This color film, U.S. Navy Destroyermen, was produced for the United States Navy by the Office of Information. This office maintains close relations and contacts in the entertainment industry with the goal of telling the US military’s story. It was created for the Chief of Naval Operations at the Naval Photographic Center in 1970 to be used as a recruiting tool.
The U.S. Navy Band plays as families say goodbye to naval personnel getting ready to depart on Destroyer duty (0:07-0:58). The Destroyer, USS Gearing DD710, an Ocean Greyhound, leaves port (0:59-1:25). The United States Navy Presents Destroyermen in a background of ocean waves (1:26-1:39). USS Gearing plows through the waves (1:43-2:34). Pulley system, or wheel on a shaft, a simple machine (2:41-2:43). Naval personnel in Life Jackets (2:46-3:17). Refueling the ship using Line Handlers and Riggers (3:18-4:09). Naval sailors, or swabbies, doing their job (4:16-5:11). Pulley’s at work (5:12-5:20). USS Gearing being splashed with waves (5:20-5:30). The destroyer at sea (5:51-6:03). Men work constantly to keep from feeling confined (6:05-6:30). The Ships Store (6:32-6:37). Haircuts are available (6:38-6:43). Preparing food in the kitchen (6:47-6:58). Swabbing decks (6:59-7:04). Navigating the ship (7:05-7:14). Watchstanding, or watchkeeping, keeping watch on the bridge (7:19-7:25). A submarine is spotted (7:26-7:36). Ships radar system (7:37-7:44). Sailors take their Battle Stations (7:44-8:15). Naval helicopter informed and ready (8:20-8:24). Scenes of Naval personnel being readied (8:25-8:48). A destroyer is a fighting ship (8:51-8:55). Naval Drills are routine (8:56-9:10). Mounting a weapon and firing it (9:11-9:42). Time to play by swimming in the ocean (10:06-10:25). Making music fun on board ship (10:25-11:31). Sail boat (10:51-10:55). Steaks on the grill (11:03-11:06). Card playing (11:31-11:33). Sailors in Naval dress uniforms saluting the officer (11:44-11:56). Going to a liberty port on leave (11:58-12:25). The Mediterranean area is a popular liberty area (12:26-12:42). A stroll down a street with a beautiful woman (12:42-12:48), or relaxing at bar (12:49-13:01), or finding souvenirs for those at home (13:02-13:25). Back on ship ready for the routine (13:26-13:53). USS Gearing departing again (13:54-14:30).
USS Gearing (DD-710) was the lead ship of her class of destroyers in the United States Navy. She was named for three generations of the Gearing family, Commander Henry Chalfant Gearing, Sr., Captain Henry Chalfant Gearing, Jr. and Lieutenant Henry Chalfant Gearing, III. She was decommissioned in 1973, stricken on 1 July 1973 and sold for scrap on 6 November 1974.
