Preble V DIG-15

Preble V

(DIG-15: dp. 5,709 (f.); 1. 513', b. 52', dr. 18', s. 33 k., cpl. 377; a. Terrier, 1 5", 4 3", ASROC, 6 21" tt.,1 dcp.; cl. Coontz)

The fifth Preble (OLG-15) was laid down by the Bath Iron Works Corp., Bath, Maine, 16 December 1957, Iaunehed 23 May 1959; sponsored hy Mrs. Ralph E. Wilson and commissioned in the Boston Naval Shipyard 9 May ;960, Comdr. Edward G. Fitz-Patrick in command.

After shakedown off the East Coast, Preble transited the Panama Canal and arrived San Diego 2 September. After exercises along the coast of California, she got underway 27 February 1961 enroute to the Far East for a six month tour with the 7th Fleet. She returned to San Diego 28 September

to rejoin the 1st Fleet. She remained in the eastern Pacific through 1963 and on 26 February 1964 departed California for another tour of duty in the Far East, 13 March—20 July.

Rotated regularly to WestPac over the next five years she spent much of her deployed time with the 7th Fleet off the coast of Vietnam. During these tours she served as plane guard for carriers in the Tonkin Gulf, patrolled on SAR, and bombarded enemy positions along the coast.

Returning from WestPac in July 1968, she operated briefly along the California coast and in December got underway for Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. There for an extensive overhaul, she decommissioned 31 January 1969, recommissioned 23 May 1970, and returned to the Pacific Fleet.