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Contact Info
Home Town Porterville
Last Address Air Loss, Crash Eastern Flight 212 September 11, 1974 Douglas Municipal Airport Charlotte, South Carolina
Named forAdmiral Robert E. Coontz (1864-1935), second Chief of Naval Operations (1 November 1919 - 21 July 1923).
Basic facts:
CLASS - FARRAGUT As Built. Displacement 5648 Tons (Full), Dimensions, 512' 6" (oa) x 52' 4" x 17' 9" (Max) Armament 1 x 5"/54 RF, 1 Terrier Missile SAM System, 1 ASROC ASW System, 6 x 12.75" MK 32 ASW TT. Machinery, 85,000 SHP; Geared Turbines, 2 screws Speed, 33 Knots, Range 5000 NM@ 20 Knots, Crew 360. Operational and Building Data Laid down by Puget Sound Navy Yard on March 1 1957. Launched December 6 1958 and commissioned July 15 1960. Reclassified Guided Missile Frigate DLG -9 November 14 1956. Decommissioned February 23 1971 and recommissioned March 18 1972. Reclassified Guided Missile Destroyer DDG -40 June 30 1975. Decommissioned October 2 1989. Stricken January 7 1990. Fate October 3 1989 moved from ISMF Philadelphia to ISMF Portsmouth, VA arriving October 5 1989. May 5 1993 sold to NR Aquisition for $232,270.10, arrived Wilmington, NC October 24 1994. Reposessed October 1 1996, moved by Moran Towing to ISMF Philadelphia October 13 1996. January 25 2002 sold to Metro for $97,275.00, removed April 1 2002. Scrap completed March 26 2003.
Source: http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/0209.htm
Naval Career of the USS Coontz:
Commissioned in 1960, she spent the early part of her career in the Pacific Ocean, participating in four tours of duty during the Vietnam War. In the early 1970s she transferred to the east coast and spent the remainder of her service years in the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Persian Gulf. She assisted in saving USS Stark after that ship was hit by Iraqi missiles. In 1975, as part of the Navy's reclassification process, all ships of her class were reclassified as guided missile destroyers (DDG).Hull number DLG-9
Best Moment On August 14, 1965, Commander W. Cummings relieved Commander Kenyon as commanding officer.
From December 1965 to January 1966, the USS Coontz received a Helicopter Landing and Handling Capability in San Diego. This conversion included relocation of deck vents, clearing all fantail obstructions, installation of a JP-5 fuel handling and purification system, and the introduction of equipment to provide Helicopter Starting and Service power. USS Coontz was the first of her class to receive the conversion and proudly boasted the addition of a helicopter to her many-faceted capabilities.
USS Coontz departed San Diego in January 1966 for a regular deployment as a unit of the U.S. Seventh Fleet for a total of six months. USS Coontz visited Shimoda and Yokosuka, Japan; Subic Bay, Philippines, and Kaohsiung, Formosa. In March 1966, USS Coontz was awarded the Unit Commendation Ribbon for her WESTPAC performance. After completing her fourth Western Pacific route, USS Coontz changed operational control of Commander, First Fleet and returned to the United States August 1, 1966.
After departing Long Beach Naval Shipyard, USS Coontz returned to San Diego and commenced a training and upkeep period. While deployed in the Western Pacific, USS Coontz was again attached to the U.S. Seventh Fleet and spent two 30-day periods on search-and-rescue duty as well as carrier operations and special assignments. Brief visits were made to Hong Kong, B.C.C; Yokosuka, Japan, and Subic Bay, Phillipines.
Commander E. Dale Geiger relieved Commander Cummings as Commanding Officer on July 28, 1967.
Worst Moment On 1 July, three North Vietnam torpedo boats came out to attack USS Coontz (DLG 9) and USS Rogers (DD 876) operating about 40 miles off shore on search and rescue missions. Aircraft from Constellation and USS Hancock (CVA 19) made short work of the attackers, sinking all three with bombs, rockets, and 20mm cannon fire. After the attack, Coontz pulled 19 survivors from the water. Constellation returned from the WESTPAC deployment on 3 December 1966.
Chain of Command USS COONTZ DL-9/DLG-9/DDG-40 CDR Charles Ward Cummings Aug 14 1965 - Jul 27 1967 (Later RADM)
Other Memories On 1 July 1966, while serving as Commanding Officer of COONTZ the ship was attacked by three north Vietnamese PT boats. The ship directed their destruction and recovered the first naval prisoners of war in Vietnam.