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In July 1960, after steaming a half million miles since 1946, the Bausell commenced a 12 month period of rehabilitation and Modernization at Paget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington. This program, known as FRAM MK 1, was designed to extended the useful life of the Bausell by some eight years. As a result of this modernization, Bausell was equipped with Some of the most advanced modern naval armament of it's time. Configured principally for anti-submarine warfare, Bausell's five inch aft gun mount was removed and fitted with ASROC, two triple-tube MK 32 torpedo tubes and a reconfigured aft super structure with a hanger to support a drone anti-sub helicopter (DASH). After this massive overhaul, the Naval shipyard presented a custom made bronze plaque depicting a new crest to the ship and crew to celebrate the re-commissioning. Since June 1961, this unique crest is known by the crew as "THE SEAHORSE". In May of 1962, the Bausell took part in Operation Swordfish. This was the only test of an ASROC launched nuclear depth charge. Even though the Bausell was chosen as the target ship, she came through unscathed and later that year was ready to commence her eleventh cruise to the Far East. As flagship for Destroyer Squadron Five, the Bausell set the pace by winning an "E" in Gunnery and nominated as the number one ship in the squadron in the annual competitive grading conducted by the Squadron staff. The Bausell saw her first action off the coast of Vietnam in 1964. During that time she distinguished herself in combat again. The Mighty "B" then engaged in Sea Dragon Operations against the North Vietnam targets and executed accurate gunfire support, inflicting damage on numerous coastal targets. In addition, the Bausell participated in escort and rescue operations for carrier strike forces and by 1970, she made a total of sixteen deployments to the Western Pacific. Among the many awards that were presented in recognition of her services, were the Meritorious Unit citation and the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V". Between 1971 and 1977, Bausell was home ported in Japan and continued to participate in gunfire support missions in Vietnam, right up until the signing of the peace treaty in January 1973. In the spring of 1975, the Bausell was actively involved in Operation Frequent Wind, in which she received the Humanitarian Service medal. In between those missions, she joined with the carrier task groups for multi-national anti-submarine warfare exercises involving naval units from Japan, Korea, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia. Highlights of the Bausell's six year deployment include the evacuation of Saigon in 1975 and assisting in the rescue of the SS Mayaguez. She was also awarded the Battle of Efficiency "E" after an 18 month long competition with other ships of Destroyer Squadron 15. After 32 years of continuous service and more than two and one-half million miles of steaming, one of the Navy's last WWII vintage destroyers bid final farewell. On October 26, 1977, the Bausell set sail for San Diego to undergo preparations for decommissioning. But, not before a cruise of a lifetime, visiting Taiwan, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, the Philippines, New Guinea, Australia, Tonga Islands, Fuji Islands, Samoa and Hawaii. On May 30, 1978, at the Naval Stations pier #38, Rear admiral W.H. Rowden, was guest speaker for the decommissioning ceremony in which 150 enlisted men and 10 officers marched off the Bausell and secured the watch. CDR John H. McMillian, last commanding officer of the Bausell, hauled down the ship's national ensign along with his personal command flag and the ship's commissioning pennant. After the decommissioning, the U.S.S. Bausell was officially stricken from the active units of the U.S. Navy and utilized as a target for missile test and evaluation program. She survived several direct harpoon missile hits, one through the radio room and another in the aft officers quarters. Our fighting lady sank to her final resting place in the Pacific Ocean on July 7, 1987. |