Vietnam 1968
USS Beale
P03 Hess, Glenn
USN 1965-68
Comnavforv 67-68
Command Naval Forces Vietnam
I joined the Navy in 1965. I Did my basic training in San Diego Ca. From there I went to Norfolk, Virginia TDC (temporary duty assignment) on the USS Beale DD-471, a fast attack destroyer.
While aboard the Beale we did anti-sub warfare training and refueling underway in the North Atlantic and in the Gulf of Mexico. When my orders came through for
communications training, I was assigned to the Naval Base at Norfolk Va. I was finished with that in 1966, from there I went to Guam (Marianna IS.) for 18 months. Then I came back to the US for counterinsurgency training,then reported to Saigon Vietnam 1967-68. When I returned to the US I was Honorably Discharged.
USS BEALE (DD-471)
Reporting to the Pacific Fleet Beale took part in the landings at Cape Gloucester New Britain (2-28 December 1943 and 23 January-1 February 1944) Saidor New Guinea (2--22 January); bombardment of Sio New Guinea (8-January); Admiralty Islands landings (27 February-8 March); bombardment off Wewak New Guinea (1-19 March) Hollandia landings (22 April); Wakde-Toem landings (17 May); Biak landings (27 May-9 June); night destroyer action off Biak (8-9 June); Noemfoor Island landings (2 July); Wewak-Aitape landings (16- 24 July); Cape Sansapor New Guinea landings (30 July); Peleliu Palaus landings (15 September); and invasion of Okinawa (1-24 April 1945). As a fitting climax to her outstanding career she took part in the 3rd Fleet air strikes against the Japanese home islands (26 July-7 August 1945) bringing an end to the war.
Beale remained in the Western Pacific on occupation duty until 80 November 1945. She then returned home and went out of commission in reserve at Charleston Navy Yard 11 April 1946.
Reclassified DDE 471 2 January 1951 she was converted at Boston Naval Shipyard and recommissioned 1 November 1951. Through 1956 Beale has made six Caribbean training cruises and one trip to Halifax Nova Scotia. She also made three tours in the Mediterranean with the 6th Fleet.
Beale received six battle stars tor her World War II service.
DD-471 Deployments - Major Events
Add a DD-471 Shellback Initiation Add a DD-471 Deployment - Major Event
Month Year to Month Year Deployment / Event
DEC 1941 Keel Date: 19 DEC 1941
at Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation Staten Island
AUG 1942 Launch Date: 24 AUG 1942
DEC 1942 Commissioned: 23 DEC 1942
MAY 1954 - OCT 1954 Mediterranean
OCT 1962 - OCT 1962 Cuban Missle Blockade
JUN 1966 - DEC 1966 West Pac-Viet Nam
SEP 1968 Decommissioned: 30 SEP 1968