Deck Logs

Deck Logs of the USS King (DLG-10)

Deck logs for naval vessels were created to form a chronological account of notable events occurring in and around a ship, to remind the officers of the deck of their duties, and to check on the activities of the officers. They also served as evidence in legal proceedings in naval, admiralty, or civil courts when necessary.

Deck logs do not note all events that occur on a ship. The information entered into the deck logs are brief out of necessity to keep pace with the fast moving events on the bridge. The information is limited to ship movement orders, shipboard evolutions, and notable personnel activities such as transfers or injuries incurred in the line of duty.

Daily watch standing, command reporting, and engineering plant status is also noted in the logs along with daily location fixes taken at 0800, 1200, and 2000.

These documents are held by the National Archives and serve as official documentation that can be used for Veterans Administration claims. This is particularly noteworthy for Agent Orange assumptive exposure claims where the ship was moored in Danang, Republic of Vietnam.

The deck logs from USS King (DDG-41) have not yet been turned over to the National Archives for public release.

1963-64

1963-64 WestPac Cruise

The 1963-64 WestPac Cruise for the USS King (DLG-10) began on 1 August 1963 and concluded on 10 March 1964.

These deck logs are split into two sections with Part 1 covering the period from 1 August 1963 through 31 December 1963 and Part 2 covering 1 January 1964 through 31 March 1964.

1965

1965 WestPac Cruise

The 1965 WestPac Cruise for the USS King (DLG-10) began on 5 April 1965 and concluded on 2 November 1965.

These deck logs are split into two sections with Part 1 covering the period from 1 April 1963 through 31 August 1963 and Part 2 covering 1 September 1964 through 30 November 1964.

1966

1966 WestPac Cruise

The 1966 WestPac Cruise for the USS King (DLG-10) began on 26 May 1966 and concluded on 20 December 1966.

These deck logs cover the period from 1 May 1966 through 31 December 1966.

Notable Events

28 JUN 1966 - Anchored, Danang Harbor, Republic of Vietnam. (pp. 79-80) (Note: This documentation is sufficient for Agent Orange presumptive exposure VA claims)

1 JUL 1966 - Attacked by 3 North Vietnamese torpedo boats. (p. 86)

12 AUG 1966 - Rescued crew from downed F-4, CAPT Richard R. Penn, USAF and 1st LT Benjamin Finzen, USAF. (p.162)

22 AUG 1966 - Recovered downed pilot, LT K. G. Craig. (p. 174)

6 OCT 1966 - Recovered downed F-8 pilot, LT R. D. Leach, USN, assigned to the USS Oriskany (CVA-34). (p. 225)

8 OCT 1966 - Recovered downed pilot, LT Frederick. D. Lituin, USN, assigned to the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43). (p. 227)

22 OCT 1966 - Recovered downed pilot, LT(jg) Turner. (p. 242)

27 NOV 1966 - Recovered downed pilot from A-4 VICEROY 309, LT(jg) William H. Natter, USN. (p. 284)

3 DEC 1966 - CDR William L. Read relieved CDR Charles P. Tesh as Commanding Officer, USS King (DLG-10). (p. 292)

1967-68

1967-68 WestPac Cruise

The 1967-68 WestPac Cruise for the USS King (DLG-10) began on 19 September 1967 and concluded on 23 March 1968.

These deck logs are split into two sections with Part 1 covering the period from 1 September 1967 through 31 December 1967 and Part 2 covering 1 January 1968 through 31 March 1968.

Notable Events

20 OCT 1967 - Anchored, Danang Harbor, Republic of Vietnam. (p. 76) (Note: This documentation is sufficient for Agent Orange presumptive exposure VA claims)

24 OCT 1967 - Recovered downed pilot, CAPT Martin. D. Scott, USAF. (p. 84)

12 NOV 1967 - Assisted search and rescue operations for 3 sailors lost overboard from the USS Pratt (DLG-13). (pp. 123-124)

1969

1969 WestPac Cruise

The 1969 WestPac Cruise for the USS King (DLG-10) began on 24 February 1969 and concluded on 4 September 1969.

These deck logs are split into two sections with Part 1 covering the period from 1 February 1969 through 31 May 1969 and Part 2 covering 1 June 1969 through 30 September 1969.

1970

1970 WestPac Cruise

The 1970 WestPac Cruise for the USS King (DLG-10) began on 6 July 1970 and concluded on 17 December 1970.

hese deck logs cover the period from 1 July 1970 through 31 December 1970.

197172

1971-72 WestPac Cruise

The 1971-72 WestPac Cruise for the USS King (DLG-10) began on 17 August 1971 and concluded on 29 February 1972.

These deck logs are split into two sections with Part 1 covering the period from 1 August 1971 through 31 December 1971 and Part 2 covering 1 January 1972 through 29 February 1972.

1972-73

1972-73 WestPac Cruise

The 1972-73 WestPac Cruise for the USS King (DLG-10) began on 2 October 1972 and concluded on 21 April 1973.

These deck logs are split into two sections with Part 1 covering the period from 1 October 1972 through 31 December 1972 and Part 2 covering 1 January 1973 through 30 April 1973.