USS Hanson

USS Hanson post-FRAM I, August 1966
History
United States
Name	USS Hanson (DD-832)
Namesake	Robert M. Hanson
Builder	Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine
Laid down	7 October 1944
Launched	11 March 1945
Commissioned	11 May 1945
Reclassified	DDR-832, 8 March 1949
Stricken	31 March 1973
Homeport	San Diego, California
Honors and awards	8 battle stars (Korea) 7 battle stars (Vietnam) Combat Action Ribbon Meritorious Unit Commendation
Fate	Transferred to Republic of China, 18 April 1973
History
Taiwan
Name	ROCS Liao Yang (DD-21)
Acquired	18 April 1973
Reclassified	DDG-921
Decommissioned	1 June 2004
Fate	Sunk as target
Status	Sunk
General characteristics
Class and type	Gearing-class destroyer
Displacement	3,460 long tons (3,516 t) full
Length	390 ft 6 in (119.02 m)
Beam	40 ft 10 in (12.45 m)
Draft	14 ft 4 in (4.37 m)
Propulsion	Geared turbines, 2 shafts, 60,000 shp (45 MW)
Speed	35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph)
Range	4,500 nmi (8,300 km) at 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement	after 1964: 278 Enlisted 18 Officers
Armament	6 × 5"/38 caliber guns 12 × 40 mm AA guns 11 × 20 mm AA guns 10 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes 6 × depth charge projectors 2 × depth charge tracks

USS Hanson (DD/DDR-832) was a Gearing-class destroyer of the United States Navy, named for First Lieutenant Robert M. Hanson (4 February 1920 – 3 February 1944), United States Marine Corps of Marine Fighting Squadron Two Fifteen, a quintuple ace who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.

Hanson was launched on 11 March 1945 by the Bath Iron Works Corp., Bath, Maine; sponsored by Mrs. Harry A. Hanson, mother of Lt. Hanson; and commissioned on 11 May 1945, Commander John C. Parham in command.

Service history

1945–1949

After shakedown in the Caribbean and conversion to a picket destroyer at Boston Navy Yard, Hanson sailed for the Pacific on 7 November 1945. Via the Caribbean, then through the Panama Canal, north to refuel at San Diego then on to Pearl Harbor. From Pearl Harbor, Hanson as one of a twelve ship squadron, headed for Tokyo. About three days out the squadron ran into a typhoon which lasted for four days. At Yokosuka Naval Base it was found that practically everything topside had some damage. There was much damage to the ship, all the rafts were gone and several of the 40 mm shields were crushed in. She spent most of the following year operating in support of occupation forces in Japan, with a September period of fleet maneuvers off the China coast. Reporting to the Atlantic Fleet at the Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia on 6 February 1947, Hanson trained along the East Coast until sailing in late January 1948 for her first tour of duty with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean. She was designated DDR-832 (radar picket destroyer) on 8 March 1949. During her second deployment to the Mediterranean in the summer of 1949 Hanson took part in two of the most important steps toward peace taken in that tension-wracked region. As station ship to the United Nations General Assembly at the Isle of Rhodes, she was the only American warship present as Greece received control of the long-contested Dodecanese Islands. Hanson then carried United Nations mediator Dr. Ralph Bunche to Beirut, Lebanon, for peace negotiations on Israel. On 10 December 1950, Bunche became the first non-white and African American to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Korea, 1950–1953

USS Salamonie (AO-26), Hanson, Powers, Newport News, refueling 1950 Mediterranean cruise.

After extensive training in the Caribbean, USS Hanson headed north back to Newport, RI. On 6 January 1950, Hanson in convoy, with elements of the sixth fleet were headed across the Atlantic, including USS Midway (CVB-41), at least two cruisers USS Newport News (CA-148) was one), 12 destroyers in all, including the USS Power (DD-839) and support auxiliaries. This would be Hanson's third Mediterranean cruise. Port calls included Spain: Rota, (Island of Majorca), Gibraltar B.C.C., Libya, North Africa, Sicily, France, Greece: Alexandropoulus, Italy: Pisa, Livorno, Trieste, Taranto. By May 1950, Hanson was headed west from Gibraltar after ending the Med cruise making her home port on June 1, 1950. Once Hanson arrived at Newport, RI in June 1950, she was ordered to change home ports to San Diego. But on 25 June 1950, armed conflict broke out on the Korean peninsula. Hanson would be now be scheduled to steam to Korea, via the Panama canal, by passing her new home port of San Diego and head straight to Pearl Harbor, to become part of T.F.77, bound for Pusan, Korea, escorting US Marines to the war zone.

World crisis shifted from Europe and the Mediterranean to the East in 1950, and Hanson joined the Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor on 12 July to prepare for her role in the Korean War. En route to and when departing from Pusan, Hanson provided plane guard for the carriers, acted as a beacon for returning aircraft (bird dog operations), shore bombardment and to seek out enemy planes. Her first duty off the war-torn country saw Hanson, along with 300 other warships, participating in the amphibious operations at Inchon on 15 September 1950. The tides at Inchon changed as much as 30 to 40 feet, the currents were fierce making it very difficult for the troops to get ashore. Naval shipping mines were a great hazard and extra look outs were posted to locate and destroy them using the 40 mm's. The North Koreans would tie two mines together using a length of cable causing the two mines to draw together against a passing ship setting off the mines and damaging or sinking the vessel. North Koreans would also place mines and fishermen in fishing vessels to trick US ships into helping the people aboard, the mine(s) would detonate thus damaging or sinking the Navy ship. Hanson on two occasions encountered such fishing boats full of people and mines, but stayed clear and fired its 40 mm's on the vessels causing them to explode and sink taking the boat's inhabitants down with them. The North Koreans also let mines float freely on the open ocean, which of course was against the Geneva convention. Hanson headed to Sasebo, Japan, her temporary home port about two weeks before Thanksgiving of 1950. On Thanksgiving Day Hanson then left Sasebo and headed back to Korea and the battle zone. It would be general quarters every day at dawn and at dusk. The only reprieve from battle stations would be on Sunday, which be the time for refueling, replenishing ship's provisions and ammunition. She would stay there until mid January 1951 before returning to Sasebo. By the end of 1950 Hanson was at sea for 254 days of the 365 day year. Hanson also provided fire cover for the successful evacuation of Hŭngnam and Wonsan just before Christmas that year. Hanson would finally return to her home port San Diego in April 1951.

USS Hanson helping ROKS Apnokkang PF-62. Her hull number is not visible. 26 May 1951, Wonsan Harbor, Korea

Hanson's second combat cruise to Korea, September 1951 to May 1952, took her along the east coast as a member of the fleet bombarding strategic shore targets in support of ground troops where her accurate fire was most effective. Hanson aided the rescue of the soldiers and marines of the Chosin Reservoir, referred to as the "Frozen Chosin". As part of a detached unit from Task force 77, two destroyers; USS Ernest G. Small (DD-838), Hanson, cruiser USS Helena (CA-75) and battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) were sent on a gun strike in Hungnam harbor. Hanson, along with the Helena would get instructions to blow up railroad movements along the Korean coast. Helena would bombard one end of a rail road tunnel as the train entered it and Hanson would bombard the other end once the train was within the tunnel. Immediately afterward Korean work crews would descend upon the rail road tracks and tunnel(s) to repair the damage. Hanson would then call in carrier planes armed with napalm to bomb the North Korean work crews. At another time, Earnest G. Small and Missouri stayed a few miles off shore. Helena and Hanson were firing at targets close to the harbor, taking instructions from spotters on shore. As evening approached Hanson's gyro was failing which meant Hanson could not fire on targets accurately. Earnest G. Small was ordered to take over Hanson's close in position and Hanson move out to the position of the Missouri. Earnest G. Small steamed toward Hanson's former position and less than 5 minutes at 1801 hours 7 October 1951 Earnest G. Small struck a mine and lost 1/3 of their ship. The entire bow was blown off. Nine men were killed and 51 wounded. Ship had to retire to Sasebo in reverse to make repairs for return to the states. Hanson continued its policy of sinking seemingly wooden fishing vessels loaded with North Koreans but were really disguised mine layers. Hanson sunk at least one such boat. On 22,Oct.1951, an AD-4W Navy aircraft of Composite Squadron VC-11, took a night time landing wave off on the USS Antietam (CV-36), and the aircraft lost power, and crashed into the sea. Hanson rescued the three crew members aboard. In December she also participated in the important Formosa Patrol and visited Hong Kong. On the way to her R&R in Hong Kong, Hanson encountered a huge typhoon, 30 foot waves crashing in north/south direction. Sonar group aboard Hanson also located a submerged vessel in the shallow portion of the Formosa Straits. Its location was reported to 7th fleet command and the call back was it was the WWII sub USS Tang (SS-306) which was sunk by its own torpedo during WWII. With R&R in Hong Kong complete, it was back to Korean gun line. After her return to the gun line, Hanson would use its RADAR, ECM gear to help out US Army rangers in their attempts to carry out clandestine operations behind enemy lines and give them navy gunfire support. By December 25, 1951, Hanson was back in Sasebo, Japan. Her stay was short lived, Hanson then returned to Korean gun line by December 27, 1951, resuming gunfire support for the US Army on the front lines. On 27 December 1951, Hanson became part of Task Element 95.11 relieving the USS Porterfield (DD-682). The Task Element was made up of many UK Common wealth ships; HMCS Athabaskan D-29, HMS Charity DDE 29, USS Badoeng Strait (CVE-116). In the Wonsan area on April 10, TF-77 carried out a coordinated strike using the guns of USS Saint Paul and USS Hanson. USS Silverstein (DE-534), to the north of Ho-do Pan-do, received 30 rounds of enemy fire at a range of 12,400 yards with fall of shot fifty to 300 yards from the ship but without any damage. Hanson then was released from the gun line and she returned to Sasebo to start the journey to San Diego arriving May, 1952.

After a respite at San Diego, Hanson returned to the Korean bomb line in December 1952 for task force operations, screening the fast carriers as they launched their jets against enemy supply lines and positions. The battle-hardened destroyer also participated in shore bombardment, search-and-rescue (SAR) operations, and Formosa patrol before returning to the United States on 20 July 1953, shortly before the end of the war in Korea.

1954–1964

Subsequent years found Hanson making annual six-month deployments with the 7th Fleet to strengthen American defenses in the Pacific and to prove American determination to keep the peace to possible aggressors. In addition to patrol, major portions of Hanson's Pacific cruises were devoted to tactical maneuvers and battle exercises with United States and allied ships as well as intensive antisubmarine hunter-killer training. Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, Korea, and even Australia provided familiar ports of call for the destroyer on these cruises. Hanson was patrolling the Straits of Formosa virtually within sight of Communist mainland China in the fall of 1958 as shelling of the offshore islands of Quemoy and Matsu precipitated a major international crisis. In the spring of 1962 and again in 1963 Hanson took part in the annual Australian celebration of the Battle of the Coral Sea, World War II's first carrier naval engagement in the Pacific.

When not deployed to the western Pacific, Hanson trained out of her home port, San Diego. Much of this training was centered on Hanson's role as a radar picket destroyer, designed to provide early warning of approaching enemy air, surface, or submarine forces. On 1 April 1964 she was redesignated DD-832 and entered the San Francisco Naval Shipyard to undergo a Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM MK I) conversion designed to prolong her effective life as a fighting ship for many years.

Vietnam, 1965–1968

Conversion completed on 6 December 1964, Hanson rejoined the Pacific Fleet early in 1965 as a unit of Destroyer Squadron 11 (DesRon 11), with sister ship Dennis J. Buckley (DD-808), which was also a recent converted from DDR configuration. She operated along the West Coast until heading for the Far East early in the summer to join the fight in Southeast Asia. In July she shelled enemy targets ashore and, but for brief respites, she patrolled and fought in troubled Vietnamese waters until late in the autumn.

Returning to San Diego in December, she operated along the coast of California and Mexico until getting under way for the Orient on 17 July 1966. She steamed via Hawaii, Midway, Guam, and Subic Bay for Vietnam and anchored in the Saigon River on 13 September. But for short visits to Hong Kong, Formosa, and the Philippines, Hanson operated in the fighting zone until relieved on 6 January 1967. During the deployment, her 5-inch guns fired over 9,000 rounds at NVA targets, mostly in direct support of ground forces. She also performed plane guard duty, patrolled close ashore to stop infiltration of supplies and men from the north, and refueled helicopters.

Back at San Diego on 11 February 1967, Hanson operated along the West Coast preparing for her next WestPac deployment. During the period, six months were spent in Long Beach Naval Shipyard undergoing repairs and overhaul.

Hanson's third deployment to Vietnam covered March through September 1968. Notably, deployment was moved up in order to steam quickly to the Sea of Japan, where North Korean naval forces had recently (23 January 1968) intercepted and captured USS Pueblo in international waters off the coast of North Korea. Hanson's appearance in the area did not elicit any material response from the North Vietnamese, and after several days, the ship sailed south to join the rest of the United States 7th Fleet off Vietnam in the South China Sea. Hanson returned to San Diego in the following September.

Cold War & Vietnam Era, 1969–1971

Hanson was in port until 23 June 1969. On that date, in company with USS Dennis J. Buckley (DD-808) and USS Hull (DD-945), the ship was underway for her Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI). Upon satisfactory completion, she returned to San Diego and remained there until her departure for the Western Pacific.

On 2 August, under the command of CDR Robert Joseph Raffaele (1 March 1968 – 16 September 1969) USS Hanson was steaming on the first leg of her Western Pacific deployment, accompanied by USS Dennis J. Buckley, USS Jouett (DLG-29) and USS Boyd (DD-544). The four ships left San Diego Harbor in a diamond formation, steaming under the new San Diego-Coronado Bridge during the opening ceremonies. Early on 3 August, the ships rendezvoused with USS Hancock (CVA-19). COMCARDIV NINE in Hancock became SOPA. The three destroyers and the guided missile frigate comprised Task Unit 17.4.2.

For her first 1969 WESTPAC assignment, Hanson steamed out of Subic Bay in company with USS Hancock and USS Dennis J. Buckley as Task Group 77.4. The Task Group arrived at Yankee Station on 1 September and the carrier immediately began flight operations with the two destroyers in plane guard stations. USS Dennis J. Buckley was given a brief assignment in the II Corps Tactical Zone area of the Republic of Vietnam for Naval Gunfire Support duties. The ship followed USS Hancock for a total of eight days. On 13 September, she again detached to assist in the transfer of a UPI correspondent to an ocean fleet ocean tug keeping surveillance on a Soviet trawler. On 16 September, Captain, Cdr. Richard J. Fleeson (16 September 1969 – 29 July 1971) took command of Hanson. USS Hanson departed YANKEE Station on 17 September and USS John W. Thomason (DD-760) assumed duties as Commander Task Unit 77.4.2.

On 24 January 1970, USS Hanson was in port Subic Bay with USS Jouett (DLG-29), USS Floyd B. Parks (DD-884), and the USS Dennis J. Buckley, which together formed TU70.0.3. On 25 January TU70.0.3 was underway for San Diego via Guam and Pearl Harbor, OTC was COMDESRON ONE embarked in Jouett. The four ships navigated the San Bernardino Straits on 26 January and arrived on the morning of 28 January at Guam for a brief refueling stop. Within four hours the four ships were underway again on an easterly course for Pearl Harbor. On 31 January the Task Unit Chopped to Commander First Fleet becoming TU15.9.2. On 1 February USS Hull joined the formation. The five vessels moored in Pearl Harbor on 5 February for two days before beginning the final leg of their homeward voyage. On the morning of 12 February Hanson, Dennis J. Buckley and Hull and other units of TU15.9.2 moored at U.S. Naval Station, San Diego.

1970 dry dock maintenance period

On 10 July 1970 USS Hanson enters dry dock #3 at Hunter's Point Shipyard San Francisco with the USS Dubuque (LPD-8) and remained there until 21 August 1970. While Hanson was in dry dock one night sometime around 2230 hours, the berthing compartment below the main deck level, around mount 52 ammo handling room started flooding due to a cracked/broken water main. The water rose to knee deep in berthing space and half way filled the after magazine. This caused the entire duty section to work all night until about 0430 hours pumping out water from the after magazine and berthing compartments then mopping up the mess. On Hanson's shakedown cruise out of the dry docks, a fire broke out in a boiler room causing the ship to go to general quarters to fight the fire. This happened about 8 hours into the shakedown cruise while steaming off San Francisco. B division handily and speedily put out the fire using purple K (PKP) fire suppressor.

USS Hanson, October 1970 entering San Diego harbor after completing yard period.

Hanson arrived in San Diego on about 18 October for a short two day – stay before getting underway for Independent Steaming Exercises on around 20 October. On about 21 October the ship underwent sonar tests at the Fleet Operation Readiness Accuracy Check Site (FORACS) Range at Wilson Cove, San Clemente Island. The ship was then in port San Diego from 22 October to mid November with a tender availability with a tender, probably the USS Dixie (AD-14) from 23 October to 5 November. Hanson participated in six weeks of Refresher Training commenced on 9 November and the ship was in and out of port almost daily as a unit of TU54.l.l until about 18 December. Gunnery personnel conducted shore bombardment on San Clemente Island, and air and surface firings at towed targets. Hanson conducted several underway replenishment operations with a USN Oiler. The Anti-Submarine team fired exercise Anti Submarine Rocket (ASROC) and Mk 32 torpedoes at the USS Salmon SS 573. Operations conducted numerous exercises with USS Dennis J. Buckley DD 808 and USS Gray (DE-1054). The rest of the year was spent as leave and upkeep in port San Diego with a tender availability, probably the USS Prairie (AD-15).

1971 Westpac

On 5 February 1971, under the command of Cdr. Richard J. Fleeson, Hanson, USS Dennis J. Buckley (DD-808) and USS Floyd B. Parks (DD-884) departed San Diego for a 6-month WestPac (Western Pacific) cruise, her 5th Vietnam tour. The three ships in transit between San Diego and Pearl Harbor encountered a large floating buoy or pipe sealed on its ends floating upright picked up on all three ship's radars seemingly the sail of a surfaced submarine about 3 days out from San Diego. On 12 February 1971 Hanson entered Pearl Harbor just in time for a weekend stay. But while mooring, Hanson closed faster than expected into her berthing space and struck the USS Carpenter (DD-825). 1st Div or deck crew was then obligated to paint over the scuffed paint of the Carpenter, port side front hull and her bulwarks. Also Hanson's paint had to be tidied up on her starboard side. Hanson left Pearl Harbor on 15 February for Midway Island. A few days later Hanson along with the rest of Desron 1 moored at Midway Island, refueled, and spent about 4 hours playing softball before getting under way for Guam. On 18 February 1971, while steaming between Midway Island and Guam, the three ships encounter a heavy typhoon creating 25 foot waves sometimes reaching 70 feet. Just at crew's breakfast, a Hanson crewman who was on the signal bridge, gets swept overboard. Another crew member, a port bridge lookout just happened to see the man falling by the bridge wing window and he immediately sounded the alarm and threw a life ring into the sea where the man was floating. All three ships responded but Hanson got to him first rescuing him in less than 15 minutes. Hanson steamed on to Guam and releases the rescued crew member to be sent to a hospital, refuels and is underway for Subic Bay. Hanson then steams on to Subic Bay for a short stop over.

Hanson ports of call included Pearl Harbor, Midway Island, Apra Harbor in Guam, Subic Bay,Philippines, Da Nang, South Vietnam, Bangkok, Thailand, Buckner Bay, Okinawa, Japan, Sasebo, Japan, Pusan, South Korea, Yokusuka, Japan, Shimoda, Japan and British Colony of Hong Kong.

Notable events of 1971 WestPac cruise

Hanson traveled to the Philippine Sea to ride out a Typhoon (storm raged 9 March 1971 during Ali-Frasier fight) and then to move unto Da Nang to meet with advisors there to receive orders/instructions to participate in Naval Gun Fire Support. Hanson stays in Da Nang harbor for about 4 hours and then heads on to her position along the coast where she spent about 1 to 1 1/2 weeks of gun fire support. Most, if not all firing took place at night and not more than 20 shots were fired during each evening or session. Hanson then gets the word to head to Bangkok, Thailand for a week of R&R. After 1 week in Bangkok, Hanson heads back to Subic Bay for a short stay and to ready for a trip northward toward Taiwan, Ryukyu's and then Japan and Korea.

Russian Riga class frigate Ryukyu islands 1971

Hanson, while transiting from Subic Bay, Philippines to Okinawa, Japan through the Ryukyu island chain encounter a Russian Riga Class Frigate (hull number 807) moving at a good speed (22 kn or more). When Hanson made Buckner Bay, Okinawa, she refueled then headed for Sasebo, Japan. Once in Sasebo, Hanson stayed for a few days.

Hanson left Sasebo and headed for Pusan. Transiting from Sasebo to Pusan, Hanson meets with the USS Truxtun CGN-35 and lowered its motor whale boat to transfer a Commodore and his staff from Truxtun to Hanson prior to entering Pusan, South Korea. The Commodore was piped aboard, sideboys were stationed on the quarter deck. About 26 April, Hanson steamed into Pusan Korea for a 2 1/2 day stopover. Hanson stays for the 2 1/2 days and then heads back to Sasebo, Japan.

USS Hanson, Yokosuka, Jpn., wood from Russian tug Diomede's railing is jammed into Hanson's anchor.

Hanson stayed in Sasebo for 2 days then headed out unto the Korean Strait and Sea of Japan to observe and report on Soviet and North Korean ship movements. For about 3–4 days Hanson activities went along smoothly until she came upon a group of fleet tugs towing dry docks headed in a northerly direction. On 6 May 1971 Hanson collided with one of the Soviet Union fleet tugs. Hanson was following the Russian tugs towing floating dry docks. The tugs were headed north perhaps to a Russian port when one of the tugs said to be the Diomede, fell back and came along the starboard side Hanson. The two ships were traveling around 12 knots and 150 feet apart. Hanson's bridge crew attempted to hail the tug via a bullhorn, but the tug turned and struck Hanson near her anchor. WHile there were no injuries reported, Hanson received minor damage and the tug lost at least 30 feet of its port side main deck railing or life line. Hanson immediately went to general quarters and film of the incident was collected from crew members as evidence of the international incident. This was a third and final collision that occurred prior to signing of the Incidents at Sea Agreement in 1972 and was officially between the U.S. destroyer USS Hanson and the Soviet tug Diomede in the Korean Strait on 5 May 1971. This minor collision, which was caused by the Soviet tug violating the nautical rules of the road, did not have serious repercussions for Soviet-American relations. Hanson then made way for Yokusuka, Japan for repairs and cooling of Soviet/US Navy tensions. She remained in Yokusuka for about 1 1/2 weeks. During her stay in Yokosuka, a marching group composed of at least 2 crew members per division was selected and the group, in the command of one of the ship's officers practiced for about half a day on the pier to ready for the Black Ship Festival in Shimoda, Japan.

Around 14–16 May, after the tug collision, USS Hanson DD 832, USS Preble DLG-15 and JDS Ariake DD 183 (formerly the USS Heywood L. Edwards DD 663), participated in the Black Ship Festival held about mid May yearly in Shimoda, Japan. Each ship participated by entering marching units that marched through the narrow streets of Shimoda, Japan in that city's parade. After her time in Shimoda, Hanson headed to Sasebo for ship maintenance.

Hanson also conducted Naval Gun Fire Support off Vietnam, refueled helicopters in need of fuel for at least 2 weeks, followed and reported on Soviet naval activity in the Sea of Japan and participated in plane guard duty at Yankee station in the Tonkin Gulf off Vietnam.

Returning home from 1971 WestPac

USS Hanson returning to San Diego after 1971 Westpac cruise.

On 16 July, the USS Hanson DD 832 in company with the USS Dennis J. Buckley (DD-808) departed Subic Bay, her tour of duty completed, destination San Diego. In Guam, Dennis J. Buckley and Hanson were joined by the USS Floyd B. Parks (DD-884). An underwater investigation revealed that one of the blades on the starboard propeller of the Floyd B. Parks had broken off so the Floyd B. Parks set a course for Guam on one propeller. In Guam divers removed the damaged propeller and at midnight on 22 July Floyd B. Parks proceed to Pearl Harbor on one shaft in company with Hanson and Dennis J. Buckley. Due to bad weather and schedule commitments, Midway was bypassed in favor of a great circle track to Pearl Harbor, HI. The long journey was highlighted by an underway replenishment on the International Date Line with a fleet oiler on its way to WestPac.

1971 USS Hanson SAMID installation as viewed from SPS-37 radar platform. Electronics package contained within HUT (AN/SLQ19-B), 2 antennas per side or 4 total, two CHAFFROC launchers with blast shields.

USS Hanson, USS Dennis J. Buckley and USS Floyd B. Parks arrived in Pearl Harbor on 29 July. USS Floyd B. Parks received a new propeller and at midnight 30 July began a great circle route for San Diego in order to catch up to USS Dennis J. Buckley and USS Hanson who left ahead of Floyd B. Parks. Floyd B. Parks met the other destroyers at the entrance to San Diego Harbor after a four-day chase and arrived home on schedule on 4 August. USS Hanson officially returned to San Diego on 4 August 1971 after a full 6-month deployment.

The next month was spent in a "stand down" status with the crew working half days while most took some leave. The only major work was a change in her Electronic Warfare (EW) configuration. The SAMID Immediate Package Program or SAMID (Ship's Anti-missile Integrated Defense) (designed by RCA) consisting of 2 ASROC deck mounted CHAFFROC launchers with blast shields, ASROC deck mounted SAMID HUT (AN/SLQ-19 B) electronics package, and support antennas mounted on port and starboard sides at the ASROC & after-ECM 02 deck level, was removed from Hanson. In November, USS Hanson followed USS Hancock CVA 19 just out of San Francisco, CA, for plane guard duties lasting about 1 week before Thanksgiving Day of November 1971. After her plane guard duty with the USS Hancock of about 1 week, USS Hanson returned to San Diego.

Vietnam, 1972

In the early part of 1972, Hanson engaged in refresher training, readiness inspections, repair and maintenance. The Captain at one point decided to have a crew and dependents fish fry on the fantail at a spot off San Diego. The ship at a later date sailed to Acapulco, Mexico for a time that took at least two weeks, one week in Acapulco and 1 week travel time, to and fro. On the return trip Hanson was hailed by radio from a hospital in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico requesting some medicine of which they were in short supply. Hanson entered the Mexican port and met a small boat and gave them the medicine. Hanson then continued on her way to San Diego.

1972 transit to the Gulf of Tonkin

On 10 April 1972 with only 3 days notice and under the command of Cdr. Ian M. Watson (29 July 1971 – 31 March 1973), Hanson got underway for WestPac. Accompanying Hanson en route were USS John S. McCain (DDG-36) and USS Dennis J. Buckley DD 808, to fight the Nguyen Hue or Easter offensive in Vietnam as its 6th and final tour of Vietnam service. This final tour of duty would also be Hanson's most engaging wartime effort as a U.S. Naval vessel. The Destroyer squadron made Pearl Harbor about 15 April entered port, refueled and then left the harbor within three hours of arriving. When leaving the harbor, the ships encountered the USS Providence (CLG-6), which had left San Diego on 11 April, one day after Hanson, steaming off Waikiki beach. She headed toward the three ships and seemingly into Pearl Harbor, but veered off westward and headed to Guam at a good pace of at least 22 knots. Hanson headed westward to Guam arriving by April 23. The three ships refueled within three hours and then headed to Subic Bay, PI. During transit between Guam and the Philippines, a USSR recon bomber (Bear) flew over at a low altitude (due to low cloud cover) and passed abeam (starboard side of the three ships) within about 200 yards. Hanson arrived in Subic about April 26, 1972.

Hanson, 1972 Tonkin Gulf M2 50 cal machine gun used for warding off PT boats and small boats.

Once Hanson arrived at Subic Bay, decisions were made to add some armament to protect the ship from hazards in the Tonkin Gulf. Mainly, two M2 50 Cal machine guns mounted on the bridge wings for boats armed with rockets and shoulder-launched Redeye surface-to-air missiles. Hanson had no reliable way to ward off MIG attacks. This added precaution arose primarily due to an event on 19 April: The Battle of Đồng Hới.

1972 Gulf of Tonkin

On 30 April 1972 Hanson entered Tonkin Gulf off Vietnam and received orders from CincPacFlt to proceed to the waters off North Vietnam. When transiting to the Northern part of the gulf, Hanson met up with the USS Richard B. Anderson DD-786 and the Anderson steamed at Hanson's port side. Richard B. Anderson's four barrels in their gun mounts were completely blackened and the front part of her mounts were black with red lead exposed. Only the after part of both the gun mounts were still painted in USN haze gray. Hanson crew could now see what they were getting into as displayed by the condition of Richard B. Anderson's guns. On 4 May 1972 Hanson moved further north for front line combat action in Operation Freedom Train (later called "Operation Linebacker") and engaged in a series of daring raids on the Haiphong complex, which included support for Operation Pocket Money on 9 May 1972. During her second raid on the night of 4 May 1972, Hanson was hit by an artillery shell that damaged the ship's water purification system.

Hanson firing mount 51 near sunset. From both Mnt 51 & 52 Hanson fired 14,486 rounds of 5" 38 HC, RAP & WP ammo.

Operation Custom Tailor

On 10 May 1972, Hanson participated in Operation Custom Tailor, along with USS Myles C. Fox (DD-829) (Fox protected the armada's northern flank from possible N. Vietnamese PT boats), USS Buchanan DDG 14, USS Newport News CA 148, USS Providence CLG 6, and USS Oklahoma City CLG 5, at Do Son Peninsula, Haiphong, a follow up of a similar raid made the night before on 9 May. This was the most formidable cruiser/destroyer armada assembled in the Western Pacific since World War II. During this strike, Hanson entered the harbor and military targets within four miles of Haiphong, North Vietnam were hit, and enemy opposition was heavy. Hanson was also the last US Naval vessel to enter Haiphong harbor prior to the mining of the harbor and she was the last ship out. No other US Naval vessels entered Haiphong harbor during the remainder of the war.

Around 0100 the next morning, DESRON 31, now comprising the Buchanan (DDG-14), Fox (DD-829), and Hanson (DD-832), spotted the Newport News about 45 miles south of the Do Son Peninsula. The cruiser, whose call sign was "Thunder", had arrived in the Gulf of Tonkin the previous day after setting out from Norfolk on 13 April. Two other warships that would participate in the mission cruised nearby, the USS Providence (CLG-6) and USS Oklahoma City (CLG-5). At around 1600 on 9 May, two of Admiral Robinson's staff officers had flown aboard the Newport News to brief the cruiser’s commanding officer, Captain Walter F. Zartman. They brought the waterlogged duplicate operation plan carried by Commander McCulloch in the previous day’s helicopter crash. Having already been informed by Admiral Mack that he would be responsible for the mission, Zartman called for his executive officer, Commander Robert Leverone, and they and the two staff officers began to study the plan and discuss how they were to accomplish the attack mission with the forces assigned.Later, when the Buchanan and the other two destroyers hove into view, Zartman called over "Navy Red", the Navy's secure UHF radio circuit, to his close friend Commander Thearle. Asked if he had any recommendations, Thearle advised his friend to "follow me," and swung the Buchanan and the two other destroyers to the north and increased speed to 25 knots. Zartman, as officer in tactical command, then formed a column with the USS Newport News in the lead followed by the USS Oklahoma City, with Admiral Mack embarked as senior officer present afloat, and the Providence in the rear. The destroyers were on a line of bearing 057T from the Newport News, the cruiser being the guide. At around 0200, Zartman ordered the formation into a line abreast, Hanson to the far left, then the Providence, Newport News, Oklahoma City, and Buchanan.

"Thunder" with "King City", 1972, Pt. Allison. 77 of the Newport News's massive 8-inch shells slammed into the military installations around Cat Bi.

The USS Myles C. Fox was ordered farther to the northeast to act as a blocking element in case of enemy patrol-boat activity and to cover the rear of the formation when it would eventually turn to the west and onto a firing course. At 0345, Captain Zartman came over Navy Red and simply said "Mark Point Alpha," upon which all five warships turned to the firing course of 240T, roughly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the Cat Bi airfield. At the extreme range of Newport News's 8-inch guns,the Cat Bi military complex was the raid's primary target. The completely darkened warships together commenced firing at 0347, and the night exploded into a flash of blinding white light (none of the ships were using flashless powder). Seventy-seven of the Newport News's massive 8-inch shells slammed into the military installations around Cat Bi with earth-shaking rapidity, while hundreds of rounds from the 6-inch guns of the two light cruisers and 5-inch guns of the cruisers and two destroyers pounded enemy targets on the Do Son Peninsula. When shore batteries opened up, effective cruiser-destroyer counter battery fire silenced them. Less than 30 minutes later, the action was over. Enemy fire had been somewhat more sporadic than the day before, and none of the ships was hit. Quite possibly the overwhelming fire from the cruisers and destroyers caused most of the North Vietnamese gunners to run for cover, and by the time they re-manned their positions, the task group was retiring. Still, the enemy had fired numerous 152-mm shells at the column of ships as they steamed past in the darkness, and the Sailors in all the ships felt the shells' explosions. What is most amazing about the bombardments on 9 and 10 May is that they were successfully conducted without the benefit of their command staff, most of whom were killed on 8 May, when Admirals Robinson and Cooper were returning from a meeting aboard the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) as their helicopter crashed (one engine failed) while heading to the USS Providence. The disparate warships from different fleets were able to work together as if they had been practicing many weeks for the mission. According to Rear Admiral Kenneth Haynes, commanding officer of the Providence, the professionalism of all the crews—from skippers to seamen—during the operation highlighted the skill of the U.S. Navy at that point in time.

1972 daily routine in the Gulf of Tonkin

Hanson 1972 receiving or sending mail, parts or personnel via CH 46 Sea Knight helicopter.

The raids continued from sunset to sunrise throughout May into June and sporadically at other times while Hanson took on fuel, supplies and ammunition during the day. Rearming and replenishment usually took from 2 to 4 hours every one and a half to two days. Nonetheless, ships routine had to continue; meals, cleanup, maintenance and repair of equipment subjected to long hours of continuous gun fire. The continual combat missions and replenishment kept her crew awake approximately 22 hours per day and the two hours of sleep the crew did get basically consisted of 5 or 10 minutes here and there. The ship remained on water hours during this long combat period in order to relieve the engineering department of making feed and drinking water. The only showers authorized were for those personnel working below decks in the engineering spaces. The rest of the ship's crew could only take "bird baths". Nightly, there were typically 2 to 5 General quarters periods usually lasting between one and two hours each usually under stress of possible or actual hostile fire. Every crew member was involved; Engineering department tending 4 steam boilers, powering Hanson's twin engines, gun crews loading heavy projectiles (55 lb) and gunpowder (15 lb) stored in magazines loading into hoists taking it up into the gun mounts where they are hand loaded into the gun breeches, ready to be fired. Gun director crews, plotters, navigators, CIC crews, and bridge lookouts straining their eyes watching for hostile surface or air contacts. Such times seemed to never end. At one point during Hanson's numerous firing engagements, her rear gun mount barrels had to be changed out in Da Nang by a repair ship (USS Hector AR-7) anchored in the harbor. Of course many other vessels of the fleet were present carrying out the same maintenance.

Hanson high line unrep of ammunition 1972 Tonkin Gulf. Vertical unreps were much faster.

From 22 to 28 May, Hanson on three occasions moved into position and fired upon an area 30 to 35 miles northwest of Qui Nhon (in MR II or the Central Highlands Area) in support of 2nd ARVN division and was credited with destroying 2 enemy emplacements, damaging 15 other enemy emplacements and on one bombardment the inflicted damage was inconclusive. USS Bausell DD-845 accompanied Hanson during at least one of these bombardments.

On 24 May, as part of Song Thanh (6-72), Hanson, along with other 7th Fleet ships took up position near U.S. Navy amphibious assault ships, mainly the USS Duluth LPD 6, USS Cayuga LST 1186 near Quang Tri, Wunder Beach southeast of the city. The two ships were part of the amphibious group which included the USS Schenectady LST 1185 and the USS Manitowoc LST 1180. After an intense arc light raid by B-52s on the beach the ships launched amphibious tractors to land VNMC battalions. The USS Duluth and the USS Cayuga came under fire from a North Vietnamese shore battery. The battery was immediately fired upon by Hanson and other ships in the support group joined in to silence the batteries. The USS Duluth then moved out of range under its own "black smoke".

Rocket hit on Hanson Gulf of Tonkin 1972

In June 1972 during night raids, Hanson dueled with North Vietnamese 152 millimeter coastal batteries near Hon La and Hon Mat islands. Hanson was struck twice during these duels on two separate occasions. The shells used by the North were anti-aircraft, so most of its battle damage was shrapnel punctures to the aluminum superstructure. Hanson took one such hit (night raid) which created at least 140-plus holes/breaks; on the starboard side from the after shower room (main deck level) forward up to the bridge on the 02 level. The Hull technicians reported patching/repairing about 145 welds. During one early morning daylight raid Hanson was struck on the port side through the ASROC deck into a life jacket locker mounted in the overhead main deck by a 3-inch rocket, its armor-piercing warhead nearly hitting a damage control party in the main deck passageway. There were no injuries or loss of life aboard Hanson. During one tense night raid, Hanson was expecting trouble from small boats, and the .50 cal gun crews were put on the alert for any such threats.

During the raid the port bridge wing gun crew opened up on Hanson's port side at what they thought was a small boat, but it turned out to be a crew member of another destroyer smoking a cigarette. No one was injured and damage to the other destroyer was not significant.

Hanson firing on North Vietnamese forces near Quang Tri.

29 June 1972 Hanson was sent to Quang Tri to support the movement of 1400 South Vietnamese Marines (VNMC 4th & 1st battalions) along with USMC 9th MAB (Operation Lam Son 72 I) from Tam My to Quang Tri to be conducted totally by CH46s & CH53s. Hanson arrived at just about midnight. There was an overcast and the moon and stars were not visible. At least 16 other US Navy cruisers, destroyers and destroyer escorts were present. Also present but to the east on the horizon were two LPH's (USS Tripoli (LPH-10) & USS Okinawa (LPH-3)) and the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19), ready for a dawn launching of helicopters to the Tam My and Quang Tri city areas. B-52s (most likely from U-Tapao, Thailand & Andersen AFB, Guam) were arriving every 20 minutes over a location northwest of Hanson to unload tons of bombs that flashed and thundered throughout the night until the scheduled operation to occur at 0800 on 29 June. Prior to the dawn launching of helos from the LPH's, a Hanson Supply Division crew member was injured while preparing breakfast for the Hanson crew. He was immediately flown off to be cared for and did not return to the ship until Hanson returned to San Diego. The armada of ships then went to General Quarters (as published in Plan Of the Day) and the two LPH's launched their helos to fill the sky with dark green double propped CH-46's that headed inland at a low altitude (about 200 feet). About two hours into the operation, Hanson went to a relaxed General Quarters condition. All the ships were then available for Naval Gun Fire Support roles as the day (29 June) progressed. Hanson remained at the Quang Tri & Pt. Allison locations until just before 4 July. Hanson later steamed to just outside Da Nang harbor and met with a South Vietnamese (ARVN PTF- no709) which tied up alongside for the transfer of beer to the PBR for a July 4 celebration.

1972 Hanson view of B52 Arc light, Quang Tri

From 1 to 4 July and 12 to 23 July, Hanson, in support of 1st VNMC Division and 3rd ARVN Division destroyed 49 structures and caused 14 secondary explosions.

In July 1972, Hanson lost her main gyro and steering engine and put in at Subic Bay in the Philippine Islands for repairs and returned to the combat theater. It is believed the replacement parts came from USS Warrington DD-843 which had been damaged beyond repair by a river launched mine.

From 8 to 21 August, USS Hanson supported the VNMC in the south of DMZ MR I destroying 11 structures, damaging 11 structures and causing 28 secondary explosions.

On 1 September, USS Hanson along with the USS Saratoga CVA 60 steam out of Subic Bay to return to the war zone. But Hanson's escort duties were brief as Hanson was relieved one day after leaving Subic to steam to a WBLC (Water Borne Logistics Interdiction) station off the coast of North Vietnam. However her arrival on station was temporarily delayed due to heavy seas and storm evasion that sent her south to avoid typhoon Elsie. Hanson weathered the storm and returned to her station on September 5. Hanson's WBLC duties turned out to uneventful and short lived. On 8 September, the USS Hollister DD 788 arrived on the scene and relieved Hanson. She headed south to the Quang Tri area where heavy fighting still raged.

With an end to Hanson's WBLC surveillance and interdiction, she moved on to participate in other operations including combat missions in Quảng Trị Province and plane guard for the USS Midway.

On 13 September, Hanson was directed to proceed further south to the Chu Lai area to support ARVN forces and territorial forces. Soon another typhoon was headed in Hanson's way and she was forced to move out to ride out typhoon Flossie. After the worst of the storm Hanson returned to the Chul Lai station on the evening of 16 September. Once on station, Chu Lai spotters informed Hanson that Mộ Đức was under siege and in dire need of gun fire support.

The Meritorious Unit Commendation was awarded to the crew of USS Hanson for the time period 21 April 1972 to 29 October 1972 including Mộ Đức and Operation Custom Tailor.

Battle of Mộ Đức

On 17 September 1972, Hanson received a report from Chu Lai spotters indicating Mộ Đức District was being overrun by some 1,000 (regiment size) enemy infantry. An Army detachment of 120 ARVN & two Americans were in Mộ Đức District defending their position, with the help of 20th TASS FAC Air Force Captains Richard L. Poling and Joseph Personnett (reconnaissance pilots flying an armed OV-10), and desperately needed heavy artillery support to prevent its garrison from being over run.

Hanson was the only gunship in the area (about 40 miles away), so it was ordered to get to the "center arena" of Mộ Đức as rapidly as possible. However, Hanson would need to travel as quickly as possible to arrive in a timely manner, so it steamed at high speed through an anti-ship minefield and jagged coral reefs. The situation became so desperate that the ground commander requested friendly artillery to fire on his position. Throughout the remainder of the night, Poling and Personnett strafed and rocketed muzzle flashes, directed Navy and ARVN artillery, and marked targets for the Navy A-7s that arrived on schedule at 6:30 a.m. The FACs' OV-10 was under heavy AA fire on each pass, with one of many hits passing through the canopy, showering both pilots with splinters. Due to Hanson's timely arrival, Captain Joseph Personnett (seated behind Captain Richard L. Poling), in their OV-10 was able to effectively direct Hanson's 5"/38 artillery rounds onto enemy troops, thus saving the lives of 21 of 120 ARVN soldiers. Staff Sgt. Carroll Jackson, the only other American at the headquarters, was killed in the fighting. The ground commander, Maj. William P. Collier (awarded the Silver Star, which has been recommended for an upgrade to the Medal of Honor), later counted 265 enemy bodies on the perimeter fences and credited Poling and Personnett with saving his remaining troops from annihilation. In seven hours of sustained combat, two captains flying a lightly armed recce plane were primarily responsible for defeating a reinforced enemy regiment. For that feat, both men were awarded the Air Force Cross. Hanson for its part, and for other operations in 1972, was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation.

On the evening of 17 September, Hanson was forced to move from Mộ Đức to the Da Nang facility to transfer a crew member with symptoms of appendicitis. While transferring the ill crew member to the Da Nang facility, Hanson was hailed by a flashing light, "S-O-S" indicating assistance needed. This happened at total nightfall and when Hanson was moving into an anchorage within the harbor. Hanson lowered its motor whale boat and proceeded in sending the sick crew member ashore in the company of 6-man team. After the MEDEVAC transfer, the motor whale boat headed toward the troubled ship but no one seemed to be on board. No mines as reported were spotted so the harbor authorities were then notified. Just then a small boat approached the ship with the Master of the troubled vessel aboard and said his crew jumped overboard on seeing what they thought was a mine. A demolition team later arrived and took care of the situation. The motor whale boat and its 6-man team returned to Hanson.

On 1 October, supported the 11th Ranger group, probably around the Mộ Đức area. From 2 to 3 October Hanson, relieved of gun line duties, participated in WBLC north of DMZ by participating in nine surface raider strikes against transshipment points, storage areas, and other military targets along the coast of North Vietnam.

14 thru 20 October, Hanson went to Hong Kong around the time of the Chung Yeung (or ascending heights) festival where she stayed for about 6 days. Family members were flown over by charter flight and all celebrated the end of Hanson's final WESTPAC deployment.

The final journey home

Hanson's underway ensign that flew from the forward mast the entire time in the Gulf, 1972.

Hanson then put into Subic Bay for a short stay to ready for the long trip home. On 23 October she departed, along with USS Hull (DD-945) and USS Dennis J. Buckley (DD-808) steaming through the Philippine Islands and the San Bernardino Strait. Upon hitting open water and heading east, the weather began to turn rough. In Guam on 26 October, it was decided to continue to Pearl Harbor bypassing the intended stopover at Midway Island due to the typhoon in the vicinity. Storm evasion was effective and despite heavy seas, all ships reached Pearl Harbor on 3 November without incident. The next morning USS Dennis J. Buckley and USS Hanson set out for San Diego, CA. USS Hull was sent ahead by 10 hours. The USS Hull was gradually overtaken, and by 0700 10 November, the USS Dennis J. Buckley led USS Hanson and USS Hull the last few miles into home port.

On 10 November 1972, Hanson, in the company of Dennis J. Buckley and Hull entered San Diego harbor where she moored for her post-deployment stand-down, an INSURV inspection and decommissioning preparation.

Events during 1972 Vietnam tour

Hanson participated in a myriad of typical destroyer operations: Naval Gunfire Support, carrier escort, search and rescue, surface raider strikes and WBLC (Water Borne Logistics Craft Interdiction).

Hanson's participation north of the DMZ, 4 separate occasions, 42 strikes.

• Operation Linebacker (orig. Freedom Train)- starting May 4, 1972
  • Hanson subjected to over 300 rounds of hostile fire
  • Hanson sustained minor damage on two separate occasions from N. Vietnam batteries
• Operation Custom Tailor – May 10, 1972
• Water Borne Logistics Craft Interdiction. September 2 thru 8, October 2 thru 3.

Hanson's participation south of the DMZ, 5 assignments on the gun line.

• Operation Song Thanh (5-72)- May 13, 1972
• Operation Song Thanh (6-72)- May 24, 1972
• Operation Lam Son 72 I – June 29, to July 11, 1972
• Operation Lam Son 72 II – July 11, to July 22, 1972
• Battle for Mộ Đức – September 16 – 18, 1972

Following the Christmas holidays, Hanson went through tender and DATC availability and came to her final resting place at Quaywall South Six, U.S. Naval Station, San Diego, CA.

1973 Decommissioning

Hanson in Taiwanese service as Liao Yang (DDG-921), in 1993.

Hanson was decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 31 March 1973.

The ship was transferred to the Republic of China (Taiwan) on 18 April 1973. She served in the Republic of China Navy as Liao Yang (DDG-921). After 31 years of service in the Republic of China Navy, she was decommissioned on 1 June 2004 at Kaohsiung, Taiwan. In July 2006, Liao Yang (ex-Hanson) was sunk as a target in the South China Sea during Han-Kung, a Taiwanese national armed forces joint exercise.

Hansons Commanding Officers

Rank	Commanding Officer	Dates in Command
Cdr	John Calhoun Parham Jr.	May 11, 1945 – Jan 8 1946 (Later RADM)
Cdr	Hazlett Paul Weatherwax	Jan 8 1946 – Apr 4 1947 (Later RADM)
Cdr	William Anthony Ellis	Apr 4 1947 – Sep 25 1948
Cdr	Alva Wright Dinwiddie	Sep 25 1948 – Mar 8 1950
Cdr	Cecil Rice Welte	Mar 8 1950 – Dec 31 1951
Cdr	William Jelfs Henning	Dec 31 1951 – Dec 24 1952
Cdr	William Paul Toran	Dec 24 1952 – Sep 20 1954
Cdr	Keith Griffen Nichols	Sep 20 1954 – Feb 11 1956
Cdr	William Sergeant Busik	Feb 11 1956 – Jul 6 1957
Cdr	John Warren Sedwick	Jul 6 1957 – Jul 25 1959
Cdr	Milton Edwards Stewart	Jul 25 1959 – Jun 26 1961
Cdr	Earle Thomas McFarland	Jun 26 1961 – Dec 21 1962
Cdr	Charles Shuford Swift	Dec 21 1962 – Jan 29 1964
Lcdr	William George McKeown Jr.	Jan 29 1964 – Oct 29 1964
Capt	Ardwin Godfred Franch	Oct 29 1964 – Mar 27 1966
Cdr	Lawrance Joseph Curtin	Mar 27 1966 – Mar 1 1968
Cdr	Robert Joseph Raffaele	Mar 1 1968 – Sep 16 1969
Cdr	Richard James Fleeson	Sep 16 1969 – Jul 29 1971
Cdr	Ian McEwan Watson	Jul 29 1971 – Mar 31 1973

Ship's Armament History

Hanson's armament evolution throughout its history:

Weapon	1945	1954	After 1964
5"/38 Twin	6	6	4
3"/50 Twin		4
3"/50 Single		2
40mm Quad.	12
40mm Twin	4
20mm Twin	18
Mk 14/15 Torpedo tubes 21 inches (530 mm) Quintuple	5	5
Hedgehog MK11		2
Depth Charge Tracks	2	1
Depth Charge Projectors	6	6
MK 32 Tubes			6
MK 16 ASROC			8
DASH			1

Awards

The USS Hanson was in commission for more than 27 years. In 1972, Hanson displayed two plexiglas (about 2'x 5') placards from the bridge wings, forward, on port and starboard sides showing at least 12 awards. At various times in her career, Hanson also displayed Battle Effectiveness Award insignia for Antisubmarine warfare excellence, Operational excellence and Gunnery excellence.

Approximation of Hanson's final ribbon placard /w stars as listed on usshanson832.org. Two mounted, one on each bridge wing, forward. According to former crew recollection, the Meritorious Unit Commendation was never painted on the placard(s) as Hanson was scheduled for decommissioning after 1972 cruise.

2x Combat Action Ribbon for Vietnam on 25 October 1966 and Vietnam from 4 May 1972 to 15 May 1972

Meritorious Unit Commendation: Mộ Đức, Vietnam for 21 April 1972 to 29 October 1972.

National Defense Service Medal: Two conflicts

Vietnam Service Medal: 7 times served. (20 time periods from 6 deployments from 1965 to 1972)

Vietnam Campaign Medal: Vietnam

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal: for 10 time periods including Taiwan Straits 1958, Quemoy & Matsu Islands 1960, Vietnam 1961 and 1965 and Korea 1968, 1969 and 1971

China Service Medal: Post WWII, Taiwan, Formosa Patrol

Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal: Post World War II, 1946

Korean Service Medal: 8 times served

Gallantry Cross (Vietnam) with Palm for 24 October 1966 to 10 November 1966

United Nations Service Medal: Korea

Navy Occupation Service Medal: Japan

American Campaign Medal: World War II

World War II Victory Medal: United States

8 battle, campaign, or service stars. (Korea)

7 battle, campaign, or service stars. (Vietnam)

Ship's record of deployments

USS Hanson made at least 21 cruises; 3 Mediterranean and 18 or more Western Pacific.

Cruise #	Port Departed	Port Returned	Deploy Date	Cruise Vicinity	Return Date
	Boston, Ma	Boston, Ma	May, 1945	Shakedown; Gitmo, Cuba	May, 1945
	Boston, MA	NS Norfolk, VA	Jul, 1945	Shakedown; after DDR convert. Culebra Isle	Aug, 1945
1 first	NS Norfolk, Va	NS Norfolk, Va.	Nov 7, 1945	Westpac; Post WWII, Jpn. China	Feb 6, 1947
2	Newport, RI	NS Newport, RI	Jan, 1948	Mediterranean, 6th Fleet	Jun, 1948
3	NS Newport, RI	NS Newport, RI	Apr, 1949	Mediterranean, 6th Fleet, Greece, Lebanon	Oct, 1949
4	NS Newport, RI	NS Newport, RI	Jan 6, 1950	Mediterranean, 6th Fleet	Jun 1, 1950
5	NS Newport, RI	San Diego	Jul 12, 1950	Westpac; Inchon, Hŭngnam & Wonsan, Korea	Apr, 1951
6	San Diego	San Diego	Aug, 1951	Westpac; Korea, Formosa, Plane guard	May, 1952
7	San Diego	San Diego	Dec, 1952	Westpac; Korea	Jul 20, 1953
8	San Diego	San Diego	Jul 9, 1956	Westpac, Japan, Formosa	Dec 19, 1956
9	San Diego	San Diego	Jul 8, 1957	Westpac, So. Pac., Jpn.	Dec 22, 1957
10	San Diego	San Diego	?, 1958	Westpac, Formosa Straits	Oct-Nov, 1958
11	San Diego	San Diego		Westpac
12	San Diego	San Diego	?, 1960	Westpac: Quemoy, Matsu	?, 1960
13	San Diego	San Diego		Westpac
14	San Diego	San Diego	?, 1962	Westpac, So. Pac., Australia	?, 1962
15	San Diego	San Diego	Apr, 1963	Westpac, So. Pac., Aus, Japan	Nov 23, 1963
	San Diego	San Francisco Shipyard	Apr 1, 1964	FRAM I conversion period	Dec 6, 1964
16	San Diego	San Diego	May, 1965	Westpac, Vietnam	Nov, 1965
17	San Diego	San Diego	Aug 17, 1966	Westpac, Vietnam	Feb 11, 1967
18	San Diego	San Diego	Mar 12, 1968	Westpac, Jpn Sea, Korea, So. China Sea	Sep 26, 1968
19	San Diego	San Diego	Aug 2, 1969	Westpac, Vietnam, Korea	Feb 12, 1970
20	San Diego	San Diego	Feb 5, 1971	Westpac, Vietnam, Jpn, Korea,	Aug 4, 1971
21 Last	San Diego	San Diego	Apr 10, 1972	Westpac, Vietnam	Nov 10, 1972

References

•  This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entries can be found here and here.
• "Destroyer Photo Index DD-832 / DDR-832 USS Hanson". navsource.org.
• Wiley, John F. (2011). Living the life I always wanted. iUniverse. ISBN 978-1-4502-9032-6.
• "USS Midway (CV-41)". U.S. Navy. Archived from the original on 30 May 2012.
• USS Constellation (CV 64) History
• USS Constellation CVA 64
• USS Preble DLG 15/DDG 46
• USS James E. Kyes DD 787
• USS Dubuque LPD 8

External links

• Photo gallery of USS Hanson at NavSource Naval History