USS Coontz (DDG-40) - DLG-9

DLG-9

Coontz departed from San Diego on 10 August 1961 and joined the U.S. Seventh Fleet as a unit of the fast carrier task force. Remaining with the Seventh Fleet for more than seven months, Coontz steamed 55,000 miles (89,000 km) and visited ports in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, B.C.C, Australia and American Samoa. While conducting training exercises to maintain full combat readiness, Coontz received the coveted “E” award for excellence in missilery.

Coontz returned to the United States on 23 March 1962 to rejoin the U.S. First Fleet and became the flagship of the Commander, Destroyer Squadron 17 in April 1962. On the second anniversary of her awards for excellence in Operations, Engineering and Gunnery, Coontz flew the flag of the Commander, Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla 11 from 1 August to 11 November 1962, when she again became the flagship for Commander, Destroyer Squadron 17.

Commander James R. Collier relieved Captain Reis in July 1962. The Coontz sailed with the Seventh Fleet in Asiatic waters, visiting Yokosuka, Kobe, Kure and Beppu in Japan and Hong Kong, B.C.C in China. During this time the Coontz was also designated a stand-by recovery ship for NASA’s Mercury-Atlas 8 space mission. During the space flight on 3 October 1962, Wally Schirra orbited the Earth at an altitude of 100 miles (160 km). Although Coontz was listed as a stand-by ship for recovery operations, it was not activated. The Coontz returned to the U.S. in May 1963. In June 1963, the Coontz demonstrated the kill capability of the Terrier surface-to-air missile in a sea power demonstration for President John F. Kennedy.