21 May 2007 Senior Chief: Today is your birthday. I still remember the day of the accident. This has been a long 35 years. I still carry with me your memorial from the Wall. This world has changed in the 34 years and I am reminded each day of the sacrifice that the gunners made in June 1972. Your leadership as the Senior Chief in "G" Division was above and beyond the call of duty. You will always be in my memories and I fly my flag daily in memory of your sacrifice and service to our great country. Doc From a shipmate, Troy W. Dooley HMC USN (Ret) troygolf99@aol.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall In response to the North Vietnamese invasion of South Vietnam in the Spring of 1972 (the "Easter Invasion") President Nixon directed that the naval forces operating off-shore be reinforced. A considerable proportion of the reinforcements consisted of "gun line" ships - destroyers and cruisers suitable for providing naval gunfire support to troops ashore. USS BENJAMIN STODDERT (DDG-22) was one of the gun line ships, and she conducted numerous fire support missions without incident. However, on 26 June 1972 she suffered an explosion in a 5" turret, killing two crewmen outright and wounding a number of others. Two of the wounded later died of their injuries. The four men were Lieutenant Commander Michael J. Martin, Kew Gardens, NY (KIA) Senior Chief Gunner's Mate Gordon R. Uhler, Toledo, OH (DoW 06/28/1972) Gunner's Mate 1st Class Robert T. Mills, Clearlake Highlands, CA (KIA) Seaman David N. Larson, Wausa, NE (DoW 08/08/1972)

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