The History of The USS Spiegel Grove (LSD-32) - Supplemental Information Page


1957-1958; thanks to Vic Vickers!
Ports of call in 57, as close as I can remember were Gibraltar, Naples, Cannes, Barcelona, Malaga, Crete, Sardinia, Izmir, Athens, Livorno, Beirut. We hit the pier in Malaga. First U.S. ship in there since WWII. Captain was relieved soon afterward. In 58 we went into Gibraltar, Naples, LaSpezia, Bari, Valencia, Sardinia, Crete, Rhodes, Izmir, Athens, Malta and Beirut. We were in dry dock in Malta because of a collision with the USS Olmstead when their gyro quit working. We were steaming with the Olmstead, Fremont and Mt.McKinley when it happened. BMU2 was in the first wave when we hit the beach in Beirut. Photographers and newsmen were waiting for us, so much for secrecy.

1961 (15-18 June) - La Réunion Island was visited prior to the Zanzibar crisis...Thanks to Robert Cottom; Bob Knight; Bill Fair & John Hoetker !


1961 (June/July); thanks to Martin Keane!
In response to rioting on Zanzibar, the vessels of the Amity II force moved to the vicinity of the island. The safety of the U.S. space tracking station the island was a principal concern.
7/4/61 - Kuwait: Shortly following Kuwait's independence, (19 June 1961), Iraq claimed that Kuwait had been improperly withheld from Iraq and that they planned to annex Kuwait. On 30 June Kuwait requested assistance from the United Kingdom, and Royal Marines landed within 24 hours. On 4 July, the five vessels of the Amity II cruise were directed to sail to the vicinity of Aden to serve as a contingency force. This order was canceled on 7 July.

1962, (24 October-30 November): participated in the Cuban Missile Crisis with the following ships and units
(all received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal):

USS Abbot (DD 629)

11-22 November 1962

USS Ability (MSO 519)

6-24 November 1962

USS Aggressive (MSO 422)

28 October - 11 November 1962

USS Agile (MSO 421)

28 October - 11 November 1962

USS Aldebaran (AF 10)

24 October - 6 November 1962

USS Algol (AKA 54)

24 October - 6 November 1962

USS Allagash (AO 97)

6 November -21 December 1962

Allan M. Summer (DD 692)

24 October - 21 November 1962

USS Altair (AKS 32)

11-28 November 1962

USS Bashe (DD 470)

25 October - 5 November 1962

USS Barry (DD 933)

24 October - 1 November 1962

USS Barton (DD 722)

24 October - 30 November 1962

USS Basilone (DD 824)

24 October - 18 November 1962

USS Bayfield (APA 33)

8 November - 5 December 1962

USS Beale (DD 471)

25 October - 5 November 1962

USS Bearss (DD 654)

4-16 November 1962

USS Beatty (DD 756)

16-24 November 1962

USS Belle Grove (LSD-2)

8 November - 5 December 1962

USS Bexar (APA 237)

8 November - 5 December 1962

USS Biddle (DDG 5)

24 October - 21 November 1962

USS Bigelow (DD 942)

24 October - 21 November 1962

USS Blandy (DD 943)

24 October - 21 November 1962

USS Bordelon (DD 881)

24 Oct - 22 Nov 1962; 3-21 Dec 1962

USS Borie (DD 704)

24 October - 1 December 1962

USS Boxer (LPH 4)

24 October - 6 December 1962

USS Bristol (DD 857)

4 November - 3 December 1962

USS Brough (DE 148)

25 October - 1 December 1962

USS Brownson (DD 868)

28 October - 18 November 1962

USS Cabildo (LSD 16)

8 November - 5 December 1962

USS Calcaterra (DER 390)

31 October - 14 November 1962

USS Caloosahatchee (AO 98)

16 November - 7 December 1962

USS Cambria (APA 36)

24 October - 5 December 1962

USS Canberra (CAG 2)

24 Oct - 6 Nov 1962; 19-22 Nov 1962

USS Canisteo (AO 99)

19 November - 18 December 1962

USS Capricornus (AKA 57)

24 October - 10 December 1962

USS Carter Hall (LSD 3)

8 November - 5 December 1962

USS Casa Grande (LSD 13)

24 October - 5 December 1962

USS Charles F. Adams (DDG 2)

24 October - 30 November 1962

USS Charles H. Roan (DD 853)

27 October - 24 November 1962

USS Charles P. Cecil (DDR 835)

29 October - 6 December 1962

USS Charles R. Ware (DD 865)

24 October - 21 November 1962

USS Charles S. Sperry (697)

24 October - 15 December 1962

USS Cheboygan County (LST 533)

24 October - 15 December 1962

USS Chikaskia (AO 54)

24 October - 20 November 1962

USS Chilton (APA 38)

24 October - 7 December 1962

USS Claud Jones (DE 1033)

24 October - 22 November 1962

USS Colonial (LSD 18)

8 November - 5 December 1962

USS Conway (DD 507)

25 October - 5 November 1962

USS Cony (DD 508)

25 October - 5 November 1962

USS Cook (APD 130)

8 November - 5 December 1962

USS Corry (DDR 817)

24 Oct - 12 Nov 1962; 18-21 Nov 1962

USS Dahlgren (DLG 12)

27 October - 11 November 1962

USS Damato (DD 871)

24 October - 4 November 1962

USS Davis (DD 937)

13-24 November 1962

USS Decatur (DD 936)

4 November - 7 December 1962

USS Denebola (AF 56)

11-22 November 1962

USS Desoto County (LST 1171)

24 October - 6 December 1962

USS Dodge County (LSD 722)

24 October -15 December 1962

USS Dewey (DLG 14)

24 October - 12 November 1962

USS Dupont (DD 941)

26 October - 22 November 1962

USS Duval County (LSD 758)

24 October - 15 December 1962

USS Dyess (DDR 880)

3-23 December 1962

USS Earl B. Hall (APD 107)

24 October - 7 December 1962

USS Eaton (DD 510)

25 October - 5 November 1962

USS Eldorado (AGC 11)

8 November - 5 December 1962

USS Elokomin (AO 55)

24 October - 23 November 1962

USS English (DD 696)

24 October - 24 November 1962

USS Enterprise (CVAN 65)

24 October - 3 December 1962

USS Escape (ARS 6)

24 October - 5 December 1962

USS Essex (CVS 9)

24 October - 15 November 1962

USS Eugene A. Greene (DD 711)

24 October - 20 November 1962

USS Fiske (DDR 842)

24 October - 1 December 1962

USS Forrest B. Royal (DD 872)

24 October - 21 November 1962

USS Fort Snelling (LSD 30)

24 October - 6 December 1962

USS Francis Marion (APA 249)

24 October - 7 December 1962

USS Furse (DD 882)

24 October - 22 November 1962

USS Gainard (DD 706)

18-20 November 1962

USS Gearing (DD 710)

24-30 October 1962

USS Grand Canyon (AD 28)

3 November - 1 December 1962

USS Grant County (LST 1174)

24 October - 7 December 1962

USS Great Sitkin (AE 17)

24 October - 15 November 1962

USS Gunston Hall (LSD 5)

8 November - 5 December 1962

USS Hank (DD 702)

24 October - 26 November 1962

USS Harlan R. Dickson (DD 708)

4 November - 5 December 1962

USS Harwood (DD 861)

24 October - 21 November 1962

USS Hawkins (DDR 873)

24 October - 1 December 1962

USS Haynsworth (DD 700)

24 October - 14 November 1962

USS Henley (DD 762)

27 October - 22 November 1962

USS Henrico (APA 45)

8 November - 5 December 1962

USS Hermitage (LSD 34)

7-23 December 1962

USS Hissem (DER 400)

24 October - 5 November 1962

USS Hoist (ARS 40)

27 October - 27 November 1962

USS Holder (DD 819)

1-18 November 1962

USS Hugh Purvis (DD 709)

28 October - 18 November 1962

USS Hyades (AF 28)

24 October - 15 December 1962

USS Independence (CVA 62)

24 October - 20 November 1962

USS Ingraham (DD 694)

6-10 November 1962

USS Iwo Jima (LPH 2)

8 November - 5 December 1962

USS John King (DDG 3)

7 November - 6 December 1962

USS John Paul Jones (DD 932)

4 November - 5 December 1962

USS John R. Perry (DE 1034)

24 October - 22 November 1962

USS John R. Pierce (DD 753)

24 October - 2 December 1962

USS Johnston (DD 821)

10-31 December 1962

USS John W. Weeks (DD 701)

24 October - 14 November 1962

USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. (DD 850)

24 October - 5 December 1962

USS Kankakee (AO 39)

24 October - 4 December 1962

USS Kaskaskia (AO 27)

24 October - 20 November 1962

USS Keppler (DD 765)

24 October - 1 November 1962

USS Kiowa (ATF 72)

20 November - 1 December 1962

USS Kretchmer (DER 329)

27 November - 20 December 1962

USS Lake Champlain (CVS 39)

18 November - 5 December 1962

USS Lawrence (DDG 4)

24 October - 4 December 1962

USS Leary (DDR 879)

24 October - 22 November 1962

USS Liddle (APD 60)

24 October -6 December 1962

USS Lindenwald (LSD 6)

24 October - 5 December 1962

USS Lorain County (LST 1177)

24 October - 7 December 1962

USS Lowry (DD 870)

8 November 1962; 17-30 November 1962

USS Luiseno (ATF 156)

19 November - 9 December 1962

USS MacDonough (DLG 8)

24 October - 20 November 1962

USS Maloy (DE 791)

6-29 November 1962

USS Manley (DD 940)

24 October - 24 November 1962

USS Marias (AO 57)

12-20 November 1962

USS Mathews (AKA 96)

8 November - 5 December 1962

USS Mazama (AE 9)

24 October - 2 December 1962

USS McCaffrey (DD 860)

24 October - 21 November 1962

USS Merrick (AKA 97)

8 November - 5 December 1962

USS Mills (DER 383)

24-31 October 1962

USS Monrovia (APA 31)

24 October - 16 December 1962

USS Mosopelea (ATF 158)

8 November - 1 December 1962

USS Mount McKinley (AGC 7)

24 October - 10 December 1962

USS Mullinnix (DD 944)

24 October - 5 December 1962

USS Murray (DD 576)

25 October - 22 November 1962

USS Neosho (AO 143)

24 October - 22 November 1962

USS Nespelen (AOG 55)

25-27 November 1962

USS New (DD 818)

2-19 November 1962

USS Newman K. Perry (DDR 883)

24 Oct - 22 Novr 1962; 3-21 Dec 1962

USS Newport News (CA 148)

24 October - 21 November 1962

USS Nitro (AE 23)

13-23 November 1962

USS Noble (APA 218)

8 November - 5 December 1962

USS Norfolk (DL 1)

24 October - 21 November 1962

USS Norris (DD 859)

4 November - 5 December 1962

USS Oglethorpe (AKA 100)

24 October - 5 December 1962

USS O'Hare (DDR 889)

24 October - 3 December 1962

USS Okanogan (APA 220)

8 November - 5 December 1962

USS Okinawa (LPH 3)

24 October - 5 December 1962

USS Opportune (ARS 41)

25 November - 5 December 1962

USS Oxford (AG 159)

29 October - 15 December 1962

USS Page County (LST 1076)

8 November - 5 December 1962

USS Paiute (ATF 159)

5 November - 2 December 1962

USS Papago (ATF 160)

24 October - 22 November 1962

USS Pawcatuck (AO 108)

5 November - 7 December 1962

USS Peregrine (AG 176)

26 Oct - 5 Nov 1962; 26-29 Nov 1962

USS Peterson (DE 152)

25 October - 1 December 1962

USS Plymouth Rock (LSD 29)

24 October - 7 December 1962

USS Pocono (AGC 16)

12 November - 3 December 1962

USS Point Defiance (LSD 31)

8 November - 5 December 1962

USS Purdy (DD 734)

17-24 November 1962

USS Randolph (CVS 15)

24 Oct - 7 Nov 1962; 23-30 Nov 1962

USS Rankin (AKA 103)

26 October - 11 December 1962

USS Renville (APA 227)

8 November - 5 December 1962

USS Rhodes (DER 284)

24 Oct - 26 Nov 1962; 21-31 Dec 1962

USS Rich (DD 820)

2-18 November 1962

USS Richard E. Krause (DD 849)

29 October - 21 November 1962

USS Rigel (AF 58)

9-22 November 1962

USS Rival (MSO 468)

24 November - 31 December 1962

USS Robert A. Owens (DD 827)

27 October - 20 November 1962

USS Robert L. Wilson (DD 847)

24 October - 3 November 1962

USS Rockbridge (APA 228)

24 October - 16 December 1962

USS Roy O. Hale (DER 336)

14-16 December 1962

USS Rush (DDR 714)

24 October - 1 December 1962

USS Sabine (AO 25)

24 October - 18 November 1962

USS Salamonie (AO 26)

1-24 November 1962

US Salinan (ATF 161)

24 October - 10 December 1962

USS Salute (MSO 470)

29 November - 31 December 1962

USS Samuel B. Roberts (DD 823)

24 October - 3 November 1962

USS Sandoval (APA 194)

24 October - 18 December 1962

USS Saratoga (CVA 60)

3-20 December 1962

USS Saufley (DD 465)

24 October - 22 November 1962

USS Sea Poacher (SS 406)

29 November - 14 December 1962

USS Sellers (DDG 11)

24 October - 21 November 1962

USS Seneca (ATF 91)

13 November - 15 December 1962

USS Shadwell (LSD 15)

24 October - 5 December 1962

USS Shakori (ATF 162)

12 November - 2 December 1962

USS Soley (DD 707)

24 October - 2 December 1962

USS SPIEGEL GROVE (LSD 32)

24 October - 30 November 1962

USS Steinaker (DDR 863)

24 Oct - 14 Nov 1962; 20-22 Nov 1962

USS Stickell (DDR 888)

24 October - 6 December 1962

USS Suffolk County (LST 1173)

24 October - 16 December 1962

USS Talbot County (LST 1153)

24 October - 16 December 1962

USS Terrebonne Parish (LST 1156)

15 November - 16 December 1962

USS The Sullivans (DD 537)

17 November - 17 December 1962

USS Thetis Bay (LPH 6)

24 October - 7 December 1962

USS Thomas J. Gary (DER 326)

15-27 November 1962

USS Thomaston (LSD 28)

8 November - 5 December 1962

USS Thuban (AKA 19)

17 November - 8 December 1962

USS Traverse County (LST 1160)

24 October - 6 December 1962

USS Truckee (AO 147)

24 October - 5 December 1962

USS Tutuila (ARG 4)

20 November - 7 December 1962

USS Union (AKA 106)

8 November - 5 December 1962

USS Utina (ATF 168)

28 November - 15 December 1962

USS Uvalde (AKA 88)

24 October - 4 December 1962

USS Vermilion (AKA 107)

24 October - 7 December 1962

USS Vesole (DDR 878)

24 Oct - 22 Nov 1962; 3-21 Dec 1962

USS Vulcan (AR 5)

30 October - 29 November 1962

USS Wahkiakum County (LST 1162)

24 October - 7 December 1962

USS Wallace L. Lind (DD 703)

24 October - 22 November 1962

USS Waller (DD 466)

25 October - 5 November 1962

USS Walworth County (LST 1164)

24 October - 5 December 1962

USS Washburn (AKA 108)

8 November - 5 December 1962

USS Wasp (CVS 18)

2-19 November1962

USS Whetstone (LSD 27)

8 November - 5 December 1962

USS Willard Keith (DD 775)

8 November - 5 December 1962

USS William C. Lawe (DD 763)

24 October - 21 November 1962

USS William M. Wood (DDR 715)

28 Oct - 28 Nov 1962; 10-24 Dec 1962

USS Willis A. Lee (DL 4)

7-21 November 1962

USS Windlass (ARSD 4)

21-24 November 1962

USS Witex (DD 848)

24 Oct - 1 Nov 1962; 16-20 Nov 1962

USS Wood County (LST 1178)

24 October - 7 December 1962

USS Wrangell (AE 12)

24 October - 20 November 1962

USS Yancey (AKA 93)

24 October - 7 December 1962

USS York County (LST 1175)

24 October - 5 December 1962

USS Yosemite (AD 19)

7 November - 9 December 1962

USS Zellars (DD 777

24 October - 21 November 1962

UNITS DEPLOYED

Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 24 (VS 24)

27 October - 18 November 1962

Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 27 (VS 27)

4 November - 5 December 1962

Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 30 (VS 30) Det. 14

24 October - 1 December 1962

Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 39 (VS 39)

 24 October - 13 November 1962

Airborne Early Warning Squadron 4 (VW 4)

24 October - 31 December 1962

Air Development Squadron 1 (VI 1) Det. 14

24 October - 31 December 1962

All Weather Fighter Squadron 3 (VFAW 3) Det. Echo

24 October - 31 December 1962

Attack Squadron 43 (VA 43)

24 October - 31 December 1962

Attack Squadron 54 (VA 65)

24 October - 21 November 1962

Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 12 (VAW 12) Det. 14

24 October - 4 December 1962

Carrier Anti-Submarine Squadron 56 (CVSG 56) Staff

24 October - 5 November 1962

Fighter Squadron 32 (VF 32)

24 October - 15 November 1962

Fighter Squadron 41 (VF 41)

24 October - 31 December 1962

Fighter Squadron 101 (VF 101)

24 October - 31 December 1962

Fighter Squadron 174 (VF 174)

25 October - 30 November 1962

Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 2 (VQ 2)

24 October - 31 December 1962

Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 2 (VQ 2) Det. 3

24 October - 31 December 1962

Fleet Air Wing 3

24 October - 31 December 1962

Fleet Air Wing 11

24 October - 31 December 1962

Fleet Tactical Support Squadron 40 (VR 40)

24 October - 31 December 1962

Heavy Photographic Squadron 62 (VAP 62)

24 October - 31 December 1962

Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 1 (HS 1)

24 October - 31 December 1962

LCU Division 11, Det. C

8 November - 5 December 1962

LCU Division 13, Det. A

8 November - 5 December 1962

Light Photographic Squadron 62 (VFP 62)

24 October - 31 December 1962

Mine Sweeping Boat 6

24 October - 17 December 1962

Mine Sweeping Boat 7

24 October - 17 December 1962

Mine Sweeping Boat 10

24 October - 17 December 1962

Mine Sweeping Boat 11

24 October - 17 December 1962

Mine Sweeping Boat 43

24 October - 17 December 1962

Mine Sweeping Boat 44

24 October - 17 December 1962

Mobile Construction Battalion 4 (MCB 4)

24 October - 10 December 1962

Mobile Construction Battalion 7 (MCB 7)

30 October - 31 December 1962

Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

24 October - 31 December 1962

Naval Beach Group 1, Det. D

8 November - 5 December 1962

Naval Cargo Handling Battalion 1, Det. H

24 October - 1 December 1962

Naval Cargo Handling Battalion 1, Det. L

24-29 October 1962

Patrol Squadron 5 (VP 5)

24 October - 31 December 1962

Patrol Squadron 7 (VP 7)

24 October - 31 December 1962

Patrol Squadron 8 (VP 8)

24 October - 31 December 1962

Patrol Squadron 10 (VP 10)

24 October - 31 December 1962

Patrol Squadron 11 (VP 11)

24 October - 31 December 1962

Patrol Squadron 18 (VP 18)

24 October - 31 December 1962

Patrol Squadron 18 (VP 18) Det. 6

24 October - 31 December 1962


1963-1965, thanks to Jim Moore!
My name is Jim Moore SN 2nd div. on the Grove from 63 to 65, I think I can help with some history your looking for. Here goes, from Feb 15 through May 21 1963 we were on a cruse called Solant Amity IV to Africa we had a Rear Admiral as flag, a complete Marine Detachment, Band, HU-4 Detachment and an ACU-2 Detachment and a UDT Team but for some reason that's not talked about in the cruse book. Our escort was (2) DE's # 1028 &1030 making up what was called Task force 88, it was call a good will cruise.

Our transit of the Suez canal in the Spring of 1964 was the first by a foreign warship since the 1962-63 Egyptian-Israeli war. Our pilots were not canal pilots but Egyptian Naval Intelligence. and one of them put us on a sandbank in Lake Timsah on the southbound run. We had real pilots on the return trip seven weeks later. Dick Schult

1964, taken in part from the cruise book. Thanks to Jim Hamann for forwarding it to me!

On 14 January, 1964, the "Spiegel Eagle", as our ship is quippingly known, once again headed for the open seas. Destination: Europe and Asia Minor. The day was a bit cloudy, to say the least; and for the superstitious, the day may have been indicative of the cruise. After on-loading Beachmaster Unit Two, we headed for Morehead City, North Carolina to pick up a detachment of Marines.
Our first stop was an unscheduled one at the US Naval Base, Bermuda for emergency repairs on 20 January. The change in route was a welcomed one for reasons other than repairs. We were given an opportunity to recuperate from an Atlantic rarity - a cyclone. The semi-tropical weather and beautiful scenery were enjoyed by all. Shops, hotels and entertainment spots were everywhere.
Time presses on, as do world affairs, and the ship once again found itself on the fringes of history - as part of Task Force Sixty One. The Cypress Crisis was the unforeseen event that changed our schedule. As in the Lebanon and Cuban Crisis, the Spiegel Grove was once again on hand ready and prepared. The ship was stationed off the coast of Cypress. In sixty long days, we became well acquainted with Point Sirius, our cruising area.
Mail, the lifeblood of the serviceman, was always anxiously awaited, especially during these days. Bingo became a regular Saturday relaxer and at the same time provided funds for national charities. Rumors of liberty, mail call, and everything else began and disappeared as regularly as the sun. The days were packed with readiness drills, departmental work, overall maintenance and plans for our next liberty port, where ever it may be.
On the morning of 27 February we steamed to Soudha Bay, Crete for Sixth Fleet conferences, exercises, and relaxation at beach parties. Here were ships of the large fleet ranging from carriers and cruisers to supply ships, destroyers and nuclear submarine Skate. The sight was a formidable and reassuring one. The main force was anchored outside the mouth of the bay. Our force, the USS Fremont (APA 44), USS Telfair (APA 210), USS Muliphen (AKA 61), USS Ashland (LSD-1), USS Graham County (LST-1176) was anchored within the bay.
At last, while cruising around Point Sirius, permission was granted at last for liberty at Istanbul, Turkey, crossroads of Eurasia. Preparations were made and the ship was on it's way. Again the unpredictable affairs of the world interceded and we headed back to our Cypress patrol. The situation in Cypress had changed for the worse with both Greece and Turkey threatening war at a moments notice.
On the morning of 22 March, the Spiegel Grove returned to Soudha Bay, Crete for mail pickup before turning towards the Middle East. Directly in front of the ship stood low, dark and obscure hills that seemed like shadows in the sunrise. As if a halo, snowcapped mountains decorously rose above above the hills, white and enduring.
After two days in Soudha Bay, we headed for Port Said, Egypt and the Middle East. The weather at Port Said on the 25th was cool and clear, and the port was a madhouse. There were a large number of cargo ships and oilers awaiting entrance to the Suez Canal. The Spiegel Grove was the only warship. The ship moved into the canal at 02:10.
We arrived at our first stop, the Great Bitter Lakes, at 08:30 where we anchored while a northern convoy passed. At the southern end of the canal lies Port Suez.
On 29 March, we entered the freeport of Aden for two days. The city of Aden lies at the bottom at the bottom of volcanic, barren hills. The customs, costumes, and culture of the Moslem Arabs seemed very strange and at times bewildering to us. The Arabs did not wish to be stared at or photographed because of an 'evil eye' `curse. We departed Aden on 1 April under warm skies, destination: Bahrain.
Spiegel Grove departed Bahrain on 9 April, headed for Kharg Island, Iran, and Operation DELAWAR. We were flagship for Vice-Admiral Fatemi and his staff. Spiegel Grove directed all amphibious operations during this operation. The guest of honor was the Shah of Iran, himself.
Spiegel Grove made world headlines when the wreckage of a commercial aircraft was discovered by our helicopter, flown by MAJ R. Steed, USMC, Commanding Officer of HMM-262.
It was on to Athens and Naples. While at Naples, many of the ships' crews took advantage of 3 day guided tours to Rome. After Rome, the next stop was Genoa., birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Here, many took sightseeing trips to the Italian Riviera.
On 27 May, we entered the Spanish port of Barcelona for a two day stay, and on 29 May, Spiegel Grove departed for Rota, Spain to be relived by the USS Donner (LSD-20). Base liberty was granted there and the EM club became well acquainted with the crew. From Rota, we headed for the D-Day 20th Anniversary ceremonies in Cherbourg, France - a small fishing village on the western coast of France.
We spent 4 June in this peaceful town. On 5 June, we headed for the Normandy beaches where we rendezvoused with eleven other ships representing Canada, England and France. On 6 June we headed for England.
Spiegel Grove entered Portsmouth on 7 June, the largest naval base in Britain. It reminded everyone of Norfolk, back home. Liberties were arranged to London, where the Beatles influence was quite noticeable. On 10 June, this all came to a halt, as the ship departed for home. After 159 days, we were going home. Marines and their equipment were offloaded in Morehead City, NC, and on 20 June the lines were fastened to the pier at Little Creek, Virginia. It was a long haul, over 30,000 miles.....

1964 Cruise History, thanks to John Dew!
14 Jan 64- Depart Little Creek
16 Jan 64-Morehaed City, N.C.
19-23 Jan 64-Bermuda
31 Jan 64-Rota Spain
27 Feb-1 March 64-Soudha Bay, Crete
23-24 March 64-Soudha Bay, Crete
26 March 64-Port Said, Egypt
26-27 March 64-Suez Canal
30 March-1 April 64-Aden
7-9 April 64-Bahrain Island, Persian Gulf
10-13 April 64-Khrag Island, Iran
14 April 64-Genevah, Iran
15-16 April 64-Khrag Island, Iran
17-19 April 64-Bahrain Island, Persian Gulf
24-27 April 64-Aden
2 May 64- Suez Canal
5-9 May 64-Athens, Greece
11-18 May 64-Naples, Italy
19-22 May 64-Santa Monza, Corsica
23-30 May 64-Genoa, Italy
29-30 May 64-Barcelona, Spain
30 May-1 June 64-Rota, Spain
4-5 June 64- Cherbourg, France
7-10 June 64-Portsmouth, England
18 June 64-Morehead City, N.C.
19 June 64-Little Creek, VA
John Dew - former Lt.j.g., SC, USNR - Nov. 63-Jan.?? 65 aboard LSD-32

More on 1964, thanks to Ray Wallace - OIC of the Logistic Support Unit (Shore Party) of the 2nd Bn, 6th Mar Reg, 2nd Mar Div

2/14/64-put in at Gitmo Bay and had base liberty.

2/15/64-Left Gitmo headed for Panama to relieve the previous Caribbean cruise folks that were sent down when the Panamanians started shooting up the Canal Zone. Our job was to evacuate the US Citizens, if necessary.

2/19/64-Arrived Coca Sola, Panama (old Navy Sea Plane Base on the Atlantic side).
We spent most of the next 2 months tied up to the pier, except when the ship would go out to sea for gunnery, engineering, and other drills and exercises. When we were in port it was mostly pier and canal zone liberty only.

4/10/64-Left Panama headed for San Juan, Puerto Rico

4/14/64-Arrived San Juan. A good time was had by all after 2 months of confinement.(?)

4/18/64- Left San Juan headed north

4/21/64-As we Marines didn't get much training during the cruise they decided to let us land across Onslow Beach at Camp Lejuene. Some of the wives watched us wade ashore. Kind of bizarre.

1966-1967, thanks to Dennis Corneau - WHILE IN "THE MED" IN '66 WE WERE INVOLVED IN THE RECOVERY OF A " BROKEN ARROW " ( NUCLEAR WEAPON ) OFF THE COAST OF PALERMIDAS SPAIN . THIS WAS THE RECOVERY DEPICTED IN THE MOVIE A FEW YEARS AGO STARING CUBA GOODING AND ROBERT DeNiro SALVAGE DIVING. IN A RECENT BROADCAST ON THE HISTORY CHANNEL ON THIS SUBJECT THEY ACTUALLY SHOWED A BRIEF SHOT OF " THE GROVE "
HER SHAPE AND OF COURSE HER BOW # 32 WAS PLAINLY VISIBLE.
ALSO DURING THE SUMMER OF '67 WE WERE INVOLVED IN ANOTHER " BROKEN ARROW " RECOVERY OFF THAT WONDERFUL ISLAND OF VIEQUES P.R. WE SPENT 2 1/2 MONTHS SEARCHING THE OCEAN FLOOR IN A GRID PATTERN WITH A U.D.T. TEAM AND FINALLY THE SUBMERSIBLE SUB FROM WOODS HOLE ,MA. THE ALVIN. IT WAS REALLY TOUGH STAYING IN SAN JUAN P.R. EVERY WEEK END.

1966-1968, thanks to Tony Lutostanski!
  July 1966 - Sept. 1966: Vieques, Roosvelt Roads, San Juan

Nov. l966 - May 1967: Med Cruise

  Dec. 1967 - April 1968: Caribean Cruise: San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Croix, etc.
We did go to Coca Solo Naval Base in Panama; but never through the canal to the Pacific. We stayed at Coco Sola for about 4-7 days; then headed back to islands in the Carib.

 These were the major deployments; but there were smaller ones: all told we went to Caribbean nine times. To the Azores and Lisbon for two months.

1966-1968, thanks to Dave Fitch, Jim Marsh, Ken Long & John McCarty for this information!

THE SHIP TOOK A LOAD OF MARINES TO PANAMA CANAL FOR JUNGLE TRAINING THAT WERE ON THEIR WAY TO NAM. THE SPIEGEL GROVE ANCHORED ON THE ATLANTIC SIDE OF THE CANAL BUT WERE ABLE TO GO ASHORE AND TAKE THE TRAIN RIDE ACROSS TO THE CITY. THE SHIP WAS IN OUR REGULAR WINTER CARIBIEAN CRUISE THE WINTER OF 67-68 AND RETURNED TO LITTLE CREEK AFTER DROPPING THE MARINES OFF AT CHERRY POINT. 

The Spiegel Grove visited Panama in the '67 - '68 time period. According to the Caribbean Cruise book 3-67, the ship was in Panama from Feb2 - 7, 1968. She did not transit the canal, but stayed on the Caribbean side.

Nov 65 - ? 66
San Juan, PR
Rosey Roads, PR
Grenada, BWI
St. Thomas, VI
St. Croix, VI
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Nov 4, 1966 - May 11, 1967
There was some sort of multi-national landing exercise off the coast of Spain .
Ports of call:
Naples, Italy....while there visited Rome, Pompei, and Sordento, Italy
Venice, Italy
Taranto, Italy
Crotone, Italy....while there went to Athens, Greece and Patrais, Greece
Valletta, Malta

Back to the Caribbean Dec 1967 to March 1968
San Juan, PR
Willemstad, Curacao - Dutch Netherland Antilles
St. Thomas, VI
Panama.........the ship Did NOT go through the canal.

The ship went to New London, Conn. Woods Hole Institute to pick up a Mini-sub "Alvin" to help look for the "Scorpion" a US Navy sub which disappeared in the vicinity of the Azore Islands.
Lisbon, Portugal
When we returned to Little Creek the Speigel Grove went into drydock.

1970, thanks to Ken Purcell for this information!
We took a South Atlantic cruise in January-February, 1971. We were the Atlantic Ocean recovery ship for the Apollo 14 Space Shot. I believe I still have some pictures from that cruise. We had a mockup of the space capsule on board that we used to practice should we need to actually recover the capsule. Of course, that didn't happen. The captain for that cruise was George "Gus" Kinnear. He was a full Captain, which I found interesting for a ship like that. Evidently, he had some "higher up" connections. I say that because he was on board for 1-2 months, and the next thing we know, we're headed for the South Atlantic, and Brazil. A number of us became "Shellbacks" on that cruise, including him. He left shortly after our return to Little Creek. I believe his relief was a Lt. Cdmr. Anderson, a rank more suited for an LSD. Some years later, I saw Kinnear's name in the news. He was an Admiral and the Commander of the Sixth Fleet. When he was Captain of the Spiegel, he called himself Gator Gus. He was quite a character.

As memories of that period in my life are a little hazy, little tidbits come back to me now and then. I'll relate them to you when they do. One other thing that I remember is we almost sank in the Cheasapeake Bay on our way to an exercise off the coast of North Carolina. I believe the ballast tanks on the starboard side filled up and couldn't be pumped out. That was after the South Atlantic cruise and before we left on our Med Cruise in May, 1971.

1970-1974, thanks to John Fodor for this information!
We went on a 6 month med. cruise in 71. We were also a support ship for the Apollo missions. I remember us having a dummy space capsule on board that we practiced with. That could have been 72 but I'm not sure. We went as far south as Brazil to wait for the Apollo space craft that was coming back from the moon mission to hit the water. It never hit our area. After our long month of waiting we went in to Rio for a week. That was beautiful. We left a week before the Big Carnival. Other than that we hop scotched the Caribbean Islands. We also did a midshipmen cruise, went through the Panama Canal, we were in the Portsmouth Shipyards for 6 months for a big overhaul, and then a shake down cruise at Gitmo. Our ship was broadsided by a destroyer that was comming out of port from Gitmo at full speed. It tore a huge hole on our starboard side. The ship was taking on water, big pumps had to be helicoptered in. No one was hurt that I remember. I just dont remember dates. Actually I served on board from April 70 to Dec.73 I came on board right out of Boot Camp. I ran the Sail Locker,while I was on board. My dad was a tailor so I knew how to sew. I made covers for anything that was coverable. I made BM3 while on board. Then I spent another 2 years in the reserves and made BM2.

1973, thanks to Don Clark!
I was a Chief Hospital Corpsman, the senior medical rep on board then. We went to Columbia and took over a million dollars of surplus medical equipment, commodities, books, etc and gave to a medical facility there. I still have 2 panchos I got there. From there we went to Aruba, San Juan Pureto Rica, and to the Bahamas before coming home. That was a 3 month tour. Then we took a contingent of Marine 2nd Louies to Camp Lejune. Waters were too rough to have the landings we had anticipated. This was also a cruise where we could bring a family member. My son Gary went with me. We celebrated Halloween on board and they Captain allowed them to "trick or treat". We also had a day at sea for all dependents when in port. While preparing for a Med cruise I ruptured a disc and was transferred off.
If I can think of more I will pass it on. I know we also went to Panama, just can't remember specifics except for some of the most beautiful fish that some caught and we cooked in the Chiefs mess. We also went to Roosevelt Roads Pureto Rico. We landed troops on Vieques, sat off the coast and fished for 5 days.

19 May 1978, thanks to Chuck Siedschlag!
On 19 May 1978 we went to GTMO for RefTra, and was kicked out due to the fact we couldn't make water. In fact, on the way down we pulled into Mayport at midnite about 19 or 20 May to get water. Went in on one boiler, as I recall as we were dry!!!! When we left GTMO after being kicked out someone played (Take this Job and Shove It) on the 1MC. Naturally some hi-brow ADM didn't like it and sent us a blast!
We went back down about a month later and completed RefTra....
8 Mar 1981, thanks to Ron Brunson!
We were accompanied by the USS Harry E. Yarnell (CG-17). I remember that one because my father was a former XO back in the 1960's. You may recall that that cruise was primarily a show the flag diplomatic event where we entertained the leadership of the various island countries. The forward third of the well deck was covered with 1 inch plywood and painted haze grey as a party venue with the USMC equipment aft as a static display.
Hope this helps a bit. Regards and thanks for the memories!! Cdr Ron Brunson, USNR (ret)

 

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