U.S.S. Allen M. Sumner DD-692
Where We Were

Overview map of the deployment

Thanks to shipmate Bob Misiano we are able to present a rough track chart of Sumner's War Patrols while deployed to Vietnam. The first chart presents the first three patrols which took place off the coast of North Vietnam and the last patrol in the I Corps area of South Vietnam.  The second chart displays the fourth patrol which took place in the II Corps area of South Vietnam. Each day the ship's position was recorded in the Log at 0800, 1200 and 2000 by the Navigator. There we many course changes during a days steaming that were not recorded and thus a complete picture cannot be presented.  The plotting of the available information does, however, give us a good feel for where the Sumner operated and how intensive the operations were. Your comments, as always, are appreciated.

Operations off North Vietnam

Patrol 1 (in blue) - March 24, 1967 to April 11, 1967, the initial operations were with the USS Long Beach (CGN-9) on PIRAZ Station (Positive Identification Radar Advisory Zone) which occurred to the north of the area depicted in the chart. On the 10th of April Sumner moved into Operation Sea Dragon for two days and then joined the USS Hancock (CVA-19) at Yankee Station. The ship went to General Quarters 11 times during this patrol.

Patrol 2 (in red) - April 28, 1967 to May 26, 1967, initial operation was as Plane Guard for the USS Hancock (CVA-19) on Yankee Station and then an extended period on Operation Sea Dragon which included participation in Operation Beau Charger. The rectangular track immediately to the right of the main Sea Dragon operation area is the track for the underway replenishments necessary after the battle at the Ben Hai River. The ship went to General Quarters 47 times during this patrol and it was during this patrol that Sumner rescued a pilot for the third war in succession.

Patrol 3 (in green) - June 7, 1967 to June 23, 1967, this patrol began with Plane Guard for the USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) for a brief period and then continued Operation Sea Dragon duties. There were Sea Dragon operations on this patrol that occurred north of this chart, ranging beyond 20 degrees North. The ship went to General Quarters 34 times during this patrol.

Patrol 5 (in orange) - July 28, 1967 to August 1, 1967, this patrol provided Naval Gun Fire Support for the troops ashore in the I Corps area. The ship went to General Quarters 3 times during this patrol. At the completion of the last GQ the Division formed up and headed for Mayport and Home!

Operations off South Vietnam

Patrol 4 (in purple) - July 12, 1967 to July 21, 1967, this patrol provided Naval Gun Fire Support for the troops ashore in the II Corps area of South Vietnam, the first day's action was slightly to the South of this chart. The Sumner stayed in a relatively small area and at very slow speeds to increase the accuracy of the the support provided. The ship went to General Quarters 20 times during this patrol. Chart number one ends at square BU in the lower right hand corner, this chart begins with square BU in the upper left hand corner.

Many thanks to Bob Misiano for making this Chart available to us.