4 JUN NEWPORT NEWS returned to MRI and TU 70.8.9. Action resumed as she fired five missions and more than 900 rounds at enemy targets. In causing four secondary explosions she fired 874 8-inch and 31 5-inch shells. One incident of hostile fire accounted for nine rounds. In the afternoon the ship rearmed from the USS NITRO (AE 23) at 1415. As in the previous day, NEWPORT NEWS fired in support of VNMC units. The ship operated in four missions and fired 260 8-inch and 148 5-inch rounds.r, causing two large secondary explosions and starting one fire. At 1209 NEWPORT NEWS rearmed from the USS PYRO (AE 24), and then returned to the line. During the period 4-5 June, NEWPORT NEWS provided deep support for South Vietnamese ground force thrusts inland. An enemy POW taken in this period reported "when NEWPORT NEWS was chasing tanks with her 8"/55 she happened also to break up a two battalion attack on the verge of jumping off because significant numbers of personnel were killed. In area missions, whole CP's have been wiped out and the NVA have lost a significant number of O-6/O-5 level officers."
On June the 6th NEWPORT NEWS steamed northward to rejoin TU 77.1.2 for LINEBACKER strikes on the coastal areas of North Viet Nam through the 16th of June. General Quarters was sounded at 2030 and 36 round of 8-inch were fired at various targets. GQ secured at 2238 at the completion of the mission. An early morning GQ (0130 - 0510 7JUN) began the NEWPORT NEWS' first day back north. Four missions were fired throughout the day, and 206 8-inch rounds were fired. The ship refueled from the SAVANNAH at 1404. Again early morning GQ's were the order of the day as NEWPORT NEWS fired two missions totalling 85 8-inch rounds. One mission was from 0100 to 0419, the other at 0511 to 0602. A final GQ for the day began at 2100 and carried through to the next day. The lengthy GQ ended at 0440, and NEWPORT NEWS took a well earned, but shortlived break. She rearmed with the HALEAKALA (AE 25) at 1145, and then returned to action. During the four missions of the day she fired 258 8-inch rounds causing two secondary explosions. Also, NEWPORT NEWS' attention was drawn to a group of six sampans, offloading a chinese freighter. While firing at the sampans six fire were started. The freighter was not hit. Hostile fire was recorded during the day, totalling 43 rounds in two incidents. General Quarters began at 2000 and secured at 0045 10 JUN. A second GQ was called from 0330 to 0644. Hostile fire again was encountered as the ship received 78 rounds of enemy fire in three incidents. The ship fired four missions during the day, expending 325 8-inch rounds. One secondary explosion was credited to the ship's fire. Ten additional rounds of 8-inch counterbattery were fired during the incidents of hostile fire. General Quarters was called at 2000, to secure at 0053 11JUN. A second GQ was called on the 11th from 0245 to 0408. In the early dawn hours NEWPORT NEWS refueled from the SAVANNAH at 0845. COMDESRON NINETEEN was highlined aboard and departed by boat at 1805. The highest number of hostile fire rounds for a single day on the line was recorded this day. The enemy fired 232 rounds in three incidents. The ship was not hit. The ship replied with 16 rounds of 8-inch counterbattery. During the four missions the NEWPORT NEWS fired another 245 8-inch roundsr, and caused 14 secondary explosions and started eight fires. The evening closed with GQ being called at 2015, and securing the 12th at 0012. 12JUN as with the preceding day, GQ was called in the early morning, 0300 to 0453. Hostile fire continued, but in abated fashion as 16 rounds were received. NEWPORT NEWS returned 10 rounds of 8-inch counterbattery. Firing 102 8-inch rounds in two missions, the ship caused three secondary explosions. At 1140 NEWPORT NEWS rearmed from the NITRO. On the thirteenth general quarters was in effect from 0100 to 0457. Four missions and 160 8-inch shells were fired throughout the day, as NEWPORT NEWS set off six secondary explosions. The ship vertrepped with USS WHITE PLAINS (AFS 4) at 0700. Hostile fire increased as the ship received 106 rounds of fire in three incidents. Ten rounds of 8-inch CB were returned. At 2000 GQ was sounded and secured at 0052 in the morning. It would be called away again at 0133 and continue until 0407. A final GQ for the day would came in the late hours of the day, from 2015 to 2334. The day marked the sixth consecutive day of hostile fire, as the enemy again failed to it the ship in a single incident of 30 rounds. The ship refueled at sea while devoting the remainder of the day in firing five missions and 219 rounds of 8-inch. Three secondary explosions were credited to the ship's fire.
The 15th saw hostile fire come as the enemy delivered 23 rounds is two incidents. The ship fired four missions and expended 381 8-inch rounds. The firing started one fire and caused one secondary explosion. During the late hours of the following day on the line, enemy fire subsided completely. The ship fired two missions that totalled 59 8-inch shells. About 0400 NEWPORT NEWS was detached from TU 77.1.2, enroute to Subic Bay, RP. During the period 6-16 June, NEWPORT NEWS was involved in LINEBACKER operations. These operations were staged in areas along the coast of North Viet Nam, their intent being to disrupt the flow of enemy supplies southward. Enemy petroleum products areas, artillery sites, pontoon bridges, bunkers, anti-aircraft sites and staging areas were among the targets of NEWPORT NEWS' gun.
NEWPORT NEWS reached Subic Bay on the 17th and moored at Alava Pier in the afternoon. Routine maintenance began, to continue for seven days. The next day relining of the 8-inch guns commenced, being completed on the 20th. On the 25th with COMDESRON THIRTY-SIX embarked, NEWPORT NEWS departed Subic Bay at 0814 enroute gunfire support operations with TU 70.8.9 off the coast of MRI. Upon rendezvous on the 26 with TU 70.8.9 NEWPORT NEWS provided gunfire support continuously through 3AUG. She joined the task unit at 1938.
27JUN saw her supporting South Vietnamese efforts to retake major parts of Quang Tri Province. NEWPORT NEWS began preparation for the counteroffensive by firing five missions and 214 8-inch shells at 69 targets. While supporting an amphibious feint north of the Qua Viet River, she caused one secondary explosion and started a fire. The day was marked by light enemy fire, 21 rounds in two incidents; but, for the first time in NEWPORT NEWS' 24-year history, she was hit by hostile fire. One round damaged a gun director and shrapnel damaged a motor whale boat. Damage proved to be minor to both pieces of equipment, and no injuries to personnel were sustained. On the 28th NEWPORT NEWS fired seven missions through the day, coincident with the Vietnamese Armed Forces' Operation SONG THANH 9-72, which would later become the LAM SON 72 campaign. During the firing of 362 8-inch and 28 5-inch rounds at 50 targets NEWPORT NEWS was responsible for the destruction of three enemy tanks. Only three rounds of hostile fire were received during the entire day. At 1809 NEWPORT NEWS ceased gunfire support to rearm from USS MOUNT HOOD (AE 29). Upon completion of the rearming, she returned to the line for further fire support. On June 29th the South Vietnamese effort to recapture portions of Quang Tri Province took the form of a helo insertion by VNMC units. NEWPORT NEWS provided heavy secondary battery support, firing five missions at 55 targets; silencing three enemy artillery sites, damaging three tanks, starting one fire and causing 18 secondary explosions. NEWPORT NEWS expended 734 5-inch and 70 8-inch rounds during the VNMC push northward toward Quang Tri City. During the day, CTU 70.8.9 observed "...a sharp decrease in hostile fire from coastal defense sites seems to indicate the effectiveness of the ship; CB, particularly 8" from NEWPORT NEWS." At 1730 the ship again broke away from the line to unrep and rearm from the NITRO. Again the next day the 8-inch guns of NEWPORT NEWS were called upon for harassment and interdiction fire. Five-hundred ninety-two 8-inch and 14 5-inch rounds were hurled at the enemy during six fire missions. Targets included artillery sites, tanks, bunkers and staging areas.
Proceed to July 1972