USS Joseph K. Taussig (DE-1030) - 1960s

1960s

The destroyer escort steamed toward the North Atlantic 6 September for NATO exercises, designed to show the enemies of freedom that peace-loving nations would join forces to thwart any efforts to undermine that freedom. Joseph K. Taussig resumed coastal operations upon her return to Newport 20 October.

During January and February 1961, Joseph K. Taussig once again participated in annual exercises in the Caribbean and in April engaged in joint American-Canadian exercises off Nova Scotia. For the remainder of the year she operated in a state of readiness along the Atlantic coast and in mid February 1962 commenced 6 months of extensive ASW exercises.

During October, intelligence reports revealed evidence of Russian missile installations in Cuba. President Kennedy responded to this Communist challenge, by establishing a naval quarantine around the island. Joseph K. Taussig was ordered off Jacksonville, Fla., in November to provide a second line of defense in the crisis.

With the easing of tensions, she began preparations for a goodwill cruise to Africa, and departed Newport 15 February 1963. After visiting nine African and three Mediterranean ports, she returned Newport 25 May for summer convoy escort exercises and Cuban patrol duty. From August to December, Joseph K. Taussig engaged in coastal training operations.

Between January and May 1965 Joseph K. Taussig received DASH installation at Boston Naval Shipyard and after completing training in the Caribbean, she participated in the massive amphibious exercise, Operation Steel Pike I, in October. During the remainder of 1965 and throughout 1966, she trained along the Atlantic Coast and in the Caribbean and, in addition, served as sonar school ship at Key West. Early in 1966 she began six months of duty as an E-4 training ship to train seamen as petty officers in response to the growing commitment of the Navy in the troubled waters of Southeast Asia. She resumed squadron training exercises in July. During the next 12 months she operated from New England waters to the Caribbean maintaining her high degree of readiness for defense of the nation and the free world.