USS Wallace L. Lind (DD-703) - 1964

1964

Upon completion of a Christmas leave and upkeep period in January 1964, Wallace L. Lind departed for anti-submarine warfare barrier operations in the Caribbean and participated in Operation "Springboard." In early March, the destroyer acted as the special project ship for the Gemini/Apollo test program. Large cranes were installed on the fantail for recovery of space capsules, and Wallace L. Lind worked with NASA officials successfully recovering mock-up space capsules.

During April and May, Wallace L. Lind joined Task Group Bravo for anti-submarine warfare operations; and in April, she took part in Operation "Quick Kick," a large fleet exercise. Having undergone restricted availability for hull and bottom work at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, the ship spent the month of July in preparation for a forthcoming Mediterranean deployment.

On 3 August 1964, Wallace L. Lind departed for the Mediterranean and served as flagship for Captain Maylon T. Scott, Commander, Destroyer Division 22. She participated in exercises as part of a fast carrier task force and conducted numerous community relations programs in the various ports visited. The destroyer returned to Norfolk three days before Christmas after earning a well-deserved leave and upkeep period.

Wallace L. Lind remained moored at the Naval Destroyer and Submarine Pier, Norfolk, Virginia, until 25 January when she got underway and exercised independently. On 29 January, she moored at the Naval Base, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and conducted local operations in the San Juan operating areas through 8 February. The destroyer arrived at Norfolk on 12 February and remained moored until late March when she got underway for refueling and rearming. She returned to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard on 31 March for regular overhaul followed by drydock in May. On 28 June 1965, Lind got underway for two days of trials in the Virginia capes operating area. She returned to her berth at Norfolk and remained there for almost a month.

The ship got underway on 23 July for Key West, Florida, where she conducted various antiair and anti-submarine warfare exercises. She finished the month at Port Everglades, Florida. On 5 August, Wallace L. Lind arrived at Mayport, Fla., and, four days later, took departure for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, arriving there on 12 August.

Having successfully completed post-overhaul trials and shakedown, Wallace L. Lind departed Guantanamo on 25 September. The destroyer made stops at Culebra and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, as well as Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. She returned to Norfolk on 1 October 1965. On 25 October, the ship got underway and finished the month conducting exercises in the Jacksonville, Florida, operating area.

Wallace L. Lind returned to Norfolk on 5 November and prepared for a transatlantic deployment which commenced on 27 November. She stopped briefly at Gibraltar on 8 December, then visited Livorno and Naples, Italy.

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