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12 AWARDS and CITATIONS
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (3),Navy Meritotious Unit Citation (2),Republic of Vietnam Gallantry
Cross Unit Citation (2) and Vietnam Service Medal (5).
The second Embattle (AM-434) was launched 27 August 1953 by Colberg Boat Works,
Stockton, Calif.; sponsored by Mrs. S. R. Towne; and commissioned 16 November 1954, Lieutenant E. C. Hill in command. She
was reclassified MSO-434, 7 February 1955.
Since commissioning Embattle has served with Mine Forces, Pacific Fleet, engaged
in type training and exercises along the west coast from her home port of Long Beach. From May to November 1956, and from
November 1958 to May 1959, she cruised to the Far East for exercises with the 7th Fleet and called at various Japanese ports,
Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and the Philippines. From May 1959 through the end of 1960 Embattle cruised the west coast,
training and maintaining her readiness at the traditionally high Navy level
I did a "cruise" in 58-59 aboard Embattle. No bladder then. We had 55-gal drums of fuel oil stacked
on the fan-tail and hand-pumped into the tanks. As a dozen or so drums were emptied, it was time for fire practice. Gunners
had quite a time hitting floating, empty drums on the high seas with the 40mm. Re: placement of radio shacks, etc.-MSO's built
by different shipyards had slightly different outcomes but skippers cabin was directly aft of the gun placement. You could
see the circular pattern of the mounting bolts on the overhead of the forward berthing space and when the 40 was fired, you
stand underneath and watch the wood flex with each shot
Dave Meyer SOG2
June 19 1963 USS Embattle recuses F8 Crusader pilot 1st LT Cliff Judkins USMC.His aircraft catches
fire after refueling from a KC-130 on a flight from El Toro to Atsugi, Japan.He has to bail out and spends 2 1/2 hours in
the water before USS Embattle arrives.
I dropped in for a visit
The LA picked me up (high lined) from the mine sweeper "Embattle" on 19 June 1963. LA was
returning to CONUS for mothballing (I think). I bailed out of a burning Marine fighter plane 600 miles west of Long Beach.
I was pretty banged up..16 broken bones and a collapsed lung.
Cliff J. Judkins, former Marine captain and now an old retired air line pilot.
(The USS Los Angeles
was a Cruiser)
I WAS THE DUTY RADIOMAN, AND THE RINC (RADIOMAN IN CHARGE) WHEN WE PICKED UP THIS MARINE FLYER WHO
FELL 15,000 FEET WITHOUT A PARACHUTE. JUST LUCK WE HAPPENED ALONG. I WAS OUTSIDE THE RADIO SHACK TAKING A BREAK, ON THE STARBORD
SITD, NEXT TO THE CO'S CABIN, WHEN I SPOTTD HIM HANGING ONTO A ONE MAN LIFE RAFT. TOLD THE PEOPLE ON THE BRIDGE ABOUT HIM,
AND WE PICKED HIM UP. SENT A RADIO MESSAGE TO 'FRISCO, AND THEY SENT THE HEAVY CRUISER, THE USS LOS ANGELES OUT TO PICK HIM
UP. HAD A LOT OF EMAILS FROM HIM A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, BUT HAD TO REPLACE MY HARD DRIVE, AND THINK I LOST 'EM. HE'S LIVING
IN GEORGIA NOW.
A COUSIN OF MINE LIVING IN COLORADO, TOLD ME THE REST OF THE STORY ABOUT HIM.. IT WAS UNREAL WHAT HAPPENED
TO HIM, BUT I WAS THERE AND KNOW IT'S ALL TRUE..
REGARDS,
Joe Adams
The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION to MINE DIVISION
SEVENTY-TWO.
For meritorious service from 11 November 1966 to 6 May 1967 while serving with friendly foreign forces
engaged in armed conflict against communist insurgent (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam.Mine Division Seventy-Two
Units,consisting of USS Firm (MSO-444), USS Embattle (MSO-434), USS Force (MSO-445}, USS Prime (MSO-466) and USS Reaper (MSO-467).Mine
Division Seventy-Two spent a total of 576 ship days on Market Time Patrol and actively supported Operations Surfline,Farragut
and Deckhouse VI.
1968
The Change Of Command ceremony took place at sea, off the coast of Viet Nam, outside and North of Qui Nhon harbor.
The Embattle was , at the time, in her seventh WestPac deployment since her commissioning (Nov. 16, 1954) and was (and had
been) taking part in Operation Market Time as one of the initial units of the Counter-infiltration Patrol of the Republic
of Viet Nam. The motto printed on the bottom of the program states: "Where the Fleet goes, we've been!"
Officers of the USS Embattle on that date () were:
Commanding Officer (arriving Skipper)LCDR Murry Katzen
Commanding Officer (departing)LCDR Turner
P. Wallace, Jr.
Executive Officer LT
Lauren Seeber
Engineering Officer LTJG
Joseph H. Chimento
Operations Officer ENS
John H. Hurshman
First Lieutenant/Supply Officer ENS Michael R. Adkins
Communications Officer ENS
Harold J. O'Connell
The Embattle was a unit of Mine Division Seventy-Two, composed of USS Embattle (MSO 434), USS FIRM
(MSO 444), USS FORCE (MSO 445), USS LOYALTY (MSO 457). The Commander Mine Div. 72 was CDR R.A.H. Murline.
From David J.Stewart
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