USS Acme (MSO-508) - Third Far East Tour of Duty

Third Far East Tour of Duty

Acme held refresher training from 3 to 19 January 1968. On 28 January, she and 13 other minesweepers were alerted to prepare for an emergency deployment in view of the capture of USS Pueblo (AGER-2) by the North Koreans. By the first week of February, it became apparent that a deployment would not be necessary; and Acme began preparations for mine countermeasures refresher training and an ensuing upkeep period. On 1 April, she sailed for the western Pacific Ocean. Ten days later, she arrived at Pearl Harbor and, after two days of replenishment, got underway with units of Mine Division 94 and Force (MSO-445) to participate in Operation "Barstur." On 14 April, Acme resumed her voyage west and arrived at Yokosuka, Japan, on 4 May. The vessel departed that port on 17 May, bound for Chinhae, Korea, and a joint American-Korean exercise. She returned to Sasebo on 28 May and began preparations for a deployment off the coast of Vietnam. On 6 June, Acme relieved Firm (MSO-444) as a barrier patrol ship. She was in turn relieved on 9 July and sailed to Singapore for an availability period. On 30 July, she sailed to Bangkok, Thailand, for a joint exercise with British and Thai naval forces. Upon arrival at Sattahip, Acme developed engineering problems. The vessel was detached from the exercise and sailed to Subic Bay for repairs. She got underway again on 2 September bound for Danang. Upon her arrival there, the engineering problems recurred, and Acme was rerouted to the Philippines. She finished the passage to Subic Bay under tow by Lowry (DD-770) and finally reached the American naval base on 15 September.

Acme set sail for the United States on 27 October. En route, she made port calls at Guam, Kwajalein, the Johnston Island, and Pearl Harbor; arrived at Long Beach on 3 December; and spent the rest of the year in leave and upkeep.