The USS NEWPORT NEWS was moored port side to Pier 7, Berth 72, at the US Naval Station (NOB) Norfolk, her homeport, to start the New Year. Holiday leave and upkeep was the routine and COMSECONDFLT was embarked. On the 18th of January the NEWPORT NEWS departed Norfolk for the Virginia Capes for gunnery exercises. The next day she departed VACATES operations area at 0820, to rendezvous with Task Group 28.5. In the late afternoon, rendezvous with TG 28.5 was effected and NEWPORT NEWS sailed for Operation SNOWY BEACH, off the coast of Maine. On the 21st the USS FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (CVA 42) joined the TG. NEWPORT NEWS arrived in the operation area on the 22nd, and anchored in Fire Support Area 2, in the vicinity of Reid State Park, Maine. The ship provided gunfire support for amphibious landing forces throughout the next two days.
By the 24th of January Operation Snowy Beach drew to a close, and NEWPORT NEWS departed the exercise area enroute to Norfolk at 1237, with USS GLENNON (DD840) and USS McCARD (DD822) in company. CO NEWPORT NEWS was the Officer in tactical command of the three ships. On 26JAN she arrived Norfolk and moored at Pier 7 at 1538. The ship's 23rd anniversary of the commissioning was marked. NEWPORT NEWS shifted from Pier 7 to Anchorage W-3, Hampton Roads, to load ammunition. At 1424, the ship departed Norfolk enroute to San Juan, PR.
While enroute to San Juan, in the afternoon of Feb. 18th, an unusual and unique achievement for NEWPORT NEWS and the US Navy was accomplished. Utilizing only onboard equipment, NEWPORT NEWS successfully conducted refueling operation with the SS Erna Elizabeth. This marked the first time in NEWPORT NEWS's history she had been refueled from a civilian tanker. The following day NEWPORT NEWS arrived in San Juan and moored port side to Fernandez Juncos Federal Quay at 0853. The next day she was opened for visitors in the afternoon.
NEWPORT NEWS departed San Juan for gunnery exercises of Sonda Des Vieques on 22Feb. After anchoring in position, gunfire support commenced with Turret One and Mount 53. The following day she remained anchored and gunfire support exercises were conducted until 2138 at which time the ship departed Vieques to rendezvous with the USS SAN Diego (AFS 6). On the 24th NEWPORT NEWS replenished from the San Diego in the early daylight hours, and refueled/rearmed from USS DETROIT (AOE 4).
Admiral Charles K. Duncan, CINCLANTFLT; the Honorable Charles L. Ill, Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Logistics); and the Honorable Dudley C. Mecum, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations and Logistics) came aboard after the rearming/refueling and remained until heloed off in the afternoon. Late in the afternoon NEWPORT NEWS again rearmed from the Detroit.
She headed for the Puerto Rican Operational Area Foxtrot on the 25th and left for Port of Spain, Trinidad on the 26th. NEWPORT NEWS arrived at Port of Spain and moored port side to Berth 6, King's Wharf at 0849. General visiting was the routine during the two day stay.
The Leap Year Day guests joining VADM De Poix, Commander SECOND FLEET were:
The Honorable Anthony D. Marshall, American Ambassador to Trinidad; The Honorable Kamaluddin Mohammaed, Minister of External Affairs-Trinidad; The Honorable Basil Pitt, Minister of National Security-Trinidad; Brigidier Joffre Serrette, Commander Defense Force-Trinidad; The Honorable Fite Blackman, Mayor Port of Spain; Commander Mervyn Williams, Acting Commander Coast Guard-Trinidad; and Captain R.A. Sirving, Commanding Officer HMS PHOEBE.
At 0913 NEWPORT NEWS departed Port of Spain for the overnight trip to La Guaira, Venezuela. At 0840 ship moored port side to Bajo Seco Pier. In the morning 300 Naval Academy cadets visited the ship. Afternoon visitors totalled 55. During the four day stay she had 584 general visitors. NEWPORT NEWS departed La Guaira at 0801 for Cartagena, Colombia, arriving at 0800 on the 8th of March at which time she rendered a 21-gun salute. At 0828 she moored starboard side to Berth 1, Terminal Maritime Pier. Visitors to COMSECONDFLT during the day included Rear Admiral Jairo Mantilla; Captain H. Calderon; The Honorable Aivado de Zubiria, Governor of Bolivar; The Honorable Enrique Zurek, Mayor of Cartagen; and the Honorable Leonard J. Saccio, US Ambassador to Colombia. During this three day port call NEWPORT NEWS was visited by 146 general visitors and 300 cadets and midshipman. On 11MAR NEWPORT NEWS departed Cartagena at 0855 for Guantanamo Bay. Full power trials were successfully complete enroute. She moored port side to Wharf B at 1203 and left for Norfolk at 1351 on the 13th, arriving in Norfolk at 1012 on the 16th. This began an upkeep period that lasted until the 10th of April(on the 5th the Inspector General of the Marine Corps inspected the Marine Detachment), when NEWPORT NEWS received orders to proceed to Southeast Asia when ready for sea. The following three days were filled with activities preparing for departure to Southeast Asia. On the 13th final preparations for the deployment were made.
Third Vietnam Tour
Newport News in Harms Way Again
Proceed to 1973
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