My grandfather, William Babyak, was on the Corry at the start of its service. I do not know much of his service and now that he has passed away may never know. I went to your website to find out about the ship and may be something about my grandfathers past. My grandfather was very proud of his service in the Navy on the Corry, he always kept a framed photograph of the ship in his office. He had given me his blue jackets manual and tucked inside was information about the commissioning ceremonies. I want to share this information with you. If you have not seen these documents you can post them on your website in honor of William Babyak. Thank you all for posting your memories of the ship.

Steven Chabra

Click here to read Carlo Fugazzi RT accounts of being aboard the Corry during 1946.

Click here to read the accounts of Thomas Mazzone during his time aboard the Corry.

RECOMMISSIONING CEREMONY 8 JANUARY 1954

THE FOLOWING WAS TAKEN FROM A BOOKLET LOANED TO ME AT THE 2006 REUNIONTHANKS TO ROBERT J. LINDELL FOR HOLDING ON TO THIS BIT OF HISTORY AND ALLOWING US ALL TO SEE

UNITED STATES SHIP
CORRY
DDR-817

Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia

A NAVAL RECOMMISSIONING

The recommissioning ceremony marks the transition from inactive to active service of a unit of the United States Fleet. At the moment of hoisting the Commission Pennant, The U. S. S. CORRY becomes the responsibility of her Commanding Officer, who, together with the ship's officers and crew, then has the duty of making and keeping her constantly ready for any service demanded by our country in peace or war.

It may be noted that the Commanding Officer's first order after the ship has been placed in commission is "Set the Watch". From that time, as long as the vessel remains in commission, she will be manned twenty-four hours a day by sufficient officers and enlisted personnel to take her to sea, and to fight her, if need be.

PRESENTED BY:

REAR ADMIRAL INGOLF N. KILAND, USN
Commandant of the Fifth Naval District

REAR ADMIRAL LOGAN McKEE Commander, Norfolk Naval Shipyard

COMMANDER F. D. WHALEN, USN Commanding Officer, U. S. S. Corry

U.S.S. CORRY
(DDR-817)

Built by
Consolidated Shipyards
Orange, Texas

First Commissioned 27 February 1946

SPONSOR Miss Gertrude Corry

RECOMMISSIONED AS DDR-817

8 January 1954
Norfolk Naval Shipyard
Portsmouth, Virginia

LIEUTENANT COMMANDER WILLIAM MERRILL CORRY, Jr.
United States Navy (Deceased)

Lieutenant Commander Corry, born in Quincy, Florida, October 5, 1889, was appointed to the U. S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Mary­land, from his native state in 1906. Graduated and commissioned En­sign in June 1910, he progressed in grade until his promotion to Lieu­tenant Commander, July 1, 1918.

After graduation, Lieutenant Commander Corry served on the USS KANSAS from 1911 to 1915. Designated Naval Aviator March 6, 1916, he was assigned duty with the aviation units of the USS NORTH CAROLINA and the USS WASHINGTON. On August 22, 1917, he was assigned to duty with the U.S. Naval Aviation Forces in Europe, and was later ordered to command the U.S. Naval Air Station at Le Croisie, Loire, France, first operation unit from the United States during the World War. He assumed this duty November 7, and his success and skill as a pilot on this station won for him the Cross of a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor from France.

On June 7, 1918, Lieutenant Commander Corry was ordered to Command at the Naval Air Station at Brest, France, serving there until after the Armistice in November 1918, and the end of demobili­zation. On February 6, 1919, he was ordered to duty at Paris, France, and on June 5 of that year was assigned to the U. S. Aeronautical In­ter-Allied Commission of Control. He also had special duty with the Air Force at Rochefort, France, and with the Belgium Air Force.

On June 1, 1920, Lieutenant Commander Corry was ordered to re­turn to the United States for duty as aide for aviation on the staff of Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet. He was serving in that assign­ment at the time of his death, October 7, 1920, caused by inhaling flame from a burning plane after it had crashed. Though injured, he endeavored to rescue his companion from the burning wreckage.

Lieutenant Commander Corry was awarded the Medal of Honor with the following citation :

MEDAL OF HONOR

"For heroic service in attempting to rescue a brother officer from a flame-enveloped airplane. On October 2, 1920, an airplane in which Lieutenant Commander Corry was a passenger crashed and burst into flames. He was thrown 30 feet clear of the plane, and though injured rushed back to the burning machine and endeavored to remove the pilot. In so doing he sustained serious burns from which he died four days later."

Three vessels in the U.S. Navy have been named USS CORRY in his honor. The first, DD-334, was scrapped in 1930; DD-463 was lost in our invasion of Normandy, June 8, 1944; and the present Corry, DDR-817, will be with the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Also named in his honor was Corry Field, at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, which was commissioned on December 8, 1934.

The United States Ship
CORRY
(DDR-817)

USS Corry (DDR-817) was built by Consolidated Shipyards at Orange, Texas, and first commissioned on 27 February 1946.

Corry is a Gearing class destroyer, with a standard displacement of 2425 tons. When fully loaded with fuel, personnel allowance, stores, ammunition, etc, her displacement increases to 3300 tons. She is 390 feet, 6 inches in length and 40 feet 10 inches in beam, or width. She is heavily armed, with multiple 5 inch dual-purpose rifles, 3 inch anti­aircraft guns, various types of antisubmarine ordnance, and miscel­laneous small armament. Her peacetime allowance is 16 officers and 290 men.

With her present conversion to DDR, Radar Destroyer or "Pick­et Ship", Corry boasts the most modern and effective electronics in­stallation of the destroyer types.

With her speed, armament, and electronic fire control and detec­tion equipment, she will indeed be a formidable foe for any hostile air, surface, or undersea unit.

Named after Lieutenant Commander William Merrill Corry, an heroic Naval Aviator and Congressional Medal of Honor winner (see biography), the present ship is the third destroyer to bear the name Corry. The first Corry was decommissioned and broken up in 1930 in accordance with the London Treaty, which limited Naval strength.

The second Corry established a valiant record during World War II, ramming and sinking one enemy submarine in the Atlantic, and ma­terially assisting in the destruction of another. While covering the early landings in the Normandy, she was holed by an enemy mine and sunk.

The present Corry has been engaged, since her commissioning in 1946, in post war operations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, travel­ing in excess of 200,000 miles, and visiting extensively in friendly European sea coast countries.

On 1 April 1953, Corry was decommissioned at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, for modernization and conversion to DDR. Upon completion of fitting out and readiness-for-sea trials, she will join the U. S. Atlantic Fleet at Norfolk Virginia, as a member of Destroyer Division 262.

Recommissioning Ceremonies

SHIP'S OFFICERS

COMMANDING OFFICER

CDR FRANK D. WHALEN, USN

EXECUTIVE OFFICER

LCDR CHARLES B. WALL, USN

OPERATIONS

LTJG R. D. PANKRATZ, USN________________ Operations Officer

LTJG C. D. McINTOSH, USN____ CIC and Asst. Operations Officer

LTJG W. L. DOUTHETT, Jr., USNR_______ Communications Officer

ENS W. A. GRICLAK, USNR_________________ Asst. CIC Officer

ENS R. J. BINNS, USNR____________________ Electronics Officer

GUNNERY

LT H. B. CANNON, USN______________________ Gunnery Officer

LTJG S. J. ROSE, USN____________ Antisubmarine Warfare Officer

LTJG D. P. KIRCHNER, USN______ First Lt. and First. Div. Officer

LTJG R. H. HOOD, USNR ____v_____________ Fox Division Officer

ENS W. G. MASER, USN________________ Second Division Officer

ENGINEERING

LTJG E. S. MORGAN, USNR .___ Engineer & Damage Control Officer

LTJG R. A. McCORMACK, USNR ______  Main Propulsion Assistant

LTJG W. F. FISHER, Jr., USN___________ Damage Control Assistant

SUPPLY

LTJG M. J. MURPHY (SC)USN_____ Supply and Disbursing Officer

ARNOLD, James R	Chief I. C. Electrician
AULT, Floyd M	Chief Hospitalman
CHAPMAN, Roger M.	Chief Radarman
CORMAN, William C	Chief Machinist's Mate
GROVE, Thomas C	Chief Quartermaster
GUTHRIE, Donald L	Chief Boatswain's Mate
LACEY, Frank P.	Chief Machinist's Mate
LANHAM, Robert F	Chief Boilerman
McALISTER, William R	Chief Electronics Technician
McMILLAN, John H	Chief Commissaryman
MILLIGAN. Forrest L., Jr.	Chief Radioman
MORGAN, Howard J	Chief Gunner's Mate
SAYRE, Clifford R	Chief Electrician's Mate
SEITZ, Abel T	Chief Pipefitter
SHAW, Raymond M	Chief Machinist's Mate
STRANE, Jackson	Chief Machinist's Mate
WHITCOMB, Leslie J.	Chief Quartermaster

 

THE RECOMMISSIONING CREW 1954
ACE, J. L., FA	FRITTON, L. J., SA	NUGENT, E. E., MM2
ALLAGREEN, 0. M., SA	FULTON, J. B., FN	ODE,  A.  A.,  SN
ALT, D. K., BT3	GAMBERT, Raymond (n), SN	OLSEN, D. B., SN
ANDERSON, G. S., SD3	GARRETT,  G. "D" "H",  SN	ORREN, J. L., GM2
ARMITAGE. T. H., SN	GEMBER, A. L., SN	OWENS, R. L., SN
ARNETT, 3. W., SR	GIACIN, J. F., RDSA	PACE, Lerov  (1:), S03
ARCURI, J. N., SN	GIROUX, D. A., SN	PAGE, G. A., SN
ARNOLD, Charlie L., FN	GODWIN, M. E., SN	PAYNE, H. L., Jr., GM3
ARNOLD, J. R., ICC	GOLDING G. E. FT2	PEACOCK, E. B.. GM3
ARUNDEL, R. F., RD1	GRAVES, B. C, RD3	PENNINGTON C. L„ GMSA
ARZT, Arthur W., SN	GREEN, C.C, MM3	PERACHI, L. J., Jr., RD3
ASHLEY, C   K, SA	GRAY, G. H., SN	PHILLIPS, F. M., Jr., FT3
AULT, F. M., HMC	GROVE T. C., QMC	POIRIER, R. L., Jr., MM3
BADONSKY, Emil (n), CS1	GUTHRIE, D. L., BMCA(T)	POORE, G. B., SA
BARKLEY, Garth L, BM2	HAINES, W. P., MM3	POWELL, I. D., SN
BARRETT, J. W., RD3	HALL M. C, SN	PRIVITERA, G. R., SN
BASS, J. F., EN1	HANSEN, L. B., DK1	PRUCHA, J. J., SKI
BAUMGARTNER, N. J., SN	HARRIS, T. H., BM2	RADEMACHER, L. A., SN
BEHNKE, D. A., FA	HARVEY, J. C, SN	RAMEY,   C.  A.
BELL, Harry  (n), Jr., MML2	HAWLEY, T. H., SN	RANDICH, D. R., SA
BELT, D. K., FA	HEGAN, Richard (n), RM1	RAGNOW, C. A., BM3
BENSON, J. L., SN	HENDRICKSON, J. O., SN	REHWOLDT. P. D., SN
BERNARD, George  (n), BM2	HERMAN, W. L. SN	RICHARDSON, J. D., EN1
BICKERT, G. R., SA	HESTER, J. H., FTSN	RITTEK, W. R., EMI
BINGAMAN R. U, FN	HESTER, M. T., TA	ROBERTI, Dominick  (n), ET3
BIRKILIEN, C. E., FA	HESTER, R. C'TA	ROBERTS. M. C, BT1
BLACKHALL, P. J., RDSA	HILL, R. E.. SN	ROBINSON, K. E., SA
BLACKMON. R. D., FN	HILL, R. J., RM3	RUSSELL, Floyd  (n), BT3
BLACKWELL,  H.   W.,   BTS	HIMES, T. E.; RD3	RUSSO,  L.   C, FN
BLAIR, T. J-, SN	HOFFNER, D. B., SN	SALONUS, E. C, FTSN
BOGGS, A. L., FN	HUSKEY, Amos E„ BT1	SAMMONS, H. D., BT3
BOLD, G. D.. SA	IOVINE, L. P.. EMP1	SAULS, J. P., SN
BORK, H. H.'. ICFA	INGLE, C. E., SHI	SANTROUFO,  M. C, BTFN
BOSWELL, W. H., ET1	JACOBI, W. V., FC1	SAYRE, C. R., EMC
BOTTOMS, T.  M., FN	JOHNSON, R. N., MM3	SCACCO, J. L.. FN
BOWMAN, P. D., SN	JONGEWAARD, R. J., FT3	SCHEEL, K. C, SN
BRAUNSKY, E.  F„  SA	JOSEPHSEN, M. C, SA	SCHULZ,  R.  R., QM3
BRIDGER, Ray (n), RM3	KANARY, Richard (n), FTSN	SEARCY, S. R., SN
BROWN, C. E., DC2	KINDSCHUH, B. C, SN	SEITZ, A. T., FPC
BROWN, D. W., RDSA	KENNEDY, D. R., SA	SCOTT,  SN
BROWN, J. F., YN2	KIMBALL, Clark (n), EN3	SHAW, R. M., MMCA(T)
BROWN, M. R., SN	KIRKPATRICK, T. D., QMSA	SHEARER, M. E., RD3
BUKOWSKI, C. R., S03	KOSKY, W. J., Jr., SOI	SIGAFOOSE, J. E., SA
BUTIR, J. A., FA	KORDOS, Charles  (n), Jr., SA	SIMPSON, Frank  (n), SA
CASTOR, K. L., SN	LACEY, F. P., MMC	SINGER, B. L., SK3
CAUDILL, C. R., SA	LADD, G. R., HM3	SLOCUM, R. R., SN
CHALK, N. T., SN	LA GOW, C. L., SN	SLY, D. R., SN
CHANDLER, D. E.,  SN	LA GUARDIA, D. R., QMSA	SMELKO, T. E., SA
CHAPMAN, R. M., RDCA(T)	LALLMANN, E. A., MMFA	SMITH, H. D., BT2
CHNAPKO, J. R. ET2	LANDIS, E. E„ MM3	SMITH, J. A., Jr., BM2
CHRISTIANSEN, D. D., FA	LANE, E. L., MM3	SMITH, P. D., TN
CHRISTIANSEN,  D.  L.,  SA	LANGFORD, L. (n), MMLFA	SNYDER, R. K., SN
CLASSEN. O. D., GM3	LANHAM, R. F., BTC	SQUIRE, W. B., FT2
CLYNCH, J. E., FN	LATURNO, William  (n), SN	STATON, R. E., SN
CONLEY, A. D.,  SN	LEPPARD, K. E., SA	STECK, S. P., Ill, FN
CONNOLLY, G. L., SKSN	LEWIS, W. R., SN	STENGEL. T. J., FA
COPELAND, H. M., TA	LINDELL, R. J.. QM2	STEPHENS, A. N., FA
CORMAN, W. C, MMC	LINES, H. G., FN	STERN, E. W., MM3
CORCORAN, T. E., Jr., QM3	LLOYD,  Roland  (n), FN	STRANE, J.  C, MMC
CORSON, R. A., SA	LONG, H. W., SN	SURETTE, C. J., BM1
COURTNEY, D. D„ GMSN	LODUCA, SN	SWAN, D. F-, SA
COUTURE, A. B., SN	LOVELL, R. K., RD2	TALARI CO, Louis  (n), SA
COX, L. E., MM1	LUNDER, J. F., Jr., RDSA	TARBELL, J. F., SA
CRANDALL, R. R., FA	MADDOCK, J. C, ETSN	TAYLOR, H. L., GM1
CROFT, L. (n), FT3	MAENHOUT, C. E., SN	TEETER, F.  W.,  SA
CUTTER, H. D., SN	MALVAS, Leon (n), MM3	THOMPSON, K. E., BM2
DAHMS, R. B., FA	MARTIN, James L., Jr., SA	THOMPSON, Paul (n), SN
DAKE, M. H., FA	MARTIN, Laverene 0., SA	TIBODEAU.  T.  B.,  SN
DANFORTH, R. L., YN3	MAYES, James W., GM3	TITUS, R. P.. FN
DAUBERT, R. L., FA	MC ALISTER, W. R., ETC	TRUEX, R. R., FN
DAVIDSON, J. W., BT3	MC CLAY, A. E., ETSN	TRAINER, R. L., FA
DEPALMA, L. J., FP3	MC CURRBY, Lenard (n), YNl	TUCKER, T. N., SA
DENNEY, Simuel (n), Jr., SH2	MC INTYRE, F. A., GM1	TUTINO, D. W„ CSSA
DERRICK G. E., SN	MC MILLAN, J. H., CSC	UNDERWOOD, J. C, GMMSA
DIXON, D. H., SA	METZGER, M. R., MMLFA	WALKER, L. C, Jr., TA
DOMIANO, R. J., EMFA	MEYERS, E. W„ RD2	WALLING, J. R., FN
DOUGLAS, H. E., SA	MILES, Jimmie S., PN1	WALTENBAUGH R. J., FT2
DUBOIS, J. H., FN	MILLS, J.   W., GM3	WARREN, R. E. G., RD2
EAGLE,  C.   H.,  SA	MILLER, G. 0., FTSN	WEESE, E. B.s ME1
EIDE, M. B., SA	MILLIGAN, F. L., Jr., RMCA(T)	WESTLICK, J. L., FN
ELLIOTT,  William "S", BM3	MISSEL, F. R.. MMFA	WHETZEL, F. J., BT3
ELLISOR, L. L., MM3	MITCHELL, Bill (n), SA	WHITCOMB, L. J., QMC
ERICKSON, E   C, FN	MIZE, J. H., MMFA	WHITE, F. F., SN
EWART, G. A., MMLFA	MOON, R. E., SN	WILLIAMS, T. W., SD1
EVANS, J. H., USN	MOON, U. L., Jr., SN	WILLETT, G. S., BTFN
FERTIG, R. H., FN	MORGAN, H. J., GMC	WINSTFAD,  J.  R., BTFN
FISHER, A. L., SN	MORGAN, R. H., SN	WINTERBOTTOM, W. W., FPFA
FLATER, I. C„ SN	MORRIS, D. R., RD3	WREDE, G. A., MM2
FORD, Eugene (n), SN	MURRAY, C. C, EM2	VANDEWERKER, W. R.,  SN
FOUNTAIN, S. L., TA	NEVLING, W. R., GM1	VAN WORMER, D. E., SA
FOURNIER, L. H., TE3	NICKERSON, SN	VARNER, C. A., SHI
FOWLER, A. R., QM1	NICHOLSON, J. H., CS3	YELLETS, T. A., SA
FREEMAN, J. L., MMFA	NIMMONS, Eugene (n), BT3	YOUNG,  D.  D.,  SA
FREEMAN, M B., SN	NOLAN, R. L.. GMM2	ZARNIKAU, J. S., ET3
FRYE, J. O., SA

February 6, 1961 I went aboard Corry the day she returned to D&S Piers Norfolk from a Med Cruise. Corry was in DESRON 26, DESDIV 262. Commander H.W. Hiller was the CO and LCDR Crevier was XO. In March unloaded ammo in Yorktown and then we went to dry dock in the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Corry was outfitted with the latest electronics gear that the Navy had. DESDIV 262 had the first data links ever between ships. The ships shafts could not be balanced so Corry went to the Newport News Yards where the Enterprise was being built. No luck there in balancing shafts so we went to a small private shipyard in Norfolk where the job was completed. Reloaded ammo and prepared for GTMO training.

In September, Corry left Norfolk for battle training in GTMO. While in GTMO Corry and USS Bristol DD 857 were sent on a classified mission off the coast of Central America. A fifty caliber machine gun was mounted on the bridge and a battle plan for Corry and Bristol was developed. After some days of patrol Hurricane Hattie blew in before the mission could be completed. Hattie was a Class 5 hurricane and we tracked it on our height finder radar. It took a left turn and headed right at Corry. We were 75 miles from the eye of this monster when the CO decided it was time to get the hell out of its path. On October 31, Hattie hit Stann Creek and Belize, British Honduras dead center. Hattie killed 275 people and destroyed 40 percent of the buildings in Belize and flattened Stann Creek. The morning after Hattie hit, Corry took a 59 degree roll in a giant ground swell. The Corry and Bristol were ordered in to provide assistance. Transiting the reef into Belize was quite harrowing as all channel markers and bouys had been blown about and there was actually zero clearance under our sonar dome in the channel. Corry provided communications to the rest of the world and our corpsmen helped thousands. After relief work Corry went back to GTMO to complete training. Corry visited Kingston, Jamaica for R & R and returned to Norfolk.

In Norfolk, Corry was assigned plane guard duty with various carriers off the Virginia and North Carolina coasts for the rest of 1961.

February, 1962 Corry left Norfolk for a Med Cruise. As a DDR, Corry’s main mission was air defense and 95 percent of the time we were running with carriers, the Shangri-La and Independence mostly. Our CIC officer, Ops officer and senior radarmen directed fighter jets for air interceptions. Corry visited the following ports on this cruise; Gibralter, Cannes(twice), Savona, Genoa, Livorno, Gaeta, Civitavecchia, Naples (3 times) and Salerno, Italy. Also we visited Athens and Salonika, Greece, Antalya, Turkey and Tripoli, Libya. In July in a port in Italy, CDR. Archy Lupia relieved CDR. Hiller as CO. Corry returned to Norfolk in August, 1962.

In mid October Corry left Norfolk to fire guns on the island of Culebra, Puerto Rico. We were to make a port visit to San Juan prior to Culebra. Twenty four hours out from San Juan we changed course and were told to light off the air search radar and track everything that was flying. We all wondered what was going on when a shipmate said he heard a Miami radio station say the President Kennedy was considering a blockade of Cuba. Corry made passage between Cuba and Haiti and was one of the first ships on station even before the blockade took effect on October 22. In a few days Corry was assigned to air defense of GTMO with the USS Independence. We took up station about 100 miles south of GTMO. As I understood it the carrier was to bomb the hell out of the Cubans if they attacked GTMO. As we steamed north we would come into contact with an Amphib fleet that was stationed closer to GTMO than us and these Marines were to be landed where ever they would be needed. We could also hear the carrier USS Ranger on our voice radio so they must have been just off the west coast of Mexico to launch and refuel somewhere if necessary. After 35 days or so Corry blew a boiler and was sent to Kingston, Jamaica for a few days for repairs and then back out to sea for another 40 or so days. The original requirement for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was to have been on the blockade for 45 consecutive days so Corry was not awarded the Medal. Forty years later while reading the Tin Can Sailor’s news letter I see a list of destroyers that were awarded the Medal for the blockade and Corry was listed. I assume the Navy reviewed the records in later years and decided Corry should get the Medal. I sent off to St. Louis for my Medal and 18 months later it came in the mail, 42 years late in all. Corry returned to Norfolk in late November or early December.

In March of 1963 Corry was assigned to escort King Hassan of Morocco into New York City as he was arriving on the SS Constitution. Corry intercepted the Constitution some 100 miles out of the harbor entrance. The Navy Blue Angels then put on an air show for the King as we steamed toward New York. The Blue Angels used Corry’s TACAN as a reference point as we were still steaming at some 15 knots and a moving target. The show was spectacular and the last fly-by with wheels and flaps down at such a slow speed and so close you could almost touch them was great. We escorted the King to Manhattan Piers and then headed for Brooklyn Navy Yard as the Navy would not pay for us to berth in Manhattan so we stayed in Brooklyn for a few days.

In May Corry was assigned as the Canary Island recovery ship for Astronaut Major Cooper’s flight. We took aboard an actual Project Mercury capsule and went off the Virginia Cape to practice recoveries. We set sail for a stop in Bermuda and then proceeded to the Canary Islands. Major cooper was launched on May 15 and it was successful. Corry had R&R in Las Palmas, Tenerife in the Canaries. We stopped in Bermuda again on the way to Norfolk.

Corry was sent up the James River for the Fourth of July celebration in Richmond, VA. and returned to Norfolk on July 5.

Corry departed Norfolk on July 12, 1963 for Key West, FL to participate with the Navy’s sonar school students training. Corry arrived in Key West on July 14. The very next day Corry was assigned to follow a Russian merchant ship that was steaming towards Cuba. We followed it right into Havana. We took up station 3 miles off Havana and steamed back and forth all night. The Komar speed boats were running around but never threatened. On the mid-watch I was searching the ECM gear when a high pitched noise nearly blew my ear drum up. We took all the characteristics of this radar signal and evaluated it as a Russian Fire Can guided missle radar and it was locked on Corry. We took 3 direction finder bearings and layed them out on a trace over a chart of Cuba. The bearings landed on a railroad track and that fit the radar as it was mobile. At 4 AM I was relieved of watch and hit the rack knowing that if someone pushed the button in Havana the Corry would be hit by a missle. When I awoke at 7 AM we were on our way back to Key West. Naval Intel wanted our trace and sound tapes of the Fire Can radar and we sent them to D.C.. Corry got a Bravo Zulu back from Intel. While at Key West, Corry had R&R in Miami. Returned to Norfolk July 28.

Corry was going to GTMO for training once again in August and not to return to Norfolk until late September. My release date was Sept. 9 and I was released early on August 16 thus ending my Navy and USS Corry days. Looking back they were some great times.

Click here to read the accounts of Capt. William J. Aicklen, Jr. during his time aboard the Corry.

Corry was dry docked in June 1967, for overhaul at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, VA; her first face lift since FRAM I in1964. Captain William J. Aicklen, Jr. was Commanding Officer. She was being prepared for a 7th Fleet rotational tour, her first to Vietnam. Commander Cornelius Stribling Snodgrass, Jr. reported aboard as the new CO on 6 January 1968. LCDR James F. Todd was still the XO.

In March of 1968 Corry left the shipyard and returned to DESRON 36 as a unit of DESDIV 362 at the Naval Operating Base Destroyer piers in Norfolk. Following several yard acceptance trials off Hampton Roads and Virginia Beach and a return to the yard to fix evaporators, Corry got underway in late March for NATO Exercises in the Atlantic. In May we were underway for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GTMO) for crew refresher training. During our 6 weeks in GTMO, the Corry crew did every maneuver and operation normally expected of a destroyer. We had a liberty call in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, dockside at the Reynolds Aluminum piers for a weekend, and then a final liberty call in St. Thomas, VI, dockside in Charlotte Amalie, before returning to Norfolk in early July. The Crew would now make final preparations for our upcoming WESTPAC deployment.

On 7 September, 1968 Corry got underway for Vietnam from Norfolk. We were a unit of COMDESDIV362 who was aboard USS Robert L. Wilson DD-847, and included USS Douglas H. Fox DD-779, USS Waldron DD- and USS Waller, DD-466. Just one day out, the Fox blew a boiler and Corry was detached to receive the 3 dead and 5 severally burned BTs and BMs by motor launch, along with LT Robert Tripplett, MD. Corry traveled at flank speed to Charleston, SC Naval Base. The Wardroom became a hospital, and patient instructions for burn treatments were received from Charleston and relayed by the Communications Officer to Dr, Tripplett. Corry rejoined DESDIV-362 ships off of Jacksonville, FL, while the Fox limped into Charleston for repairs.

Corry, along with RL Wilson and Waller transited the Caribbean, refueled in Colon and transited the Panama Canal at night, two destroyers to a lock. From Balboa on 12 September, Corry in a column formation made way to San Diego, where we received a major delivery of WESTPAC Operations Orders. From San Diego on 9/19 it was on to Pearl Harbor where we off-loaded our “nukie” ASROC torpedo rockets. The officers drilled with Operations Orders every evening while underway. We departed Hawaii on 9/28, refueling at Midway Island on 10/6 and then encountered Typhoon Faye, while in transit to Guam. The eye was avoided, but we still took on 20-25’ seas for 12 hours. LCDR Todd departed Corry, while LCDR Billy Bendit replaced him as XO. We departed Guam on 10/13 and arrived in Subic Bay, Philippines on 17 October. Corry detached from DESDIV 362, refueled, rearmed and restored for a departure to a Naval Gunfire Support mission in the Mekong Delta. Corry was participating in Vietnamese Counter Offensive VI and took on two Republic of Vietnam Naval Officers, Ensign Le Hoang Dao and Dao Van Hai. We received our gunfire grid coordinates in Vung Tau and were escorted by swift boats, fore and aft, into the Mekong Delta. Corry lay at anchor from 10/23 until 10/27, providing Harassment and Interdiction (H&I) fire at night and “Call For Fire” targets from spotters during the day. From the Mekong, Corry refueled and rearmed underway, and returning to the mouth of the Mekong in III Corps, to be part of Operation Market Time. Our mission was to keep Viet Cong supply boats from entering the Mekong to replenish their troops. We made surprise challenges to 6 small craft at darken ship, and our day-time presence discouraged dozens more who feared to approach. Corry returned to Subic in early November and then redeployed to PIRAZ, Positive Identification Radar Advisory Zone, in the northern end of the Gulf of Tonkin, to join the USS Wainright DLG 28 as her shotgun. Later in November, Corry returned to Subic to prepare for Operation Sea Dragon with the USS Springfield CL-66. As we approached our station, off the coast of Haiphong harbor, Corry received a flash message from President Johnson to cease all hostile fire against North Vietnam. Corry was to draw battery fire from shore SAM sites, while the Springfield, staying out of battery range, would knock out the firing site with her 8” guns. Corry took this opportunity to redeploy to Sasebo, Japan for some repairs and a short R&R. We returned to Subic and then Yankee Station on 12/22 to be Plane Guard to the USS Intrepid CVA-11, in her last combat mission before retirement. We spent part of Christmas day, 1968 alongside the USS Ponchatoula AO-148 refueling, with the Intrepid on the other side, listening to Bob Hope and his USO Entertainment team. Bob gave Corry a salute song over the PA as recognition for our plane guarding. Corry returned to Subic on 12/30 for New Years.

After providing plane guard for the USS Ranger CVA-61 on Yankee Station in the first week of January, Corry deployed to Da Nang and then to the Batangan Peninsula, off the coast of Chu Lai in I Corps. We joined the USS New Jersey BB-62 on 1/8/69 in an amphibious operation, Bold Mariner. Corry provided call for fire and H&I gunfire until 1/30/69. RADM W. W. Berens provided a message commendation to Corry for the accuracy and rapid response of gunfire support. Following that mission we received a much needed R&R in Hong Kong for 4 days. Afterwards we headed to Kaohsiung, Nationalist China for repairs. On 2/15, Corry deployed to the gun-line in II Corps. We did “call for fire” and H&I off Phan Rang and Nha Trang until the end of February. By now Corry had fired 6,607-5” rounds and performed 40 underway replenishments. Afterwards, we headed for home, stopping at Buckner Bay Okinawa on 5 March, and then Yokosuka, Japan, from 6 to 12 March. We were rejoined by the Waldron, Waller and R.L.Wilson as COMDESDIV 362.

We took a straight shot from Yokosuka, leaving the deck ice and cold, to Midway Island on 17 March, and then Pearl on 22 March. We cruised rapidly at night (I was OOD) through the Hawaiian Islands at 22 knots to make liberty at 8:00 AM at Pearl. Upon arriving we witnessed the filming of “Tora, Tora Tora.” It was surprising to see Jap Zeros flying all around the Pearl Harbor. Back to San Diego on 3 April and then on to Mazatlan, Mexico on 7 April, back through the canal on 21 April and on to Norfolk, 18 April, 1969. NOB provided a fire boat spray salute, but the anti war protestors on the beach were unkind to many of us. A lot of us returned to our civilian lives again, and tried to fit in. It was hard! During this 2 year period we had logged in nearly 100,000 miles at sea, and had an experience of a lifetime. Every crew member did his job, in the spirit of doing what it takes to get it done. It was a delight to sail with such a dedicated and skilled crew, and I’m proud to be a known as a Corry sailor. Bravo Zulu to all.

View Record
Mission Date: 10/23/1968
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 3
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: H AND I
Province Code: KIEN HOA

View Record
Mission Date: 10/24/1968
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 3
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: BUNKER
Province Code: KIEN HOA

View Record
Mission Date: 10/24/1968
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 3
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: BUNKER
Province Code: KIEN HOA

View Record
Mission Date: 10/24/1968
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 3
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: BUNKER
Province Code: KIEN HOA

View Record
Mission Date: 10/24/1968
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 3
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: H AND I
Province Code: KIEN HOA

View Record
Mission Date: 10/25/1968
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 3
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: BUNKER
Province Code: PHUOC TUY

View Record
Mission Date: 10/25/1968
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 3
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: BUNKER
Province Code: PHUOC TUY

View Record
Mission Date: 10/25/1968
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 3
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: BRIDGE/APP
Province Code: PHUOC TUY

View Record
Mission Date: 10/25/1968
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 3
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: STRUCT/BUILDING
Province Code: PHUOC TUY

View Record
Mission Date: 10/25/1968
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 3
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: H AND I
Province Code: PHUOC TUY

View Record
Mission Date: 10/25/1968
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 3
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: H AND I
Province Code: PHUOC TUY

View Record
Mission Date: 10/26/1968
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 3
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: BUNKER
Province Code: PHUOC TUY

View Record
Mission Date: 10/26/1968
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 3
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: H AND I
Province Code: PHUOC TUY

View Record
Mission Date: 1/8/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: CAVE
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/10/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: THUA THIEN

View Record
Mission Date: 1/10/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: THUA THIEN

View Record
Mission Date: 1/10/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: THUA THIEN

View Record
Mission Date: 1/10/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: CAVE
Province Code: THUA THIEN

View Record
Mission Date: 1/10/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: H AND I
Province Code: THUA THIEN

View Record
Mission Date: 1/12/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: H AND I
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/12/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: H AND I
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/12/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: H AND I
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/13/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: H AND I
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/14/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: WEAPON
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/14/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: INFILTRATION PT
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/15/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/15/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/15/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: INFILTRATION PT
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/15/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/16/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: INFILTRATION PT
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/17/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: SUPPLY RTE
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/17/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: CAVE
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/17/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: BUNKER
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/17/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: INFILTRATION PT
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/18/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: INFILTRATION PT
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/19/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: SUPPLY RTE
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/19/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: INFILTRATION PT
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/19/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: AREA/LZ PREP
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/20/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: INFILTRATION PT
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/20/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: H AND I
Province Code: QUANG

View Record
Mission Date: MISSION FIRING DATE
Ship UIC: UIC OF FIRING SHIP
Ship Name: NAME OF FIRING SHIP
Ship Hull Type: HULL TYPE OF FIRING SHIP
Ship Hull Number: HULL NUMBER OF FIRING SHIP
CTZ: CTZ TO WHICH FIRING WAS DIRECTED
Nickname of Operation Supported: NICKNAME OF OPERATION SUPPORTED
Target type code: TARGET TYPE CODE
Province Code: PROVINCE CODE

View Record
Mission Date: 1/21/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: VILLAGE
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/21/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: STRUCT/BUILDING
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/22/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: VILLAGE
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/22/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: BUNKER
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/22/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: INFILTRATION PT
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/22/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: INFILTRATION PT
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/22/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: INFILTRATION PT
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/23/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: INFILTRATION PT
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/24/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: INFILTRATION PT
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/24/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: INFILTRATION PT
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/25/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: MINE FIELD
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/26/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: MINE FIELD
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/27/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/28/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: H AND I
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/29/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: H AND I
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/30/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: BOLD MARINER
Target type code: H AND I
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 2/16/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 2
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: PHU YEN

View Record
Mission Date: 2/18/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 2
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: STRUCT/BUILDING
Province Code: PHU YEN

View Record
Mission Date: 2/18/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 2
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: STRUCT/BUILDING
Province Code: PHU YEN

View Record
Mission Date: 2/18/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 2
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: PHU YEN

View Record
Mission Date: 2/19/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 2
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: PHU YEN

View Record
Mission Date: 2/19/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 2
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: PHU YEN

View Record
Mission Date: 2/20/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 2
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: INFILTRATION PT
Province Code: KHANH HOA

View Record
Mission Date: 2/21/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 2
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: NINH THUAN

View Record
Mission Date: 2/23/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 2
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: NINH THUAN

View Record
Mission Date: 2/24/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 2
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: NINH THUAN

View Record
Mission Date: 2/24/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 2
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: NINH THUAN

View Record
Mission Date: 2/25/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 2
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: NINH THUAN

View Record
Mission Date: 2/25/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 2
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: INFILTRATION PT
Province Code: NINH THUAN

View Record
Mission Date: 2/25/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 2
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: NINH TH

View Record
Mission Date: 2/26/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 2
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: INFILTRATION PT
Province Code: NINH THUAN

View Record
Mission Date: 2/26/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 2
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: NINH THUAN

View Record
Mission Date: 2/27/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 2
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: NINH THUAN

View Record
Mission Date: 2/28/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 2
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: NINH THUAN

View Record
Mission Date: 2/28/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 2
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: NINH THUAN

View Record
Mission Date: 2/28/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 2
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: NINH THUAN

View Record
Mission Date: 2/28/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 2
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: NINH THUAN

View Record
Mission Date: 3/1/1969
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 2
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: NINH THUAN

View Record
Mission Date: 1/13/1973
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: SONG THAN
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: QUANG TRI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/13/1973
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: SONG THAN
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: QUANG TRI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/13/1973
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: SONG THAN
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: QUANG TRI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/14/1973
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: SONG THAN
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: QUANG TRI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/14/1973
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: SONG THAN
Target type code: TROOP CONC
Province Code: QUANG TRI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/14/1973
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: SONG THAN
Target type code: TROOP CONC
Province Code: QUANG TRI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/14/1973
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: SONG THAN
Target type code: TROOP CONC
Province Code: QUANG TRI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/14/1973
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: SONG THAN
Target type code: ARTILLERY SITE
Province Code: QUANG TRI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/14/1973
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: SONG THAN
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: QUANG TRI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/15/1973
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: SONG THAN
Target type code: SUPPLY AREA
Province Code: QUANG TRI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/15/1973
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: SONG THAN
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: QUANG TRI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/15/1973
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: SONG THAN
Target type code: AA SITE
Province Code: QUANG TRI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/16/1973
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported: SONG THAN
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: QUANG T

View Record
Mission Date: 1/22/1973
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/23/1973
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/23/1973
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: TROOP CONC
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/23/1973
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/24/1973
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: QUANG NGAI

View Record
Mission Date: 1/25/1973
Ship UIC: N52117
Ship Name: CORRY
Ship Hull Type: Destroyer
Ship Hull Number: 817
CTZ: Corps Area 1
Nickname of Operation Supported:
Target type code: VC/NVA POSIT
Province Code: QUANG

Commanding Officers	Date Assumed Command
Cmdr. Martin S. Shellabarger	26 February 1946
Cmdr. David L. Roscoe Jr.	12 June 1947
Lt. Cmdr. Charles S. Quinn Jr.	15 November 1948
Lt. Owen L. Duffy	11 May 1949
Cmdr. David L. Roscoe Jr.	13 May 1949
Cmdr. Robert S. Mendelkorn	6 July 1949
Cmdr. Milton A. Zimmerman	1 June 1951
Cmdr. Frank D. Whalen	8 January 1954
Cmdr. John E. Greenbacker Jr.	28 November 1955
Cmdr. Richard G. Zimmerman	15 September 1957
Cmdr. Charles W. Ward	7 October 1958
Cmdr. Harold W. Killer	27 December 1960
Cmdr. Archy L. Lupia	8 July 1962
Lt. Virgil C. Snyder	2 December 1963
Lt. Cmdr. Jarvis N. Messer	28 May 1964
Cmdr. John E. Lowell	1 July 1964
Cmdr. William J. Aicklen Jr.	26 October 1965
Cmdr. Cornelius S. Snodgrass Jr.	6 January 1968
Cmdr. Paul P. Connolly	7 October 1969
Cmdr. Robert E. Clark Jr.	3 June 1971
Cmdr. Gerald J. McCormick	4 October 1972
Cmdr. Richard G. Hollenbach	13 April 1973
Cmdr. Anthony P. Porcaro	11 January 1974
Cmdr. Guy A. Archambault	11 October 1975
Cmdr. George W. Crowninshield	6 August 1977
Cmdr. Gary Blair	12 April 1979

Dominican President Joaquín Balaguer declared a state of emergency following the return to that country of Héctor and José Trujillo, brothers of assassinated President (Gen.) Rafael Trujillo on 18 November 1961. Corry subsequently reinforced the Caribbean Ready Amphibious Squadron off the coast of the Dominican Republic. Franklin D. Roosevelt launched flights of Douglas A4D (A-4) Skyhawks and the combined force made amphibious feints from outside Dominican waters to emphasize U.S. resolve to prevent a reestablishment of a dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. The ships came about following the formation of a Dominican Council of State on 19 December, and Corry was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for her part in putting an end to the emergency (24 October–12 November and 18–21 November 1961)

President Kennedy announced the imposition of a “quarantine” on all offensive military equipment en route to Cuba; the continuation and increase of the close surveillance of Cuba; and a policy to regard any nuclear missile launched from Cuba against any nation in the Western Hemisphere as an attack by the Soviets on the U.S. Corry faithfully patrolled on the Quarantine Line but experienced boiler issues at one point and temporarily left to undertake repairs at Kingston before returning to the line. Soviet Premier Khrushchëv eventually accepted U.S. diplomatic overtures to end the crisis. Cuban leader Fidel R. Castro initially rejected the U.S. negotiations but also subsequently consented. Corry received the Navy Expeditionary Medal for her service in the Cuban Missile Crisis (28–31 October 1962).

A southward cruise into the balmy Caribbean waters gave Corry the opportunity to hone her antisubmarine warfare skills with sonar school students off Key West, Fla. (12–28 July 1963). Corry was reclassified back to a destroyer and her original identification number (DD-817) on 1 January 1964.

Corry entered one of the milestones of the ship’s career in the summer and autumn of 1964, when she took part in Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) I, a program intended to extend the life of some of the Navy’s ships. Planners envisioned carrying out the initiative in three phases, which in the case of World War II-vintage destroyers consisted primarily of installing equipment and systems to enable the ships to contend more effectively with the numerous and increasingly capable East Bloc submarines. Perhaps most dramatically, Corry underwent a FRAM I conversion to embark and operate a Gyrodyne QH-50 Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter (DASH). The work included adding a small hangar and flight deck aft, and systems to facilitate controlling DASH. Shipyard workers and sailors also installed an eight cell Mk 112 to launch RUR-5 Anti-Submarine ROCkets (ASROC) amidships, mounted two new Mk 32 triple torpedo tubes that could launch 12.75-inch Mk 44 antisubmarine homing torpedoes, furthermore enlarged and modernized the Combat Information Center, and installed new radar, sonar, and electronic warfare systems. The ship wrapped up her conversion in September 1964.

While the newly converted Corry operated in the Caribbean, she received orders directing her to return to the waters off Santo Domingo during the Dominican Civil War. The Americans decided to evacuate their people trapped in the fighting and the vessels that responded included amphibious assault ships Boxer (LPH-4), Guadalcanal (LPH-7), and Okinawa (LPH-3), amphibious transport dock Raleigh (LPD-1), high-speed transport Ruchamkin (APD-89), tank landing ship Wood County (LST-1178), and their screens. Corry received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for her patrols protecting these ships and evacuees during the crisis (14–22 May 1965)

The following year in 1966, the ship deployed to her familiar operating areas in the Mediterranean. Panamanian-flagged 75-foot oiler Gay Lady, Master Alphonse Gayuela, steamed from Valletta, Malta, to Corfu, Greece, with a cargo of gasoline in mid-October. Her diesel engine failed and as Gayuela and some of the eight British, Moroccan, and Spanish crewmen attempted to repair and restart the engine it sparked a fire with the gasoline. Corry escorted Independence and acted as her plane guard as the carrier performed flight operations about 30 miles away. Cmdr. Daniel G. McCormick III, the executive officer of Fighter Squadron (VF) 41 and the pilot, and Lt. (j.g.) D. E. Germaine, USNR, his radar intercept officer, flew a McDonnell Douglas F-4P Phantom II on a routine patrol from the carrier when they spotted the flames and smoke rising into the air. McCormick and Germaine quickly appraised the situation and realized that Gay Lady lay in danger of sinking, and radioed Independence for help. The carrier and her escort turned toward the area, and the former launched additional aircraft to scour the water for survivors. Gay Lady sank swiftly but all nine men successfully abandoned ship into their life boat and a life raft, and Corry reached the scene and rescued all of the survivors. Gayuela called on United States Ambassador to Malta George J. Feldman at the U.S. Embassy at Valletta on the 15th, and expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the rescue. The ship’s master also thanked Cmdr. Lowell and the ship’s company for their “kindness and courtesies.”

Independence incurred an accident while replenishing at sea in the Mediterranean on 22 October 1966. Boxes of electronics gear valued at nearly $50,000 broke loose and plunged into the water, but Corry scoured the area and retrieved all the equipment. Aicklen caught up with Corry at Gibraltar, where he relieved Lowell on 26 October. During most of this time frame the ship served in DesRon 36 and consistently supported the squadron. SN Robert L. Ford fell overboard from Robert L. Wilson (DD-847) while the destroyer refueled in heavy seas and rain south of Spain on the night of 6 December 1966. Corry rescued Ford, cold and wet but otherwise unharmed from his harrowing ordeal, and later returned him to his ship.

On 6 August 1966 Commander Cruiser Destroyer Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet awarded USS Corry DD817 the Engineering "E" for performance during the competitive year ending 30 June 1966. Well Done.

During the fiscal year ending 30 June 1967, USS Corry DD817 attained the highest degree of battle readiness in Destroyer Squadron 36. This accomplishment is reflected in the winning of the Battle Efficiency “E” Award as well as Departmental Excellence Awards in Weapons and Supply. Well Done, C. J. Van Arsdale Jr. Rear Admiral U.S. Navy

The ship returned to the fighting in the first week of January 1969 and steamed as a plane guard for Ranger (CVA-61). Corry turned southward and operated off Da Nang and Chu Lai in the I Corps Tactical Zone. Corry next (8–10 and 13–31 January) screened New Jersey (BB-62) while the battleship unleashed 16-inch and 5-inch salvoes in support of the 26th Marines and soldiers of the 23rd Infantry Division as they attacked People’s Liberation Armed Forces (PLAF) troops on the Batangan Peninsula during Operation Bold Mariner. Corry joined her more heavily armed companion along with other ships and shot on-call and harassment and interdiction fire. Rear Adm. William W. Behrens Jr., Commander Amphibious Group 1 and Amphibious Force Seventh Fleet, commended Corry for her accurate and rapid gunfire and she received a Navy Unit Commendation for her sterling work during the period (12–31 January).

Corry received four battle stars for her service in the Vietnam War.

The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) was first intended to be a "blanket campaign medal" awarded to service members who served honorably during a designated time period of which a "national emergency" had been declared during a time of war or conflict. It may also be issued to active military members for any other period that the Secretary of Defense designates. To date, the NDSM has been awarded for four specific time periods, which roughly correspond to the Korean (1950-1954), Vietnam (1961-1974) and Gulf War (1990-1995) eras as well as the Global War on Terrorism (2001 to date).

A fire broke out on board Italian cruise ship Angelina Lauro, Master Antonio S. Di Carlo, of Costa Lines, Inc., while she lay at Charlotte Amalie during the afternoon watch on 30 March 1979. On the 24th Angelina Lauro set out with 669 passengers and 380 crewmembers from San Juan for a week-long cruise through the area and visited the port before her planned return to San Juan the following day. Coast Guard investigators concluded that the most likely cause of the blaze occurred when a crewmember turned on the electric skillet in the Crew’s Galley to its highest setting and temporarily left it unattended. Most of the ship’s passengers had gone ashore, but crewmembers led others down the gangway to safety as the fire spread rapidly to the Continental Dining Room and flames and smoke poured out of portholes. Coast Guardsmen and sailors rushed to the scene and reinforced the civilian firefighters.

Corry and frigate McCandless (FF-1084) also lay at the port when the fire erupted and both dispatched damage control teams, Corry’s battling the flames with hose lines and portable pumps from pierside for more than seven hours until large harbor tug YTB-811 closed the stricken liner to help. Cmdr. George W. Crowninshield, Corry’s commanding officer, also happened to be the senior officer present and assumed On-Scene Commander. Coast Guard cutter Gallatin (WHEC-721), Cmdr. George Moritz, USCG, took part in maneuvers in the Caribbean and turned and made for the port at speed to render assistance. Upon reaching the fire, Moritz relieved Crowninshield as On-Scene Commander, and after the latter detached some volunteers and equipment to stay ashore and support the other firefighters Corry stood down the channel and out to sea. Another damage control team from guided missile destroyer Claude V. Ricketts (DDG-5), completing refresher training following an overhaul, boarded a flight from Naval Station Roosevelt Roads and later arrived to join the battle.

The port authorities, meanwhile, considered taking the burning liner in tow out to sea but abandoned their plan in the face of the strong breeze that swept through the harbor and the choppy water, and fears that she could sink and block the channel. They also realized that none of the vessels present including Corry, McCandless, or YTB-811 would be large enough to safely control the larger cruise ship. The firefighters thus also directed their hoses into the ship’s interior to douse her fuel tanks, though she consequently further settled at her moorings. The combined firefighters continued their heroic efforts to save the ship until 4 April, by which point she became a total loss. Eckhardt & Company of Hamburg, West Germany, raised and scrapped Angelina Lauro that summer. Fortuitously, not a single person perished in the tragedy though two were treated for minor injuries. Corry received the Meritorious Unit Commendation for her part in fighting the inferno.

Corry was decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 27 February 1981. On 8 July 1981, Corry was transferred to the Hellenic Navy and renamed Kriezis (D-217), in honor of Greek national hero Antonios Kriezis (1796–1865), who fought the Ottoman Turks as a captain in the Hellenic Navy and later became that country’s prime minister. The Greeks struck Kriezis in 1994 and in 2002 the Turks scrapped her.