USS Ozbourn ( DD - 846 ) USS " Ozbourn " ( DD - 846 ) was a " Gearing " - class destroyer in the United States Navy during the Korean War and the Vietnam War . She was named for Marine Private Joseph W . Ozbourn ( 1919 – 1944 ) , who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his “ great personal valor ” during the Battle of Tinian . " Ozbourn " was laid down by Bath Iron Works 16 June 1945 ; launched 22 December 1945 ; sponsored by Mrs . Joseph W . Ozbourn ; commissioned 5 March 1946 , Commander Bernard A . Smith ws put in command . Pacific duty . Following shakedown , " Ozbourn " reported for duty with the U . S . Pacific Fleet at San Diego , California in August 1946 . She departed San Diego 6 January 1947 with Destroyer Division 171 ( DesDiv 171 ) for the Far East ; returned to San Diego in October ; began her next deployment 1 October 1948 , shortened by a collision with " Theodore E . Chandler " ( DD - 717 ) . Although two crew members were killed , damage control parties saved the ship and she returned to Long Beach Naval Shipyard for repairs . During 1949 and early 1950 , " Ozbourn " trained midshipmen , underwent overhaul and participated in various exercises , one of which was the first guided missile test at sea conducted with " Norton Sound " ( AVM - 1 ) . Korean War . When hostilities began in Korea , " Ozbourn " joined Task Force 77 ( TF 77 ) . She participated in the Inchon landing and assisted with air operations off the Korean coast , twice receiving the Korean Presidential Citation for her efforts . In February 1951 , despite having received two direct hits and several near misses from shore batteries the same day , " Ozbourn " sent her motor whale boat to rescue a downed pilot floating in a mine field . After returning to San Diego for repairs and overhaul and a brief assignment with TF 95 in the Wonsan area , " Ozbourn " returned to TF 77 in July 1952 . In short order she rescued 18 men who had jumped from " Boxer " ( CVA - 21 ) to avoid a menacing fire and picked up 3 downed airmen from " Essex " ( CVA - 9 ) . During the next two years " Ozbourn " made regular tours with the 7th Fleet followed by training operations in the San Diego area . Training ship . From 1956 to 1964 " Ozbourn " underwent major overhaul , engaged in intensive training exercises , participated in festivals and celebrations in several west - coast cities and in Australia , and operated periodically with the 7th Fleet . Having undergone Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization ( FRAM ) Mark I conversion earlier , she joined Task Group ( TG 10 ) for a major Presidential Demonstration . From the flight deck of " Kitty Hawk " ( CV - 63 ) , President John F . Kennedy watched " Ozbourn " ' s ASROC launching 6 June 1963 . Vietnam War . " Ozbourn " sailed independently for Pearl Harbor 8 July 1964 to join DesDiv 233 and ASW Group 1 for a six - month Western Pacific deployment . From Yokosuka , Japan , ASW Group I sailed for the South China Sea after North Vietnam ese PT boat s had engaged American destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin . After providing antisubmarine warfare ( ASW ) protection for TF 77 and after participating in a naval weapons demonstration , " Ozbourn " returned to Long Beach . Several months of maintenance , repairs and intermittent local training operations followed ; then came another deployment to the Western Pacific 20 August 1965 . Attached to TG 77 . 6 , " Ozbourn " provided gunfire support in the III and IV Corps areas of South Vietnam delivering tons of high explosives in covering fire . Eight crewmen were recommended for decorations during these actions . In July 1966 " Ozbourn " began a two - year tour of duty with the 7th Fleet as a member of Destroyer Squadron 9 . A great part of that time was spent on gunfire assignments supporting troops in South Vietnam and interdicting supply and communications routes in North Vietnam . She received direct hits on 25 March and 4 December 1967 but continued her mission each time . For " outstanding actions against the enemy and for excellent combat readiness " , she received both the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Battle Efficiency “ E ” . " Ozbourn " returned to Long Beach 6 September 1968 and remained there , with intermittent movements to Portland and San Diego , for the next year . In September 1969 she deployed again to WestPac where she operated with the 7th Fleet into 1970 . She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 June 1975 and sold for scrap .