"Attack on Haiphong Harbor Aug. 27, 1972"
"Operation Lion's Den"
This outstanding addition to our history was given to us by
Captain Charles Farnham then Flag Officer USS PROVIDENCE (CLG-6)
*click on map to enlarge
Prior to steaming northward for another attack on Haiphong Harbor, NEWPORT NEWS refueled from the USS WACCAMAW (AO 109) at 0819 on August 27th. Early in the afternoon, Vice Admiral James L. Holloway III, COMSEVENTHFLT, arrived onboard by helicopter. With Commander SEVENTH FLEET embarked, the ship participated in Operation LION'S DEN, a naval gunfire strike against targets in Haiphong, Do Son Peninsula and Cat Ba Island, with USS PROVIDENCE (CLG-6), USS ROBISON (DDG-12) and USS ROWAN (DD 782) in company.
Upon commencing retirement after firing at 10 targets, three NVN torpedo boats closed to attack. Initial NEWPORT NEWS' salvos appeared to damage one torpedo boat which slowed and retired from the action. A second was sunk, and after NEWPORT NEWS was joined by the DD, the third was damaged and set afire, and subsequently sunk by tactical aircraft.
During the 33 minute raid 433 8-inch, 532 5-inch and 33 3-inch roundsr were fired. Two secondary explosions had been observed and ammunition was seen "cooking off" at a coastal defense site. Seventy-five enemy rounds were counted. Shrapnel was found around some of the weather decks, but damage to the ship was negligible. VADM Holloway departed by helo at mid-day on the 28th and the NEWPORT NEWS returned to TU 70.8.9 at 1810. During the fire missions of the day the ship fired 21 5-inch rounds in a single mission. The ship rearmed from the PYRO at 1237.
Click HERE to view the 'Firing Mission Charts' including Operation Lions Den
'Into The Lions Den' Exhibit at the Cold War Gallery: CLICK HERE
One night in August 1972, during Operation Lion's Den, cruisers USS Newport News (CA 148) and USS Providence (CLG 6), and destroyers USS Rowan (DD 782) and USS Robison (DDG 12) bombarded targets near Haiphong, and while retiring from the area fought off an attack by three North Vietnamese fast attack craft.
The American ships and A-7 Corsair II attack planes dispatched to the scene sank the Communist vessels.
Admiral Holloway Interview - Operation Lion's Den: Admiral James L. Holloway III, USN (Ret) reminisces about the daring 1972 raid into Haiphong Harbor by four U.S. Navy warships. 2012 interview footage courtesy of Aerocinema.
Credit: Naval Historical Foundation
