By RMC Joe E. Cooner Sr. (Ret.), DDG-2 Leading Radioman 1972 -1974
The Middle East Cruise August 3, 1973 to January 30 1974.
( – Official U.S. Navy photograph [1] from the USS Charles F. Adams (DDG-2) 1973-74 cruise book.)
During this cruise, the USS CHARLES F. ADAMS (DDG-2) visited 13 ports on three continents. August and September were fairly uneventful with the most excitement being the crossing of the equator and visiting Recife, Brazil; Luanda, Angola; and Mombasa, Kenya.
In the middle of October, things got really interesting with what was called the Yom Kippur war. The ADAMS was visiting, our favorite port in the Middle East, Djibouti, when we were suddenly thrown into the activities of the area. We were ordered underway by Washington D.C. to escort the U.S. Merchant ship, SS LaSalle, up the Red Sea to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. She had taken a warning shot across the bow from a Yemen destroyer that was blocking the mouth of the Red Sea and needed our help.
For the next month, the ADAMS was in, what was called, “Special Operations.” We were the only U.S. warship in the Red Sea. The USS MCCANDLESS (FF-1084) and the USS LASALLE (AGF-3), COMIDEASTFOR flag ship, stayed either in Manama, Bahrain; Gulf of Aden or Indian Ocean. A carrier task force went into the Indian Ocean but that was as far as they got.
At one point we actually confronted the Yemen destroyer, without incident. At another point we joined the MCCANDLES and LASALLE (coincidental same name of the merchant ship we were sent to protect) in Bahrain on standby to evacuate U.S. personnel. An evacuation did not happen though.
A quote from the cruise book: “Special Operations in Red Sea (Oct. and Nov.). From 17 Oct. to 21 Nov. Adams operated independently in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden protecting U.S. shipping and ensuring the freedom of the seas. We visited Djibouti and Asmara frequently for fuel and short periods of liberty. Many uneventful days were spent while we steamed on random courses at random speeds wondering where we would be going next.”
After the Special Operations in the Red Sea, we went participated in Operation Midlink which involved a five country exercise and competition. The ADAMS, as usual, excelled and beat out all the other countries in the competition.
When it came time for turning over to our relief ship, we ran out of ports to pull into. “Go to Diego Suarez, Malagasy Republic for turnover. Cancel Diego Suarez, propose Mombasa, Mombasa out of the question. How about Lourenco Marques? No, Lourenco is impossible. I’m running out of gas. Don’t worry guy’s we’ll get you home (somehow). Well, how about Port Louis? OK. Merry Christmas from Port Louis, Mauritius (24-28 Dec.),” said the cruise book.
We were glad to see our relief, the USS KOELSCH (FF-1049). All the ports, around Africa were closed to us. Before going around the Horn of Africa, we were fueled underway from a British tanker and then again by tankers from the East Coast of the U.S. came out and fueled us crossing the Atlantic. This got us to Recife, Brazil, again. We were down to less than 30 percent of fuel when we arrived in Recife. The ADAMS class was not supposed to go below 30 percent.
As a result of our month long “Special Operations” support, the ADAMS was presented with her highest ever award, the Meritorious Unit Commendation. The citation reads:
MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION to USS CHARLES F. ADAMS (DDG-2)
From: CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION to USS CHARLES F. ADAMS (DDG-2) for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For meritorious service while conducting special operations for Commander Middle East Force in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden from 15 October to 15 November 1973. During this period of high intra theater tension, USS CHARLES F. ADAMS contributed significantly to the success of maintaining a visible and effective United States presence in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
While skillfully and efficiently performing the various tasks assigned, the officers and men of USS CHARLES F. ADAMS maintained their ship in a completely operational and combat ready status. Their determined and inspiring efforts reflected credit upon themselves and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
For the Secretary of the United States Navy
Signed. E. L. Zumwalt, Jr.
Admiral United States Navy
Chief of Naval Operations