USS Orleck- February 2022

Spring 2022

Introducing Our Centerpiece Exhibit: “The US Navy Cold War Experience”

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M E D I A . C O M

The USS Orleck is a ‘A Bold Ship for the Bold City!'

USS Orleck DD - 886

A Brief History of A Bold Ship

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ike her namesake, the ship has a very historic and bold story to tell. She was named for Lieutenant Orleck on January 11th, 1945. Thirteen days after the end of WWII, she was commissioned on 15 September, 1945. Her first ever deployment would come less than a year later in March of 1946.

USS Orleck in rough seas in the Her first combat action wouldn’t come until half a 1950’s. decade later. On 18 February, 1951 USS Orleck would depart for her first combat tour to Korea. There she would become the charter member of the “Train Buster’s Club” by blowing up railroad lines of enemy trains and trapping them, then destroying their supply cars. In total, the Orleck would earn four battle stars for her service during the Korean War. After Korea the Orleck would undergo a major change during a Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization program, commonly referred to as “FRAM”. This FRAM would upgrade the ship with new radars and sensors, an Anti-Submarine Rocket (ASROC) missile launcher, add a small aircraft hangar, remove a 5” gun, and add the Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter, known as DASH. The Orleck’s FRAM process began in August, 1962 and was completed in November, 1963. It wasn’t much longer until the Orleck would be called back to action.

USS Orleck engages the enemy with her two 5” guns

In March of 1964, the Orleck would see her first combat action in the Vietnam War. She would go on to be one of the most called upon ships during Vietnam and would complete 13 more tours to Vietnam. During this service in Vietnam, the Orleck would support US Army and US Marine ground forces with gunfire support from her two 5” guns. The Orleck would fire more than 11,000

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rounds earning herself the honor of the “Top Gun” with the nickname the “Gray Ghost of the Vietnam Coast.” In total, the Orleck would earn an astonishing 14 battle stars for her service during the Vietnam War. After her many tours of duty in combat, the Orleck would live out USS ORLECK underway near Point Loma, CA the rest of her US Navy service in in 1964. a more peaceful way in the Reserve Force as a training ship from 1973 to 1982. During this time she did become a television star by being used in the mini-series Winds of Wars starring Robert Mitchum. In 1982 the ship was transferred to the Turkish Navy and would serve as the TCG Yuctepe. With the Turkish Navy she would serve in yet another war, this time in Desert Storm in 1991.

In 1998 she was decommissioned from the Turkish Navy. Recognizing the long historic life of the ship, the Turkish Navy transferred the ship back to the United States to Orange, Texas in August of 2000 to serve as a museum ship. In May of 2010, the ship would move to Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Some other fun facts about the Orleck: she collided with a submarine in 1947 and not long after, patrolled the Enewetak Islands when the US was doing atomic testing there in 1948. As a museum ship she survived two major hurricane strikes: Rita, a category 3 hurricane in 2005 that hit Texas and Laura, a category 4 storm in 2020. Another fun fact – equipment and artifacts of the Orleck were used onboard the USS Kidd, another museumship, during the filming of the Tom Hanks movie, Greyhound. Once you’re onboard, you’ll be able to explore and see what artifacts were used for the movie!

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ORLECK’S JOURNEY

From Lake Charles to Jacksonville

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n December of 2018, JHNSA announced the news that the Navy would not donate USS Charles F. Adams (DDG 2) as a museum ship and instead designated her to be scrapped.

This news made its way around the country and through naval museum circles. Not long after, the JHNSA received a phone call that went something like this: “We have a museum ship without a pier, and you have a pier without a museum ship. Do you want to talk?”

Immediately, members of the JHNSA made trips to see the Orleck. She appeared to be a diamond in the rough that would require Museum Ship Orleck on display in Lake Charles, LA much polishing. In the Spring of 2019, the JHNSA took the step of exploring the viability of bringing the Orleck to Jacksonville to serve as a naval museum. During the next year there would be more visits to the ship with contracted marine surveyors for ultrasound readings of the hull.

Meanwhile, the JHNSA conducted focus groups on the branding of the operating name of the association. The new operating name would become the Jacksonville Naval Museum.

Instead of being locked into a single ship name for the museum, the name opens the possibility to highlight more naval history for our entire area. It also boldly places the bold city’s name at the head of the museum to place the importance of the community’s involvement with the museum.

With positive news and data from the marine surveys and ultrasound readings of the hull, the JHNSA voted to upgrade the exploratory status to an intent to take ownership status of the Orleck. However, it became clear that a major factor to ensure the ship would be viable to serve at least 10 more years as a museum ship would be to put her up in drydock for a thorough inspection of her hull. The last known drydocking of the Orleck took place

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prior to the Turkish Navy towing her back to the United States, some 20 years earlier.

In March of 2020, work began to ready the ship for tow to drydock. The Orleck Naval Museum shut down their operations and prepared for the drydocking. At the same time, the COVID pandemic reached its peak Orleck in a Texas drydock in December 2021. and the country shutdown.

The decision was made to pause the ship’s movement and wait out the pandemic. This created many unknowns, added stress on our board members, and added costs to this endeavor. During this span, the JHNSA would cover $110,000 in general bills, insurance costs, and light repairs for the Orleck.

Orleck gets a hull makeover in a Texas drydock on her way to Jacksonville.

All the while the pandemic disrupted normal everyday life, the process to receive approval by the Jacksonville Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB) and process approval legislation through Jacksonville City Council also dramatically slowed. Meetings had to take place via phone conference or video teleconference. At times this created challenges to communication and understanding as people tried to come together on the project. It wasn’t until November of 2020 that the JHNSA would receive their

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Continued from page 5. second and final approval to complete engineering work to “Pier 1” in the old shipyards and place a small, modular building that would house the ticket office, gift shop, and bathrooms for the future museum.

Once the DDRB process was completed the JHNSA was able to move forward with creating approval legislation with the help of the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA). Many in-person and virtual meetings took place to complete the legislation process in early 2021. This created its own challenges followed by a deferral action from a City Council member that caused a significant additional delay in processing the legislation needed to proceed. This didn’t deter the JHNSA, who have diligently worked for nearly 15 years now to create a naval museum.

Three straight committee approvals later, the legislation was ready for and received City Council final approval on August 10th, 2021. The JHNSA development agreement with DIA dictated there was to be a complete hull inspection. A drydocking was the way to complete this requirement. Now one of the most difficult processes would need to take place: organizing the tow from Lake Charles, Louisiana to the nearest accessible drydock – which in this case would be Port Arthur, Texas. This step would again require preparing the ship for tow, inspections by the United States Coast Guard, and the scheduling of tug boats and the drydock.

The drydock, at Gulf Copper and Manufacturing Corporation, had an opening in December of 2021. On December 15th, the Orleck returned to the state that built her some 77 years ago for drydocking. Step one was to inspect the hull and obtain a certification of soundness. Once achieved, viable repair work, preservation and painting would be done to make the ship look beautiful and ready for museum duty to the cost of approximately $1.8 million. The costs rose from the 2019 estimate of $1.3 million due to damage from Hurricane Laura plus the dramatic labor and material cost increases.

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Lieutenant Joseph Orleck

“Namesake Had History Of Heroics” Joseph Orleck was born in Columbus, Ohio on 22 June, 1906.

The son of Russian immigrants, he would enlist in the U.S. Navy on 23 June, 1924. A Boatswain’s Mate, he would be appointed to Ensign on 23 July, 1942.

On 31 December, 1942 Ensign Orleck rescued 20 people from the SS Lancaster, that ran aground off the coast of Casablanca. In rough seas and bad weather, he took charge of a motor whaleboat to perform the rescue. During the second trip, his boat capsized but he swam to another motor boat and directed the completion of the rescue operation. For this extremely heroic and courageous action, Ensign Orleck was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal from the President of the United States.

On 28 May, 1943 with the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTjg), Orleck would take command of a fleet tug, the USS Nauset, AT-89. At a length of 205 feet and 1,200 long tons, their wartime crew complement was 113.

On 7 September, the Nauset departed the Tunisian coast for Salerno, Italy where she endured repeated attacks from German aircraft once entering Salerno Bay. Because of an attack on 9 September, a fire would envelop the entire boat deck, motor, and generator rooms. Power to the ship would be lost, forcing the crew to abandon ship. Later the fleet tugs Intent and Narragansett would join the effort to save the Nauset. Orleck, his First Lieutenant, and his Chief Boatswain would reboard the Nauset to secure tow lines to her. It was then that the ship was dealt a massive explosion, probably from a mine, splitting the ship in two. This resulted in the Nauset sinking along with her captain, Joseph Orleck and the First Lieutenant.

Because of Orleck’s gallant actions to save his crew and his ship, he was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, the second highest honor in the Naval Service.

The Navy Cross

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Take A Virtual Tour!

An artist’s rendering of the Orleck Museum Ship on display in Downtown Jacksonville. Artist: Chris Flagg, FASLA

TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF USS ORLECK! See the Orleck Ship Museum from bow to stern, above and below decks.

Scan the QRC and get your virtual tour underway!

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Much More Than A Museum Ship

The Jacksonville Naval Museum and future programming has vast potential that is only limited by the imagination! Some of the planned programming includes the following:

Museum Operations

• Self-guided Tours • Public and Private Tours • History and STEM Education • STEM Education • Field Trips • Short Wave & HAM Radio Events • Rotating Exhibits • Historic Remembrance Ceremonies

Youth Group Visits • Boy Scouts • Girl Scouts • JROTC • Sea Cadets • Overnight Stays • Boys & Girls Club

Veteran and Military Functions

• Military Reunions • Command Functions • Retirement Ceremonies • Promotions and Re-enlistments • Veteran Group Meetings • Heritage Legacy Academies

Special Events

• Haunted Ship (Halloween) • Laser Tag • Rent-a-ship • Team Building Events • Membership Parties • Holiday Parties

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HISTORY - ABOUT JHNSA

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he Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association (JHNSA) is an IRS 501.c.3 approved non-profit that owns the Jacksonville Naval Museum. The JHNSA was first established to create the USS Charles F. Adams Naval Ship Museum. In 2019, the Navy decided not to donate the Adams.

Shortly thereafter, the JHNSA and the USS Orleck Naval Museum initiated conversations regarding the possibility of relocating the Orleck to Jacksonville. Since January of 2020, JHNSA members have visited the Orleck multiple times and has spent nearly $1 million toward establishing her as Jacksonville’s naval museum ship. It is projected that it will cost approximately $2.8 million to bring the Orleck Museum Ship to Jacksonville as the centerpiece exhibit of the Jacksonville Naval Museum.

During this time JHNSA’s mission and vision evolved to improve the stability and sustainability of museum operations in northeast Florida. The museum operating name was rebranded to “Jacksonville Naval Museum” with the future goal of representing the whole of Jacksonville’s Navy history. To that end, the establishment of an Adams Memorial, acquiring and displaying the sail of the deactivated USS Jacksonville submarine, and obtaining naval aircraft for displays are considerations that can result in a well-rounded naval historical museum. The diversification of attractions would result in increasing the STEM + History education opportunities and a broader visitor draw with greater economic impact for Downtown Jacksonville.

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The USS Orleck is a

‘A Bold Ship for the Bold City!'

Greetings, On behalf of the Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association, we are proud to deliver the USS Orleck to Downtown Jacksonville.

When we started this journey over a decade ago, one of JHNSA’s goals was to assist Downtown Jacksonville in reaching its fullest potential. The USS Orleck is but one of the multiple steps Downtown Jacksonville must take in order to reach that potential, but the USS Orleck is a big one.

Captain Bean is a 25 year Naval Veteran and is the co-founder of Abel Bean Law.

While the USS Orleck will symbolize many different things to our fellow citizens, to us, it will be a very large reminder that Jacksonville is a Navy town. For over twenty years now, the vast majority of Jacksonville citizens have been prevented from viewing Navy warships as security has made access to our military bases virtually impossible to the average citizen. With the USS Orleck resting on the banks of the St. Johns River, there will be a visual reminder of our nation’s strength and one of our city’s most powerful economic engines – the military.

The USS Orleck will also be a tribute to our Vietnam Veterans. The USS Orleck fired more rounds in Vietnam than any other warship. It is known as the “Grey Ghost” and carries with her the pride of thousands of individuals that served aboard her from her commissioning in the 1940s to her retirement from the active fleet in the 1980s.

The economic impact of the USS Orleck to our city cannot be overstated. Tourists, reunions, overnight guests and other events onboard the USS ORLECK will continue to propel Downtown’s improvement. The USS Orleck will also be a wonderful recruiting tool for future generations of our armed forces.

We hope that you will embrace theUSS Orleck and help her assist Downtown Jacksonville in reaching its fullest potential.

Sincerely,

Daniel K. Bean,

Captain, U.S. Navy (Retired) President, Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association

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JHNSA Mission & Vision Mission Statement

The mission of Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association (JHNSA) is to acquire the funds necessary to provide an interactive warship museum of naval military history and military heritage for visitors worldwide, to educate in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Math plus History (STEM+H) and to inspire future generations of heroes and patriots.

Vision Statement

The Vision of the JHNSA, through the Jacksonville Naval Museum (JNM), is to operate a world class collection of naval artifacts that represents the rich naval heritage of the United States, the city of Jacksonville, and surrounding areas. The JNM could include, but not limited to, aircraft, ships, submarines, and a building to contain naval and maritime artifacts, exhibits, and other historic documents.

With our Mission and Vision in mind, our three key ethos are: Honor, Inspire, and Service.

Honor

Honor Past Generations. We will never forget what those from our past have done and will strive to the best of our ability to honor them through ceremonies, visuals, and related historical exhibits.

Inspire

Inspire Future Generations. We will provide educational benefit to younger generations to include, but not limited to the following subject areas: Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and History. Through this teaching we will inspire patriotism by reflecting on the heroics of past generations.

Serve

Serve the Community. We will be ambassadors of our community supporting the city to make it a better place to live for all people and give back however and whenever we can. Additionally, the naval museum will serve as a location for Veterans and our community to gather and connect.

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Volunteers:

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ill you loan some of your valuable time and talent and help make this museum GIFT TO JACKSONVILLE a reality?

Why volunteer?

• Obtain required community service hours in a fun, non-strenuous environment.

• Network with business and community action-minded people.

• Make a positive difference in our community.

For over a decade, our dedicated group of volunteers helped us overcome every challenge to get us where we are today. Now more than ever WE NEED YOU, your TIME and TALENT as we prepare the USS ORLECK to be the centerpiece of the Jacksonville Naval Museum.

Volunteer Positions Include: • Tour Guides (docents) • Ticketing, Greeters, Museum Open and Close Members • Gift shop Crew • Maintenance Support Team (MST) • Social Media / Web Content Management • Newsletter Manager(s) • Fundraising and Membership Fulfillment • Volunteers to assist with administrative work, minor data entry.

Volunteer as much or as little as you want.

To learn more about volunteering, scan the QRC or visit JaxNavalMuseum.Org/About-The-Jacksonville-Naval-MuseumVolunteer/

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Help Us Celebrate Northeast Florida's Military and Naval Heritage MUSEUM DONATIONS, SUPPORT AND MEMBERSHIPS

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e need your financial support. With your donation you will help us:

• Celebrate Northeast Florida’s military, maritime and naval heritage, • Provide a hands-on, interactive, STEM based vocational experience for students and youth, • Establish a world class visitor destination in Downtown Jacksonville, and • Contribute to the economic development of Downtown Jacksonville.

To donate and support the Jacksonville Naval Museum, SCAN the Donate QRC or visit JaxNavalMuseum.org/Donate/.

Thank you, in advance of your donation. We also have exciting and unique corporate sponsorship opportunities. For corporate sponsorship inquiries please email: vp@jaxnavalmuseum.org

JOIN THE CREW: MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS PERKS!

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acksonville Naval Museum Memberships include year round entrance, private tours, and special events for the

more advanced levels.

To learn more SCAN the Membership QRC or visit JaxNavalMuseum.Org/Memberships/

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Thank You

Corporate Partners, Donors, Community Leaders, and Supporters

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e could never have accomplished the completion of this significant milestone of this worthy project without the help of thousands! Thanks to the many who have donated funds or services, volunteered thousands of hours of cerebral and sweat equity and worked toward creating a naval museum in Jacksonville.

We offer our sincere appreciation to the Jacksonville City Council, City of Jacksonville and the Downtown Investment Authority members and staff for their advocacy, support and advice.

Please join us in saluting our sustaining donors and funding champions. Their generous financial support through grants and personal contributions made it possible to acquire the USS Orleck and fund the many endeavors of establishing Florida’s first naval warship museum.

$1 MILLION

Florida Division of Historical Resources

$100,000+

The Bean Family The Stockton Family Donor Fund

John and Carol O’Neil William J. Hicklin Jr. Family (William and Barbara Harrell)

Official credit union of the Jacksonville Naval Museum.

Thank you for your superb website support.

Thanks for overall support and for this program.

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The USS Orleck is a ‘A Bold Ship for the Bold City!'

Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association, Inc. 2220 County Road 210 West, Suite 108, PMB 314 Jacksonville, FL 32259 904-887-4277 www.jaxnavalmuseum.org

HONOR

INSPIRE

SERVE