December 23, 1968 - The crew of USS Pueblo (right) is repatriated after the Pueblo Incident. Originally built during World War II as a small freighter for the US Army, USS Pueblo was transferred to the US Navy in 1966. Converted into a signals intelligence ship, it was dispatched to Japan for service off China, North Korea, and the Soviet Union. Sailing on January 11, 1968, Pueblo began a signals intelligence mission off North Korea under the command of Cdr. Lloyd Bucher. On January 23, while international waters, Pueblo was confronted by a North Korean sub chaser. This vessel was later joined by four torpedo boats and two MiG-21s. Turning to escape, Bucher soon came under fire from the North Koreans. Pressing on while the crew attempted to destroy classified material and equipment, Pueblo was hit by numerous 57 mm shells and sprayed with machine gun fire. Seeing no alternative, Bucher stopped and obeyed North Korean orders to follow them to port. Soon boarded by the North Koreans, Pueblo's crew was secured and the vessel taken to Wonsan. The first US Navy vessel captured at sea since the War of 1812, Pueblo also proved an intelligence windfall as a large amount of classified material remained on board. Though some in the US desired immediate military action, Pres. Lyndon Johnson, already fighting a war in Vietnam, sought to free the crew through diplomatic channels. This ultimately succeeded, and the men were released on December 23 after enduring a horrific prisoner experience.
Photograph Courtesy of the US Navy History & Heritage Command
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