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CITATION:
For exceptionally meritorious service during the periods 18
January to 5 February 1967 and 8 to 29 March 1967, while
participating in combat operations in hostile waters off the coast
of North Vietnam in support of the Republic of Vietnam's effort to
resist communist aggression. As a member of a special task unit
assigned the mission of interdiction and destruction of enemy
waterborne and coastal logistics, USS STODDARD demonstrated
outstanding professionalism and personal valor in executing her
primary mission under the constant threat of belligerent and
determined enemy coastal defense positions. Despite intense fire
from enemy shore batteries on seventeen separate occasions,
including an extremely heavy cross, fire in one action, STODDARD
masterfully delivered a series of aggressive, devastating attacks
which inflicted major damage upon the enemy. During one
engagement, STODDARD suffered severe hull damage from extremely
heavy and accurate enemy coastal defense fire while rendering
support in connection with the rescue of a downed airman. The
outstanding professional skill, daring actions and devotion to
duty displayed by the officers and men of STODDARD were in keeping
with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. |
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