1975 USS Leahy Visit At Leningrad, USSR
(Including Helsinki, Finland)
Naval History Magazine - June 2022
Article:
Back in the U.S.S.R.
By Captain James “Ros” Poplar III, U.S. Navy (Ret.) Remembering a historic, groundbreaking port call to Leningrad by the USS Leahy and USS Tattnall in 1975.
(Author submission)
https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2022/june
Chronology Of Major Events - Leningrad, USSR
12 May 1975 - 17 May 1975
12 May 1975
13-14 May 1975
14-15 May 1975
16-17 May 1975
(Chronology - courtesy of Clay Stabler - Missile Officer USS Leahy 1974-1976)
Photo of USS Leahy (DLG-16) taken in October (20-21) 1975 by Esko Helin of Helsinki, Finland.
This photo was taken in the Port of Katajannokka, Finland. Leahy had just recently participated in NATO exercises in the Baltic Sea.
Esko has also sent copies of Swedish newspaper articles of USS Dewey (DLG-14) - Article 1 (no translation) from 1961 and USS Leahy (DLG-16) Article 2 from 19 May 1975. Click on for the translation supplied by Esko.
Article 1
Article 2
Two article from ALL HANDS Magazine - September 1975
(submitted by STG2 Douglas Heilman, Sr. - ASW Division July 1973-July 1978)
(click on small images above to enlarge)
Click on for the translation
Helsinki Article
Leningrad Article 1
Leningrad Article 2
USS Leahy - 1975 Leningrad Photo of Liz Taylor aboard the USS Leahy with CO Capt. Sinclair - Liz was on a movie assignment in Leningrad when Alex Sinclair (CO 8-74 / 10-76) sailed the Leahy to Russia as part of a visiting warship exchange. Capt. Sinclair invited Liz to the USS Leahy for lunch. (Photo submitted by Don Hall)
A copy of the guest list for one of the dinners during the Leningrad visit in 1975.
Photo of a plaque signed by crew members and guests that was displayed at one time on the mess decks.
From the St. Petersburg Russian TV (retro) news blog dated 13 May 2010:
13/05/2010 U.S. Navy in Soviet Leningrad May 13, 1975, the year of the 30th anniversary of Victory in Leningrad (the first time since the end of World War II) came two American warships. Frigate "Leahy" and destroyer "Tattnoll" (USS Tattnall [DDG-19]) included in the Neva Bay and moored in the harbor at the Vasilevsky Island.
Original Russian webpage (?)
Translated webpage
For the video*
*video also submitted by Ron Simons - Leahy 1974-1978
USS Leahy Crew Signed Placard - Leningrad, Russia 1975
(A photo of this placard signed by crew members and guests was displayed at one time on the mess decks.)
(Submitted by Bob Lion - USS Leahy 1972-1975)
USS Leahy Postal Cover - Leningrad, Russia 1975
(Submitted by Clay Stabler - Missile Officer USS Leahy 1974-1976).
A commemorative postal cover with the signatures of RADM Langille, CAPT Sinclair and CDR Flanagan.
Additional Leahy (At Leningrad, USSR) Shipmate Photos
Jerry L. (Gay) Gayre - Aboard Leahy 1974-1977
Gerald Murphy - QM3
Bill Westervelt- OS3 - Leahy 1973 - 1976
I am still looking for additional information regarding this visit!! If you have info to add (comments, photos, anecdotes, etc.)
mail me at: kengems@ussleahy.com