The USS Joseph K. Taussig was a ship with a rich history. It was named after Rear Admiral Joseph K. Taussig Jr., who was a highly decorated naval officer.
The USS Joseph K. Taussig was a destroyer escort that served in the United States Navy during the Cold War. It was commissioned in 1943 and served for over 20 years.
The ship played a significant role in several key naval operations, including the occupation of Japan after World War II.
Decades of Service
The USS Joseph K. Taussig had a busy 1960s. She traveled to the North Atlantic in September 1960 for NATO exercises.
In 1961, she participated in annual exercises in the Caribbean and joint American-Canadian exercises off Nova Scotia. She operated in a state of readiness along the Atlantic coast for the remainder of the year.
The ship's activities continued into 1962, with extensive ASW exercises commencing in mid-February. Intelligence reports revealed Russian missile installations in Cuba in October, leading to President Kennedy establishing a naval quarantine.
The USS Joseph K. Taussig was ordered off Jacksonville, Florida, in November to provide a second line of defense. She began preparations for a goodwill cruise to Africa after the easing of tensions.
The ship departed Newport in February 1963 for a goodwill cruise to Africa and the Mediterranean, visiting nine African and three Mediterranean ports. She returned to Newport in May for summer convoy escort exercises and Cuban patrol duty.
1950s
The 1950s was a pivotal decade for the Joseph K. Taussig, as she began her service with the Atlantic Fleet in Newport, Rhode Island on December 22, 1950s.
The destroyer escort's first major deployment was in the Mediterranean with the 6th Fleet, departing Newport on May 12, 1958.
During this tour, a crisis erupted in Lebanon, and the 6th Fleet was dispatched to the area to prevent a Communist takeover, with the Joseph K. Taussig at the scene.
The ship remained on patrol until the crisis subsided, returning to Newport on October 7, 1958.
She was then assigned to an antisubmarine warfare group and continued these operations until February 6, 1959.
The Joseph K. Taussig made a goodwill cruise to South America on February 6, 1959, showcasing her capabilities and building relationships with other nations.
Upon completion of an overhaul at Boston Naval Shipyard, she operated out of Newport prior to Caribbean exercises in January 1960.
She returned to Newport on February 14, 1960, and resumed operations along the Atlantic coast.
1960s
In the 1960s, Joseph K. Taussig was involved in various NATO exercises, including one in the North Atlantic on September 6.
The destroyer escort participated in annual exercises in the Caribbean in January and February 1961, as well as joint American-Canadian exercises off Nova Scotia in April.
Joseph K. Taussig operated in a state of readiness along the Atlantic coast for the remainder of 1961, and then commenced 6 months of extensive ASW exercises in mid-February 1962.
The easing of tensions in Cuba led to a naval quarantine, and Joseph K. Taussig was ordered off Jacksonville, Florida, in November to provide a second line of defense.
After the quarantine was lifted, Joseph K. Taussig prepared for a goodwill cruise to Africa, which she departed from Newport on February 15, 1963.
The destroyer escort visited nine African and three Mediterranean ports, and then returned to Newport on May 25 for summer convoy escort exercises and Cuban patrol duty.
Between January and May 1965, Joseph K. Taussig received a DASH installation at Boston Naval Shipyard, and then completed training in the Caribbean.
She participated in the massive amphibious exercise, Operation Steel Pike I, in October 1965, and then trained along the Atlantic Coast and in the Caribbean for the remainder of the year and throughout 1966.
Joseph K. Taussig served as a sonar school ship at Key West in 1966, and then began six months of duty as an E-4 training ship to train seamen as petty officers.
Service History
The USS Joseph K. Taussig had a significant service history. She was assigned to an antisubmarine warfare group.
One of her notable operations was a goodwill cruise to South America in 1959. This cruise marked a change of pace for the ship, departing from her usual antisubmarine warfare duties.
After the cruise, the Joseph K. Taussig underwent an overhaul at Boston Naval Shipyard. Following the overhaul, she operated out of Newport.
In January 1960, the ship participated in Caribbean exercises. She then returned to Newport on February 14th and resumed operations along the Atlantic coast.
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