Vietnam
After her fourth Mediterranean deployment, 18 February 1965 to 12 July, Lowry had the DASH system installed, then participated in a large Atlantic Fleet operational exercises. Her 1966 6th Fleet deployment, 4 March to 12 August, was followed by duty as schoolship for the Fleet Sonar School, Key West. Through most of January and February 1967, Lowry embarked several Peruvian midshipmen for training under the Midshipmen Exchange Program. From 8 May through 22 September she underwent regular overhaul at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, followed by refresher training out of the Fleet Training Center, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Lowry departed Norfolk early in April 1968 for the Panama Canal, thence for the Far East on her first 7th Fleet deployment of the Vietnam War. Serving off the coast of that troubled country, she performed plane guard, naval gunfire support, and other duties for which the versatile destroyer is well suited. Highlight of port visits was a trip to Bangkok, Thailand. She arrived back at Norfolk 27 November, and continued Atlantic coast operations into 1969.
In July 1969 a gun turret exploded during regular sea operations. One man was killed and several were injured. (As witnessed by a sailor from the Lowry just assigned to Portsmouth Naval Hospital, after talking with the hospitalized sailors.)
Lowry received four battle stars for World War II service and two for Korean service.
Read more about this topic: USS Lowry (DD-770)
Famous quotes containing the word vietnam:
“That’s just the trouble, Sam Houston—it’s always my move. And damnit, I sometimes can’t tell whether I’m making the right move or not. Now take this Vietnam mess. How in the hell can anyone know for sure what’s right and what’s wrong, Sam?”
—Lyndon Baines Johnson (1908–1973)
“I was proud of the youths who opposed the war in Vietnam because they were my babies.”
—Benjamin Spock (b. 1903)
“I told them I’m not going to let Vietnam go the way of China. I told them to go back and tell those generals in Saigon that Lyndon Johnson intends to stand by our word, but by God, I want something for my money. I want ‘em to get off their butts and get out in those jungles and whip hell out of some Communists. And then I want ‘em to leave me alone, because I’ve got some bigger things to do right here at home.”
—Lyndon Baines Johnson (1908–1973)