis About To Explode Into WWIII

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel by Frank A. Wood

0000-0400 23 October: During the midwatch, communication restriction MINIMIZE was received by the Mullinnix radiomen. MINIMIZE is set into effect on a worldwide basis.

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1000 23 October: At an ExComm meeting, Kennedy approves plans for signing an official quarantine proclamation. ExComm decides that if a U-2 aircraft is shot down, that the SAM site responsible for the downing will be attacked and destroyed.

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1435 23 October: During ASW exercises, GQ was sounded as a fire broke out in the Mullinnix sonar equipment room. The fire was put out immediately but the sonar was rendered out of commission. Unbeknownst to the crew, the sonar would come in handy – soon!

The ship steamed towards Callao, Peru in accordance with ‘verbal’ instructions of COMSOLANT. The unscheduled stop is to drop of Admiral Tyree so he can fly to Trinidad to establish TF 137 and make quarantine plans. That ship is only in port the one day ( Mullinnix would head towards the Panama Canal the following day).

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1600 23 October: At a special meeting of the UN Security Council, Adlai Stevenson issues a sharply worded statement in which he characterizes Cuba as “an accomplice in the communist enterprise of world domination.” Cuban representative Mario Garcia Inchaustegui responds by denouncing the quarantine as an “act of war,” and Soviet representative Valerian Zorin calls US charges of missiles in Cuba “completely false.” Zorin submits a draft resolution demanding an end to US naval activity near Cuba and calling for negotiations to end the crisis.

1740 23 October: Fidel Castro announces a combat alarm, placing the Cuban armed forces on their highest alert. Cuban armed forces subsequently reach a size of 270,000 men, following a massive mobilization effort.

1800 23 October: ExComm members are informed that an “extraordinary number” of coded messages have been sent to Soviet ships on their way to Cuba, although the contents of these messages are not know. In addition, Soviet submarines have unexpectedly been found moving into the Caribbean. The US Navy is given “the highest priority” to tracking the subs and to put into effect the greatest possible safety measures to protect our own aircraft carriers and other vessels.

1851 23 October: Kennedy transmits another message to Khrushchev asking that he direct Soviet ships to observe the quarantine zone.

1906 23 October: In a ceremony at the White House, the president signs Proclamation 3504, formally establishing the quarantine. CINCLANT is directed to enforce the blockade beginning at 1000 24 October.

2035 23 October: Fidel Castro tells the Cuban public that Cuba will never disarm while the United States persists in its policy of aggression and hostility. Castro categorically refuses to allow inspection of Cuban territory, warning that potential inspectors “must come in battle array.” 2130 23 October: Robert Kennedy meets with Anatoly Dobrynin at the Soviet embassy. Dobrynin still has not been told about the missiles by his own government. He is not aware of any change in instructions to captains of Soviet ships steaming toward Cuba.

That same day, Moscow places the armed forces of Warsaw Pact countries on alert. A Gallup poll survey shows that 84% of Americans favor the blockade. Roughly one out of five Americans believes the quarantine will lead to World War III.

To be continued... Woody

50 Years Ago Today – “The Most Dangerous Two Weeks in History”

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel by Frank A. Wood

0900 20 October: ExComm finalizes the planning for the implementation of a naval blockade. Sorensen’s draft speech for the president is amended and approved. As McNamara leaves the room, he phones the Pentagon and orders four tactical squadrons to be readied for a possible airstrike on Cuba. He explains, “If the president doesn’t accept our recommendation, there won’t be time to do it later.”

20 October: The USS Charles P. Cecil DDR-835 receives word to get underway in the afternoon. The Cecil had two of three duty sections on liberty, causing the ship to be shorthanded. The Norfolk shore patrol locate Cecil’s CO Rozier having lunch with his family at Fat Boy's North Carolina Pit Barbecue, notifying him to report to the squadron commodore at D&S Piers. Commander Destroyer Squadron 26, Captain William Hunnicutt, after discussion with the commanding officers, agreed that USS Charles P. Cecil DDR-835 and USS Stickell DDR-888, should sail for combat operations with no fewer than 225 men on board. The Stickell departs at 8:30 P.M. with only 150 of her crew aboard. Cecil gets underway shortly after with 200 and a mixed group of 100 men borrowed from other ships, 25 for the Cecil and 75 to be transferred to the Stickell upon rendezvous later.

21 October: USS Cecil gets underway at 0200. The crew has no idea where they are headed (the oral orders were turn south and sail…).

21 October: Despite all precautions, several newspapers have pieced together most of the details of the crisis. The president is notified that security is crumbling. Kennedy contacts the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the New York Herald Tribune, all agree to hold their stories.

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1900 22 October: The DEFCON 3 notice is sent to US forces worldwide. Admiral Tyree detaches Mullinnix for El Callao, leaving Captain R. Maza, Peruvian Task Force Commander, in charge of the remaining ships. Within a few hours the COMSOLANT staff was en route to its shore-based headquarters in Trinidad in planes from the Unitas air detachment.

Mullinnix sights Pta Arvejas Light bearing 041, distance 23 miles at 2330.

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ICBM missile crews are alerted and Polaris nuclear submarines in port are dispatched to pre-assigned stations at sea.

1900 22 October: In a 17-minute televised speech of extraordinary gravity, President John F. Kennedy announced that U.S. spy planes have discovered Soviet missile bases in Cuba. These missile sites—under construction but nearing completion—housed medium-range missiles capable of striking a number of major cities in the United States, including Washington, D.C. Kennedy announced that he was ordering a naval "quarantine" (choosing not to use the word ‘blockade’) of Cuba to prevent Soviet ships from transporting any more offensive weapons to the island and explained that the United States would not tolerate the existence of the missile sites currently in place.

USS Cecil is east-northeast of the Bahamas, all hands listen to President Kennedy's speech over the 1MC.

Kennedy states, “The United States will regard any nuclear missile launched from Cuba against any nation in the Western Hemisphere as an attack by the Soviet Union on the United States, requiring a full retaliatory response against the Soviet Union.”

Khrushchev responds to the speech by “issuing orders to the captains of Soviet ships…approaching the blockade zone to ignore it and to hold course for the Cuban ports.” (Note: Khrushchev’s order was reversed at the prompting of Anastas Mikoyan as the Soviet ships approached the quarantine line on the morning of 24 October)

During the president’s speech, twenty-two interceptor aircraft go airborne in the event the Cuban government reacts militarily.

2000 22 October: Secretary Rusk speaks to a meeting of all other ambassadors in Washington. Rusk tells the group, “I would not be candid and I would not be fair with you if I did not say that we are in as grave a crisis as mankind has been in.”

To be continued... Woody

50 Years Ago Today – As Cuban Situation Heats Up, Mullinnix Enroute to Mejillones Bay

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

17 October: In the morning, Adlai Stevenson writes to President Kennedy that world opinion would equate the US missiles stationed in Turkey with Soviet bases in Cuba. Warning that US officials could not “negotiate with a gun at our head,” he states, “I feel you should have made it clear that the existence of nuclear missile bases anywhere is negotiable before we start anything.” Stevenson suggests that personal emissaries should be sent to both Fidel Castro and Premier Khrushchev.

At about the same time, Georgi Bolshakov, a Soviet embassy official who served as an authoratitative back channel for communications between Soviet and US leaders, relays a message from Premier Khruskchev to Attorney General Robert Kennedy that the arms being sent to Cuba are intended only for defensive purposes. Bolshakov had not been told by Khrushchev that the Soviet Union is actually in the process of installing MRBMs and IRBMs in Cuba. By the time Bolshakov’s message reaches President Kennedy, he has already been fully briefed on the Soviet missile deployment. An SS-5 IRBM is detected. The SS-5s have ranges of up to 2,200 nautical miles, more than twice the range of the SS-4 MRBMs. The GMAIC estimates that the IRBM sites would not become operational before December but that sixteen and possibly as many as thirty-two MRBMs would b e operational in about a week.

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17 October: Mullinnix conducts general visiting for the local population in Valparaiso. At 2245 she completed taking on 42,294 gallons of NSFO.

18 October: A Chilean boy scout, Hugo San Marteen, receives a contusion aboard Mullinnix of his right lower leg and foot, when his foot became pinned under the outboard end of the ship’s brow, which was surging considerably. HMC Freeman examined him and sent him to the local hospital for x-rays.

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18 October: United States conducts a 1.59 Megaton yield Hydrogen bomb test, code name “CHAMA Dominic Airdrop test” over Johnston Island area

1100 18 October: The ExComm convenes for further discussions. The JCS, attending part of the meeting, recommends that President Kennedy order an airstrike on the missiles and other key Cuban military installations. Robert Kennedy responds by asking whether a surprise air attack would be a morally acceptable course of action.

1430 18 October: More discussions take place in Dan Rusk’s conference room at the State Department. President Kennedy, who does not attend the talks, confers privately with Dean Rusk and Robert McNamara at 1530. Kennedy also meets privately with Dean Acheson for over an hour. The president raises his brother’s concern over the morality of a “Pearl Harbor in reverse.” Acheson tells Kennedy that he was being “silly” and that it was “unworthy of him to talk that way.”

This discussion was persuasive to some, as with Secretary of the Treasury Douglas Dillion. It becomes the deciding factor behind the support for a blockade.

1700 18 October: Andrei Gromyko meets with President Kennedy at the White House. Gromyko charges that the United States is “pestering” a small country. Gromyko states that “he was instructed to make it clear…that Soviet military assistance, was pursued solely for the purpose of contribution to the defense of Cuba…If it were otherwise, the Soviet Government would never had become involved in rendering such assistance.”

Kennedy decides not to discuss US awareness of the missiles to Gromyko.

2100 18 October: ExComm presents its recommendations to the president. By this time most members of the committee support the blockade option. As the meeting progresses however, individual opinions begin to shift and the consensus behind the blockage breaks down. Kennedy directs the group to continue its deliberations.

The first of a series of daily “Joint Evaluation” reports is released. The evaluation, the product of collaboration between the Joint Atomic Energy Intelligence Committee (JAEIC) and the Guided Missile and Astronautics Intelligence Committee (GMAIC), states that the MRBMs in Cuba could probably be launched within eighteen hours.

1100 19 October: ExComm decides to break into separate working groups to develop the blockade and airstrike options, drafting speeches for each plan. The groups exchange and critique each other’s speeches. Support for the airstrike begins to shift towards the blockade and the airstrike speech is abandoned. Theodore Sorensen works on the president’s speech until 0300.

2040 19 October: A specific timetable is developed to carry out all diplomatic and military actions required. The schedule includes raising military alert levels (for all forces around the world including Mullinnix), reinforcing Guantanamo naval base and briefing NATO allies. All timing revolves around the “P Hour” – the time when President Kennedy would address the nation to inform Americans of the crisis.

That evening, a Defense Department spokesperson has to respond to an article dealing with Soviet missiles in Cuba. His reply is that the Pentagon has no information indication that there are missiles in Cuba and denies that emergency military measures are being implemented

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0434 19 October: Mullinnix liberty was officially over at 0300. However, YN3 Alton Keith staggered on board at 0434. But, he beat BM3 John Burden by 30 minutes. Not to be out done by his shipmates, SK2 Elbert Cunningham waltz onboard at 0530. Cunningham could always hold his liquor.

Task Force 86 left Valparaiso at 0855, enroute to Mejillones Bay (Del Sun), just north of Antofagasta, on the edge of Chile’s immense northern desert. At the same time, units of the Peruvian fleet left El Callao for Mejillones Bay.

En route to Mejillones, Presidente Pinto (ex-USS Zenobia) served as a simulated convoy while Picuda, Simpson and Thomson skillfully tried to penetrate the destroyer screen around her. Chilean Air Force aviators joined the exercise, cooperating with the surface units in their relentless hunt for the ‘attacking’ submarines. Later that day, the ship refueled from the anchored ship MONTT, taking on 49,492 gallons of NSFO, then anchored out in Mejillones Bay.

At Mejillones three Peruvian destroyers joined the task force. They were the BAP Villar DD-71 (ex-USS Benham DD-796), BAP Guise DD-72 (ex-USS Isherwood DD-520) and BAP Castillas DE-61 (ex-USS Bangust, DE-739). The submarines, BAP Dos De Mayo SS-41, BAP Abtao SS-42, BAP Angamos SS-43 and BAP Iquique SS-44, which joined en route, were Abtao class (initially known as the Lobo class), modified US Mackerel class, 825 tons standard, 1,400 tons submerged.

The submarines attempted to bottle up the task force in Mejillones Bay, but the surface unites succeeded in evading the subs’ surveillance, heading for the calm waters of the open Pacific.

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20 October: US conducts a Low kiloton yield text, code name CHECKMATE Dominic High Altitude test on Missile test over Johnston Island Area.

0900 20 October: ExComm finalizes the planning for the implementation of a naval blockade. Sorensen’s draft speech for the president is amended and approved. As McNamara leaves the room, he phones the Pentagon and orders four tactical squadrons to be readied for a possible airstrike on Cuba. He explains, “If the president doesn’t accept our recommendation, there won’t be time to do it later.”

1430 20 October: The president meets with the full group of planners. He notes that the airstrike plan is not a “surgical” strike but a massive military commitment that could involve heavy casualties on all sides. As if to underscore the scale of the proposed US military attack on Cuba, one member of the JCS suggests the use of nuclear weapons, saying that the Soviet Union would use its nuclear weapons in an attack. President Kennedy focuses on implementing the blockade option, calling it the only course of action compatible with American principles. Kennedy’s address to the nation is set for 1900 on 22 October. Kennedy cancels the remainder of his midterm election campaign trip. Kennedy instructs Sorensen to redraft the quarantine speech, although he notes that he would not make a final decision on whether to opt for the quarantine or an airstrike until he has consulted one last time with air force officials the next morning.

Later than night, James Reston, Washington Bureau Chief for the New York Times is given a partial briefing on the situation but is requested to hold the story in the interests of national security. In addition, a nuclear warhead storage bunker is identified at one of the Cuban MRBM sites.

20 October: The Navy activates Task Force 135, consisting of the attack carriers Enterprise and Independence. The Atlantic Fleet Commander ordered A-3J heavy attack squadrons from Air Wing 6 to be replaced by Marine Corps A-4D Skyhawk Squadron 225, a light attack unit. The Air Force's Defense Command deployed several of F-104 fighters to Key West.

The USS Charles P. Cecil DDR-835 receives word to get underway in the afternoon. The Cecil had two of three duty sections on liberty, causing the ship to be shorthanded. The Norfolk shore patrol locate Cecil’s CO Rozier having lunch with his family at Fat Boy's North Carolina Pit Barbecue, notifying him to report to the squadron commodore at D&S Piers. Commander Destroyer Squadron 26, Captain William Hunnicutt, after discussion with the commanding officers, agreed that USS Charles P. Cecil DDR-835 and USS Stickell DDR-888, should sail for combat operations with no fewer than 225 men on board. The Stickell departs at 8:30 P.M. with only 150 of her crew aboard. Cecil gets underway shortly after with 200 and a mixed group of 100 men borrowed from other ships, 25 for the Cecil and 75 to be transferred to the Stickell upon rendezvous later.

To be continued... Woody

50 Years Ago Today – As Cuban Situation Heats Up, Mullinnix at Valparaiso, Chile

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

14 October: In the early morning, a U-2 aircraft flies over western Cuba from south to north. The reconnaissance mission, piloted by Major Richard Heyser, is the first Strategic Air Command (SAC) mission after authority for the flights is transferred from the CIA to the air force. The photographs obtained by the mission provide the first hard evidence of MRBM sites in Cuba.

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Mid watch 14 October: Mullinnix is steaming from Concepcion Bay, Chile to Valparaiso. At 0745 the ship commenced ASW operations with Lester, Riveros, Williams, and Picuda. The majority of the day was spent in two ship search lines, stationint the ASW attack team, and conducting ASW exercises.

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15 October: All six U.S. Polaris ballistic missile submarines based in Holy Loch, Scotland, deploy to wartime stations. The Polaris boat USS Abraham Lincoln shortened her overhaul and deployed from Holy Loch along with two others from New London.

In the morning, quick readout teams at the National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC) in Washington analyze photos taken by Richard Heyser’s U-2 mission. Late in the afternoon, one of the teams finds pictures showing the main components of a Soviet MRBM in a field at San Cristobal. Analysis of reconnaissance photos during the day also identifies all but one of the remaining twenty-four SAM sites in Cuba. Other photographs of San Julian airfield show that IL-28 light bombers are being uncrated.

That evening, key Kennedy administration officials are tracked down in Washington and briefed about the discovery of the missiles. National Security Advisor McGeorge Bundy, who is given the news by Ray Cline, decides to wait until morning to alert President Kennedy.

Meanwhile, the SGA orders the acceleration of covert activities against Cuba. In particular, the group agrees that “considerably more sabotage should be undertaken” and that “all efforts should be made to develop new and imaginative approaches with the possibility of getting rid of the Castro regime.”

A major US military exercise named PHIBRIGLEX-62 is scheduled to begin. The two-week long maneuver was to have employed twenty thousand Navy personnel and four thousand Marines in an amphibious assault on Puerto Rico’s Vieques Island and the overthrow of its imaginary tyrant, “Ortsac” – “Castro” spelled backwards. However, because of the impending crisis, PHIBRIGLEX-62 is used primarily as cover for troop and equipment deployments aimed at increasing military readiness for a strike on Cuba.

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0837 15 October: Mullinnix arrives at Valparaiso, Chile, mooring port side to Berth “A”.

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0845, 16 October: McGeorge Bundy informs President Kennedy that “hard photographic evidence” has been obtained showing Soviet MRBMs in Cuba.

1150, 16 October: President Kennedy calls together a group of his closest advisers (the group that becomes known as the “ExComm” – the Executive Committee of the National Security Council) at the White House. They are informed of the detailed photo intelligence identifying Soviet nuclear missile installations under construction on the island of Cuba. The president and his men discuss the dangerous decision of how the United States should respond.

In the afternoon, the missiles are identified as long range SS-4s. No nuclear warheads are reported seen in the area. CIA photo analyst Sidney Graybeal informs the group that “we do not believe the missiles are ready to fire.” Six additional U-2 missions are ordered and flown over Cuba later in the afternoon.

As discussions continue on proposals to destroy the missiles by airstrike, Robert Kennedy passes a note to the president: “I now know how Tojo felt when he was planning Pearl Harbor.”

1630 16 October: At the second ExComm meeting, Marshall Carter states that the missiles could be “fully operational within two weeks,” although a single missile might achieve operational capability “much sooner."

Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara outlines three possible courses of action for the president: "the political course of action" of openly approaching Castro, Khrushchev, and U.S. allies in a gambit to resolve the crisis diplomatically, an option that McNamara and others considered unlikely to succeed; "a course of action that would involve declaration of open surveillance" coupled with "a blockade against offensive weapons entering Cuba"; and "military action directed against Cuba, starting with an air attack against the missiles." Much of the conversation centers on the military option and the hazardous unknowns of Soviet retaliation, including the possibility of nuclear escalation. "I don't believe we have considered the consequences," McNamara tells the president. "I don't know quite what kind of a world we live in after we've struck Cuba, and we, we've started it.... How, how do we stop at that point?"

In Moscow, Premier Khrushchev receives US Ambassador to the Soviet Union Foy Kohler for a three-hour conversation in a variety of subjects. Khrushchev reassures Kohler that the Cuban fishing port that the Soviet Union has recently agreed to help build will remain entirely nonmilitary. Once again, Khrushchev insists that all Soviet activity in Cuba was defensive and sharply criticizes US bases in Turkey and Italy.

To be continued... Woody

50 Years Ago Today – As Cuban Situation Heats Up, Mullinnix Anchors in Concepcion Bay, Chile

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

12 October: Mullinnix is steaming at 12 knots with Task Group 86.8 composed of USS Lester DE-1022, Williams DD-19, Riveros DD-18, and USS Picuda SS-382 enroute from Punta Arenas to Valparaiso, Chile in accordance with CTF 86 Op Order 5-62. What was more that just normal protocol, during the daily inspection of magazines samples were taken of the smokeless powder and the magazine sprinkling and flooding systems were also inspected to satisfaction. At 1300 the ship went to GQ, setting material condition ZEBRA and commenced Damage Control exercise.

---

13 October: State Department Ambassador-at-Large Chester Bowles has a long conversation with Soviet Ambassador Dobrynin. Bowles, after having been briefed by Thomas Hughes of the State Department Bureau of Intelligence and Research, tells Dobrynin that the United States “had some evidence” indicating that Soviet nuclear missiles were in Cuba. Dobrynin, who had not been told of the missile deployment by the Kremlin, repeatedly denies that the Soviet Union harbored any intention of placing such weapons in Cuba.

---

1205 13 October: Mullinnix anchored in Concepcion Bay, Chile in 33 fathoms of water. After shipmate R.G. Torns, Jr returned to the ship after being AWOL for 2 ½ hours, the ship pulled up anchor and continued steaming towards Valparaiso, Chile.

---

Author’s Note: On 27 February 2010, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake would strike the city of Concepción, killing more than 521 people and injuring thousands nationwide. Following the earthquake, geologists relying on global positioning satellite (GPS) data concluded that the city had been displaced roughly 10 feet to the west as a result of the event. Fortunately, the city avoided the tsunami that followed. [authors note: I worked in Santiago, Chile in the spring of 2010 and witnesses first hand some of the damage from the Concepción earthquake.]

---

13 October: The Second Marine Air Wing deployed elements of Air Groups 14 and 32 to the naval air station at Key West. The U.S. Army and Air Force pre-positioned supplies to bases and ports in the southern states. The Air Force moved selected squadrons and consumables to Florida bases.

To be continued... Woody

50 Years Ago Today – As Cuban Situation Heats Up, Mullinnix Transits the English Narrows

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

9 October: USS Oxford AG-159, fitted with listening devices, patrolled the Cuban zone in order to intercept radio communications, detected the presence of air traffic controllers speaking Spanish with strong Slavic accents.

---

Morning 10 October: Mullinnix stationed the Special Sea and Anchor details for transiting the English Narrows. At 0958 she fired a 1 round from saluting gun as signal prior to entry into the narrows. Averaging 12 knots, she completed the transit at 1025.

---

10 October: CIA receives Navy photographs taken of the Soviet ship “Kasmimov” off Cuba, showing clearly identifiable IL-28 crates (which later show up in U-2 photography of 17 October at San Julian airfield).

11 October: Atlantic Fleet Command deploys the attack aircraft carrier USS Independence CV-62 with the aircraft of Air Wing 7 aboard from Norfolk with destroyers USS English DD-696, USS Hank DD-792, USS O'Hare DD-889, and Corry DD-817 as escorts.

To be continued... Woody

50 Years Ago Today – As Cuban Situation Heats Up, Mullinnix Underway for Valparaiso, Chile

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

7 October: The Soviet Union armed forces are put on strategic alert.

8 October: Cuban President Dorticos, addresses the UN General Assembly, and calls upon the United Nations to condemn the US trade embargo against Cuba. Near the end of his address, Dorticos declares: “If…we are attacked, we will defend ourselves. I repeat, we have sufficient means with which to defend ourselves; we have indeed our inevitable weapons, that weapons which we would have preferred not to acquire and which we do not wish to employ.”

---

Early morning 8 October: Mullinnix was underway for Valparaiso, Chile. The stormy waters south of Tierra del Fuego (close to Antarctica) make the Strait of Magellan, to the north, more attractive. Although the landmasses protect the strait from harsh Antarctic weather, the Strait of Magellan is still difficult to navigate. It is narrow and the islands of Tierra del Fuego can lead to confusion in stormy weather. The temperatures can reach freezing. Strong wind and waves make visibility and steering complex.

To be continued... Woody

50 Years Ago Today – As Cuban Situation Heats Up, Mullinnix at Punta Arenas, Chile

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

4 October: The SGA meets to discuss the progress of Operation Mongoose. Robert Kennedy states that the president is “concerned about progress on the Mongoose program” and believes that “more priority should be given to trying to mount sabotage operations.” The attorney general also expresses the president’s “concern over the developing situation,” and urges that “massive activity” be undertaken within the Mongoose framework. The group agrees that plans for the mining of Cuban harbors and for capturing Cuban forces for interrogation should be considered.

5 October: Another U2 mission over Cuba reveals the nature and pace of the Soviet military buildup. Following the mission, a policy-level decision limits future US missions because of the administration’s concerns that a SA-2 might shoot down a U2, thereby escalating the crisis.

Dr. No, the first James Bond film, premiers in United Kingdom cinemas. The Beatles released their first single, ‘Love Me Do’.

6 October: CINCLANT directs increased readiness to execute an invasion of Cuba. On 1 October, CINCLANT had ordered military units to increase their readiness posture to execute Oplan 312, the airstrike on Cuba. With the new orders, the prepositioning of troops, aircraft, ships, and other equipment and supplies are directed to increase readiness to follow an airstrike with a full invasion of the island using one of two US invasion plans known as Oplan 314 and Oplan 316.

---

At 0801 on 6 October, the ship fired a 21 gun salute followed by a 13 gun salute while standing out in the harbor at Punta Arenas, Chile. After putting the Admirals barge in the water, the ship moored port side of Chilean tanker Montt AO-52 to take on fuel. The Admiral left the ship to call officially on RADM Balaresque, CINC Operations Forces, Chilean Navy and RADM Solar, Commandant Third Naval Zone, Chilean Navy and Intendente of Punta Arenas.

Finished refueling, she moored portside to the pier in Punta Arenas. At 1100 Commander Chilean Fifth Army Division came on board to officially call on COMSOLANT.

From Punta Arenas the combined U.S.-Chilean task force headed north through the Inland Passage and along the Pacific coast toward Talcahuano and Valparaiso. The Chilean Units which joined the force in Punta Arenas included the recently acquired British-built destroyers Williams and Riveros, and the French-built oiler Almirante Montt. Riveros had arrived in Chile from England only a month before the start of Unitas.

On the Pacific side, Mullinnix was making 20 knots through a shining srface which gave seafaring its traditional aspect of a perfect existence. The sea was a mirror. It was brighter than the sky. There was nothing to reflect. The lone exception was dolphins frolicking in the ship’s bow wave.

To be continued... Woody

50 Years Ago Today - Mullinnix Off West Coast of Chile

50 Years Ago Today - Mullinnix Off West Coast of Chile Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood 1730 1 October: Mullinnix completes taking on 62,392 gallons of fuel from Puasin Puerto Belgrano. The first phase of Unitas III ended at Argentina’s naval base in Puerto Belgrano, and the U.S. ships steamed on alone to rendezvous with the Chilean Navy at the world’s southernmost city, Punta Artenas, in the middle of the Strait of Magellan. Punta Artenas is also home to the southernmost brewery in the world. At the same time, the U.S. Unitas III air detachment headed across the Andes to Santiago for a period of maintenance and ground school with the Chilean Air Force. In Uruguay and Argentina the aircraft had operated with local naval air groups flying ASW missions in conjunction with the surface units. 0655 2 October: Mullinnix shifts electrical load to 1 and 3 ship’s service generators. Tug R-7 came along side shortly after and at 0705 all hands were ordered to quarters for leaving port. At 0713, the ship was underway for Punta Areanas, Chile. As she headed south, visibility was reduced to 200 yards by thick fog at 1145. The ship stationed the fog lookouts at 1155. A luminous mist settled over Mullinnix, whose dark shape seemed to float, insubstantially between sea and sky in a hazy continuum of light. The mist was gray and swirling, as thick and damp as wet cotton. It thickened into a damp, occlusive fog, shrouding the blue of the sea, transforming the superstructure into a looming presence. Shipmates disappeared into the obliterating mist and their voices faded and then died. The ARA Rosales broke off and returned with their squadron to Puerto Belgrano. The remaining ships entered the Straits of Magellan and Chilean waters leaving behind the moderate climate of Uruguay and Argentina. The Strait of Magellan comprises a navigable sea route immediately south of mainland South America and north of Tierra del Fuego. The waterway is the most important natural passage between the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans, but it is considered a difficult route to navigate because of the unpredictable winds and currents and the narrowness of the passage. The strait is approximately 310 nautical miles long and about 1.1 nautical miles wide at its narrowest point (Carlos III Island, west of Cape Froward). The northwestern portion of the strait is connected with other sheltered waterways via the Smyth Channel. This area is similar to the Inside Passage of Alaska. Southward from Cape Froward, the principal shipping route follows the Magdalena Channel. They crew enjoyed a beautiful view of the colorful city of Punta Arenas and its hills, besides being able to spot dolphins, sea lions, and the local bird population. Old docks, sunken ships, and historic piers were not uncommon to spot along the shoreline. In the Straits the ship witnessed snow drifted and glacier-covered as well as one or two boatloads of the natives, called Patagonians (Patagonia is all the name of one of the author’s favorite brews in the world). As the passage narrowed the importance of having the services of a local pilot aboard, who was familiar with the waters, became more evident. The crew saw glaciers, granite towers, turquoise lakes and the vast grasslands of Patagonia. In addition, the oversized grandeur of the ice from the largest non-polar glaciers in the world that spilled into cold pristine lakes was breathtaking. Awesome spires dramatically piercing the sky to penguin colonies made many feel like they were literally at “the ends of the earth”. --- 2 October: U.S. Atlantic Fleet Amphibious Command conduct a multiple Marine Battalion Team amphibious landing exercise with Amphibious Squadrons 8 and 12 at Vieques Island, just off Puerto Rico. The objective of the exercise was to oust the Orange dictator Ortsac (Castro spelled backwards) from power. --- On the evening of 3 October, the #1 ship’s service generator went out due to a pinhole in the reduction gear casing. One shipmate that would have an opportunity to help the snipes in repairs was SA “Randy” Evangelista, as the CO sentenced him to 20 days of confinement at hard labor. At 1700 on 4 October, the ship’s clocks were set back one hour to conform to +4 Q time. To be continued... Woody

50 Years Ago Today - Mullinnix Arrives in Trinidad, British West Indies

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood Steaming at 18 knots the Mullinnix test fired her 40mm saluting batteries at 1315 on 18 August. At 2046 on 19 August the two ships sighted Cape Rojo Light, Puerto Rico bearing 117, distance 27 miles. By the midwatch, the ships were steaming in the Caribbean Sea enroute to Trinidad, British West Indies, arriving at 0857 on 21 August. The ship moored port side to Pier 2, US Naval Operating Base, Trinidad. It had been since 1959 that Mullinnix and visited this beautiful port city. Time, as the old saying promised, had indeed marched on. Kevin Bostic and Barry Lister had both moved on with their careers and lives. The story of them finding and saving Master Chief Smalls from the voodoo worshipers however, still lived on during bullshit sessions, hot cups of joe, and smokes on the fantail. Chief Smalls had retired and later died. Rumor had it he’d drank himself to death. FTG2 Howard McGee had been transferred to an oiler with its one and only 5” gun mount. He’d bitch about it the whole time saying the FTGs were born to be on fighting ships not support ships. Though he never said it out loud, the real truth was he was going to miss his old pal Brian Smythe. Truth be known, McGee was scared to death they’d never see each other again. Brian Smythe was now the 2nd class FTG in Main Battery Plot having been promoted. He didn’t much care and was having trouble deciding whether to make a career out of this shit or not. The Mux just wasn’t the same without his mate McGee. Ah the times they had had. Smythe chuckled out loud, remembering the one-legged woman in Antwerp, Begium. Would he ever again have a friend that he was as close to? Probably not. To be continued... Woody

50 Years Ago Today - Mullinnix Leaves Norfolk for UNITAS III

On 16 August, only after the shore patrol returned RD3 L. A. “Larry” Morton to the ship, Mullinnix steamed out of Norfolk to participate in UNITAS III - a multi-national anti-submarine warfare exercise and circumnavigation of South America. She would travel more than 18,000 miles during UNITAS III and received thousands of visitors during goodwill ports of call. She couldn’t have headed south without her trusty Radarmen like Morton, nor her steaming companion USS Lester, DE-1022.

The Situation: Somewhere off the coast of South America, the Mullinnix (Rear Admiral John A. Tyree, Jr., USN, Commander of the South Atlantic Force of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, flagship) sonar gear detected the presence of a submarine. A Uruguayan captain was immediately notified and he in turn detailed a Brazilian as well as an Argentine destroyer to form a search and attack unit to seek out the intruder hiding deep below the surface of the ocean. Working smoothly together the two destroyers located the submarine and forced it to the surface.

It was USS Picuda SS-382, the gadfly of Operation Unitas III, a series of combined antisubmarine exercises involving the navies of the United States and the maritime nations of South America.

Designed to stimulate the development of common ASW doctrine and techniques, as well as a unified system of communications, Unitas exercises were designed to link the navies of South America into an able and skilled ASW force capable of immediate action in case of a submarine threat to the sea lanes of the continent.

The product of combined planning, Unitas provided an opportunity for the navies of South America to work with each other, as well as with U.S. ships in the development of increasingly advanced ASW tactics. Though only three years old, Unitas had established itself as the high point of the South American navies’ annual training schedules, and their ships train throughout the year to reach peak effectiveness during the operation.

The outgrowth of limited bi-lateral ASW exercises along the east and west coasts of South America during the spring of 1959, Unitas developed into an annual continent-wide exercise involving as many as four countries at once.

Under the command of Admiral Tyree, the 1962 edition of Unitas included Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Peru. Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela were also scheduled to participate, but the Cuban crisis would force cancellation of the last phases of the operation.

To be continued... Woody

50 Years Ago Today - Mux Enroute to Baltimore, Maryland

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood On 17 May the ship was underway for Baltimore, Maryland in accordance with CINCLANTFLT Deployment Schedule 03120, arriving at Anchorage “C”, Annapolis Roads, Annapolis, Maryland later in the day. On the morning of 18 May, she made her way to Broadway Pier, Baltimore. Other ships present included USS Vulcan AR-5 and USS Threadfin SS-410. Early on the morning of 21 May the ship was making preparations for getting underway though she was a bit undermanned. At the 0730 muster a total of 10 sailors were AWOL. A few minutes before the ship got underway at 0758, four seaman and 1 fireman managed to stagger on board. What a night it must have been in Baltimore. She made a brief stop at Bloodsworth Island, Maryland at 1309 to take on gun fire support observers. Once at sea, the ship commenced firing to port for calibration. With the calibration completed, the ship commenced firing competitive shore fire support exercises expending 49 rounds of 5” / 54 AA common projectiles with no casualties. On 22 May Mullinnix was steaming with Task Unit 83.2.4 consisting of USS Stormes DD-780 and USS Norfolk DL-1. USS Norfolk was designed and built following WWII as the concept vessel for a new class of Light Cruisers designed principally to be submarine hunter-killers, capable of operating at sea with fast Carrier groups for extended periods. However by the time USS Norfolk commissioned into US Navy service on March 4th 1953, rapidly advancing military technology in the Cold War had made her intended purpose more suitable for smaller ships like Destroyers and Destroyer Escorts, and the Norfolk was re-classified as a Destroyer Leader. Comparatively speaking she was a very large ship: displacement 8315 Tons, Dimensions, 540' x 53' 6" x 19', armament 8 x 3"/50 RF (4x2), 8 x 20mm (4x2), 4 Weapon Alfa ASW Systems, 8 x 21" Torpedo Tubes. Machinery, 80,000 SHP; Geared Turbines, 2 screws Speed, 33 Knots, Range 6000 NM@ 20 Knots. During her first few years of service, the Norfolk performed well in the numerous exercises she took part in with the US Atlantic fleet, but her large size and large crew (546) made the ship quite expensive to operate. This combined with her offensive capabilities equaled or exceeded by other ships (life the 5” 54s on the Forrest Shermans) in active service at the time caused the US Navy to cancel the rest of the planned four-ship Norfolk class and redesignated USS Norfolk as a test and trials ship for new technology and weaponry. In this new role, the USS Norfolk continued to serve the US Navy for 17 years before she was decommissioned and placed into reserve in 1970. It is hard to imagine a ship of this size with its biggest gun only a dual mount 3” 50 rapid-fire. Within 32 months of her 4 March 1953 commissioning the first of the Forrest Shermans (USS Forrest Sherman DD-931) was commissioned on 9 Nov 1955. With Norfolk’s overall length and extended fantail it is easy to imagine two 5” 54 rapid-fire mounts forward of the bridge and three (maybe four) aft on the fantail and 01 level. What a shore bombardment machine she could have been. This type of configuration could have extended this classes’ life by ten, maybe even twenty years. In 1974 the ex-USS Norfolk was stricken from the Naval Register and sold for scrapping. To be continued... Woody

50 Years Ago Today - Mux Leaves Dry Dock

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

At 1400 on 18 April, flooding commenced in the dry dock. By 1637, the ship’s stern passed over the sill, steaming towards D&S Piers under power from 1B and 2A boilers, #2 ships service generator, and under the watchful eye of Navy pilot W. D. Rice. After refueling at D&S Piers, the ship loaded 4 Mk. 32 Mod 2 warshots and 3 Mk. 32 Mod plus 2 exercise shots from USS Shenandoah.

The next day, the ship set off to sea for the coast of North Carolina to rendezvous with Task Unit 81.8.2 in accordance with COMASWGRU ALFA Op-Order 5-62. She exercised with ship from COMDESON 32 including sister ship USS Jonas Ingram DD-938. The Jonas Ingram has the distinction of being sunk by the first live fire test of the Mark 48 ADCAP torpedo during a SINKEX on 23 July 1988.

Saturday, 21 April, found the ship performing sonar calibration exercises with USS Sirago SS-485. During ASW exercises on 24 April, the ship fired hedgehogs and torpedoes. The ship returned to D&S Piers on 3 May.

To be continued...
Woody

50 Years Ago Today - Mux Leaves Wilmington enroute to Norfolk and Dry Dock

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

The ship steamed from Wilmington on 9 April, enroute to Norfolk, arriving at 1057 on 10 April. A few days later, she entered dry dock for routine maintenance. The following report was provided the CO on 16 April:

“The underwater body paint appears in good condition, only a few areas are peeling away in the vicinity of overboard discharges. The paint on the rudders is almost entirely removed. All spots left by the previous docking will be touched up and the defects noted will be corrected during this availability. There are several bolts missing from the retaining rings around the port and starboard rudder posts. These will be replaced by the shipyard at this time. The cavitation previously noted and repaired by the shipyard during the interim availability is again present but does not seem serious enough to warrant additional expenditures for repairs at this time. The fairing strip on the sonar dome is being renewed by the shipyard. All sea valves and sea chests appear in excellent material condition and no work will be done on these at this time.”

To be continued...
Woody

50 Years Ago (Yesterday) - Mux Leaves Norfolk for Exercises

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

She left port for yet more exercise on 29 January with USS Strong DD-758, USS Stribling DD-867, USS R.K. Huntington DD-781, USS Randolph, USS Stomres, USS Nantahala Ao-60, USS Skate SSN-578, USS D. H. Fox DD-779, USS Meredith DD-890, USS Lowry DD-770, and US Sirago SS-485. After this extensive training period at sea, Mullinnix moored port side to Pier D in Berth J3D, Charleston, South Carolina next to USS Vogelgesand DD-862, USS Ellision DD-864, and USS Everglades AD-24. After a short liberty visit, Mullinnix steamed out of Charleston on 14 February and returned to Norfolk on 16 February.

On 27 February, the ship steam towards Virginia Capes Operations Areas 9 and 15 in accordance with Virginia Capes Ops AREA Coordinator Message 262224Z of 4 February, returning pier side later the same day on to return to sea on 28 February. Mullinnix exercised with USS Bearss DD-654 and USS Sirago. She returned to D&S Piers on 9 March.

The ship was once again at sea on 22 March with her old steaming mate USS Randolph CVS-15. The surface ships were exercising with USS Grampus SS-523 while conducting sonar searches.

To be continued...
Woody

50 Years Ago (Yesterday) - Mux Rhyming Midwatch Deck Log

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

Mullinnix stayed moored through the Christmas holiday but was once again at sea on 28 December, exercising with USS Randolph CVS-15 and USS Laffey DD-724.

The ship spent her first New Years Eve at sea and the traditional rhyming midwatch deck log reflected that:

Steaming in company with Task Group 81.8,
Off the coast of North Carolina, is our New Year’s fate.
In a six ship circular screen, we’re number six,
USS Randolph CVS-15 is guide, on her position we fix.
Bearing 000, istance 4000 yards,
The JOOD says station keeping in not very hard.
Other ships present include Lowry and Blandy,
Perry, Stormes, and the Laffey.
Base course is 315, speed is one two.
Condition of Readiness 5 is set, plus Material Condition Yoke too.
Boilers 1A and 2A are on the line.
And 1 and 3 generators are running fine.
SOPA is CTG 81.8 in Randolph embarked,
While COMDESRON 32 on this vessel is parked.
Our movements are stated in COMASWGRU ALFA OP-ORDER 13-61,
So I’ll review 1961’s history, just for fun.

In January we were sitting at the D and S Piers,
At Norfolk we welcomed a happy New Year.
In February, we left for a long deployment,
Six months in the Med for the crew’s enjoyment.
March found us in Naples, Cannes, and Black Sea.
All were interesting places, and fun to see.
April and Barcelona, we’re sure to remember,
Bull fights and senioritis, we’d have stayed thru December.
In May we saw Taromina, Sicily, and Ancient Athens,
The city is modern now, not as tall as back then.
June and the French Rivera, a good combination.
With the pretty madamemoiselles we ahd friendly relations.
July in La Spegia with its surrounding beaches,
Made the summer days comfortable with the soft sea breezes.
August in St. Jean we’re not likely to forget,
As our last port it scored a big hit.
September was spent back at the D&S piers,
Re-united with our families and giving cheers.
But alas October found us busy at Key West,
Working for TEVDET, we were doing our best.
November found us in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard,
To repair our shop we all had to work hard.
And at last in December, our ship all mended,
To the ASW Force ALFA, we were appended.
It’s been a busy year, you’re sure to agree,
We’ve had two skippers, and commodore’s three.
But back to this watch, we’ve been busy,
If I don’t’ get started, I’ll be here ‘til Tuesday.
At 0025 boiler 2B was brought on the line
And changed course to 045 at the same time.
Time 0037, came to course one three five
Speed is 4 knots, the BT is taking a dive.
0047, BT on deck, speed is fifteen,
And back to our station we start to steam.
Secured fires under 2A boiler, 0050 is the time
Now all machinery is running just fine.
0109 changed speed to one two,
The JOOD has more station keeping to do.
At time 0302, a signal by flashing light.
To course 225 we came by turning right.
And then at 0306, a voice on the radio.
Said to course 315, the whole task force must go.
This watch is almost over for my relief is in sight,
So I’ll say Happy New Year to all and to all Good Night!

LTJG, C.M. Garverick

To be continued...
Woody

50 Years Ago Today – Mullinnix Leaves Dry Docks

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

20 years after Pearl Harbor, at 1410 on 7 December, shipyard personnel commenced flooding the drydock. With Mullinnix once again floating, the dry-dock doors were opened at 1705. She was moved to Pier 3, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, alongside USS Dahlgren DLG 12. On 11 December she headed to NAVWEAPSTA. At 0700 on 12 December, the ship experienced a casualty in the main pump of 2B boiler. Late, she was moved along side of an ammunition pier in heavy fog. Once the ammo was loaded, the ship steamed towards VACAPES OPAREA COORDINATOR EXSKED 24-61.

She conducted firing exercise the following day expending 14 rounds of 5” 54 AA Common. She returned to D&S piers on 14 December.

Mullinnix stayed moored through the Christmas holiday but was once again at sea on 28 December, exercising with USS Randolph CVS-15 and USS Laffey DD-724.

To be continued...
Woody

50 Years Ago Today – Mullinnix Heads Towards The Dry Docks

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

In the early morning hours of 16 November, the ship was underway from Berth 8 and with the aid of YTB 232, headed towards Dry-dock Four. By 1030, Mullinnix was resting on hull blocks.

On 17 November, the members of the Hull Board met and reported the following:

• The underwater hull paint is in poor condition and require sand blasting and repainting
• The struts and shafting are in good material condition and the shaft’s protective coating is in excellent condition
• The struts need preservation and will be painted
• Screws are in good condition with only minor dents (which will be removed) and spoons in the trailing edges
• There is considerable cavitation on the port screw on the face of the blades in the aeas of the hub. These areas will be filled in with DEUCON plastic steel and smootled off
• The starboard screw has two areas of extreme cavitation on the back of the blades near the hub. They will be corrected in a similar manner as the port screw
• The protective zincs are approximately 50% deteriorated and will be replaced by a new type zinc anode
• The sonar dome was inspected and found to be in sound material condition
• The fairing stripe on the starboard side is loose but will not vibrate under operating conditions
• The dome will be sanded and polished by shipyard personnel. There are several large areas of cavitations on the hull in the vicinity of the dome. It is considered that this discrepancy is a result of the low frequency of the dome.
• There is excessive rust in all areas around the riveted seams on the hull
• The fathometer transducer is rusted and there is a bolt missing
• The hydrophone opening is clogged
• The welds on the bilge keels will require a close inspection for cracks and failures

To be continued...
Woody

50 Years Ago Today – Mullinnix Leaves Key West, Florida

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

The ship left Key West again on 19 October in accordance with COMOPTENFOR OPORD D/S 147-0-1 for submarine operating area.

Aircraft completed their buoy drop at 0808. With USS Spikefish SS-404 watching at 4,000 yards, Mullinnix maneuvered to retrieve buoys with motor whale boat. At 0950 HSS 52 was launched and cleared Mullinnix. By 0956, with Mullinnix steaming into the wind, HUL 35 was landed on the fantail. Later, HUL 35 was launched from Mullinnix and commenced attacks on submerged submarine using buoys. She returned to Key West the evening of 20 October only to return to sea on the 21st. But this time, headed north – home to Norfolk, arriving at 0913 on 23 October.

The ship was underway the following morning for Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown, Virginia. While maneuvering alongside pier at Yorktown, the ship’s port screw came in contact with wooden pilings. The screw guard was unable to protect the screw due to height of tide. Nor did the screw guard protect the OOD from the livid CO.
Divers later confirmed that all leading edges of the port screw had tooth effect on edge. Trailing edges showed signs of ‘spoon effect’, possibly resulting from contact with wooden piling. All other shafting and strut supports were found sound and in good condition. Engineering Officer completed inspection of port reduction gear and found no damage. The ship returned to D&S piers on 25 October.

To be continued...
Woody

50 Years Ago Today – Mullinnix Dodges Hurricane

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

On 19 September, Mullinnix left D&S piers for Chesapeake Bay Hurricane Anchorage amid fog, mist, and low visibility. AT 2000, she set the special heavy weather anchor detail. The storm, hovering in the low gray clouds all day, broke in earnest. The wind was shearing the tops off the swells and laying lashes of spray across the heaving glossy backs of the swells. By the midwatch on 20 September, engineering department was on 15 minutes notice ‘for getting underway’. Heavy weather plan was in put into effect. Weather reports indicated possibility of winds up to 40 knots by 0500. The ocean began to turn a color of glassy iron. A vast swell began to move vertically, like the rocking of the sea’s cradle.

At 0215 on 21 September, verbal orders were received COMDESFLOT 4 to return to Norfolk. Undamaged, the ship returned to D&S at 0805.

To be continued...
Woody

50 Years Ago Today - Mullinnix Heads Home From Med (Headed to Norfolk)

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

The ship arrived at Golfo Di Palmas, Sardinia at 1649 on 14 August. The following morning at 0830 US Newport News CA-148, USS Intrepid CVA-11, USS DuPont DD-941, USS Henley DD-762, USS Ault DD-698, USS Putnam DD-757, and USS Keith DD-775 stood into the anchorage and anchored. In accordance with BUPERS Message 101629Z, Captain I. C. Kidd, Jr. relieved Captain J. H. Carmichael, as COMDESRON 32 and COMDESDIV 321.

Headed home, finally… At 1418, Mullinnix pulled up anchor and headed home to Norfolk, Virginia.

To be continued...
Woody

Last U.S. Ground Forces Withdraw From Vietnam – 39 years ago yesterday

With the deactivation of the 3rd Battalion of the 21st U.S. Infantry, the last American ‘ground’ combat units were pulled out of South Vietnam. The 1,043 man unit had been assigned to the U.S. airbase at Da Nang. However, sea operations continued and more than 40,000 U.S. servicemen remained in Vietnam.

Turn you sound on, and check out http://www.ussmullinnix.org/1972Vietnam.html to see if the war wa really over.

Also, this link will take you to about 10 pages worth of pictures from the coast of Vietnam, circa 1972: http://www.ussmullinnix.org/1972Pictures.html.

And of course, the crew of Mullinnix --- my shipmates: http://www.ussmullinnix.org/ShipCrew72.html

Drink one of us,
Woody

50 Years Ago Yesterday – Mullinnix leaves St. Jean

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

She left St. Jean on 7 August back to fleet operations. Where to? More firing exercises were conducted on 8 August, expending 52 rounds of 5”. Mullinnix engaged the replenishment group on 9 August, taking on fuel from USS Mississinewa AO-144 followed by ammunition transfer from USS Shasta AE-6. She commenced vertical replenishment from USS Altair AFS-32 at 1025 and by 1301 Mullinnix was transferring ammunition to USS Mississinewa.

She spent the next several days steam with USS Franklin D. Roosevelt CVA-42. The Roosevelt was the second of three Midway class aircraft carriers. To her crew, she was known as the "Swanky Franky," "Foo-De-Roo," or "Rosie," with the last nickname probably the most popular. Roosevelt spent most of her active deployed career operating in the Mediterranean Sea as part of the Sixth Fleet. The ship was decommissioned in 1977 and was scrapped shortly afterward.

At 1418 on 11 August, the ship lost the electrical load while shifting from 1 and 3 ship’s service generators to 2 and 4. She reshifted the load back to 1 and 3 but at 1428 a electrical fire broke out on the reefer decks. The ship immediately went to general quarters, setting material condition ZEBRA throughout the ship. The fire in the No. 2 reefer motor was quickly extinguished.

To be continued...
Woody

50 Years Ago Yesterday – Mullinnix leaves La Spezia, Italy

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood
While in Naples, on 3 July 1961, Commander William H. Shaw USN, relieved Commander Hill as Commanding Officer, to become the ship’s third skipper. She was once again underway on 5 July to rejoined the fleet. She was ordered from operations in the Western Mediterranean to La Spezia, Italy in accordance with CTF 60 OP-ORDER 55-61 on the midwatch of 10 July, mooring starboard side to USS D.H. Fox DD-779 and USS Shenandoah AD-26 at 0803.
At 2008 on 22 July, Mullinnix slipped away from the pier, enroute to Aranci Bay, Sardinia, anchoring at ZULU 17 in Aranci Bay at 0618 the following morning. She left her berth at 1830 later the same day.
Mullinnix participated in NATO exercise “South Wind” air and anti-submarine operations on 27 July, focusing on anti-submarine attacks. After day after day of long never ending exercises, refueling, and what the crew felt was a general ‘screwing around’ in the Med, the ship was ordered to head to St. Jean, France on 29 July, anchoring at 0801.
To be continued...
Woody

50 Years Ago Yesterday – Mullinnix Anchors At Cannes, France

50 Years Ago Yesterday – Mullinnix Anchors At Cannes, France
Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

COMDESLANT, RADM Weakley joined Mullinnix on 28 May via a helicopter ride from Roosevelt. The ship anchored in Gulfo De La Napoule, Cannes, France with Roosevelt, Little Rock, USS Salamonie AO-26, USS Shasta AE-6, USS Hawkins DDR-873, USS Johnson DD-821, and US Rush DDR-714.

While in Cannes, vaudeville was relived on the torpedo deck one afternoon when George Jessel boarded the ship and presented a 45-minute show of music and comedy to the assembled ship’s company.

She left Cannes on 9 June to continue plan guard duty for Roosevelt. Between plane guard duty and gunnery exercise, the crew was kept busy through 14 June, when Mullinnix anchored in Golfo di Palmas, Sardinia. With two passengers from USS Johnston DD-821 (LTJG James S. Person Jr and BT2 James B Oliver, left steamed out of Sardinia, enroute to Palermo, Sicily. The ship moored starboard side to Pier Piave, Palermo shortly after 0800 on 16 June.

BT2 “H.G.” Roundtree and the rest of the Shore Patrol detail returned to the ship at 0120 on the morning of 17 June. She left the harbor at 0650 and by 0730 had exercised the crew at general quarters. Following the setting of the ASW attack team and securing same, Mullinnix took up plane guard detail fro USS Roosevelt CVA-42. USS Rush DDR-714 relieved Mullinnix at 1555.

At 0043 the ship identified radar contact bearing 315 at 17 miles as USS Springfield CLG-7. At 0600 on 18 June, she was released by OTC to proceed to station in special formation fro AF South Tenth Anniversary Naval Parade.

Midwatch on 19 June found Mullinnix operating of the coast of Italy in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The following day she positioned herself approximately 3000 yards northwest of Filfla Rock and at 1147 commenced shore bombardment exercise, firing to starboard. On 22 June, the ship headed to Augusta Bay, Sicily arriving at 0832 and anchoring in anchorage Z-12 in 10 fathoms of water with 45 fathoms of chain to the port anchor. By 1412 she was underway once again as a unit of Task Unit 60.2.9 in compliance with COMCARDIV 4 OP-ORDER 55-61.

Shore bombardment was again the order of the day on 23 June. She conducted direct fire, in direct fire, and D-day fire gunnery exercises. On the afternoon of 24 June the Navy added a little wrinkle to the exercises. The crew was called to general quarters at 1343 – SOP (standard operating procedure). But at 1408, the ship commenced surprise AA gunnery exercises. This required the mounts to first fire to port for 3 minutes. Eight minutes later, the mounts were ordered to fire to starboard for 2 minutes. Cease fire for 6 minutes. Commence fire – cease fire – commence firing to port – cease fire. By 1717 the ship had expended 115 rounds of 3”/50 cal VT non-frag, 12 rounds 5”/54 cal VT frag, and 82 rounds 5”/54 cal VT non-frag with no casualties.

During exercises in the early morning of 25 June, the ship’s visibility decreased to 75 years due to heavy fog. Fog description. She commenced sounding fog signals and stationed lookouts in the eyes of the ship.

To be continued...
Woody

50 Years Ago Today – Mullinnix Departs Athens, Greece

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

The ship steamed out of Athens on 22 May.

At 1403 on 22 May, Mullinnix sighted jet aircraft launched from USS Roosevelt’s port catapult crash about 100 yards ahead of carrier. The captain to the conn as he had observed a partly opened parachute about 20-30 feet above the water and about 100 yards astern of Roosevelt. A Navy helicopter raced to the scene and hovered over the parachute. Mullinnix proceeded to position of helo while she dropped the helo crew member into the water to assist the downed pilot. All engines stopped was ordered at 1413 while the helo crew recovered the pilot and left area to resume rescue helo station on carrier. Mullinnix was directed to undertake rescue of downed pilot. She lowered the motor whale boat to search area of crash. The pilot’s parachute was no longer visible. She proceeded to search the crash area steering various courses and speeds. The Mux’ whale boat recovered small pieces of aircraft debris, but their was no evidience of the pilot. Roosevelt ordered carrier propeller aircraft to assist in the search. At 1530, USS Little Rock CLG-4 and USS Laffey DD-724 joined in the search. At 1550, Mullinnix recovered her motor whale boat. The pilot was never recovered.

Mullinnix continued to participate in flight ops with Roosevelt until 24 May. That afternoon at 1512, following a successful full power run at 32 knots, she intercepted a message on fleet broadcast that said a passenger aboard SS Atlantic, 100 miles east of Malta, required assistance due to a possible perforated ulcer. Roosevelt dispatched a helicopter and Mullinnix steamed toward the stricken ship, spotting her at 1530. Ready to lower the whaleboat, the Navy decided to transfer the patient via helicopter.

To be continued...

Cheers,
Woody

50 Years Ago Today – Mullinnix Departs Barcelona, Spain

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

With the majority of the crew well rested (some had trouble walking), she steamed out of the harbor on 26 April, heading back to Sardinia. In the wee hours of the midwatch an unidentified surface contact turned out to be USS Grant County LST-1174, a De Soto County-class tank landing ship commissioned in late 1957 and named after counties in fifteen states. She will be the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name Grant County. USS Fremont APA-44 and USS Waldo County LST-1163 joined the formation a couple hours later. That afternoon she anchored in Sardinis near:

• USS Pocono AGC-16
• USS Seal Owl SS-405
• USS Exploit MSO-440
• USS Observer MSO-461
• USS Affray MSO-511
• USS Alacrity MSO-520
• USS McCard DD-822

At 1500, USS McCard reported a fire aboard but required no assistance. Mullinnix got underway at 1658. By 28 April, Task Force 61 had grown to almost 30 ships. The group practiced ASW exercise for most of the morning. Mullinnix anchored back in Porto Scudo Bay at 1155 only to leave again at 1442 in order to patrol gunfire support area, returning to Sardinia at 1715. She left and returned twice to Sardinia on 29 April. The crew begin to wonder if they were practicing the Navy’s version of ping-pong. After several days of extensive fleet exercises Mullinnix anchored at Taormina Harbor, Taormina, Sicily at 0802 on 3 May.

To be continued...

Cheers,
Woody

50 Years Ago Today – Mullinnix Experiences a “Hang Fire” in MT 51

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

While conducting drone firing exercises on 7 April, the ship experienced a hang fire (a round stuck in the barrel) in MT 51. Hang-fire occurs when there is a delay beyond the normal ignition time after the initiating action is taken (eg. the gun fires 15 seconds after the firing key is closed). The mount had been firing for only 2 minutes, therefore it was considered a “cold gun" condition, where the gun barrel and chamber wall temperature have not been raised by prolonged firing to a point where “cook-off” can occur.

Extensive testing of the 5"/54 under continuous sustained firing conditions had shown cook off temperature is achieved in approximately 3 minutes.

Cook-off occurs when components of the gun reach a temperature high enough (e.g. “hot gun”) to cause some form of explosive reaction in the projectile. As long as the breech is closed, cook-off will cause the round to be fired in a near normal manner. However, with the breechblock open, cook-off usually results in personnel injuries/fatalities and major equipment damage.

Regulations require that the gun mount remain idle for two hours in a safe firing bearing to preclude danger to other craft and friendly forces in the event of a cook-off. With fully charged fire hoses at the ready, MT 51 was fired to starboard at 1253, with the casualty restored.

To be continued...

Cheers,

Woody

50 Years Ago Today – Mullinnix Leaves Eregli, Turkey / Arrives Samsun, Turkey

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

The following morning, with the anchor aweigh at 0925 and the Captain on the conn, the ship headed to Samsun, Turkey, dropping anchor in this port at 0743 on 27 March.

At 0830, The Chief of Security, Samsun, Turkey, representig the Governor, made an official call on Captain John H. Carmichael, USN, COMDESRON 32. As customary, Mullinnix rendered honors. At 0921, COMDESRON 32 left the ship to call officially on the Governor, Samsun, Turkey and to lay a wreath at the monument of Ataturk. Later in the day, the Governor of Samsun returned the official call of COMDESRON 32.

Samsun, a relatively small village, is the provincial capital of Samsun Province and a major Black Sea port. Samsun is a long city that extends along the coast between two river deltas which jut into the Black Sea. It is located at the end of an ancient route from Cappadocia: the Amisos of antiquity lay on the headland northwest of the modern city. To Samsun's west, lies the Kızılırmak ("Red River", the Halys of antiquity), one of the longest rivers in Anatolia and its fertile delta. To the east, lie the Yeşilırmak ("Green River", the Iris of antiquity) and its delta

The US Air Force Radar site detachment invited Mullinnix for dinner and a softball game. The detachment was somewhat surprised to learn (the hard way) that the Mighty Mux had one hell of a softball team. A team, that would be invited to the All European Softball tournament in Naples, Italy later that year

The detachment’s surprised the Mux team when they brought out their mascot – a huge brown bar named Ivan. Ivan, like the service men, was fond of beer. Between softball, beer, and Ivan, the crew had a couple hours in which home was just a little closer in their hearts and minds.

The ship was underway the following morning for Istanbul, Turkey. Darkened ship was ordered with the exception of navigational lights, typical operations in this part of the world. Their Russian escort picked them up just outside the harbor and accompanied the ship back to the Straights. Before entering Istanbul harbor, the ship refueled from USS Salamonie AO-26. She anchored in Istanbul Harbor at 1121

To be continued...

Cheers,

Woody

50 Years Ago Today – Mullinnix Steams into the Aegean Sea

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

With multiple daily sonar contacts, Mullinnix steamed into the Aegean Sea during the midwatch on Saturday, 18 March. After receiving fuel from USS Pawcatuck AO-108, Mullinnix spent the afternoon simulating attacks on US Trutta SS-421.

She began transit of the Dardanelles at 1408 on 23 March. Uyasbaba Burnu light was bearing 358, distance 1.7 miles. By the midwatch on 24 March, she had entered the Sea of Marmara.

At 0010 she suddenly changed her course to avoid an unidentified radar. A Russian cruiser - began ‘escorting’ Mullinnix literally side-by-side. If she slowed, the Russia ship slowed, if Mullinnix sped up, so did the Russians. Late in the afternoon, the Mux skipper decided to perform a little ‘research’. The CO called the engine room and ordered them, “stand by to answer all bells!” Slowly the skipper started increasing speed until the ship was near flank speed, with the Russian still welded by her side. Then the captain ordered, “all back and hard right rudder!” Mullinnix started shuddering and shaking but came to a screeching halt as she turned around a full 180 degrees and steamed at flank speed the other way. The larger, heavier Russian ship was caught off guard, flying past Mullinnix. It took the Russians a 5-mile wide turn and almost 45 minutes to regain thier station ‘shadowing’ the US destroyer side-by-side once again.

This sort of ‘exercise’ does wonders for ship moral, hence the Mullinnix CO performed the maneuver several more times.

At 0408 the Yesilkos Aero beacon was sighted and at 0425 the Yesilkey Light was sighted. By 0650, the Captain was maneuvering the ship into Istanbul Harbor. With the aid of a local navigator on the bridge, she bypassed Istanbul and completed transit of the Bosporus Straight, entering the Black Sea at 0918 on course 034, speed 15 knots. Within 2 minutes, USS Hawkins DD-873 and Mullinnix were performed a light line transfer. Hawkins and Mullinnix anchored in Eregli Harbor, Eregli, Turkey at 0801 on 25 March.

To be continued...

Cheers,

Woody

50 Years Ago Today – Mullinnix Departs Cannes, France

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

Mullinnix left Riviera good times, new female friendships, and even a couple broken hearts, as she got underway at 0701 on 10 March, enroute to Augusta Bay, Sicily as a unit of TU 60.21 in accordance with COMCARDIV 4 OP-ORDER 52-61.

Saturday, 11 March found Mullinnix proceeding to rendezvous with the replenishment group. First up was replenishment by helicopter from USS Altair AKS-32, receiving 6 net loads. This was followed by fuel transfer from USS Salamonie AO-26 and then an ammunition transfer drill with USS Shasta AE-6. At 1427 she took on provisions from USS Rigel AF-58 and finally a light line transfer with USS Moale DD-793.

While steaming in the Tyrrhenian Sea, LTJG D. M. Whitt returned aboard to resume his regular duties afer completing his TAD at Key West, Florida. On 13 March the shipped anchored at 0736 in Golfo di Catonia Bay, Sicily in 15 fathoms of water. MMI K. Reid was transferred to USS Shangri-LA CVA-38 with appendicitis. Mullinnix was back underway by 2030 for fleet operations and enroute to Istanbul, Turkey.

Operating in the Ionian Sea of the coast of Sicily, the ship had to suspend training to investigate an intermittent radar and ECM contact. The ASW attack team was stationed at 1343. As is common, the vast majority of these contacts never materialize into much. However, with the Russian in the same waters performing the same type training, you have to treat each one as real. No one ever knows, but this contact could have been Russian that managed to slip away at the last minute due to their training and drills. More than likely it was the USS Sea Cat SS-399 playing cat-a-mouse with her own destroyers. Mullinnix secured the ASW team and shut down the steam to the port shaft, a maneuver called “port shaft trailing”. This changes the sonar-marking that is unique to every ship in the world.

To be continued...

Cheers,

Woody

50 Years Ago Today – Mullinnix Departs Naples, Italy

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

With the aid of civilian pilot Captain Cocorulio, she got underway from Naples at 0715 on Friday, 3 March. Before the end of the midwatch on 4 March, Mullinnix was operating in the Tyrrhenian Sea. At 0915 she transferred two German officers from USS Little Rock CLG-4.

“Here come the Krauts”, announced FTG3 Smythe as twin-trails of smoke leaked from his nostrils.

“Yep, just think. Less than 16 years ago, we were kick’in their ass all the way back to Berlin”, figured Smythe’s buddy McGhee.

GQ was sounded at 1300, setting material condition ZEBRA. At 1339, the ship conducted ABC defense drills.

“I don’t know about you, but these drills scare the shit out of me”, said Smythe.
“Why’s that?” asked McGhee.

“Spooky. They’re just damn spooky. You know what ABC stands for, right?”

“Atomic Bacterial Chemical attack. Why?” Answered McGhee.
“Tell me somethin’. We’re on a ship with 3 5” guns, 2 double-barrel 3”, and a couple torpedo tubes.”

“So?”

How in the fuck are we suppose to survive a fuck’in A-bomb? Or a fuck’in bug attack or some fuck’in-ass chemical, huh? Tell me that.”

“We don’t.”

“What?”

“We don’t. We take one for the bigger ships – like the carrier”, said McGhee.

“Fuck me. Fuck me. Fuck me. I need a smoke”, Smythe answered.

“Smoking lamp is out.”

“Like a said, spooky. Here I am practice’n how to turn green inside, or out, or both, and the Navy tells me I can’t smoke. Fuck me…”

To be continued...

Cheers,

Woody

50 Years Ago Today – Mullinnix Arrives In Naples, Italy

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

Upon receiving 52, 462 gallons NSFO from USS Severn on 23 February, Mullinnix steamed towards Naples, Italy arriving at 0920 being Mediterranean moored at berth 72, Molo Angioino, Naples.

Much has been said about the hurricane bow of the Forrest Sherman Class. Many Tin Can Sailors stationed on older ships noticed as well. Sonny Walker, VP, Laffey Association (USS Laffey DD-724), recalls the 1961 Med Cruise, stated, “We were in DESRON 32 and the Mullinnix was our flag ship. We envied that high bow when the weather got rough.”

USS Laffey is significant because of her action on 16 April 1945, when she fought one of the most famous destroyer-kamikaze duels of the Pacific War. She was attacked by 22 Japanese kamikazes and bombers in the span of ninety minutes. She managed to shoot down 11 of the attacking planes while being hit by five kamikazes and two bombs killing 32 and wounding 71 of her crew. For this action she was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation

To be continued...

Cheers,

Woody

50 Years Ago Today – Mullinnix Experiences Low Water Casualty in 2B Boiler

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

On a ship, problems are never fixed. Ships are like a marriage – you’re never done making it better. While on exercises on 18 February, Mullinnix experienced a low water casualty in 2B boiler. She had to reduce speed to 20 knots with the fires were secured under the boiler. The engineers quickly cross-connected the main engineering plant while the BTs relit the fires under 2B. Once the boiler was brought back on line, the ship returned her speed to 27 knots. That evening she supported the Forrestal while the carrier performed flight operations.

Chaos theory attempts to explain the fact that complex and unpredictable results can and will occur in systems that are sensitive to their initial conditions. A common example of this is known as the Butterfly Effect. It states that, in theory, the flutter of a butterfly's wings in China could, in fact, actually affect weather patterns in New York City, thousands of miles away. In other words, it is possible that a very small occurrence can produce unpredictable and sometimes drastic results by triggering a series of increasingly significant events. On Monday, 20 February, Mullinnix and Fox had just taken up their plane guard stations astern of Forrestal, when at 1713 one of Forrestal’s fighter aircraft crashed into the sea off the port bow and sank. Was a butterfly responsible? Or was it insane to imagine that a single flap of a single seagull's wings would be enough to change the course of all future weather systems on the earth, and therefore Naval in-flight technical problems? Inevitable. Fate. Terms used by the Navy when carrying out their mission. The pilot, thankfully, was recovered by helicopter six minutes later.

In the early dawn light of 21 February, Mullinnix took on 64,035 gallons NSFO (Navy Special Fuel Oil) from USS Severn AO-61. Several hours later, a second special sea detail with USS Severn delivered mail to the Mux crew. Later, as the sun dipped below the horizon, USS Forrestal commenced flight operations with Mullinnix standing plane guard detail.

Shortly after midnight the ship passed through the Straits of Bonifacio enroute to rendezvous with units of Task Force 60 in accordance with COMCARDIV 6 OP-ORDER 51-61, followed closely by USS M.C. Fox DDR-829 and USS Forrestal. At 0744 she anchored in Golfo degli Aranci, Sardinia with the following ships:

• USS Springfield CLG-7
• USS Forrestal CVA-59
• USS Shangri La CVA-38
• USS Little Rock CLG-4
• USS Mississenewa AO-144
• USS Neosho AO-143
• USS Severn AO-61
• USS Shasta AE-6
• USS Suribachi AE-21
• USS Bigelow DD-942
• USS Mitscher DL-2
• USS Sumner DD-692
• USS D. H. Fox DD-799
• USS Corporal SS-346

To be continued...

Cheers,

Woody

50 Years Ago - Mux Pulls into Rota, Spain

Excerpt from “The Last Gun Ship - History of USS Mullinnix DD-944” - A Historical Novel By Frank A. Wood

At 1221 on 11 February, the ship proceeded to Rota, Spain for a brief refueling stop, mooring starboard side to a fuel pier. At 1935, the ship was once again underway for Pollensa Bay, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain. Shorty after the midwatch on the 12th, the ship passed through the highly congested Straits of Gibraltar, joining an Attack Carrier Striking Group which lay at anchor in Pollensa Bay at the northwest corner of Mallorca.

That morning, the fog lookouts were stationed at 1042. The bank rolled in like melted marshmallows on a never ending black-jack branch, appearing like a horizontal strip made by an artist’s #3 brush. Mullinnix crept through the fog as the visibility was practically zero. Occasionally the lookouts could hear a foghorn from one of the other ships. While still immersed in the fog, the ship stationed the ASW attack team at 1144 to pursue a detected sonar contact bearing 037, distance 4500 yards. She broke off the search about one hour later as the contacted was evaluated to be non-submarine.

On the morning of 13 February at 0758 she was anchored in Pollensa Bay in eight fathoms of water with a seaweed bottom. Her sister ship USS Davis DD-937 was received alongside to starboard a short time later. Mullinnix took on 15 rounds 5”/54 BL and P projectiles and 20 rounds VT non-frag from Davis. By 1614 she was underway once again to refuel from USS Truckee AO-147 then to rendezvous with USS Springfield CLG-7. Later that day, in conjunction with USS Saratoga CVA-60, the ship participated in ECM exercises.

At 0435 on 15 February, the ship was ordered to turn off all navigational lights. While darkened, she corrected course to 180 degrees by sinuous course clock, cam 1 and commenced turn count masking while Springfield and Shenandoah stood by.
At 0823, the crew was treated to a rare eclipse of the sun. As the sun ebbed behind the moon, the resultant shadow raced towards the Mullinnix like a blanket. In moments, the sun was three-quarters gone and the sea was sucking up the remaining light. The ship was in near darkness. The surface of the water was the color of tarnished bronze. The glow of the dying sunset filtered dimly onto the decks.
By early Thursday, 16 February, Mullinnix was steaming with Task Unit 60.1.9 that was composed of Springfield, Saratoga, USS Des Moines CA-134, USS O’Hara DDR-889, USS Stickell DDR-888, USS Cecil DDR-835, USS Steinaker DDR-863, USS Corry DDR-817, USS Wood DDR-715, and USS Leary DDR-879. At 0410, Mullinnix and O’Hara were detached from the group to conduct an ASW sweep. Midwatch until pre-dawn, with the aroma of strong coffee, the lifeblood of the Navy, permeated everywhere.

There’s nothing like the feeling on a ship at sea at night - the masthead lights, the red and green navigation lights and stern light, the pulsating phosphorescence of radar repeaters - they cut through the dusk and join with the mirror of stars overhead. The drifting off to sleep (assuming you’re not on watch) lulled by the myriad noises large and small that tell you that your ship is alive and well, and that your shipmates on watch will keep you safe.

When finished with the exercises a few hours later, she was anchored back in Pollensa Bay by 0803. She spent the night at anchor with various ships of the Sixth Fleet including USS Mississinewa AO-144, USS Dewey DLG-14, and USS Forrestal CVA-59, steaming once again at 1414 the following day.

To be continued...
Cheers,
Woody