USS The Sullivans (DDG-68)

USS The Sullivans Crew Earns ''Battle E''

From USS The Sullivans

Look around Mayport and you will be hard pressed to find many young sailors wearing a Battle ''E'' ribbon on their chest as proudly as Sailors onboard USS The Sullivans (DDG-68). These young Sailors completed a highly successful 2002 deployment and their hard work certainly paid-off.

On June 4, Rear Adm. Donald Bullard, Commander Carrier Group Six, came on board USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) to officially present the Battle 'E' plaque to the crew. Due to uncooperative weather, the ceremony was held on the messdecks, packed with proud sailors who had completed the 2002 deployment. Commodore Paul Rosbolt, Destroyer Squadron 24 was on hand to introduce the admiral and watch his Battle ''E'' ship receive the coveted award.

USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) surpassed their squadron mates by completing an extensive and successful deployment operating in the both Sixth and Fifth fleets. USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) quickly proved their name and reputation as a can-do ship. As a fifth fleet asset, USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) blazed into the Northern Arabian Gulf ready to relieve USS Lake Champlain (CG-57) and assume the duties as the guard ship for all detained vessels in the Arabian Gulf.

This modern day Navy Warship multitasked to full potential, completing various missions simultaneously. USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) was called in to maintain a vigilant, watchful eye, supporting and enforcing the Iraqi no fly zone.

While on station, The Sullivans completed nearly 100 boardings in support of Maritime Intercept Operations, recovering 4,700 metric tons of illegal crude oil. Additionally, the ship's Electronic Warfare division reported over 300 signals of interest via Tactical ELINT Messages, earning the praise ''the best EW collection we have seen,'' from Fleet and National Consumers.

During World War II, USS The Sullivans (DD-537) was called upon to rescue 16 pilots and 310 sailors while deployed in the Pacific Theatre. USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) answered a similar call following the tradition as a rescue destroyer. While operating in the Northern Arabian Gulf, motor vessels Seawind and Atlas experienced major flooding.

Due to the diligent efforts of the ship's Rescue and Assistance team, both ships were saved without personnel casualties. In addition to Rescue and Assistance missions, USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) performed two short-notice towing evolutions. The ship's deck departments worked day and night to ensure both of these evolutions were safe and successful.

A surprise discovery of a small fishing vessel adrift in the Mediterranean Ocean led the ships' engineers to diagnose, fabricate and install all materials necessary to correct an engineering casualty. The Sullivans (DDG-68) was also called on to rescue one of our own. During take off, a U.S Navy F-14 Tomcat suffered a severe casualty and crashed in the ocean. USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) boat crews responded rapidly and professionally, rescuing one pilot and, recovering as much wreckage as could be salvaged.

The above examples are but a few of the many accomplishments, accolades and indications of the ship's sustained warfighting, engineering and combat readiness. The Battle ''E'' is awarded to recognize a crew that exhibits steadfast devotion to excellence in all aspects of shipboard life and surface warfare.