The beginning of 1968 found FIRM as part of a slightly reorganized division. Mine Division 72 consisted of FIRM, USS FORCE (MSO-445), USS EMBATTLE (MSO-434) and USS LOYALTY (MSO-457), MINDIV 72 was commanded by Robert A. H. MURLINE, CDR, USN in FIRM am his flagship. FIRM was commanded by Lloyd W. FERNALD, LCDR, USN. and was in preparation for Refresher Training and WESTPAC deployment.

On January 22nd FIRM began a two-week REFTRA in San Diego, California where she was graded in Engineering, Damage Control, Medical, Navigation, Communications, Gunnery, Deck Evolution’s and Combat Information Center. FIRM received an overall grade of 81.99 on the final battle problem on Feb­ruary 2nd, with grades of “Outstanding” recommended in Navi­gation, Medical and Gunnery.

February 8th brought a Pro-Deployment Management and a Materiel Inspection by a team of inspectors designated by Com­mander Mine Squadron SEVEN. FIRM received a grade of 86.51 and was considered ready to deploy. On February 13th, Captain R. E. FITZGERALD, COMINRON SEVEN completed the MMI/PDI by conducting a material inspection. Upon completion Captain FITZGERALD complimented the entire crew on the readiness of FIRM and announced his intentions to award the coveted “E” for excellence in Gunnery.

The families and friends of FIRM were treated to a dependent’s cruise on February 27th. The short jaunt gave them a chance to see what their men do and a good view of the Long Beach Harbor complex. The highlight of the day was a cookout on the fantail.

Chief of Staff, COMINEPAC inspected FIRM on 20 February. Again the crew of FIRM was complimented on the mater­ial readiness of the ship. FIRM was pronounced one of the finest ships In MINEPAC.

At 1000, 11 March 1968, FIRM got underway from Pier 9, Long Beach Naval Station for operations in the Western Paci­fic with the Seventh Fleet. Proceeding with the rest of MINEDIV 72, FIRM arrived in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii an the 21st of March for a two-day upkeep period. On March 23rd FIRM, EMBATTLE and LOYALTY left Pearl Harbor for the BARSTUR sub­marine operating area off Kauai, Hawaii to participate in Operation BARSTUR. The operation was to remove underwater obstructions from the area using a double “O” sweep config­uration with a 1,055-foot float pendant. The division swept in formation but weather conditions deteriorated and sweep results were negative so the operation was aborted after one day.

After an overnight re-fueling stop at Port Allen, Kauai, FIRM with Mine Division 72 (less FORCE) got underway far Johnston Island on the morning of March 25th. FIRM arrived the afternoon of the 27th and left the next morning for Kwajalein Atoll. Kwajalein was reached on April 4th and the ship departed the next morning enroute to Guam.

The last leg to Guam was interrupted by Typhoon JEAN. FIRM was forced to divert to Eniwetok Island. After refuel­ing and an overnight stay, FIRM departed the morning of April 12th for Guam for upkeep and repairs, arriving on the 15th. While in Guam officers and men off the division accepted an invitation to tour the Naval Communications Station and Fleet Weather Central.

The last leg or the Pacific transit began April 25th when FIRM got underway from Guam for Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. After a two-day upkeep, FIRM left Subic Bay on May 3rd for Market Time patrol in Area II as a unit of Task Force 115, On May 6th, FIRM relieved USS DYNAMIC (MSO-432), on station.

On June 6th USS ACME (MSO-508) relieved FIRM on station. FIRM immediately sailed for Subic Bay for much needed repairs, upkeep, and liberty. The ship arrived in Subic on June 8th. On June 18th LCDR Norman G. MOSHER USN relieved LCDR Lloyd W. FERNALD USN as Commanding Officer. Work con­tinued to ready FIRM, not only for her second Market Time patrol, but also for a joint mine countermeasures exercise with the National Chinese Navy.

FIRM and EMBATTLE left Subic Bay on June 24th for Kaoshiung, Taiwan and Operation ODIN. After pre-exercise conferences, the operation, under the direction or RADM CHOU-FEI, Commander Mine Force, Nationalist Chinese Navy, began on June 26th. The exercise was conducted through 3 July and was hampered by poor navigational aids and interference from local fisherman.

July 4th was FIRM’s scheduled departure date for her second Market Time patrol, but problems with the starboard pitch control system were encountered causing a delay., The difficulties were corrected in Kaohsiung, and on July 7th FIRM got underway to relieve ACME in Area II. Relief was accomplished on 10 July.

FIRM’s second Market Time patrol was long, but rewarding. The ship conducted one harassment and interdiction shore bombardment, two naval gunfire support missions and located a downed Air Force reconnaissance drone by sonar. These missions were in addition to the primary counterin­surgency duties.

FIRM was to be relieved in Danang Harbor on 7 September. Enroute to Danang, FIRM and her crew battled the 85-knot winds and 35-50 foot seas of Typhoon BESS, losing one radio antenna, a life raft and a 12-inch searchlight, in addition to minor water damage in many areas. FIRM arrived on but had to effect emergency repairs while being relieved by ACME. Upon completion of repairs, FIRM departed on 7 Sep­tember for Subic Bay, where she arrived on September 11th and commenced a. restricted availability in preparation for return to Long Beach. Having spent 66 days at sea, the per­iod in Subic Bay was a welcome respite for the crew.

On 9 October Mine Division 72 departed Subic Bay enroute to Guam escorted by USS SEDGEWICK COUNTY (LST-1123). The passage was stormy, due to various tropical depressions and typhoons in the area, but the division arrived in Guam on October 16th.

During her two-week stay in Guam, FIRM was ordered to sortie twice for typhoon evasion, but no serious damage resulted either time. On 21 October, FIRM, flagship of Mine Division 72, played host to a change of command as Gilbert E. SCHMIDT, CDR. USN, relieved Robert A. H. MURLINE, CDR, USN as Commander Mine Division 72.

On November 1st, Mine Division 72 got underway from Guam for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in company with USS STONE COUNTY (LST-1141) as a replenishment unit. At approximat­ely 0400, 9 November. FIRM experienced a casualty to her starboard reduction gear, necessitating securing the starboard shaft. The loss of propulsion caused an overall re­vision of transit plans in order to maintain previously re­ported minimum speed-of-advance (SOA) requirements. Con­sequently, for a period of five days, FIRM was alternately towed by LOYALTY and FORCE to keep up speed. After this period, an attempt was made by FIRM to maintain the required speed using one shaft. The attempt was successful and she proceeded under her own power for the remainder of the transit.

FIRM arrived in Pearl Harbor on 16 November and under­water inspections were begun to determine any damage to the propeller shaft or blades. No casualties were found, and it was decided to remove the starboard blades to reduce drag and thereby increase speed.

On 19 November Mine Division 72 (less FORCE, which com­menced major overhaul in Hawaii as a unit of Mine Division 71) and STONE COUNTY left Pearl Harbor for the last leg of the homeward journey. STONE COUNTY war detached on November 31st and altered course for her homeport of San Diego, California, having successfully completed her support functions for Mine Division 72. At 1000, 1 December 1968, FIRM, EMBATTLE and LOYALTY arrived at their homeport of Long Beach, California, after a deployment that lasted almost nine months. FIRM commenced a tender availability with USS HECTOR (AR-7) on December 16th during a leave and upkeep period.

Upon arrival in Long Beach, FIRM displayed the Meritorious Unit Commendation awarded the five ships of the pre­vious organization of Mine Division 72: FIRM, EMBATTLE (MSO-434), FORCE (MSO-445), PRIME (MSO-466), and REAPER (MSO-467), “for meritorious service from 11 November 1966 to 6 May 1967 while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against communist insurgent (VIET CONG) forces in the Republic of Vietnam.”

FIRM had again distinguished herself in Western Pacific operations. The shipboard installation of on-line crypto­graphic equipment, completed during the pre-deployment over­haul, had performed in an outstanding manner. In the area of electronics, during the entire nine-month deployment, only one casualty report was required for a very short per­iod. All other equipment was swiftly and skillfully repaired without outside assistance. The Engineering Department met and surmounted monumental engineering difficulties, while meeting all commitments throughout the deployment. The Deck Department was called upon to perform underway replenishments at all hours and did so with determination and effi­ciency. FIRM’s manning level, although sometimes strained was never an overpowering problem. The reenlistment rate for the year of 1968 was close to 33 percent. Despite the long time away from home, the crew’s morale was excellent as indicated by a perfect record of conduct ashore during the entire deployment.