August Lights of Peace Flag to Honor CWO Ronald S. Plourde Retired Vietnam Veteran Veteran

During the month of August, the 71st Lights for Peace flag to fly at the
Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum honors the memory of Chief
Warrant Officer Ronald S. Plourde, a Vietnam Veteran who served in
the United States Navy for over 20 years.
Ronald was born on March 20,1938 in New Bedford, MA, the son of the late Sylvio J. and Helen
(McAloon) Plourde. He resided at 483 Old Westport Rd., North Dartmouth and graduated of Greater
New Bedford Vocational High School in 1956. Immediately following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy on March 27, 1956.
Plourde served aboard the USS New Jersey (BB-62), the most decorated battleship in Navy history, earning distinction in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and conflicts in the Middle East, according to battleshipnewjersey.org.
On May 16, 1968, the New Jersey, the world’s only active battleship, left Philadelphia and passed through
the Panama Canal into the Pacific for the first time in 15 years, according to the battleship website. On
September 5, 1968, she set sail again for war.
On September 30th, USS New Jersey bombarded Communist supply dumps and gun positions in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), separating North and South Vietnam. In mid-October 1968, she set sail to provide support in South Vietnam. From October 23, 1968, to April 1, 1969, the USS New Jersey provided fire
support to American troops destroying enemy troops, rocket launchers, antiaircraft sites, trenches, bunkers, tunnels, and supply dumps. On November 25-26, 1968, she destroyed or heavily damaged over 300
bunkers, tunnels, and other structures. It was estimated she saved 100 lives every day she was on station. On April 22, the USS New Jersey was ordered home, arriving at Long Beach on May 5, after an eight month cruise. The New Jersey fired nearly twelve million pounds of shells in six months off Vietnam,
where she saved “thousands of American lives,” according to one Marine Corps Commandant.
Plourde served in active-duty status for the U.S. Navy for 16 years, 2 months and 8 days. He continued to
serve in the US Naval Reserve, serving a total of 20 years until his retirement in 1976 as a CWO. Plourde
received the Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Ribbon for his military service.
He was an active volunteer at the Fort Taber-Fort Rodman Museum in the city’s south end. He was also a
Revolutionary war reenactor, playing the part of an artillery man for the British. He took part in the bicentennial reenactment. His replica cannon and uniform are on display at the military museum. He was
also a member of the New Bedford Rod and Gun Club and was an avid hunter and fisherman.
Ronald S. Plourde died on Jan. 7, 2025, at the age of 86. He did not have any family, but he willed all of
his military items to the Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum, preserving the history of his service