The History OF USS Keppler (DD-765)

USS Keppler (DD-765) was named for Reinhardt J, Keppler, RM1, Congressional Medal of Honor winner at the Battle of Guadalcanal while serving aboard the USS San Francisco (CA-38), a New Orleans-class heavy cruiser.

1943

Originally designed to be Keppler (DE-311), an Evarts Class destroyer escort.

On 23 August 1943, she was laid down by Mare Island Navy Yard.

1944

13 March 1944, the DE-311 contract was canceled and scraped on the ways.

23 April 1944, the Keppler (DD-765) keel was laid at the San Francisco Yard of the Bethlehem Steel Company.

1946

24 June 1946, Keppler (DD-765) was launched, sponsored by Mrs. Elizabeth L. Keppler, widow of John R. Keppler.

1947

23 May 1947, the USS Keppler (DD-765) was commissioned, with Commander Peter M. Goviglio, USN, the first Commanding Officer.

9 October 1947, after her shakedown cruise along the West Coast, Keppler left San Diego for her first fleet exercise in the Pacific, joining Task Force 38 of the Seventh Fleet for training exercises in Hawaiian waters.

1948

The destroyer then sailed to Australia and China before returning from the Pacific deployment to San Diego 20 May 1948, and operated from San Diego as the Flagship of COMDESFLOT 3.

During 1948, Keppler was awarded her first Battle Efficiency Pennant.

On 24 November Commander Lloyd M. Mustin, USN relieved Commander Goviglio as Commanding Officer.

1949

Early in 1949, Keppler entered the San Francisco Navy Yard for conversion to an Antisubmarine Destroyer, and then resumed operations on the West Coast on 9 June.

On 5 October Keppler departed San Diego, having been deployed to the Atlantic.

Arriving Norfolk 15 days later, she immediately commenced intensive ASW exercises along the Atlantic Coast.

Keppler then sailed to Newport, R.I., her new homeport, arriving 27 November for additional hunter-killer operations.

1950

On 4 March 1950, she was reclassified DDE-765 and became the Flagship of COMDESFLOT 4 during operations in North Atlantic waters.

On 3 January 1950, Commander Mustin was relieved by Commander Thomas D, Cunningham, USN as Commanding Officer.

During 1950, operations included an advanced anti-submarine warfare operation in January, exercises PORTES and CARIBEX 50 in February and March, and carrier operations in April.

After destroyer-patrol plans operation, in June 1950 Keppler departed from Newport on 5 July for a Mediterranean cruise with DESDIV 21 and the USS Midway.

Upon arrival in Greece on 27 July, she was ordered to proceed via the Suez Canal to the Far East, to help repel Communist aggression in Korea.

After transiting the Suez Canal and crossing the Indian Ocean, Keppler was attached to the Seventh Fleet in mid-August 1950.

For the next 2 months she patrolled the Formosa Strait before joining Philippine Sea (CV-47) on 17 November.

For the next 3 months she screened her task group during continued carrier air strikes against Communist positions on the Korean mainland.

During this period, operations in Korean and Formosan waters with Task Force 77, Keppler won one Battle Star for the Communist China Aggression, one Battle Star for the first U.S. Counter Offensive, the Navy Occupation Service Medal, and United Nations Service Medal.

During 1950, Keppler was awarded her third consecutive Battle Efficiency Pennant.

1951

February 1951, Keppler then steamed for Yokosuka, Japan, arriving 7 February.

Three days later she cleared port for the United States.

Keppler arrived at Newport on 14 March 1951.

After an overhaul, she spent the remainder of the year operating from Newport except for Operation LANTFLEX in October and November.

Commander John C. James, USN relieved Commander Cunningham as Commanding Officer 2 August 1951.

1952

Keppler departed Newport once again on 9 January 1952 to participate in antisubmarine exercises with the powerful 6th Fleet.

Deployed to the NELM area for Hunter-Killer Operations, the cruise culminated in NATO Exercise "Grandslam," in which ships of several freedom devoted nations operated together in practice maneuvers to prevent aggression.

The antisubmarine destroyer Keppler returned to Newport on 26 March and resumed operations along the Atlantic Coast.

From 1952 to 1957 Keppler continued her vital ASW exercises out of Newport and the Caribbean in addition to NATO operations and Mediterranean cruises with the 6th Fleet.

During these years such exercises steadily perfected her ability to protect the nation from the threat of a growing Soviet submarine force.

Keppler spent April through August 1952 in United States waters and then sailed to Europe for Operation MAINBRACE.

On 8 November Commander Taylor relieved Commander James as Commanding Officer.

1953

In 1953, Keppler entered the Boston Shipyard for overhaul and then departed to Guantanamo Bay for refresher training.

On 7 September 1953 Commander J. I. Gibson relieved Commander Taylor as Commanding Officer.

1954

In 1954 Keppler participated in Operation SPRINGBOARD, Hunter-Killer Operation and was then assigned to CINCNELM.

Keppler visited ports in Italy, Greece, Germany, Northern Ireland, Holland and England.

Keppler was awarded the Navy Occupation Service Medal for service from 20 to 29 July 1950, 21 January to 17 March 1952, 21 September to 21 November 1954, and 14 to 20 December 1954.

1955

Keppler spent 1955 in Hunter-Killer operations, type training and exercises in U.S. waters.

On 29 April 1955 Commander Phillip L. Glennon, USN relieved Commander Gibson as Commanding Officer.

1956

In January 1956 Keppler entered the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for overhaul.

She returned to Newport for several weeks prior to sailing for Norfolk to embark on Midshipmen Cruise Bravo.

In the Fall of 1956 Keppler engaged in type training and Hunter-Killer operations.

For a five week period in November through December she was sent on an extended ASW patrol.

1957

On 4 January 1957, Keppler departed for South American waters on a two and one-half month training and good will cruise.

She visited ports in Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Panama, and returned to Newport on 18 March.

On 22 June Commander George J. Largess, USN relieved Commander Glennon as Commanding Officer.

After completing additional coastal exercises, Keppler won her fourth Battle Efficiency Pennant in 1957.

On 12 August 1957, she departed for a South Eastern Mediterranean tour of duty with the SIXTH Fleet, visiting several ports.

During September she transited the Suez Canal to strengthen forces in the Red Sea, as Communists had gained control of the Syrian Army and threatened the pro-western government in Jordan.

This display of American determination assuaged the crisis.

In late November Keppler returned to Newport and remained there until February 1958.

1958

February 1958, she took part in Operation SPRINGBOARD in Puerto Rican waters, including a visit to Cuidad, Trujillo.

Upon return to Newport in March, she operated locally until her entry into the Boston Naval Shipyard for an overhaul, completed in August.

Commander William B. Bagbey, USNR relieved Commander Largess as Commanding Officer 13 September 1958.

Upon return from refresher training at Guantanamo, Keppler was assigned to Task Group BRAVO, a unit of the Anti-Submarine Defense Force, Atlantic Fleet.

1959

Operating with the support carrier USS Wasp in 1959, Keppler participated in various NATO and Fleet exercises, as well as a Summer Midshipman Cruise visiting Quebec and Bermuda.

1960

In 1960 Keppler, as a unit of DESRON 24, continued her Task Group Bravo operations, participating in SPRINGBOARD training and visiting San Juan, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.

In June the Task Group deployed to the Mediterranean and visited Spain, Italy and France.

In late August Keppler returned to Newport.

Keppler won the Anti-Submarine Efficiency Award for 1960.

On 7 September, Commander Vito L. Vitucci, USN relieved Commander Bagbey as Commanding Officer.

1961

Keppler took part in Anti-Submarine Operations off the East Coast until February 1961. On 1 March 1961, Keppler entered the New York Naval Shipyard for a FRAM II overhaul, designed to increase her service and effectiveness.

On 25 October, after the overhaul and an INSURV inspection, Keppler returned to Newport, departing for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in November for refresher training.

1962

Keppler qualified in gunfire support exercises at Culebra on 27 January 1962 and returned to Newport, remaining for upkeep until 8 March at which time she participated in ASW exercises off the East Coast of the United States with DESRON 24.

She returned to Newport on 26 March, leaving again on 14 April for the Caribbean and Western Atlantic areas to participate in LANTPHIBEX 1-62 and operation QUICK-KICK.

She visited the port of Guantanamo Bay and after QUICK-KICK Operations, returned to Newport.

On 16 May, Commander Vitucci, USN was relieved by Commander C. C. Dusek, USN as Commanding Officer.

On 4 June, Keppler deployed to the Mediterranean while participating in the Summer Midshipmen cruise and visited Italy, Spain and the French Riviera.

She was reclassified DD-765 during that period.

After returning to Newport on 30 August Keppler was selected as the Australian Ambassador's ship for the America's Cup Races.

During the races Keppler was host to a number of distinguished guests in addition to the Ambassador.

On 27 September, Keppler departed for Key West, Florida for torpedo evaluation.

In October 1962, a grave international crisis loomed, as the Russians planted offensive missiles in Cuba, only 90 miles from the United States.

President Kennedy accepted this challenge and ordered a naval quarantine of Cuba.

Shortly after returning to Newport, Keppler was redeployed on 22 October to take her station on the Cuban Quarantine blockade.

While patrolling her Caribbean sector, she sighted a surfaced Russian submarine on 2 November and observed her for the next 7 days.

On 9 November, the submarine joined a Russian trawler, and Keppler continued her surveillance until the Russian ships turned back toward the Azores.

Effective American seapower helped persuade the Soviet government to withdraw the missiles easing the crisis.

After sustained operations at sea, which took her as far as the Azores, Keppler returned to Newport on 21 November.

Following a tender period Keppler continued hunter-killer exercises along the East Coast and deployed to the Caribbean on an Anti-Submarine Warfare operation with other units of DESRON 24 and USS Essex on 3 December.

Keppler returned to Newport 21 December 1962 for a month of leave and upkeep.

1963

In January 1963, she departed from Newport to the Caribbean for operation SPRINGBOARD.

After intensive training and visits to San Juan, Puerto Rico and Kingston, Jamaica, Keppler returned to Newport on 23 February 1963.

HUK cruises off the East Coast of the United States in March and April were followed by a brief overhaul in the Boston Naval Shipyard from 22 May until 22 June 1963.

After a HUK cruise in late June, Keppler departed from Newport on 16 July for LANTMIDHUK CRU 63.

The Keppler returned to Newport on 31 August after visiting Saint John, New Brunswick, Bermuda and New York City.

In October, she underwent evaluation exercises, returning to Newport on 31 October.

Commander John H. Bell, USN relieved Commander Dusek as Commanding Officer 7 November 1963.

On 29 November, Keppler steamed to Key West for special operations, returning to Newport on 21 December.

1964

Keppler was presented the Engineering 'E' Award for Fiscal Year 1963 on 21 January 1964.

During the period 24 February to 29 March, Keppler again participated in Operation SPRINGBOARD with other units of the Atlantic Fleet, enjoying liberty in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands.

While enroute to Newport Keppler and other ships of DESRON 24 answered the distress signal of the USS Antares (AKS-33) which had caught fire just off Cape Hatteras.

All ships participated in fighting Antares' fire, and in recognition of their fine performance, many Keppler sailors were awarded letters of commendation.

While operating with the USS Essex in and around the waters of Guantanamo Bay from 16 April to 8 May Keppler visited Kingston, Jamaica.

The summer of 1964 found Keppler participating in ASM exercises off the eastern coast of the United States and preparing for a Mediterranean Cruise.

On September 8th, she deployed to the Mediterranean and participated in NATO Exercise TEAMWORK while enroute.

Ship visits to Spain and France were made.

Keppler returned to her home port on 18 December in time for Christmas at home prior to entering Boston Naval Shipyard for Scheduled overhaul.

1965

Upon completion of the overhaul at Boston Naval Shipyard in April 1965, Keppler underwent refresher training at Guantanamo Bay, returning to Newport in June.

Keppler was awarded the Engineering 'E' Award for Fiscal Year 1965 on 1 July.

On 9 August, Commander William P. Holden, USN relieved Commander Bell as Commanding Officer.

Sonar School Ship duties in Key West interrupted LANTMIDHUKCRU 65 and Keppler's Midshipmen were transferred to other Newport destroyers for the completion of their training.

Late September and October were involved with qualifications in the use of the DASH (Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter) Weapons System.

Keppler completed her training and qualifications a week early and entered Boston Naval Shipyard to be the pilot ship for the installation of TRAM - a sonar transmitter reliability and maintainability kit - designed to increase the useful life of her sonar.

1966

Keppler left the Boston Naval Shipyard in February 1966 and went to Guantanamo Bay for one month of refresher training.

Then came SPRINGBOARD, and in June 1966 U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen embarked for BEACHTIME.

May and August were spent providing Sonar School Ship Services at Key West.

In June Commander William P. Holden was hospitalized and Lieutenant Commander John W. Kuncas became Acting Commanding Officer.

On 2 August 1966 Commander Dwight Wadsworth assumed Command.

On 4 October Keppler departed for the Western Pacific with DESRON 20, stopping at the Panama Canal, arriving at Pearl Harbor 24 October, and pushing on toward Yokosuka, Japan a week later.

She departed Yokosuka 14 November.

Keppler reported for plane guard duty in the Gulf of Tonkin on 19 November and was assigned escort duty with the carriers Ticonderoga and F. D. Roosevelt.

Early in December she was assigned naval gunfire support missions to assist allied troops fighting in South Vietnam.

Keppler received her first taste of combat on 3 December when she was assigned to Operation SEA DRAGON off the coast of North Vietnam, helping to interrupt infiltration of men and weapons into South Vietnam from the North.

The high point of this operation came at midnight on 12 December when Keppler rescued, from enemy waters, Captain Gerald E. Woodcock, USAF who had ejected from his disabled jet aircraft.

Christmas 1966 was spent in Sasebo, Japan and on New Year's Eve Keppler was underway once again for Seventh Fleet operations.

1967

After a brief period of ASW training Keppler visited the British Colony of Hong Kong.

Keppler returned to SEA DRAGON from 17 January to 5 February.

In addition to destroying enemy targets, on 28 January Keppler again participated in the search and rescue of a downed air force pilot.

During January and February her guns had damaged or destroyed 51 Communist junks.

Keppler's crew derived great "satisfaction from the fact that many of these targets suffered secondary explosions thus proving it was not 'fish' they were carrying."

Following an upkeep period in Subic Bay, Keppler returned to "Yankee Station" again escorting the aircraft carriers Ticonderoga and Hancock before heading for the gunline in South Vietnam.

From 28 February until 4 March, Keppler fired Naval Gunfire Support in the Northern I Corps Area.

From 4 March until 12 March the assignment was a familiar one, operation SEA DRAGON.

During this period Keppler frequently engaged enemy batteries ashore.

On 11 March, in company of the Cruiser Canberra and Destroyer Ingersoll, Keppler engaged North Vietnamese Coastal Batteries in a fierce battle.

Later that same day Keppler received a direct hit, from a Communist gun, to the destroyer's forward gun mount, while firing on barges spotted by an aircraft.

Six wounded Kepplermen became the first casualties to an Atlantic Fleet ship in Vietnam.

Nevertheless she remained in the fight finishing her SEASIA duty as an escort for Kitty Hawk until returning to Subic Bay on the 23rd.

Three days later she headed homeward via the Indian Ocean.

Enroute to Newport, Keppler stopped at Singapore, transited the Suez Canal, and the Mediterranean, visiting Malta, Naples, Palma Majorca, Gibraltar, and Ponta Del Gada in the Azores.

On 8 May, Keppler returned to Newport after seven months.

Having steamed more than 50,000 miles around the world.

While in the Gulf of Tonkin she had fired more than 3,700 rounds of 5" ammunition, most of it off North Vietnam.

Keppler earned a Vietnam Campaign Star and a Commander U.S. Seventh Fleet Citation, 2 Bronze Stars, 1 Navy Commendation Medal, 6 Purple Hearts, and seven Secretary of the Navy Achievement Medals.

Upon return to Newport, Keppler rejoined her parent squadron, DESRON 24.

After a month of rest and recreation, Keppler helped YOSEMITE (AD-19) and Naval Ordnance Plant, Louisville establish a new first in the repair area by replacing the damaged Mount 51, while alongside the pier in Newport.

During the Summer of 1967, Keppler carried on her tradition of training Midshipmen in LANTMIDCRU I and II.

In the Fall, she spent considerable time taking part in Task Group Operations and Type Training as a RESRON 24 unit in the MARRAPAY and VACAPES OPAREAS.

Keppler completed the year by undertaking an extensive tender availability and intensive training program for her forthcoming deployment.

1968

February 1968 marked the beginning of a five month Mediterranean and North Atlantic cruise.

The Med cruise was preceded by two weeks of ASW exercises in the vicinity of Bermuda.

The Mediterranean ports of call included Naples, Monaco and Malta.

In the North Atlantic, Keppler's visit to Bremen during German-American friendship week was the most eventful phase of the lengthy deployment.

Bremen sponsored many activities in which Kepplermen participated.

Keppler returned to her homeport, Newport in June.

On 11 July, Commander R. P. Lenahan relieved Commander Wadsworth as Commanding Officer.

During July and August Keppler again participated in a Midshipmen Training cruise.

On September 7th, 1968, Keppler entered the Boston Naval Shipyard for a regular overhaul.

1969

March 26th, 1969, Keppler departed the Boston Naval Shipyard.

Upon completion of the overhaul period, Keppler took part in eight weeks of refresher training off Guantanamo Bay.

This brought the ship into the month of July and a six week Midshipmen cruise.

The month of September was spent in Newport with Keppler going through a normal upkeep cycle.

During October, there was a one week plane guard assignment off the Virginia Cape, as well as a two day operational systems evaluation at sea.

November saw the Keppler operating out of Cape Kennedy, Florida.

Her assignments were to act as support ship and communications link for three SSNB's going through training period.

Keppler was on the scene for the firing of Apollo 12.

She returned to Newport on Thanksgiving Day, 1969.

1970

During early 1970, Keppler conducted local operations in Narragansett Bay while awaiting a change of home ports to Pearl Harbor.

She also paid a visit to New York City on 17 through 20 March.

On 9 April 1970, Keppler began her transit to the Pacific, arriving in Pearl Harbor on 27 April.

Keppler became a unit of DESFLOT 5 and DESRON 11.

26 May 1970, Commander T. W. McCarthy relieved Commander Lenahan as Commanding Officer.

May, June and July 1970 were spent in preparing for deployment to the Western Pacific through various local operations on the Hawaiian Sea Frontier.

Keppler deployed for WESTPAC on 12 August 1970.

During the six and one-half month deployment, Keppler was at sea 145 days; 19 days in November and December were spent providing gunfire support for allied forces in the Republic of Vietnam.

Keppler also served various carrier task groups as a plane guard and escort ship, and performed search and rescue readiness duties.

During the deployment Keppler participated in 39 underway replenishments.

On 7 December 1970, she crossed the Equator at 108°38'E.

Ports of call included Subic Bay (5 times), Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Singapore; and Hong Kong.

1971

While in Hong Kong, Keppler served as SOPA ADMIN for two weeks during January 1971.

After returning from deployment, Keppler was involved in local operations and ASM exercises in the Hawaiian area.

On two occasions, Keppler families went to the Islands of Kauai and Maui for short dependents cruises.

The first week of August, Keppler sailed to Seattle, Washington, and along with several other U.S. and Canadian ships, participated in the 1971 Seattle Sea Fair.

Keppler returned to Hawaii August 14th and began preparations for deployment to WESTPAC.

24 July 1971, Lieutenant Commander D. E. Allgood, USN relieved Commander McCarthy as Acting Commanding Officer.

On 18 August, Lieutenant Commander D. E. Allgood was relieved of command by Commander J. F. Baumgardner.

On 9 September 1971, Keppler departed from Pearl Harbor on her second WESTPAC deployment since being homeported in Hawaii.

During the short deployment Keppler spent 76 of the total 106 days at sea.

During this time, almost a month and a half was spent off the coast of Vietnam engaged in gunfire support for various allied forces.

On one occasion, Keppler was sent to the Gulf of Tonkin where she performed search and rescue duties.

During these three and a half months, Keppler participated in 21 underway replenishments.

On 24 November, while engaged in an UNREP with USS Mauna Kea, Keppler rescued six Vietnamese fishermen who had been stranded in the South China Sea for almost two days on a small raft.

Ports of call during this deployment were Subic Bay (three times) and Hong Kong.

On 22 December, Keppler returned to Pearl Harbor in time for many to travel home for the holidays.

1972

During the following months of January and February, Keppler remained in port for repairs and upkeep.

The first week of March, Keppler was involved with an INSURV inspection.

The remainder of the month was again spent on routine maintenance.

In April, the crew received definite word of Keppler's sale to Turkey.

The following weeks were spent preparing the ship for getting underway to Izmir, Turkey, where the turnover ceremony would take place.

On 20 April 1972, LCDR Allgood relieved Commander Baumgardner as Commanding Officer of Keppler for the deployment.

On 9 May, Keppler left Pearl Harbor for the last time to start her 12,000 mile journey, her last as a United States warship.

Ports of call included San Diego, Manzanillo, Mexico, Rodman, Norfolk, Bermuda, Ponta del Gada, Azores and Rota, Spain.

To supplement the U.S. crew, a nucleus of 61 enlisted and 8 officers of the Turkish Navy accompanied Keppler from San Diego to Izmir.

A large portion of the time was devoted to instruction and familiarization for the Turkish crew.

Keppler arrived in Izmir, Turkey on 22 June.

The following week was spent in preparing the ship for decommissioning.

Finally, at 1000, Friday, 30 June 1972, Keppler was decommissioned from the United States Navy and commissioned the TCG Tinaztepe (D-355) in the Turkish Navy in ceremonies held in Izmir, Turkey.