Recently (1983) the NCS Combat DIRSUP Team who served aboard the USS NEW JERSEY (BB 62) returned home.  After 77 days at sea, our deployment CT’s marked another historical milestone.  They were the first CT’s ever to serve aboard a battleship in support of Eastern Mediterranean fleet activities.

A member of the crew wished to remain anonymous, however, he expressed his pride in the following letter:

“Life aboard the Big “J” is tough, but rewarding.  Only one word can adequately describe the world’s only active battleship – Awesome.  Stepping off a helo on to the wooden deck is a thrill in itself.  Pride is evident throughout the ship.

The massive 16-inch guns with World War II TECHNOLOGY CAN STILL PINPOINT A TARGET 20 MILES AWAY.  One salvo of nine rounds can flatten a square mile.  The big guns alone demand respect.  The five-inch turrets, harpoons, tomahawks and phalanx – all complete the armament package for the world’s most powerful ship.

The New Jersey’s arrival off Beirut did not go unnoticed.  The Marines cheered; the Druze called for a ceasefire.  Even though the New Jersey has not been called upon for Naval Gun Fire Support, its mere presence is a stabilizing factor in the chaos of Lebanon.

The USS NEW JERSEY and her crew exemplify pride and professionalism.  Serving aboard the New Jersey was an experience of a lifetime.

To the New Jersey and crew: the Combat DIRSUP team salutes you; we were proud to serve with you.”

Serving aboard the USS Jersey were (front row) from left: CTR1 Bill Harcarik, CTR1 Fred Detheridge, CTO2 Tom Navarro, CTM2 Mark Allen, CTI2 Boby Sumuel.

Standing from left: CTR3 John Whitney, CTO2 Dave Salak, LT John Gordon, CTO2 Paul Duncan, CTI2 Rick White, CTI1 Lyn Peters. 

IN serving one’s god and country.

Photo courtesy of LT John Gordon. 

** taken from another Facebook page **

On September 9, 1983, USS New Jersey was again ordered to head for a hotspot: Lebanon. In the throes of a brutal civil war after the 1982 Israeli invasion, a multinational peacekeeping force including U.S. Marines had been sent to supervise the evacuation of the Palestine Liberation Organization. In August, warring militias started shelling the Marines, and on September 8 smaller U.S. ships began firing to defend the Marines. The New Jersey transited the Panama Canal and raced across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, joining the Sixth Fleet. Within hours of USS New Jersey’s imposing appearance off Beirut on September 25, a ceasefire was instituted. The Commandant of the Marine Corps, General P.X. Kelley, emphasized: “There is no weapon system in the world that comes even close to the visible symbol of enormous power represented by the battleship.”