USS Little Rock Chronology 1974

A Chronological History
of the U.S. Navy Cruiser
U.S.S. LITTLE ROCK
CL 92 / CLG 4 / CG 4

Page last updated: 7 July, 2017

1974 - 1979
1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979

1974
01 - 13 Jan	*	-	LITTLE ROCK remains in Gaeta, Italy
06 Jan	*	-	SIXTH FLEET Singers perform at Ariston Theatre in Gaeta.
12 Jan	*	-	CAPT Richard S. Moore, Chief of Staff ComSixthFlt transfers to BuNavPers.
	*	-	CAPT Lee Baggett, Jr. assumes duties of Chief of Staff.
14 Jan	*	-	Underway from Gaeta to Gibraltar
15 Jan	*	-	LITTLE ROCK celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King's 45th birthday with a ceremony
16 Jan	*	-	Arrive Gibraltar
	*	-	ComSixthFlt Band under the direction of MUCM Jerry Clements performs a one hour concert before an audience of 500 in Gibraltar's "Piazza".
16 - 19 Jan	*	- -	At Gibraltar Sixth Fleet Band performs in Gibraltar's "Piazza" to an audience of about 500.
19 Jan	*	-	Transit Straits of Gibraltar
20 - 24 Jan	*	-	Prior to mooring in Lisbon, Portugal LITTLE ROCK passes under Ponte Salazar, the 27th longest suspension bridge in the world.
24 Jan	*	-	Depart Lisbon for NAVSTA Rota, Spain
25 - 28 Jan	*	-	At U.S. Naval Station, Rota, Spain
25 Jan	*	-	Seven-day Ski oiur to Sestriere, Italy offered.
27 Jan	*	-	Sixth Fleet Band and Singers, under the direction of MUCS Robert Sisson performs at the Rota Station Theater and at Moron Air Force Base. Musical selections included "Up, Up, Away", "Music to Watch Girls by", and "The Impossible Dream".
28 Jan	*	-	Depart U.S. Naval Station, Rota, Spain (with some dependents aboard) for goodwill visit to Tangier, Morocco.
28 Jan - 01 Feb	*	-	Tangier, Morocco
01 Feb	*	-	Transit Straits of Gibraltar (with some dependents aboard)
01 - 05 Feb	*	-	Moored at Malaga, Spain
06 Feb	*	-	Depart Malaga for Gaeta
07 Feb	*	-	At sea
8 - 13 Feb	*	-	Gaeta, Italy
13 - 19 Feb	*	-	At sea. Task Force operations in the "Blue Force" in Exercise NATIONAL WEEK.
14 Feb	*	-	Transit Straits of Messina. Begin participation in NATIONAL WEEK exercises.
18 Feb	*	-	Duty Section: 2
20 - 21 Feb	*	-	Souda Bay, Crete
22-27 Feb	*	-	At Gaeta, Italy
25 Feb	*	-	Underwater Hull Damage Drill
26 Feb	*	1400	Underway for Palma, Mallorca, Spain.
	*	1530	After Steering Casualty training.
27 Feb	*	0915	General Quarters to conduct Ammo Handling drills for 6" Turret.
	*	1830	Payday for the crew.
28 Feb	*	0815	Fire 21 Gun National Salute
	*	0900	Moor at Palma, Mallorca, Spain
28 Feb - 02 Mar	*	-	At Palma "The Pearl of the Med", Majorca, Spain
	*	-	Sixth Fleet Band & Singers perform at Palma and at Manacor.
01 Mar	*	0815	Special Services tour - Caves of Drach
	*	2100	SIXTH Fleet Music Show at Auditorium Paseo Maritimo.
02 Mar	*	0815	Special Services tour - Caves of Drach
	*	1700	LITTLE ROCK basketball team play at Manacor.
	*	1930	Special Services Barbecue.
	*	-	SIXTH Fleet Music Show at Manacor.
03 Mar	*	0815	Special Services tour - Caves of Drach
04 - 07 Mar	*	-	At sea. Porto Scudo, Sardinia, Italy
	*	-	Towing exercise with USS COLUMBUS
	*	-	Shore bombardment with 5" and 6" guns.
??? Mar	*	-	LITTLE ROCK's boxing team travels to Rota, Spain for COMFAIRMED championship competition. Boxers SA Utusia Salatielu, SKSA John Spriggs, SR Angel Torres, SGT Jerry Clevenger, PFC Alonzo Jackson and FTM2 Charlie Robinson returned with a team trophy.
??? Mar	*	-	FTG2 Dean Zaharis chosen as U.S.S. LITTLE ROCK "Sailor of the Year" for 1974.
08 Mar - 20 Apr	*	-	In port at Gaeta, Italy at NATO Fuel Pier
18 Mar	*	-	RADM R.S. Wentworth, ComCruDesFor and staff visit LITTLE ROCK and conduct a "Type Commanders Inspection".
21 - 22 Mar	*	-	ComSixthFleet conducts Annual Material Inspection.
01 Apr	*	-	Alcoholism Seminar in Chief Petty Officer's Mess.
11 Apr	*	-	Alcoholism Seminar in Chief Petty Officer's Mess for those who missed 01 Apr Seminar.
	*	2030	Movie: "Partners in Crime".
15 Apr	*	-	Recommendations for the 16 April SN/FN Exam must be submitted to the Educational Services Office no later than 1000.
16 Apr	*	0800	SN/FN Exam conducted on the Mess Decks.
	*	-	Recommendations for the 18 April Military Leadership Exam must be submitted to the Educational Services Office no later than 1300.
18 Apr	*	0830	Military Leadership Exam conducted on the Mess Decks.
20 Apr	*	-	Depart Gaeta for missile firing exercises.
21 Apr	*	-	At sea.
22 Apr	* *	- -	Off the northern coast of Crete, conducting surface-to-surface and surface-to-air Talos missile firings. Fired four Talos missiles total. At achor off Rhodes, Greece
23 Apr	*	-	At sea.
24 - 28 Apr	*	-	At anchor Rhodes, Greece
25 Apr	*	-	Anniversary of the Liberation of Italy
28 Apr	*	-	Depart Rhodes with thirty-six dependents on board LITTLE ROCK for 9-hour cruise to Mykanos, Greece.
28 Apr - 01 May	*	-	At Mykanos, Greece
01 May	*	-	Italian Labor Day
02 - 09 May	*	-	At sea. Exercise "Dawn Patrol", in eastern Med, with an amphibious landing in Turkey.
09 - 22 May	*	-	Gaeta, Italy
17 May	*	-	Personnel Inspection and Awards Ceremony.
	*	-	19 LITTLE ROCK sailors receive awards, and 81 Petty Officers receive advancement.
	*	-	FTG2 Dean Zaharis is recognized as LITTLE ROCK's 1974 "Sailor of the Year". Zaharis also has been selected as CINCUSNAVEUR "Sailor of the Year".
	*	-	MA1 Thomas Johnson is selected Petty Officer of the Month.
	*	-	EMFN Odis Tucker is selected Seaman of the Month.
	*	-	FTMC Larry Bryant, YN1 Jose Contreras, and FTM2 Bill Garvin received plaques for being aboard LITTLE ROCK for 5 years.
	*	-	FTM2 Bill Garvin also received the "Standing Dutchman" plaque for the longest time in service on board the USS LITTLE ROCK.
21 May	*	-	Depart Gaeta
22 - 23 May	*	-	At sea. Destination Split, Yugoslavia.
23 - 27 May	*	-	Split, Yugoslavia (Fleet picnic)
28 May - 01 Jun	*	-	Corfu, Greece with dependents
02 - 09 Jun	*	-	At sea.
09 Jun	*	-	Ten dependents perform at a recital with the Gaeta School of Ballet.
10 - 25 Jun	*	-	Gaeta, Italy
12 Jun	*	-	Joshua Barney School dedicates its new three-story complex.
?? Jun	*	-	USS LITTLE ROCK passes annual Admin Inspection with "flying colors".
	*	-	MM2 Gilbert Francisco is selected "Petty Officer of the Month" for June 1974.
	*	-	SN Charles R. Guthrie is selected "Sailor of the Month" for June 1974.
	*	-	PH2 Harry Deffenbaugh placed third in the Navy annual "All Hands" photo contest.
24 Jun	*	-	At Sea
	*	1300	1300 - 1500 Engineering Casualty Control Drills (Watch Section) 1300 - 1700 OOD Shiphandling Drills
	*	1330	1330 - 1430 Rap Session
	*	1800	Scuba Diving Club meeting in after crew's lounge.
24 Jun - 05 Jul	*	-	Summer day camp for dependent children at Itri Park. Volunteer ladies are Mrs. Felton, Mrs. Darter, Mrs. Peterson, Mrs. Sites, Mrs. Bodle, Mrs. Cammon, Mrs. Angers, Mrs. Bos, and Mrs. Spence.
26 Jun	*	-	At sea.
27 Jun	*	-	At sea.
	*	0900	Arrive Villefranche, France
28 - 30 Jun	*	-	Villefranche, France
28 Jun	*	-	"Dancing Under the Stars". Music by LITTLE ROCK's "Crowleg" Rock Group
01 Jul	*	-	Depart Villefranche, France for one day dependent's cruise
	*	-	Arrive Toulon, France
01 - 04 Jul	*	-	At Toulon, France
02 Jul	*	-	LITTLE ROCK volleyball team bests French navy team winning 3 of 5 games.
03 Jul	*	0730	Liberty expires on board.
	*	0800	0800 - 0900 Divisional Rap Session
	*	0900	DC / Firefighting Training for Midshipmen on the Fantail with ENS MUSMANNO
	*	0900	Supply Training for Midshipmen in the Wardroom with LCDR Blankenfeld
	*	1000	Weapons Training for Midshipmen in the Wardroom with LTJG SCHNEDLER and ENS WARD.
04 Jul	*	-	LITTLE ROCK celebrates the 4th of July with a 21 gun salute by ship's Marines.
	*	0900	Commence Holiday Routine. Liberty Call.
?? Jul	*	-	DT1 Daughtry reenlists for 6 years.
05 Jul	*	-	Depart Toulon and arrive Gaeta same day.
06 - 20 Jul	*	-	At Gaeta, Italy for "Festa Americana 74".
08 Jul	*	0800	Cruise book Photographs on the foc'sle for OE and OEW Division.
	*	0900	PQS Training (P250) for GM Division on the Fantail.
	*	1615	Liberty Call for Sections 1, 2, 4, and 5, to expire on board 0730, 09 July 1974.
	*	-	ETN3 Richard A Peterson is selected "Petty Officer of the Month" for July 1974.
	*	-	SN Ponciano C. Guanlao is selected "Sailor of the Month" for July 1974.
09 Jul	*	0800	Cruise book Photographs on the foc'sle for A, OE and OL Divisions.
	*	1615	Liberty Call for Sections 1, 2, 3, and 5, to expire on board 0730, 10 July 1974.
	*	1900	Sixth Fleet Singers Rehearsal at NSA.
09 - 16 Jul	*	-	Sailing Lessons will be given each day to interested personnel at 1700.
10 Jul	*	0800	0800 - 0900 Divisional Rap Session
	*	0800	Deadline for turning in LITTLE ROCK Bowling shirts.
	*	0900	0900 - 1100 Firefighting Equipment Training (I) for Officers on Fantail.
	*	1200	1200 - 1800 Beach Party for 4th of July. LITTLE ROCK crew celebrates "belated 4th of July" with a two-day beach party at Gaeta's Ze Antonio's Pavilion.
	*	-	S-2 Division provides and serves 600 pounds of hamburg, 80 pounds of hot dogs, 110 watermelons, two cakes and other pastries. Welfare & Recreation Department provided assorted beverages. Thanks to Chief Jacques and his crew!
	*	-	Fireworks display at Fleet Landing.
12 Jul	*	-	LITTLE ROCK's Softball Team finishes season with a 20-2 record.
15 Jul	*	-	30 orphans visit LITTLE ROCK under the auspices of Community Care Committee.
	*	-	Greek Army officers surprise and overthrow Archbishop Makarios in Nicosia.
18 Jul	*	0745	0745 - 1000 Drug Seminar for I Division in Crew's Library.
	*	0900	DC / Firefighting Training for Midshipmen on the Fantail with ENS MUSMANNO
	*	0900	Firefighting Training I for Officers on the Fantail with ENS MUSMANNO
	*	1300	1300 - 1500 Midshipmen Training (Navigation) on the Bridge with LTJG HEWETT
	*	-	CPO Club meeting at Mrs. Connie Connon's home.
19 Jul	*	0800	0800 - 0900 Divisional Training
	*	0830	0830 - 0930 Seaman/Fireman Examination in the Ship's Library
	*	0930	0930 - 1130 Midshipmen Training (Navigation) on the Bridge with LTJG HEWETT
20 Jul	*	-	Turkey invades Cyprus.
	*	0800	LITTLE ROCK receives General Recall
	*	1000	LITTLE ROCK gets underway.
21 - 27 Jul	*	-	LITTLE ROCK operating with Sixth Fleet involved in special operations at sea off Crete and Cyprus.
	*	-	Preparations for evacuation of personnel from Cyprus if necessary.
21 Jul	*	0900	Commence Holiday Routine
	*	0900	LDS Services in the Crew's Lounge
	*	1000	Catholic Lay Services in the Crew's Lounge
	*	1545	Protestant Divine Worship in the Crew's Lounge
22 Jul	*	0001	Station the Highline Detail
	*	0030	Conduct personnel transfer with the USS DETROIT
	*	1030	Muster the Prize Crew and the Boarding and Salvage Crews Midships Starboard
	*	1300	Station the Plane Guard Detail
	*	1300	Midshipmen Training (Pubs) in the Wardroom with CWO Gates
	*	-	The Popcorn Machine is inoperative again.
23 Jul	*	1130	Deadline to submit recommendations for E4 & E5 Military Leadership Examination
24 Jul	*	0800	0800 - 0900 Divisional Rap Session
	*	0900	0900 - 1000 General Quarters
	*	1300	1300 - 1400 Midshipmen Training (Navigation) on the Bridge with LTJG HEWETT
	*	1930	LITTLE ROCK Bible Study Group meets in Crew's Lounge at 1930
26 Jul	*	0830	E4 & E5 Military Leadership Examination in the Ship's Library
27 Jul	*	0900	0900 - 1100 Midshipmen Training (Deck) on the Forecastle with BMCM SANTELLA
	*	1400	Officer and Enlisted Section Leaders meet in the Operations Office.
	*	2000	Movie: "The Cross and the Switchblade"
28 Jul	*	-	Underway for Alexandria, Egypt
	*	0200	Advance all clocks one hour to conform with +3 Charlie time.
	*	0800	LDS Services in the Crew's Lounge
	*	0900	Catholic Lay in the Crew's Lounge
	*	1000	Protestant Divine Worship in the Crew's Lounge
	*	-	1030 - 1200 Brunch
	*	1300	Payday
29 Jul	*	-	Arrive Alexandria, Egypt
	*	-	Egyptian Pounds on sale.
29 Jul - 03 Aug	*	-	In Port, Alexandria, Egypt
31 Jul	*	0800	0800 - 0900 Divisional Rap Session
?? Jul	*	-	Naples defeats LITTLE ROCK 16-2 to eliminate LITTLE ROCK from COMFAIRMED Fast Pitch Softball Tournament in Naples.
29 Jul - 03 Aug	*	-	In port at Alexandria, Egypt.
	*	-	One day tour(s) of Cairo and the Pyramids to be offered. $14.00 est. cost.
01 Aug	*	-	OA, OP and OM Divisions in the Operations Department are disestablished and X Division is established under the Executive Officer. The newly established X Division comprises the Captain's Office, Personnel Office, Post Office, Master-at-Arms, MDCS Office, Career Counselor, Special Services, Human Resources Representative, and Educational Service Office. Journalists remain in Operations Division as a newly established OJ Division.
03 Aug	*	-	At Sea
	*	0800	General Quarters
	*	1300	Commence Holiday Routine
	*	1500	Fantail cookout with hot dogs and steak during transit from Alexandria to Gaeta.
	*	1800	Softball representatives meet in Crew's Lounge.
	*	1900	Retard all clocks one hour to conform with +2 Bravo time.
	*	2000	Movie: "Who's Been Sleeping In My Bed ?"
	*	1930	1930 - 2330 Casino Night on the Messdecks
?? Aug	*	-	LITTLE ROCK receives notice that she has won the Department Battle Efficiency award for Communications and the Department Battle Efficiency award for Engineering.
03 Aug - 05 Aug	*	-	Underway. LITTLE ROCK operating with Sixth Fleet.
05 Aug - 19 Aug	*	-	Moored alongside NATO fuel pier at Gaeta, Italy for 2-week Tender Availability (TAV). In company with USS YOSEMITE (AD-19) .
05 Aug	*	-	LITTLE ROCK's "A" basketball team beats Gaeta 63-58.
	*	-	LITTLE ROCK's "B" team loses to Naples-Bologna 61-38.
06 Aug	*	0800	E4 advancement exam on Mess Decks
		1700	Track Team practice
	*	-	Ship's fire mains to be secured for 48 hours in order to overhaul all the valves in the system. This will cause securing of several heads and showers. Only B&M division heads, OI head and port officers head second deck will be open from 1930 until 0600 on 5 and 6 August.
07 Aug	*	0900	Human Resources Council Meeting in CPO Mess.
	*	1730	Wrestling Team practice begins.
	*	1830	LITTLE ROCK's "A" basketball plays Gaeta and "B" team plays Naples-Bologna.
08 Aug	*	0800	Navy-wide E5 Exams will be held on the Mess Decks.
	*	-	Ship's "Tiger Rag" weekly paper reminds crew with dependents that registration for USDESEA schools is 12-16 Aug. School begins 03 September.
09 Aug	*	-	Captain's Mast: Five crew fined, restricted and reduced in rank for possessing hashish.
10 Aug	*	1600	LITTLE ROCK's Varsity Fastpitch Softball team plays YOSEMITE. In a preliminary game Wardroom will play Yo-Yo Wardroom in a game of slowpitch. Free beer for everyone.
11 Aug	*	0800	Catholic Mass in the Crew's Lounge
	*	1100	Protestant Divine Worship at the Community Center. Catholic Mass at St. Paul's Church.
12 Aug	*	0900	DCPO Meeting in the After Crew's Lounge.
	*	0900	Midshipmen Training (Gunnery) in the Wardroom with CWO Fritz (0900 - 1100)
	*	0900	Registration for Joshua Barney School for School Year 1974 - 1975 (0900 - 1600)
	*	1300	Midshipmen Training (Maneuvering Board) in CIC with OS1 SCARBRO. (1300 - 1500)
	*	-	NOTE: VIA ANNUNZIATA is OFF LIMITS from 2230 to 0600, from Sixth Fleet Pool Room to Emilio's Restaurant.
13 Aug	*	1800	Meeting for parents and students planning to attend Zaragoza High School at NSA.
14 Aug	*	0800	Divisional Rap Session (0800 - 0900)
	*	0900	Midshipmen Training (Weapons) in the Wardroom with LTJG SCHNEDLER (0900 - 1100)
	*	1500	M200 (Algebra and Trigonometry) meets in WDE (1500 - 1700)
	*	1900	M315 (Pre-Calculus) meets in WDE (1900 - 2100)
15 Aug	*	0800	First Aid Training for G, GM, A, N and F-2 Divisions.
	*	0900	Midshipmen Training (Communications) in the Wardroom with LTJG COOPER ( 0900 - 1100)
	*	1300	Midshipmen Training (Navigation) in the Wardroom with LTJG HEWETT ( 1300 - 1500)
	*	1700	Youth Baseball Awards Night at Community Center Track practice Boxing practice on the Missile House Flag Football vs: YOSEMITE
	*	1730	Wrestling practice at Joshua Barney
	*	NOTE	Eligibility commencement date for Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
	*	NOTE	Sanitation Inspection results: Best Head: OI Division Worst Head: 1st Division Officers Best Compartment: MARDET
16 Aug	*	-	At Sea.
	*	0900	Registration for Joshua Barney School for School Year 1974-1975. (0900 - 1600)
19 Aug - 23 Aug	*	-	Underway in response to Cyprus unrest.
19 Aug	*	-	Rodger P. Davies, U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus, is assassinated by a sniper.
23 Aug	*	-	Captain Cullins presented "Master Helmsman" certificate to SA Linwood P. Snyder.
	*	-	SN Christopher L. Olsen is selected "Sailor of the Month" for August.
	*	-	HM2 Stanley C. Miller is selected "Petty Officer of the Month" for August.
	*	-	EM3 Joe Thum and EM1 Howard Holman receive a 10,000 Lire reward for returning 379,000 Lire lost by three Italians working on board LITTLE ROCK.
	*	-	Arrive at Gaeta, Italy
24 Aug	*	-	At Gaeta, Italy to resume Tender Availability.
	*	-	Opera at Caracala Baths in Rome. Performance includes Cavalleria Rusticana & Pagliacci. Bus departs Fleet Landing at 3:00 PM. Cost, including dinner between $14.35.
29 Aug	*	-	LT(jg) Barry L. Jesmer, the ship's Public Affairs Officer is separated from active duty following a year on LITTLE ROCK.
30 Aug	*	-	Personnel Inspction and Awards Ceremony. Inspection is held by VADM Daniel J. Murphy COMSIXTHFLT.
05 Sep	*	-	Change of Command ceremony in Gaeta, Italy.
	*	-	VADM Frederick C. Turner relieves VADM Daniel J. Murphy Sr. as COMSIXTHFLT in ceremony on board USS Independence CV 62 at Gaeta Bay.
06 Sep	*	-	The Frank Zapper rock concert plays its first rock concert of the season in Rome at the Sports Arena. Tickets, including admission (reserved seats) and transportation is $8.35.
?? Sep	*	-	SecNav J.W. Middendorf pays a call on COMSIXTHFLT Commander VADM Frederick C. Turner on board LITTLE ROCK
08 Sep	*	0800	Catholic Mass in the Crew's Lounge
	*	0900	Protestant Divine Worship at the Community Center
	*	1100	Catholic Mass St. Paul's Church
	*	2000	Movie: "The Hustler"
09 Sep	*	0900	Commence Holiday Routine
	*	2030	Movie: "The Salzberg Connection"
13 Sep	*	-	SECNAV J. William Middendorf II tours LITTLE ROCK. He presents the "Order of the Golden Snipe" award to ships Engine Room crews.
	*	1200	Beach Party at Lido Ze Antonio's. Noon to 7:00 pm.
14 Sep	*	1200	Beach Party at Lido Ze Antonio's. Noon to 7:00 pm.
15 Sep	*	-	LITTLE ROCK's football team the "Tigers", defeats NavAirFac, Naples "Flyers" 15 - 8 in season opener.
18 Sep	*	-	Depart Gaeta for Palma, Majorca, Spain
19 Sep	*	-	Underway for Palma
20 Sep	*	0730	Station the Special Sea and Anchor Detail
	*	0745	All hands man the rail
	*	0815	Gun salutes
	*	0900	Moor at Palma, Majorca, Spain for five-day visit.
	*	-	"Spanish Fiesta" tour, the most popular tour offered by the Sixth Fleet Special Services will offer transportation to a typical Spanish Ranch, a serving of Sangria followed by dinner while musicians play and dancing by a dance group. Estimated cost is $7.00. The tour will also be offered 21, 23, and 24 Sep.
21 Sep	*	-	CNO James L. Holloway, III visits LITTLE ROCK.
	*	-	FTMSN Thomas E. Campbell is selected "Sailor of the Month" for September.
	*	-	BM1 John A. Woodruff is selected "Petty Officer of the Month" for September.
	*	-	Beach and Discotheque Party tour departs ship at 11:30 am. Cost est. $9.00.
22 Sep	*	-	Football: LITTLE ROCK Tigers vs. Agnano Stallions. Tigers 12 - Stallions 3.
	*	-	Bullfights in Palma tour (3 hours) departs ship late afternoon. Cost is $8.00.
23 - 24 Sep	*	-	At Palma
24 Sep	*	0800	The "Caves of Drach" and "African Reserve Safari" tour departs . Cost is $7.50.
	*	-	LITTLE ROCK bowlers are bested by 346 total pins in their match against Mallorcan team.
	*	-	LITTLE ROCK bowlers win by 474 total pins in their match against USS Detroit bowlers.
25 Sep	*	-	Embark 22 wives and children for a daytime trip to Barcelona, Spain
	*	-	Depart Palma
	*	-	Arrive Barcelona, Spain
	*	-	Reva Teague, wife of MM2 Martin Teague, (A Div), presents live weather and Special Services notes during WCLG afternoon news broadcast. A first for a Navy ship perhaps?
25 Sep - 30 Sep	*	-	At Barcelona, Spain
26 Sep	*	0900	"Morning Tour of Barcelona" departs. Tour will visit Catalonia Square, Vis Layetona, the Cathedral, the Gothic Quarter, Sagrada Familia, Montjuich Gardens and a typical Spanish village. Cost is $5.00.
	*	-	Wine Tour with lunch and transportation. Cost is $9.00 all inclusive.
	*	-	Meyers, John C., ETN2 is LITTLE ROCK's Duty ET.
27 Sep	*	-	"Morning tour of Barcelona" - $5.00.
	*	-	All-day Wine Tour with lunch and transportation. Cost is $9.00 all inclusive.
	*	-	"Shirley Temple" night at the Seabreeze Club. Free Shirley Temple cocktail for kids.
28 Sep	*	0800	Montserrat Tour. Cost is $9.00.
	*	1600	LITTLE ROCK bowling teams to compete with local Barcelona teams at Club Boliche.
	*		Varsity Soccer team plays.
	*	2130	Movie: "Casablanca"
29 Sep	*	0800	Montserrat Tour. Cost is $9.00.
	*	1300	Bullfights. Afternoon tour. $8.00.
30 Sep	*	-	Depart Barcelona, Spain for Toulon, France
01 - 03 Oct	*	-	At Toulon, France
01 Oct	*	-	Navy 5.52% pay raise goes into effect.
04 Oct	*	0920	Station the Special Sea and Anchor Detail.
	*	0945	All hands to quarters for leaving port.
	*	1000	Underway for Monaco
	*	1300	Station the Special Sea and Anchor Detail.
	*	1310	All hands man the rail
	*	1330	Gun salutes
	*	1400	Anchor at Monaco
05 Oct	*	-	At anchor Monaco
	*	0815	Muster the Inport Fire Party at Repair II
06 Oct	*	-	Alps Photographic Tour to Valberg. Cost is $11.00 which includes lunch.
	*	-	Football: LITTLE ROCK Tigers vs. NAP Capo Flyers. Tigers crush Capo 51 to 12. LITTLE ROCK tailback Marvin Harris romped 289 yards and scored 49 points!
07 Oct	*	0820	Station the Special Sea and Anchor Detail.
	*	0845	All hands to quarters for leaving port.
	*	0900	Underway for Gaeta, Italy
	*	1000	DCPO Meeting in the After Crew's Lounge
	*	1300	Flight Quarters 1300 - 1500
	*	-	All Navy Talent Contest on board USS Independence, Naples, Italy.
08 Oct	*	0745	Station the Special Sea and Anchor Detail.
	*	0830	All hands to quarters for leaving port.
	*	0900	Moor Gaeta, Italy
09 - 23 Oct	*	-	Gaeta, Italy
11 Oct	*	0800	Dress Ship. LITTLE ROCK begins observance of U.S. Navy's 199th birthday.
	*	1130	Division representatives muster on the fantail.
	*	1150	Begin traditional Navy Day ceremonies on fantail.
	*	-	Remarks by SR Barney Hall, Adm. Turner, Capt. Cullins and others.
	*	1300	Open house 1300 - 1600
	*	1400	Ship's soccer team will play an Italian Navy team at Fleet Landing.
	*	1800	Navy Birthday at the Sea Breeze Club. Uniform: Service Dress Blue. 1800 - 2400
	*	1900	Navy Birthday at the Gaeta Italian-American Officers Club. 1900 - 2300
	*	1930	"Cruising Squares" Square Dance Club meets at Joshua Barney School.
12 Oct	*	0900	Liberty Call for Sections 1, 2, 3, and 5. Holiday Routine in honor of Columbus Day.
13 Oct	*	0800	Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius Tour departs. Cost is $10, including lunch.
	*	0900	Liberty Call for Sections 1, 2, 3, and 4. Commence Holiday Routine.
	*	1100	Buses depart for Football Game and Bar-B-Cue at Carney Park
	*	-	U.S.S. LITTLE ROCK celebrates U.S. Navy's 199th birthday. Cake was cut by Senior Officer present VADM Turner and Senior Enlisted present MMCM Frank.
	*	-	LITTLE ROCK's football team plays the Air Force ''Black Falcons''. About 500 crew plus dependents attend - a dozen wives with pompons doing the cheerleading. LITTLE ROCK wins!
	*	-	Football: LITTLE ROCK Tigers lose to Army Falcons 18-2.
14 Oct	*	-	Holiday Routine in honor of Columbus Day.
15 Oct	*	-	Sea Breeze Club presents hit comedy "Ansel and Ann"
16 Oct	*	0730	Liberty expires for all personnel.
	*		Station the VERTREP Detail
	*	0800	Commence VERTREP from USS DENEBOLA
	*	-	Results of Sanitation Inspection of Berthing Compartments and Heads: Best Compartment: FM Division Worst Compartment: S-2 Division Best Head: Upper Flag Worst Head: Lower Flag
?? Oct	*	-	LCDR Milton H. Jones receives the Navy Achievement Medal.
	*	-	CSCS Bala receives the Navy Achievement Medal.
	*	-	SH1 Chambers reenlists for four years.
	*	-	SH1 Dysart reenlists for four years.
	*	-	HM2 Donald M. O'Malley is selected as LITTLE ROCK's Petty Officer of the Month.
	*	-	SN George Dionis is selected as LITTLE ROCK's Sailor of the Month.
	*	-	PNCS Porteous receives Sixth Fleet Letter of Commendation.
	*	-	GMG2 Nicholson is presented the Good Conduct Medal.
	*	-	EW2 Drollman is presented the Good Conduct Medal.
	*	-	MM2 Walton is presented the Good Conduct Medal.
	*	-	MARDET beats E Division in Flag Football 20-0.
17 Oct	*	0800	Designated personnel assemble on Mess Decks for E-3 Examination.
	*	0900	CO and XO meet with First Class Petty Officers in First Class Mess.
	*	1615	Liberty Call for Sections 1, 2, 3 and 5.
18-20 Oct	*	-	Weekend in Rome Tour. Transportation, hotel, and some meals: $14.00 / person.
18 Oct	*	1130	Football, 1st Division vs. 3rd Division
	*	1900	Basketball Championship
19 Oct	*	-	Football: LITTLE ROCK Tigers vs. Agnano Stallions. Tigers 28 - Stallions 6.
20 Oct	*	0815	Catholic Mass in the Crew's Lounge
	*	0900	Protestant Worship in the Crew's Lounge
	*	1100	Catholic Mass St. Paul's Church
	*	-	Protestant Worship in the Community Center
	*	-	Naples Little Theater presents "Under the Yum Yum Tree" at the Community Center.
21 - 25 Oct	*	1300	Parent-Teacher conferences will be held at Joshua Barney School each day 1pm to 4pm.
21 Oct	*	0800	Divisional Training Period (0800 - 0900)
	*	0900	DCPO meeting on the Mini Mess Decks
	*	1100	Football - Wardroom vs 2nd Division
	*	1615	Liberty Call for Sections 1, 2, 4 and 5.
	*	1800	Basketball team tryouts. Report to LT. Hewett in the gym.
	*	1930	"Cruising Squares" Square Dance Club meets at Joshua Barney School.
22 Oct	*	0800	Division Rap Session (0800 - 0900)
	*	0900	Briefing for all officers in the Wardroom on Missile Exercise. (0900 - 1000)
	*	1315	Station the Special Sea and Anchor Detail
	*	1400	Underway for operations.
	*	1500	General Quarters (1500 - 1530)
	*	1530	Rescue and Assistance Drill (1530 -1630)
	*	1830	Station the Refueling Detail
	*	1900	Refuel from USS DETROIT
23 Oct	*	0700	Personnel transfer by helicopter to Perdas de Fogo, Sardinia
	*	0800	General Quarters for Missile Firing
	*	0900	USS LITTLE ROCK fires a Z-30-GM Missile against an MQM-74A drone.
	*	1000	USS LITTLE ROCK fires a Z-35-GM Missile against an MQM-74A drone.
	*	1300	USS WILLIAM H. STANDLY fire Missile against an MQM-74A drone.
	*	1400	USS LITTLE ROCK fires a Z-32-GM Missile against an MQM-74A drone.
	*	???	Personnel transfer by helicopter from Perdas de Fogo, Sardinia
	*	1900	After Steering Drills (1900 - 2400)
	*	???	Fire in the Uptakes! Led by Ens. Musmanno, the ship's "Golden Fire Party" quickly extinguished a Class Alpha fire in the uptakes, just above the Forward Fireroom. Fire party also consisted of HT1 Elder, HT1 Turner, IC2 DeWesse and backup men from the fire party. Ens Musmanno sustained minor burns to his left hand, and HTFN Jones received a cut on his scalp from a hatch coaming.
24 Oct	*	-	At sea for Talos missile firings.
25 - 26 Oct	*	-	Gaeta, Italy
26 Oct	*	-	Underway with about 400 dependents and selected Italian guests on board for one day cruise.
	*	-	LITTLE ROCK conducts tours and demonstrations of general quarters with wives manning husband's stations. USS Tinosa (SSN 606) participated, along with an air show by the USS Saratoga (CVA 60) air group.
	*	-	Football: LITTLE ROCK Tigers vs. NAP Capo Flyers
27 Oct - 07 Nov	*	-	Gaeta, Italy
27 Oct	*	0815	Catholic Mass in the Crew's Lounge
	*	0900	Protestant Worship in the Crew's Lounge
	*	-	Commence Holiday Routine
	*	1400	LITTLE ROCK Skeet Team to shoot at Naples Rod and Gun Club
28 Oct	*	0001	Winter Uniform becomes effective.
	*	-	Veteran's Day. "Your Seabreeze Club" will open at 2:30 PM, with movies shortly thereafter.
	*	-	One day tour to Rome. Cost, including lunch, transportation and guides is $9.00
29 Oct	*	-	Military Leadership exam for PO3 / PO2
30 Oct	*	0930	Striker Selection Board scheduled to meet.
01 - 03 Nov	*	-	Underway
04 - 07 Nov	*	-	Malaga, Spain (?)
08 Nov	*	-	Underway for Tangier, Morocco
08 - 14 Nov	*	-	In port, Tangier, Morocco
	*	-	The "Saga of the Disappearing Peacoats". (See Capt. Cullins' Oral History Segment 10.)
15 Nov	*	-	Underway for Toulon, France.
16 - 19 Nov	*	-	In port, Toulon, France
21 Nov - ??	*	-	Gaeta, Italy
28 Nov	*	-	Thanksgiving Day "Turkey Bowl".
	*	-	USS LITTLE ROCK beats CVA 62 Independence's football team in the Gaeta soccer stadium.
02 Dec	*	-	Depart Gaeta
03 - 17 Dec	*	-	Operations. National Week XVII exercises.
?? Dec	*	-	Christmas raffle for two mountain bikes.
18 Dec	*	-	Gaeta, Italy
20 Dec	*	-	New six-lane bowling facility opens at the Joshua Barney School's recreation center. The opening was attended by VADM F.C. Turner who cut the ceremonial ribbon and rolled the first bowling ball. (He got a spare.)
24 Dec	* *	- -	LITTLE ROCK sailors attend Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter's Basillica in Rome. Pope Paul officiated. Christmas Eve "Batchelors' Party" attended by 280 LITTLE ROCK Sailors and Marines
25 Dec	*	-	Christmas in Gaeta.
26 - 31 Dec	*		Moored at Gaeta, Italy

1975

01 - 15 Jan

Gaeta, Italy

16 Jan

Depart Gaeta for Palermo, Sicily on Dependent's Cruise.

16 -19 Jan

*
*

-
-

At Palermo (port stop on Dependent's Cruise)
51 LITTLE ROCK sailors and Marines donate blood to local Villa Sofia Hospital.

20 Jan

*
*

-
-

Arrive Tunis, Tunisia (port stop on Dependent's Cruise)..
LITTLE ROCK fires 21 gun salute

20 - 24 Jan

At Tunis, Tunisia

A team of four officers and sixteen men traveled to Bizerte, the home port of Tunisian Naval Ship PRESIDENT BIURGUIBA, to do training and perform maintenance on the 31 year old ex-US Navy destroyer USS THOMAS J. GARY (DER 326).

25 - 27 Jan

Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy (port stop on Dependent's Cruise)

27 Jan - 02 Feb

At sea of Sardinia doing Talos missile firings. (Dependents remain in Cagliari.)

28 Jan

Missile shoot was canceled because of high winds and inclement weather.

29 Jan

LITTLE ROCK successfully fired three TALOS missiles.

31 Jan

MS3 Carlos Montoya is selected as "Petty Officer of the Month" for January 1975.

03 - 07 Feb

Livorno, Italy (port stop on Dependent's Cruise)

08 Feb - 17 Mar

In port at Gaeta, Italy

Feb 12

FTM3 John Adams reenlisted and received guaranteed orders to White Sands NM for four years.

Mid-Feb

SIXTH Fleet Band and Chorus tour central Germany. The nine-day tour visited Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, Heid

01 Mar

"Petty Officer of the Month" for February is SH1 Harold Chambers.

"Sailor of the Month" for February is MSSN Lee E. Bond.

05 Mar

LITTLE ROCK conducts a "Fast Cruise" with a 24-hour "at sea" routine while remaining in port

10 - 14 Mar

Ship undergoes her Annual Supply Inspection (ASI). Supply Departmet received three Excellents and one Good. Chief Inspector felt that LITTLE ROCK was the best of all 80 ships he had inspected, and probably the best in all 200 ships of the force.

13 Mar

OS2 David M. CRUZ reenlists for 5 years. Ceremony was held in the Captain's Cabin. CRUZ's Selective Reenlistment Bonus is $12,000.00

14 Mar

In port at Gaeta, Italy.

0800

Commence Field Day. Commence Pay Day

1830

History 221 (Univ. of Maryland) meeting at the Joshua Barney School. (1830 - 2030)

A 50 man working party will be needed today to load fresh provisions.

Volunteers who will be helping with the "Easter Egg Hunt" at the local orphanage should meet at Fleet Landing at 1300 for transportation to the orphanage.

COMSIXTHFLT Singers are looking for new members to fill vacancies, The Singers meet at the NSA Band Room on Tuesdays at 1900, and Thursdays at 1300 for the women and 1900 for the men. Contact is MUCS J. A. Reinhardt.

The ship's library is in need of a Librarian. Interested persons should contact the Ship's Secretary CWO2 KEA.

18 Mar

Playoffs are to be held in the Crew's Library at 1730 to determine who will go to Rota, Spain to compete in the Armed Forces Chess Tournament. Participants are as follows:

ROUHIER, R. - 3rd	VS	CANFIELD, C. - X
HESS - OI	VS	FRIO, A. - X
LARKIN, F.A.	VS	VERRTT - FTM3
THOMPSON, J.R.	VS	JORDAN - S2F

19 Mar

Depart Gaeta. Arrive Marseilles, France

20 - 24 Mar

Marseilles, France

26 Mar

At Gaeta, Italy

28 Mar

CDR Kent R. Siegel relieves CDR Roger O. Simon as XO

31 Mar

In port at Gaeta, Italy.

0800

Boatswains Mate School at NSA DET for designated personnel. (0800 - 1100)

0900

DCPO meeting on the Mess Decks

Missile Gunner is looking for personnel to work in the Missile House.

01 Apr

0800

Divisional Training Period. (0800 - 0900)

0930

Sailor of the Month Board meeting in the CPO Mess.

Commissary Store Naples closed (Tuesday only) for inventory

02 - 03 April

Two-day Motorcycle Safety Course to be held at NSA Det Gaeta. Graduates will be certified by the National Safety Council as having qualified for two wheeled vehicles. Contact PNCM Porteous.

04 Apr

0900

Conduct Messing nd Berthing Inspection (0900 - 1200)

21 Apr

Refueled from USS Neosho AO-143. (Photo)

23 Apr

Gunnery exercises at Salto di Quirra range, Sardinia. (Picture)

24 Apr

In port at Gaeta, Italy. (Picture)

?? Apr

At Ajaccio, Corsic (?)

02 May

Personnel Inspection and Awards Ceremony on Fleet Landing at Gaeta.

Harold Chambers SH1 receives "Sailor of the Year" Award

16-19 May

The musical "South Pacific" is presented by NSA Gaeta's Little Theatre group. The group is under the direction of Judi Vaughn, with MUCS John Reinhardt as Musical Arranger.

17 May

Capt. William R. Martin relieves Capt. Peter K. Cullins

?? May - 31 May

At Gaeta, Italy

01 Jun

Depart Gaeta

Underway replenishment and refueling.

02 - 04 Jun

Proceeding south via Straits of Messina to Mediterranean Sea.

Course and speed set to arrive Port Said the morning of 05 Jun.

05 Jun

0630

Set the Special Sea and Anchor Detail for entering port.

0700

Man the Rail

0830

Anchor, Port Said, Arab Republic of Egypt

0915

COMSIXTHFLT (VADM Fred Turner) departs for Suez Canal Reopening Ceremonies.

1045

COMSIXTHFLT returns to ship.

1100

Set the Special Sea and Anchor Detail

1130

Man the Rail

1145

Underway enroute Ismailia at Lake Timsah via Suez Canal.

U.S.S. LITTLE ROCK participates in reopening of Suez Canal.

USS LITTLE ROCK is in the first convoy, and is the only U.S. Navy vessel participating.

USS LITTLE ROCK 3rd in line for transit from Port Said to Ismalia and return, directly behind President Anwar Sadat's flagship and the ancient royal yacht of Egypt.

LITTLE ROCK transits canal from Port Said to the city of Ismailia at Lake Timsah.

1900

Anchored overnight in Lake Timsah.

06 Jun

Weigh anchor for trip back to Port Said to exit the canal.

07 - 09 Jun

Alexandria, Egypt

08 Jun

0700

Alexandria-to-Cairo Tour departed. Tour included a visit to the Egyptian Museum, Mosque of Sultan Hassan, Alabaster Mosque, Native Quarter and Native Bazaars. Lunch to be at the Pyramids. After lunch visit Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx and the Temple of Sphinx. Return to ship at 2030.

10 - 12 Jun

Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia

12 - 24 Jun

Underway. Participating in major NATO exercise "Dawn Patrol" with forces from Turkey, Great Britain, West Germany and Italy.

13 Jun

GMG3 Joseph "Pepe" Paglia re-enlists for four years and receives a $1359 re-enlistment bonus.

17 Jun

LITTLE ROCK crew celebrates ship's 30th birthday with a Ship's Store "SALE" and a Cake Cutting ceremony. Capt. Martin reads birthday greeting frm CNO James L. Holloway

17 - 29 Jun

NATO Exercise "Dawn Patrol"

24 Jun

Ship returns to Gaeta, Italy.

LITTLE ROCK Annual Technical Proficiency Inspection (NPTI) is conducted.

Notice is received that gasoline coupons with an expiration date of 30 June 1975 will be good until 31 December 1975.

29 Jun

Gaeta Community Center has a photo exhibition featuring photos by LITTLE ROCK photographers Harry Deffenbaugh and Joseph Greco.

CLG4 volunteers escort members of Grace Community Fellowship on a day trip to Monte Casino.

30 Jun

LITTLE ROCK's designation is changed from CLG 4 to CG 4.

? Jun

HM1 Jerry Harris is selected as LITTLE ROCK's "Petty Officer of the Month".

? Jun

SN Barry Prevost is selected as LITTLE ROCK's "Sailor of the Month".

01 Jul

Underway for French Riviera

02 - 06 Jul

Cannes, France

03 Jul

Riviera Tour

05 Jul

All day tour to Alps to visit Valberg, Switzerland offered by Special Services.

05 - 06 Jul

Two-day Alps Fishing tour offered by Special Services.

07 Jul

Underway for Genoa, Italy with wives and dependents on board

Concert performed by ship's band "Drift Factor".

"Woman's Lib" was in effect on the bridge giving ladies a chance to work various crew positions.

08 - 11 Jul

Genoa, Italy

12 Jul

Return to Gaeta, Italy

24 - 26 Jul

Tunis, Tunisia

??? Jul

LITTLE ROCK's Technical Assistance Team, headed by CWO David L. Smith, provides support to Tunisian Navy's destroyer PRESIDENT BOURGUIBA.

???

Casablanca, Morocco

10 - 14 Aug

LITTLE ROCK participates in "NATIONAL WEEK XVIII" anti-submarine warfare exercise off the eastern coast of Sicily. The exercise divided the SIXTH FLEET ships into two opposing forces in an attempt to win the advantage over each other. The exercises provided an opportunity to test the capabilities of two of the Navy's newest aircraft, the SA-3 and the F-14 "Tomcat".

15 (?) Aug

LITTLE ROCK replenishes weapons and ammunition from USS Santa Barbara AE 28.

30 Aug

At NATO fuel pier, Gaeta, Italy

In the evening USS LITTLE ROCK hosted Miss America with a fantail party. Seven lucky crewmen escort Miss Cothran and her party for the evening.

??? Sep

Rota, Spain (to off-load weapons prior to shipyard availability)

??? Sep - ??? Oct

At Naples, Italy (Commercial shipyard dry-docking for rudder repairs and other work)

07 Sep

Ship's football team "Fighting Tigers" plays U.S.S. Piedmont's "Bulldogs"

12 Sep

Ship's football team "Fighting Tigers" plays NAF, Naples

20 Sep

Ship's football team "Fighting Tigers" plays Army/Air Force

26 Sep

Ship's football team "Fighting Tigers" plays AFSOUTH

04 Oct

Ship's football team "Fighting Tigers" plays AGNANO

10 Oct

Ship's football team "Fighting Tigers" plays U.S.S. Piedmont's "Bulldogs"

13 Oct

U.S.S. LITTLE ROCK celebrates 200th birthday of the U.S. Navy while in Naples Italy.

16 Oct

At Naples, Italy

19 Oct

Ship's football team "Fighting Tigers" plays NAF, Naples

25 Oct

Ship's football team "Fighting Tigers" plays Army/Air Force

??? Oct

Transit Straits of Gibraltar - Westbound (need date)

??? Oct

Rota, Spain (re-load weapons)

??? Oct

Transit Straits of Gibraltar - Eastbound (need date)

02 Nov

Ship's football team "Fighting Tigers" plays AFSOUTH

08 Nov

Ship's football team "Fighting Tigers" plays AGNANO

17 - 20 Nov

Izmir, Turkey

Date uncertain

First U.S. military fiber optic telephone link is installed on the LITTLE ROCK. (See NOTE below)

??? - 31 Jan

Gaeta, Italy

1975 NOTES:
Various sources refer to the installation of a small fiber optic link telephone system aboard the LITTLE ROCK. It would seem from the data we've accumulated that the system (a) may have been installed as early as 1973, (b) that it may have been limited to 6 stations (phones), (c) that it was installed to verify the limited susceptibility to electro-magnetic interference from other equipment, or (d) it provided "secure" communications between the stations. There are also references to a Mr. Don Williams of the Naval Electronics Laboratory Center (NELC) in San Diego as the person heading up this project.

1976
01 - 15 Jan	*	-	At Gaeta, Italy as Flagship COMSIXTHFLT. Embarked at this time; VADM Frederick C. Turner, USN COMSIXTHFLT and Capt J.T. Parker Chief of Staff.
16 Jan	*	-	Depart Gaeta. Underway for Casablanca, Morocco
17 - 20 Jan	*	-	At sea - Western Mediterranean.
20 - 23 Jan	*	-	Casablanca, Morocco
23 - 27 Jan	*	-	Underway from Casablanca to Villefranche, France
27 - 30 Jan	*	-	Villefranche, France
30 - 31 Jan	*	-	At sea.
31 Jan - 01 Feb	*	-	At Gaeta, Italy
02 Feb	*	-	Underway from Gaeta to Naples, Italy
02 - 21 Feb	*	-	Naples, Italy (Tender availability period).
	*	-	Tender availability provided by USS Piedmont AD-17.
21 Feb - 01 Mar	*	-	LITTLE ROCK at Gaeta, Italy
01 - 03 Mar	*	-	Underway. Conducting operations enroute to Piraeus (Athens), Greece in Eastern Mediterranean.
03 - 06 Mar	*	-	Piraeus (Athens), Greece. First visit to Greece since 1974 Cyprus Crisis.
06 - 10 Mar	*	-	Steaming with USS Saratoga and other 6th Fleet Units. (Picture)
10 - 15 Mar	*	-	LITTLE ROCK participates in "National Week XX" held in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Twenty-six ships and over 17,000 men took participated in the exercise, a part of the U.S. Sixth Fleet's readiness training.
16 Mar - 03 Apr	*	-	At Gaeta, Italy
03 - 05 Apr	*	-	At sea conducting operations enroute to Toulon, France.
05 - 09 Apr	*	-	At Toulon, France
09 Apr	*	-	Depart Toulon conducting operations enroute to Gaeta, Italy.
10 Apr	*	-	Arrive Gaeta, Italy for 16 day upkeep period.
11 - 25 Apr	*	-	At Gaeta for upkeep period.
26 Apr	*	-	Depart Gaeta to participate in Italian Air Defense "Dixie Jargon/X-Tell" Exercises.
27 Apr	*	-	Arrive Gaeta, Italy.
28 - 29 Apr	*	-	At Gaeta
30 Apr -01 May	*	-	In transit enroute "DAWN PATROL 1976".
	*	-	LITTLE ROCK experiences engineering casualty (a ruptured lube oil cooler on #1 main engine) while in the Tyrrhenian Sea. (Letters of Commendation awarded to three crewmen for repairs made.)
02 - 07 May	*	-	LITTLE ROCK at Naples, Italy for repairs
07 - 13 May	*	-	Underway for NATO exercise "DAWN PATROL 1976" at Capo Teulada, Sardinia. Exercise included Anti-Air Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare and Anti-Surface Radar Training with an opposed transit that culminated in an amphibious assault.
13 May	*	-	Return to Gaeta, Italy.
14 May - 04 Jun	*	-	At Gaeta
26 May	*	-	Personnel Inspection held on Fleet Landing.
05 Jun	*	-	Depart Gaeta for Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia. Twelve dependent boys aboard for cruise.
06 - 07 Jun	*	-	Enroute Dubrovnik.
08 - 12 Jun	*	-	Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia
?? Jun	*	-	LITTLE ROCK receives Commander Sixth Fleet "Shipshape and Sharp in 76" award, for the best maintained ship in Sixth Fleet during Bicentennial Year.
13 Jun	*	-	Depart on family/guest cruise from Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia for Bari, Italy.
	*	-	More than 120 family members and guests embarked.
13 - 16 Jun	*	-	At Bari, Italy.
17 Jun	*	-	LITTLE ROCK begins preparations prior to "Operation Fluid Drive" in the Eastern Mediterranean, a non-combatant evacuation operation led by the United States to evacuate American citizens and other foreign nationals from Beirut, Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War.
	*	-	LITTLE ROCK is ordered to Lebanon to assist in evacuating US citizens from Beruit.
20 Jun	*	-	USS LITTLE ROCK and other 6th Fleet units off shore, U.S.S. Spiegel Grove (LSD-32) evacuates 279 persons from Lebanon, and transports them to Athens, Greece. (See LITTLE ROCK website data.)
25 - 26 Jun	*	-	Catania, Sicily, Italy.
27 Jun	*	-	Arrive Gaeta, Italy.
28 - 29 Jun	*	-	At Gaeta.
30 Jun	*	-	Depart Gaeta for Cannes, France.
01 Jul	*	-	Arrive in Cannes for celebrations honoring the Bicentennial of America's Independence.
02 Jul	*	-	LITTLE ROCK conducts its third "Dancing Under the Stars" event which was attended by 68 local young ladies. The event lasted four hours.
03 Jul	*	-	LITTLE ROCK's 45 man marching unit participates in a ceremony at Bar-Sur-Loupe, along with a French naval unit, COMSIXTHFLT band and various French dignitaries. Later that day this same group participated along with LITTLE ROCK's Marine Corps marching unit in a parade in Grasse, France.
04 Jul	*	-	Celebrated America's bicentennial in Cannes, France with LITTLE ROCK's Navy and Marine Corps marching units as well as SIXTH FLEET Band, USS Saratoga, and French units participating in a one and one-half hour long Grand Parade through downtown Nice. Miss Mireille Mathieu, the noted French singer performed a series of numbers on the LITTLE ROCK. She was presented a LITTLE ROCK plaque by XO Kent R. Siegel. Later a Bicentennial Dinner was held at the Casino de Palm Beach in Cannes, followed by a midnight fireworks show.
06 Jul	*	-	Depart Cannes, France.
07 Jul	*	-	Arrive Gaeta, Italy.
08 - 12 Jul	*	-	At Gaeta.
13 - 14 Jul	*	-	Underway for "Missilex" missile firing exercise near Crete.
15 - 16 Jul	*	-	LITTLE ROCK fires two Talos missiles. One Talos firing was evaluated a success and one a failure. Exercise was conducted at NAMFI Range, Souda Bay, Crete.
17 - 18 Jul	*	- -	Conducting exercises while underway in Eastern Mediterranean bound for Gaeta, Italy. Arrive, Gaeta, Italy
19 - 20 Jul	*	-	At Gaeta.
21 Jul	*	-	Depart Gaeta to assist in a second evacuation of personnel from Lebanon.
22 - 24 Jul	*	-	LITTLE ROCK participates in operation "Fluid Drive" in Eastern Mediterranean enroute Gaeta, Italy.
	*	-	The USS CORONADO LPD 11 evacuates about 300 people, including approximately 150 Americans. Evacuees were taken to Piraeus, Greece. (See additional USS LITTLE ROCK website data.)
	*	-	During firing exercises LITTLE ROCK expends 234 rounds of 5"/38 and 177 rounds of 6"/47 ammo.
30 Jul	*	-	Arrive Gaeta, Italy.
31 Jul - 19 Aug	*	-	At Gaeta.
05 Aug	*	-	On board USS AMERICA CV 66, VADM Harry DePue Train II relieves VADM Frederick C. Turner as COMSIXTHFLT. (More)
20 Aug	*	-	LITTLE ROCK enroute to Augusta Bay, Sicily.
	*	-	Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) announces that LITTLE ROCK is to be decommissioned in the Fall.
21 - 22 Aug	*	-	LITTLE ROCK at Augusta Bay.
23 - 27 Aug	*	-	At sea conducting operations in Western Mediterranean ("National Week XXI")
28 Aug	*	-	Official message from CNO to CINCLANTFLT Norfolk VA dated R282104Z AUG 76 confirms that USS LITTLE ROCK CG4 will be decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 22 Nov 1976. Decommissioning site to be Philadelphia, PA.
28 Aug - 06 Sep	*	-	At Gaeta, Italy.
28 Aug	*	-	While in the Mediterranean the Russian submarine K-22 (Echo II class) collides with USS Voge DE-1047 (Click to see VADM Train's comments.)
07 Sep	*	-	In Gaeta, U.S.S. LITTLE ROCK is relieved as Flagship ComSixthFlt by U.S.S. Albany CG-10.
	*	-	Approximately 25% of LITTLE ROCK crew transfers ("cross-decks") to Albany.
09 Sep	*	-	Final departure from Gaeta.
10 - 12 Sep	*	-	Enroute to Lisbon, Portugal
11 (?) Sep	*	-	Transit Straits of Gibraltar enroute Lisbon, Portugal
13 - 15 Sep	*	-	At Lisbon, Portugal
16 Sep	*	0800 (abt)	LITTLE ROCK departs Lisbon for the Azores (via Ponta Delgada for fuel)
16 - 17 Sep	*	-	At sea
18 Sep	*	-	At Ponta Delgada, Sao St. Miguel in Azores for about 8 hours to take on fuel.
	*	-	LTJG Marco Sanguinetti given permission to go ashore for about four hours to visit his wife's family.
	*	-	Depart Ponta Delgada.
19 - 24 Sep	*	-	At sea enroute to Yorktown, VA.
19 Sep	*	0900	Latter Day Saints Service in the Chaplain's Office.
	*	1000	Protestant Divine Services in the crew's library.
	*	1100	Catholic Lay Services in the crew's library.
	*	1900	Retard all ship's clocks one hour to conform with OSCAR (+2) time zone.
	*	1930	Casino Nighton the Mess Decks. (1930-2230)
22 Sep	*	0815	General Quarters. Conduct Accident/Incident Drill (Z-55-D). Conducted 5" and 6" gunnery exercises. Twenty rounds were fired, marking the last rounds to be fired from LITTLE ROCK before decommissioning.
	*	0930	Secure from General Quarters.
	*	1330	Weapons off-load safety briefing on the Mess Decks for all designated personnel.
	*	2100	Movie "Timberjack"
23 Sep	*	0830	Weapons off-load safety briefing on the Mess Decks for all designated personnel.
	*	1900	Retard all ship's clocks one hour to conform with time zone +4 (QUEBEC).
24 Sep	*	-	S-2 Division provides a special day to celebrate LITTLE ROCK's upcoming arrival in CONUS (on 25 Sep). Lunch and Dinner meals are combined. Meal is served from 1130-1630.
	*	1930	Cake cutting ceremony on the Mess Deck.
25 Sep	*	AM	Arrive at Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown, VA to off-load missiles and ammunition. This is LITTLE ROCK's first US port visit in three years.
25 - 29 Sep	*	-	At Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown, VA to offload weapons.
30 Sep	*	-	Enroute Yorktown to Philadelphia NSY, Philadelphia, PA.
01 Oct	*	- -	Arrive Philadelphia NSY for decommissioning. Met by family, friends, a local high school marching band and the Navy Junior ROTC drill team. Shifted to shore power, and shut-down boilers for the last time.
02 - 19 Oct	*	-	At Philadelphia NSY preparing for decommissioning.
10 Oct	*	-	Ship's Store closes for good.
13 Oct	*	- -	LITTLE ROCK crew celebrate U.S. Navy's 201st birthday with a cake cutting by Captain William Martin, Commanding Officer. LITTLE ROCK celebrates Navy's birthday with a special dinner.
14 Oct	*	-	Ship's party held at Sunset Beach Ballroom, Almonesson, NJ.
20 Oct	*	-	Capt. William R. Martin is relieved as CO USS LITTLE ROCK by "Last Skipper" Cdr. Kent R. Siegel . Captain Martin departs for duty in Washington, DC.
21 Oct - 22 Nov	*	-	At Philadelphia NSY preparing for decommissioning.
05 Nov.	*	-	Ship's Laundry ceases operations.
18 Nov.	*	-	Ship's Barber Shops closes for good.
22 Nov	*	-	USS LITTLE ROCK is decommissioned at Philadelphia NSY and is stricken from the Naval Register.
	NOTES: For calendar year 1976, LITTLE ROCK "consumed" the following: * 234 rounds of 5"/38 ammunition * 177 rounds of 6"/47 ammunition * 2 Talos missiles * $540,000 worth of food * 5,382,248 gallons of fuel

1977
01 Jan	*	-	USS LITTLE ROCK profiled in "All Hands" Magazine.
	*	-	The January 1977 All Hands Magazine article included the following Editor"s Note: "Since this story was written, stripping of the LITTLE ROCK has ceased pending her possible disposal as a naval memorial at a location still to be determined."
03 Feb	*	-	John J. Bennett, Ass't Secretary of the Navy, writes Vice President Walter Mondale informing him the Navy had no further use for USS The Sullivans and USS LITTLE ROCK and agreed to give them to Buffalo. Vice President Mondale subsequently notifies the House and Senate Armed Services committees of the Navy's plans.
01 Jun	*	-	LITTLE ROCK is officially transferred to the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Servicemen's Park in Buffalo, N.Y. (Click HERE to read an article on how the LITTLE ROCK came to be in Buffalo, NY.)
21 Jun	*	-	Louis J. Clabeaux Jr. (for the City of Buffalo, NY) and CDR R.C. Clark (for the US Navy) at 1330 hours sign the "CERTIFICATE OF DELIVERY AND ACCEPTANCE" document which "delivered and transferred possession of the obsolete cruiser ex-LITTLE ROCK (ex-CG-4) complete and with installed machinery and contents (as is and where is) to the City of Buffalo, New York, at the berthing site ay Philadelphia, Pennsylvania."
25 Jun	*	-	An UNCLASSIFIED Navy Message sent on this date read in part: 11. LITTLE ROCK AND THE SULLIVANS DONATED TO BUFFALO. THE GUIDED MISSILE CRUISER LITTLE ROCK AND THE DESTROYER THE SULLIVANS LAST WEEK WERE TRANSFERRED FROM THE NAVY'S INACTIVE FLEET TO THE CITY OF BUFFALO, NY, WHERE THEY WILL SERVE AS PERMANENT MEMORIALS. BOTH SHIPS ARE BEING TOWED TO BUFFALO FROM PHILADELPHIA VIA THE ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY AND ARE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE THEIR NEW "HOMEPORT" ABOUT 24 JULY. TO DATE, 22 SHIP MEMORIALS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES INCLUDING THE BATTLESHIPS TEXAS, ALABAMA (etc. etc.)
29 Jun	*	-	Two sea-going tugs and 15 volunteer crewmen began a 2,180 nautical mile journey of towing the 376 foot, 2,050 ton The Sullivans and the 610 foot, 10,700 ton LITTLE ROCK from Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, up the Atlantic coast, through the St. Lawrence Seaway and through the Welland Canal to Buffalo, NY.
07 Jul (?)	*	-	LITTLE ROCK with tugs SHEILA MORAN and JUDY MORAN reach Montreal, Quebec.
14 Jul	*	-	LITTLE ROCK and accompanying towing vessels are inspected at Wharf 2, Port WeIIer Harbour, Ontario, Canada and are found suitable for the forthcoming transit though the Welland Canal.
15 Jul	*	0054	LITTLE ROCK and tugs SHEILA MORAN, JUDY MORAN, OKLAHOMA and SOUTH CAROLINA were found in compliance with St. Lawrence Seaway regulations and are cleared for transit of the Welland Canal.
	*	2125	LITTLE ROCK enters the Buffalo Harbor Channel.
	*	2300	LITTLE ROCK is moored stern-to-stern with THE SULLIVANS. (Read the story.)
17 Jul	*	-	"The Celebration of the Establishment of the Buffalo Naval and Servicemen's Park"
	*	1400	With the USS LITTLE ROCK and USS The Sullivans in the background, Buffalo's civic leaders, numerous Navy officials, and a crowd of 3,000 gathered at 2:00 p.m. to dedicate the city's new Naval and Servicemen 's Park. The principal Navy speaker was Rear Admiral Gordon R. Nagler, USN, Deputy Director, Command and Control and Communications (C3) Programs, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OP-094B) and former LITTLE ROCK Commanding Officer 1971-1972. Also speaking for the Navy was Mr. Stephen C. Yednock, Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, whose office issues the contracts for ship transfers.
18 Jul - 31 Dec	*		LITTLE ROCK undergoing preparations for opening as a military museum.

1978
01 Jan - 31 Dec	*	-	LITTLE ROCK undergoing preparations for opening as a military museum.

1979
01 Jan - 29 Jun	*	-	LITTLE ROCK undergoing preparations for opening as a military museum.
30 Jun 79	*	-	LITTLE ROCK is opened to the public as a military museum in Buffalo, NY.

"Thank You" to Bill Peterson, MSSN S-5 Div. 73-75 for his very significant contribution of
Plans of the Day, "Tiger Rags, and Familygrams from the 1974-1975 era.

Thank you also to all of the other too-numerous-to-mention contributors to this page.
Without your collective help this chronology would be hopelessly incomplete!

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