The following account of the years 1966 to 1968 was written by former OZBOURN captain, John Denham.

USS OZBOURN HISTORY 1966-1968 (continued)

On 23 January 1968 OZBOURN received FLASH traffic to proceed to the Sea of Japan at best speed and escort the ENTERPRISE in special operations: USS PUEBLA (AGER2) had been seized by the North Korean Navy. On 24 January a task group consisting of ENTERPRISE, OZBOURN and three other destroyers headed North for Wonson Harbor. Within a week the largest group of naval vessels assembled in the Sea of Japan since the Korean conflict was formed as a special task force to resolve the PUEBLA seizure. For over thirty days OZBOURN was on short-notice to proceed when directed and with air and surface support forcefully extract PUEBLA from Wonson Harbor. On 4 March OZBOURN was released to proceed for a short visit to Yokosuka. This passage home was quickened with the approval of a transit through Shimonoseki Channel and the Inland Sea of Japan.

OZBOURN joined with Her Majesty's Australian Ship (HMAS) PERTH from 12 to 24 March as part of the Sea Dragon strike group shelling targets near the entrance to Haiphong harbor. On completion of this demanding duty OZBOURN was ordered to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) , to relax, and provide Naval Gun Fire Support (NGFS). After a short visit to Subic Bay and some needed logistics and Rest and Recreation OZBOURN participated in some much needed Anti-Submarine Warfare and Fast Task Force training to retain her Destroyer skills; this tour included a stopover in Keelung, Taiwan with a final destination in Yokosuka for a needed dry docking because of propeller vibrations. On 22 May OZBOURN was back at sea headed for Sea Dragon and gun line duty, followed with another short visit to Hong Kong. The word was out, OZBOURN's tour was nearly over, replacement was on the way. After the Hong Kong visit, a short stop over in Kaoshuing, Taiwan for political reason and a final tour on Sea Dragon and then heading North to home in Yokosuka, Japan.

On 29 July 1968 OZBOURN was detached from the Western Pacific Command Cruiser-Destroyer Group and ordered home to Long Beach, California via Admiralty Island, Brisbane and Sydney, Australia, Suva, Fiji Islands and Pearl Harbor. Again, most of the "Asiatic Fleet Sailors" swapped with the replacements. We said our farewells to these top professionals and wished them luck. The log showed: 150,120 miles of steaming using over 9 million gallons of fuel; 263 days in the combat areas, 435 days at sea; 168 underway replenishments; engaged in direct action against the enemy 10 times, damaged by enemy gunfire twice; conducted 89 Sea Dragon strikes, and expended 17,844 rounds of 5/38" projectiles. Awards included two squadron "E", the Meritorious Unit Commendation, 4 Bronze stars, 11 Navy Commendation Medals, 7 Achievement Awards, 4 Purple Hearts, and promotion to the rank of Captain for Commander Denham courtesy of the officers and men of OZBOURN. DESTROYER SQUADRON 9 was later awarded the Navy Unit Commendation.

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