My name is Tracy Birch, and I had the pleasure to serve aboard the USS Turner Joy as my first ship out of Naval Training School in Chicago, IL (my hometown also). I reported aboard in April 1981, and was immediately put to work as an Electricians Mate Fireman Apprentice (E2). Our first tasks were…
The USS Turner Joy (DD-951) was rushed overseas early in December, 1972 to use its new 5” 54cal MK 42 Mod 10 gun mounts that could reliably fire 40 rounds per gun per minute. With the 3” 50cal automatic twin mount rated at 50 rounds per barrel per minute, the Turner Joy could put out…
BATTLE OF BRANDON BAY. The 3 ships formed up in a loose line abreast about 1945, all at four boiler, split plant operation, running lights off and about 2030 we went to General Quarters (GQ), (Battle Stations) and we started our run at 35,000 yards from the beach building up to 32 knots. Soon we…
Did you read the History of the T.J.? If so I got a little sea story to tell you about the part concerning the T.J. firing the last round of Naval Gun Fire Support in Vietnam. We had gotten word early in the morning on the 27th that the Cease Fire would go into effect…
My name is Gerry Roberts CT3. About the TJ on August 4th 1964. I remember that night very well. I was the telephone talker between the XO and Captain Barnhart…I was sick as a dog that day with strep throat, but my Chief had a bottle of Johnson and Johnson’s mouth wash which I gargled…
While on board the TJ, the crew had participated in squadron training practice. After winning two of these there was a red E with two hash marks below on the stack. Upon winning three of these games in a row, there was a gold E painted on the stack. I thought that this Gold E…
CIC port section had the watch and making approach to fire WBLC’s located just north of Cape Mui Ron, North Vietnam. Range to the beach was 4 miles when the first rounds started falling; first hit was reported forward mast. Numerous near misses were reported by lookouts. Actual damage sustained, Littman BTFN – shrapnel in…
I saw some names in the 4-7-07 issue that I remembered. Can you forward my e-mail? Jerry O’Rand, TMSN, 69-72. I was Jerry’s replacement in 72 and served on the TJ until 7- 73. Jerry gave me his knife and marlin spike when left the tube deck for the last time. Our office for the…
John Frykman STG3 – On board Turner Joy 66-69. Just to set the record straight on MT53 that night. Seaman Roberts, fellow Sonarman Solano and I were the regular watch for MT53, but that night MT53 was down so we stood watch in MT51 magazine. I was sitting against the bulkhead when all of a…
Wow… We are reaching back some 30 years here – Yes, I do remember this (vaguely) since I also was on that cruise. What I REALLY remember is finishing dinner in the wardroom one evening whilst Mount 31 or 52 was banging away at hapless barge boats moving south down the coast (we did some…