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Navsource Online: Destroyer Escort Photo Archive



Ship's patches courtesy of Mike Smolinski

USS Meyerkord (DE 1058)


Flag Hoist / Radio Call Sign:
N - L - J - Y
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons




Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row: Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation - Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (2)
Second Row: National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 star - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal - Vietnam Service Medal w/ 2 stars
Third Row: Humanitarian Service Medal - Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 3 stars - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal


Specifications:
Class: Knox
Type: SCB No. 199C / 1964
Number in Class: 46
Displacement: 3020 tons (std), 4065 tons (full)
Length: 415' (wl), 438' (oa)
Beam: 46' 9" (extreme)
Draft: 24' 9" (draft limit)
Propulsion: 2 Combustion Engineering 1200psi boilers; 1 Westinghouse geared turbine; 35,000 shp; 1 shaft
Speed: 27 kts
Range: 4,500 nm @ 20 knots
Complement: 16 / 211
Missiles: 1 8-tube Mk25 Sea Sparrow BPDMS in DE 1052-1069, 1071-1083, 1 8-tube Mk29 NATO Sea Sparrow IPDMS in DE 1070, Harpoon missiles from modified ASROC launcher
Guns: 1 x 5"/54 cal. DP Mk 42 (600 rds)
ASW Weapons: 1 Mk16 ASROC launcher (16 missiles), 4-12.75" (324mm) Mk 32 (4x1 fixed) tubes / Mk 46 torpedos (6)
Radars: AN/SPS-10 (surface), AN/SPS-40 (air), AN/SPS-58 threat warning in some ships
Sonars: AN/SQS-26CX, AN/SQS-35 IVDS in FF-1052, 1056, 1063-1071, 1073-1076, 1078-1097
Fire Control Systems: Mk68 Mod. 11/13/14 Gun FCS, Mk114 Mod 14/16 ASW FCS
Helicopter: 1 - SH-2 LAMPS Helicopter
Meyerkord (DE 1058) Building and Operational Data:
  • 22 July 1964: Building contract awarded to Todd Shipyard Corp.
  • 1 September 1966: Keel laid by the Todd Shipyard Corp., San Pedro, Calif.
  • 15 July 1967: Launched and christened, sponsored by Mrs. Harold Dale Meyerkord and Mrs. Harold E. Meyerkord, widow and mother of Lieutenant Meyerkord
  • 28 November 1969: Commissioned, Cmdr. John A. Baldwin, Jr. in command, assigned to CruDesPac at San Diego, Cal.
  • 30 June 1975: Reclassified Frigate (FF 1058)
  • 30 September 1989: Transferred to the Naval Reserve Force at San Diego, Cal.,
  • 14 December 1991: Decommissioned after 22 years of service
  • 11 January 1995: Stricken from the NVR
  • 14 December 2000: Scrapping contract awarded to Ship Dismantlement and Recycling, Inc., San Francisco, Cal., for 3.3 million dollars.
  • 30 January 2001: Removed from Navy custody
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Contributed
    By And/Or Copyright
    Meyerkord 11k Harold Dale Meyerkord was born 9 October 1937 at St. Louis, Mo. He graduated from Navy Officer Candidate School at Newport, R.I. on 14 June 1960 and was assigned to the heavy cruiser Los Angeles (CA 135). He reported to the U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam 13 July 1964. He was Senior Naval Adviser to the South Vietnamese 23d River Assault Group, responsible for suppressing Vietcong terror in South Vietnam’s "rice bowl"; the group probed the Delta waterways, engaging Vietcong guerrillas in operations in which Lieutenant Meyerkord distinguished himself for coolness, resourcefulness, and concern for his men. While leading his assault group into Vietcong-held territory 16 March 1965, Lieutenant Meyerkord’s patrol was ambushed. Though wounded, he steadfastly returned the enemy’s fire until hit again, this time mortally. Lieutenant Meyerkord’s heroism was recognized by posthumous award of the Navy Cross. He was also awarded the Air Medal for completing 20 low-level aerial reconnaissance missions under enemy fire.

    USS Meyerkord (DE 1058) was the first ship to be named in his honor.

    (Photo from The Virtual Wall, Vietnam Veteran's Memorial)
    Bill Gonyo
    Meyerkord 134k June 1972: Portland, Ore. - USS Meyerkord (DE 1058) in floating drydock no. 2 at the Northwest Marine Iron Works, Swan Island, Portland, Oregon during an emergency yard period. An unusual epoxy paint has been applied below the waterline. Note the starboard stabilizing fin at 7 o’clock. (Photo © Michael Schibly) Mike Schibly
    Meyerkord 56k 1972: off the coast of Viet Nam - Taken from USS Passumpsic (AO 107), while Meyerkord made her approach. (Photo © Ralph Turner) Ralph Turner
    Meyerkord 233k October 1972: Gulf of Tonkin - (U.S. Navy photo #KN-21692 by PH1 Coan flying from USS Saratoga CVA 60 from the Naval Photographic Center, Series 428-2, National Archives, College Park, MD) Mike Schibly
    Meyerkord 51k late 1972: off the coast of Viet Nam - Naval Gunfire Fire Support mission, Vietnam, during the Ceasefire Campaign. (Photo © Michael Schibly)
    Meyerkord 206k June 1973: the Rose Festival at Portland, Oregon - Meyerkord is inboard, alongside the seawall, immediately forward of the Coast Guard cutter. (Photo © Michael Schibly)
    Meyerkord 179k February or March 1975: South China Sea - Taken from USS Coral Sea (CVA 43). (Photo © Phil Toy) Phil Toy
    Meyerkord 183k March 1975: the Gulf of Siam - Taken during Operation Eagle Pull, the ships of TG 76.4 gathered around USS Vega (AF 59) for replenishment. The flagship USS Okinawa (LPH 3), Vancouver (LPD 2), Ramsey (DEG 2) and Meyerkord (DE 1058) are in attendance. Richard Spring
    CMDCM(SW/AW),
    USN(Ret.)
    Meyerkord 113k 1977: San Diego Harbor - Taken while on a harbor tour cruise. John W. Robbins
    Meyerkord 18k 24 April 1979: At sea - An aerial starboard beam view of Meyerkord underway. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-86-11684 from the Defense Visual Information Center ) Navsource
    Meyerkord 174k 24 April 1979: At sea - An aerial starboard beam view of Meyerkord underway. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-86-11683 from the DVIC )
    Meyerkord 135k 1 July 1982: San Diego, Cal. - Stern view of the frigates USS Bagley (FF 1069), with opened helicopter hangar, and Meyerkord docked next to the destroyer tender USS Samuel Gompers (AD 37). (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-82-10509 by Norman Polmar from the DVIC)
    Meyerkord 143k 14 April 1983: At sea - An aerial port bow view of the battleship USS New Jersey (BB 62) underway with Meyerkord to starboard. (U.S. Navy photo DVID ##DN-SC-84-04672 by PH2 D. Smith from the DVIC )
    Meyerkord 161k 14 April 1983: At sea - An aerial port bow view of the battleship USS New Jersey (BB 62) underway with Meyerkord to starboard. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-84-0467 by PH2 D. Smith from the DVIC )
    Meyerkord 143k 14 April 1983: At sea - An aerial starboard bow view of the battleship USS New Jersey (BB 62) underway with Meyerkord to starboard. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-84-04674 by PH2 D. Smith from the DVIC )
    Meyerkord 126k 15 April 1983: At sea - Aerial starboard bow view of the battleship USS New Jersey (BB 62) (right) and Meyerkord. The ships are part of a task group underway off the coast of California. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-83-08974 by PH1 S. Smith from the DVIC )
    Meyerkord 146k 15 April 1983: At sea - Aerial starboard bow view of the battleship USS New Jersey (BB 62) (right) and Meyerkord. The ships are part of a task group underway off the coast of California. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-83-08979 by PH1 S. Smith from the DVIC )
    Meyerkord 353k 1 October 1987: Crewmen gather at the rail of the frigate Meyerkord. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-88-02225 from DefenseImagery.mil)
    Meyerkord 129k 1 February 1991: Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hi. - Meyerkord departs from the naval station. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-92-04475 by OS2 John Bouvia from the DVIC )
    Meyerkord 96k 6 June 1991: Portland, Ore. - Pacific Fleet ships tied up at a dock during Portland's annual Rose Festival include, left, back to front, the destroyer USS David R. Ray (DD 971), the frigates Meyerkord and USS Marvin Shields (FF 1066); right, back to front, the guided missile destroyers USS Semmes (DDG 18) and USS Parsons (DDG 33) and the frigate USS Barbey (FF 1088). (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-92-08271 by PH1 Alex Hyde from the DVIC )
    Meyerkord 149k 6 June 1991: Portland, Ore. - Pacific Fleet ships tied up at a dock during Portland's annual Rose Festival include the destroyer USS David R. Ray (DD 971), the frigates Meyerkord and USS Marvin Shields (FF 1066). (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-92-08273 by PH1 Alex Hyde from the DVIC )

    Meyerkord Memorabilia
    Ship's Plaque
    Meyerkord
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski
    Ship's Lighter
    Meyerkord
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski

    View the USS Meyerkord (DE 1058) DANFS history entry
    located on the Naval History and Heritage Command web site.
    Meyerkord's Commanding Officers
    Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves
    28 Nov 1969 - 23 Jul 1971      Cmdr. John Ashby Baldwin Jr. (later Vadm.)
    23 Jul 1971 - 15 Jul 1972   Cmdr. Wayne L. Chadwick
    15 Jul 1972 - 08 Sep 1973   Cmdr. Robert J. Kerrigan
    08 Sep 1973 - 01 Jul 1975   Cmdr. Alan Twiet Isaacson
    01 Jul 1975 - 01 Jul 1977   Cmdr. Malvin Davidson Bruce
    01 Jul 1977 - 22 Oct 1979   Cmdr. Edward Marshall Minugh
    22 Oct 1979 - 02 Aug 1980   Cmdr. Frederick J. Vollmer
    02 Aug 1980 - 28 Aug 1982   Cmdr. Edward Stephen Finn
    28 Aug 1982 - 14 Jul 1984   Cmdr. William Dillard Center
    14 Jul 1984 - 23 Aug 1986   Cmdr. Larry L. King
    23 Aug 1986 - 10 Dec 1988   Cmdr. Peter J. Gaskin II
    10 Dec 1988 - 10 Jul 1991   Cmdr. Dewey L. Whitmire
    10 Jul 1991 - 14 Dec 1991   Cmdr. William Jeffrey Sweet

    Crew Contact And Reunion Information

    None
    Note About Contacts

    Contact information is compiled from various sources over a period of time and may, or may not, be correct. Every effort has been
    made to list the newest contact. However, our entry is only as good as the latest information that's been sent to us. We list only
    a contact for the ship if one has been sent to us. We do NOT have crew lists or rosters available. Please see the Frequently Asked
    Questions section on Navsource's Main Page for that information.


    Additional Resources
    Destroyer Escort Sailors Association
    The Destroyer History Foundation
    Tin Can Sailors Shipmate Registry - USS Meyerkord
    USS Meyerkord Page on Destroyers Online
    USS Meyerkord Page on Military.Com
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    Page Last Updated 22 November 2009