The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting
the
NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION to
USS PROVIDENCE (CLG-6)
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For exceptionally meritorious service from 20 April 1972 to 1 December
1972 while participating in combat operations off the coast of
North and South Vietnam. In her primary role of providing naval gunfire
support to allied forces in Vietnam, USS PROVIDENCE inflicted
serious losses on the enemy. Her outstanding support of South Vietnamese
forces played a significant role in containing the North Vietnamese
invasion. During the South Vietnamese counteroffensive, PROVIDENCE
time and again provided the firepower when and where it was needed
by the forces ashore. PROVIDENCE was also called upon on numerous
occasions to participate in operations to interdict the flow of supplies
in North Vietnam. She accomplished this mission with daring and skill,
often coming under intense hostile fire. PROVIDENCE took part
in the first multi-cruiser strike since World War II. This daring
and successful raid on military targets in the Haiphong harbor area
demonstrated superior team work and professionalism by the officers
and men of USS PROVIDENCE. Their sustained superior performance
reflected great credit upon themselves, their ship, and the United
States Naval Service.
