Name USS Ozbourn Laid down 16 June 1945 Struck 1 June 1975 Construction started 16 June 1945 Length 119 m Displacement 2.2 million kg | Namesake Joseph W. Ozbourn Commissioned 5 March 1946 Identification DD-846 Launched 22 December 1945 Weight 2,464 tons Draft 5.64 m | |
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USS Ozbourn (DD-846) was a Gearing-class destroyer in the United States Navy during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. She was named for Marine Private Joseph W. Ozbourn (1919–1944), who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his “great personal valor” during the Battle of Tinian.
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Ozbourn was laid down by Bath Iron Works 16 June 1945; launched 22 December 1945; sponsored by Mrs. Joseph W. Ozbourn; commissioned 5 March 1946, Commander Bernard A. Smith was put in command.
Pacific duty
Following shakedown, Ozbourn reported for duty with the U.S. Pacific Fleet at San Diego, California in August 1946. She departed San Diego 6 January 1947 with Destroyer Division 171 (DesDiv 171) for the Far East; returned to San Diego in October; began her next deployment 1 October 1948, shortened by a collision with Theodore E. Chandler (DD-717). Although two crew members were killed, damage control parties saved the ship and she returned to Long Beach Naval Shipyard for repairs. During 1949 and early 1950, Ozbourn trained midshipmen, underwent overhaul and participated in various exercises, one of which was the first guided missile test at sea conducted with Norton Sound (AVM-1).
Korean War
When hostilities began in Korea, Ozbourn joined Task Force 77 (TF 77). She participated in the Inchon landing, the Blockade of Wonsan and assisted with air operations off the Korean coast, twice receiving the Korean Presidential Citation for her efforts. In February 1951, despite having received two direct hits and several near misses from shore batteries the same day, Ozbourn sent her motor whale boat to rescue a downed pilot floating in a mine field. After returning to San Diego for repairs and overhaul and a brief assignment with TF 95 in the Wonsan area, Ozbourn returned to TF 77 in July 1952. In short order she rescued 18 men who had jumped from USS Boxer to avoid a menacing fire and picked up 3 downed airmen from USS Essex. During the next two years Ozbourn made regular tours with the 7th Fleet followed by training operations in the San Diego area.
Training ship
From 1956 to 1964 Ozbourn underwent major overhaul, engaged in intensive training exercises, participated in festivals and celebrations in several west-coast cities and in Australia, and operated periodically with the 7th Fleet. Having undergone Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) Mark I conversion earlier, she joined Task Group (TG 10) for a major Presidential Demonstration. From the flight deck of Kitty Hawk (CV-63), President John F. Kennedy watched Ozbourn's ASROC launching 6 June 1963.
Vietnam War
Ozbourn sailed independently for Pearl Harbor 8 July 1964 to join DesDiv 233 and ASW Group 1 for a six-month Western Pacific deployment. From Yokosuka, Japan, ASW Group I sailed for the South China Sea after North Vietnamese PT boats had engaged American destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin. After providing antisubmarine warfare (ASW) protection for TF 77 and after participating in a naval weapons demonstration, Ozbourn returned to Long Beach. Several months of maintenance, repairs and intermittent local training operations followed; then came another deployment to the Western Pacific 20 August 1965. Attached to TG 77.6, Ozbourn provided gunfire support in the III and IV Corps areas of South Vietnam delivering tons of high explosives in covering fire. Eight crewmen were recommended for decorations during these actions.
In July 1966 Ozbourn began a two-year tour of duty with the 7th Fleet as a member of Destroyer Squadron 9. A great part of that time was spent on gunfire assignments supporting troops in South Vietnam and interdicting supply and communications routes in North Vietnam. She received direct hits on 25 March and 4 December 1967 but continued her mission each time. For "outstanding actions against the enemy and for excellent combat readiness", she received both the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Battle Efficiency “E”.
Ozbourn returned to Long Beach 6 September 1968 and remained there, with intermittent movements to Portland and San Diego, for the next year. In September 1969 she deployed again to WestPac where she operated with the 7th Fleet into 1970.
On November 13,1970 (Friday the 13th) "Ozbourn" left Long Beach for a six month operational deployment in the western Pacific to Vietnam. Subic Bay, Philippines was our deployed base. January 1, 1971 Ozbourn joined-up with the USS Hancock Task Group at Yankee Station in the South China Sea. January 11th "Ozbourn" transferred from the USS Hancock Task Group to the USS Ranger Task Group. The Ozbourn also took on oil from the USS Kiwhiswi. The third week of January USS Ozbourn DD-846 was in Hong Kong. The fourth week of January we did repair work in Subic Bay Philippines. February 1 through 21 "Ozbourn" was on the gun-line at the Vietnam Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to provide Naval Gunfire Support. On the 21st we docked briefly to a pier in Da Nang Harbor. The 22nd & 23rd with the USS Ranger, CVA 61 at Yankee Station. The 24th through March 2 we patrolled Northern Search & Rescue Station (SAR) with USS Halsey DLG 23. March 3 Back to Subic Bay for 40 hour upkeep. March 5 We celebrated Ozbourn's 25th anniversary. March 15 through 31 Ozbourn at Yankee Station with USS Kitty Hawk CVA 63. April 1 -11, first day "Ozbourn" Tied-up at a pier in Da Nang, then the Ozbourn steamed to the 2nd & 3rd Mil. Region of Gunline in the south. On the 11th USS Ozbourn (DD-846) docked briefly to the piers in Da Nang Harbor. April 12 to 23 "Ozbourn" On Gunline at Vietnam DMZ. Left on the 23rd to Subic Bay. On the 25th "Ozbourn" Departed Subic Bay for Long Beach. On May 13, 1971 The Ozbourn arrived at Long Beach Naval Station. June 15 Our ‘Destroyer Division 92’ was decommissioned and we transferred to Destroyer Squadron 19. June 17 "Ozbourn" Left Long Beach on a Midshipman cruise toSan Francisco, Seattle & Tacoma, Washington and Pearl Harbor. Back to Long Beach on 8-4.It was called “PACMIDTRA ‘71” September 20 through January 18, 1972 "Ozbourn" left the Mole and entered Long Beach Naval Shipyard dry dock for a four month shipyard overhaul.
April 10 "Ozbourn" left for a WestPac deployment to Vietnam and returned on November 10th.
She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 June 1975 and sold for scrap.