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Dedicated To The Men And Women Who Served With Honor. |
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Please submit any history you have for this page to info1@ddg8.com
Early
in 1962 she tested her missiles and antisubmarine weaponry in the Pacific
missile range. Exercises and experiments continued in preparation for deployment
to the western Pacific., She sailed 19 November 1962 on is her first WESPAC tour
of duty with the Seventh Fleet task group.
The crew of the McCormick tested
her modified Tartar missiles with surface to surface electronics in
telemetering 'warheads' during the Cuban Missile Crises. Our target was a
mockup of a PT boat made of floats and chicken wire. The target had a seagull
for a Captain. The McCormick came home with a broom on her stick after 5 days
of tests in the PMR (Pacific Missile Range ) -- clean sweep! We Missile Technicians worked 20 to 22
hours a day for those 5 days. We came home asleep on the deck. We were
getting ready to head for Cuba if necessary.
We rode out a typhoon somewhere
near Japan. I was on the bridge when we were taking 55 degree rolls. I
couldn't help wondering how far she could lean over. I really felt sorry for
the guys that got seasick. I had after steering watch during that period. It
was quite a ride way back on the fantail.
We did joint operations with the
Australian Navy near the Philippines. Those guys were quite good and very
crazy.
The stories I could tell about our
captain at the time. He was a good head who liked a good time. I believe he
got in a spot of trouble for buzzing subs with the gig in the Philippines.
Rumor had it that the reason he was the Captain was because he lost a bet
while serving in Washington. More the better for us.
Concerning the Sacramento
trip, the McCormick wasn't really supposed to go. I believe a DLG was supposed
to make that cruise, but I can't remember which one. That ship backed her
screws into an anchor chain and couldn't make the trip. I was getting another
'C' school in Vallejo (sp) CA. When I got my orders to return, imagine my
surprise to be going to Sacramento! Things that make you go "huh?"
I suppose I had no business
being in the Navy in the first place let alone aboard ship. My vision was bad
enough to 4F me and I was very night blind. Night ops on deck would scare me
to death.
I put the McCormick into a hard
(45 degree) left rudder (from after steering) at 27 knots during breakfast,
while we were in a convoy - in the middle of 3 ships. That story has an
excuse, but I did not get called on the carpet for it. I think a junior
bridge officer did get into a little trouble though.
Stories, stories, and more
stories. I am sure we all have them. It was a great tour and I would not trade
it for anything.
Dean Preston FTM2 1962 - 1964
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