This Military Service Page was created/owned by
George Gibmeyer, RM2
to remember
Sansone, James Joseph, SN.
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SN James Joseph Sansone's last known activity was serving aboard USS Newport News (CA-148) off the coast of North and South Vietnam in 1972. On Sunday, September 10, 1972, SN Sansone died as a result of a non-hostile accident, having fallen overboard while manning a 5-inch mount. SN Sansone was on the outboard side of the mount holding onto the mount's metal ladder rungs, when suddenly, the mount lurched as it swung over the water, causing SN Sansone to lose his grip. Despite search and rescue attempts by an approaching mail helicopter and Newport News, SN Sansone's body was never recovered. He was 22 years old.
Vietnam War/Vietnam Cease-fire Campaign (72-73)/Operation Lion's Den
From Month/Year
August / 1972
To Month/Year
August / 1972
Description Although Linebacker was largely carried out by air, naval forces were also deployed to provide counter battery fire against enemy targets along the Ho Chi Minh Trail and other important logistical areas and in support of ground troops. One such operation was Operation Lion's Den, or "The Battle of Haiphong Harbor". On 27 August 1972. Vice Admiral James L. Holloway III took with him his ship, the heavy cruiser Newport News, the guided missile cruiser Providence, and the destroyers Robison and Rowan conducted a brief night raid against the North Vietnamese forces protecting the port of Haiphong. After the bombardment, the ships were threatened by four Russian-built torpedo boats. Joined by two aircraft from the Coral Sea, three of the four torpedo boats were sunk. It was one of the few ship-to-ship naval battles of the war.