Looking At The Social Welfare Legislation Social Work Essay

Looking At The Social Welfare Legislation Social Work Essay Social workers, as a profession, exist in a contested domain, within a framework of rights and duties that are defined by law, by employers and professional codes of conduct (Swaine and Rice, 2009: xi). To be effective a social worker must have an understanding of statutory and legal requirements, and while using the law attempt to balance conflicting principles and practices. It is important to note that the law does not tell us what we ought to do, just what we can do most decisions in social work involve a complex interaction of ethical, political, technical and legal issues which are all interconnected (Banks 1995). In answering this question I intend to focus on the Children Acts 1989 and 2004 detailing the background to the acts and applying them to the Smith case study. The courts in England are managed by Her Majestys Courts Service, an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice (Brammer 2010). The courts are divided into criminal and civil courts. Criminal courts deal with criminal cases and civil courts deal with non-criminal disputes. The role that  social workers play in courts can be broken down into public law and private law. Public law cases are circumstances where the state, acting through local authority social services, takes steps to intervene in family life. This includes applications for care orders, supervision orders and emergency protection orders. Proceedings where individuals bring cases in their own name are known as private law cases. Contact and residence cases, applications for specific issues orders, prohibited steps orders; parental responsibility and adoption are examples of private law cases. The English court structure is hierarchical with the Supreme Court at the top and the Magistrates Court and Tribunals at the bot tom. This means that cases are seen in the inferior courts first before proceeding, when necessary, to the superior courts. A decision made in the Supreme Court would bind all inferior courts. Social workers can be involved at all levels of the court structure and undertake tasks such as writing reports, appearing as witnesses, or providing support to a service user. As such it is essential for social workers to have a good understanding of the law as it applies to their role. Most court proceedings are held in public in accordance with Article 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998, everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing. However, in certain circumstances the public and press are excluded and cases are heard privately or in camera (Brammer 2010:65). For social work practice the Human Rights Act 1998 provides an opportunity to empower service users and professionals while promoting best practice, as well as an extra layer of responsibility (Cull and Roche 2001:80). Local authorities can no longer use budgetary constraints as justification for decisions as discretionary policies and decisions can be challenged on the basis of an alleged breach of human rights. (Cull and Roche, 2001). The Human rights Act 1998 incorporates the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms into UK domestic law (Brammer 2010). The European Convention for Human Rights contains rights, prohibitions and freedoms arranged in articles. The focus of the Human Rights Act 1998 is to promote and uphold rights contained in these articles and it provides opportunities to promote anti-discriminatory practice. Social workers legal areas of responsibility are classified as duties or powers. Social services are obliged to carry out a duty. There is no discretion or allowance and failure to carry out a duty could found an action for judicial review (Brammer 2010:17). For example, under section 47 of the Children Act 1989 local authorities have a duty to investigate if they have have reasonable cause to suspect that a child who lives, or is found, in their area is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm (Children Act 1989, Section 47(b)). Powers give a social worker the authority to act in a particular way but there is discretion to decide how to act. For example, a local authority has power to make payments to parents in respect of travelling, subsistence or other expenses incurred by that person in visiting the child (Para. 16 of Sch. 2 to the Childrens Act 1989). Specific pieces of legislation are more relevant to social workers in their specific roles. The Children Acts 1989 and 2004 are of particular relevance to those working with children and families. Prior to the implementation of the Children Act 1989 the law as it related to children was found in various acts and judicial hearings. The Children Act 1989 combined and simplified existing legislation in order to create an enlightened and practical framework for decision-making, whether the decision is taken in the family home, in a local authority office, in a health centre or in a court room (Allen, 1998, quoted in Cull 2001). Various forces led to the implementation of the Children Act 1989. Firstly, the need to address numerous child abuse and child death scandals such as Maria Colwell and Jasmine Beckford. Central themes that emerged from inquiries into the deaths of these children were the need for better cohesion between agencies to better protect children and consideration of the childs welfare as paramount (OLoughlin and OLoughlin 2008). Such themes subsequently emerged in the Laming Inquiry (2003) following the death of Victoria Climbie, and other subsequent inquiries. These continual failures seem to indicate that the Children Act 1989 does not seem to be fulfilling its purpose. Secondly, international commitments made to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 meant the need to provide legislation highlighting the importance of childrens rights. The Children Act 1989 recognised the right of children to have their voices heard in the decision-making process and made provisions for childrens guardians to be appointed by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) representing the child and the childs interests in court (Children Act 1989, s.41). Under section 44(7) of the act children of sufficient age and understanding were enabled to refuse to undergo medical assessment, something that the children involved in the Cleveland Inquiry (1988) had not been able to do (OLoughlin and OLoughlin 2008). The Act gave flexibility to the court to meet individual childrens needs in particular circumstances and to act in the best interests of that child (Brammer, 2010). The Children Act 1989 brought together public and private law to ensure that the welfare of the child is paramount (OLoughlin and OLoughlin, 2008:21) and reaffirmed the belief that children were best brought up within their families, with minimal intervention from the state (Brayne and Carr, 2008). In response to the Laming Report (2003) into the death of Victoria Climbià © the government published the Green Paper, Every Child Matters. This document had four key themes; more focus on supporting families and carers, timely intervention and protecting children from falling through the net; addressing issues of poor accountability and ensuring that childcare workers are valued, rewarded and trained (Brayne and Carr, 2008). The Children Act 2004 was passed following consultation on this Green Paper. It provides the legislative framework required to address the issues highlighted in the Laming report. Its main aim was to develop more effective and accessible services focused around the needs of children, young people and their families (Brayne and Carr, 2008 p.155). The main provisions of the Children Act 2004 include a duty to co-operate to improve the wellbeing of children, especially in light of failings by multiple agencies to protect children like Victoria Climbià ©. Under th e Act local authorities have a duty to make arrangements to improve wellbeing and partner agencies have a duty to co-operate with local authorities. To enhance the duty of agencies to co-operate Section 8 of the Children Act 2004 imposes the duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Agencies are encouraged to prioritise their responsibilities to children and share early concerns in order to prevent crises. Legislation in the 2004 Act requires that all agencies in contact with children recognize that their needs are different from those of adults and safeguard and promote their wellbeing in the course of their normal duties. Section 17 of the Children Act 2004 introduced the requirement for local authorities to produce Children and Young peoples Plans (CYPP). The CYPP should be the single, strategic, overarching plan for all services and all relevant partners (Brayne and Carr, 2008 p.160). The 1989 Act focused on child protection, the key term in the 2004 Act is safeguar ding. Child protection is linked to legally based state intervention, safeguarding is a means of ensuring that children receive the support that they need for their wellbeing (Brayne and Carr, 2008 p.161). The Children Act 2004 required the establishment of Local Safeguarding Childrens Boards in order to promote better collaboration between agencies in safeguarding the wellbeing of children; the creation of an information database known as Contact Point to facilitate contact between professionals involved with individual children to secure early, coherent intervention (Brayne and Carr, 2008 p. 163); and the appointment of childrens services directors in childrens services authorities to ensure political leadership and accountability for the performance of childrens services (Brayne and Carr, 2008 p. 164).The Childrens Act of 1989 and 2004 have both gradually endeavoured to develop legislation and administrative roles to do with children in a broader sense and to make official provision for children better and safer. With the Children Act 2004 the functions of social services did not change but how they are delivered has been modified. (OLoughlin and OLoughlin, 2008) The Children Act 1989 outlines the responsibilities that local authorities have towards children in their area. Practice is guided by three underlying principles. Firstly, enforced intrusion into family life should be avoided wherever possible. Secondly, local authorities should work in partnership with parents and provide support to try to keep families together. Lastly, local authority resources should be targeted on families in need to ensure support is available to avoid children suffering ill-treatment or neglect and in extreme circumstances being taken into care (Cull 2001). With the Smith family the starting point under the Children Acts 1989 and 2004 must be to help safeguard and promote the welfare of Andrew and Annie. Under section 47 of the Children Act 1989 if the local authority have reasonable cause to suspect that a child who lives or is found in their area is suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm, they must take such enquiries as they consider necessary to enable them to decide whether they should take any action to safeguard or promote the childs welfare (Children Act 1989, s.47 (1) (b)). Enquiries made are the beginning of a process and the intention is to decide whether or not action is necessary. Effectiveness of the assessment of the childs needs (and those of the family) is key to the effectiveness of subsequent actions and services and ultimately to the outcomes for the child (Department of Health et al., 2000b). A social worker carrying out this assessment must do so in a manner that causes the least distress to Annie and Andrew, while being respectful to Clare and David. Families affected by parental learning disability are also particularly likely to experience negative attitudes, and worse, from those with whom they come into contact (Department of Health 2007).Practicing in an anti-discriminatory manner would require not making assumptions about David and Clares parenting due to their learning disability. In order to work in partnership with the parents as the Children Act requires the social worker must ensure that the parents do not feel marginalised by explaining the purpose of the investigation and the likely outcomes. How the investigation is handled could affect the relationship between the family and social services and the way the family view input from professionals and other agencies that may become involved. The Children Act 1989 introduced the terms children in need and looked after children and comprised various duties to promote the welfare of such children (Brammer, 2010). The Act even went further by putting in place provisions for children leaving care (Brammer, 2010). Looked after children refers to children who are subject to care orders and those who are voluntarily accommodated by the local authority. Children are considered to be in need if they are unlikely to achieve or maintain a reasonable standard of health or development without intervention by the local authority; health or development is likely to be impaired or further impaired without local authority support; they are disabled (s. 17 (10) Children Act 1989). Local authorities have specific duties to children considered to be in need. As both David and Clare are known to professionals it is possible that the children have already been classified as in need. In this case the local authority has a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of such children, provide services appropriate to their needs and ascertain and give consideration to the wishes of the child/ren (Children Act 1989, s.17, as amended). Following a section 47 investigation if it is deemed necessary the local authority would also have the power to provide training, advice, guidance and counselling for David and Clare (Cull 2001). David and Clare have co-operated so far and if this remains to be the case the local authority will carry out its duties in partnership with David and Clare, until no further formal intervention is required. It is particularly important to avoid a situation where poor parental care, which does not meet the threshold of significant harm to a child, later declines because of a lack of support. Failure to provide support in this type of situation can damage a childs right to remain with their family (Department of Health, 2007). If the Smith case was considered an emergency it would be possible to apply to court for an Emergency Protection Order (EPO), this would allow for immediate compulsory intervention in order to protect the child/ren (s. 44, Children Act 1989). Those with parental responsibility must be given a minimum of one days notice of impending action; however, action can be taken without notice. If the parents are not present at the initial application for the EPO they have the right to challenge the basis of the intervention after 72 hours. The order lasts a maximum of eight days, but can be extended for a further seven days following application. The applicant has parental responsibility of the child for the duration of the order. This is very much a control aspect of the act as the parents rights are removed in order to safeguard the child. The child must be returned as soon as it is safe to do so. (s. 44(10) Children Act 1989). The need for an EPO can arise when the referral is received or a t any point in the involvement with children and families. Such an order seems to contradict Article 8 of the Human Rights Act 1998(Right to private family life). Although important it may prove difficult to balance David and Clares right to private and family life while protecting the childrens right not to be subjected to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (Article 3, Human Rights Act 1998). If the out of hours social worker had initially failed to gain access to the children to initiate an investigation but concerns were not urgent the local authority could apply to court for a Child Assessment Order (CAO) (Children Act 1989, s. 43). The order would supplement to powers of the social worker in assessing the child. A court can only grant a CAO if there is reasonable cause to suspect the child is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm and that assessment is required to ascertain if this is the case; without the order it is unlikely that assessment can be carried out. A CAO may give direction on how an order is to be carried out, for example, directing that children be kept away from home, or giving direction for a medical assessment to be carried out. With this particular order parental responsibility remains with the parents. Only a local authority or the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children can apply for a CAO. In some circumstances it may be necessary to separate the child from an alleged abuser. As it may be considered too distressing and confusing to remove the child from the home the Family Law Act 1996 amended the Children Act 1989, giving the court power to order the removal of an alleged abuser from the home. In order for Exclusion Orders (EO) to be made the court must be satisfied that there is reasonable cause to believe that if the person is removed the child will no longer suffer or be likely to suffer significant harm. The court must be satisfied that there is someone else willing and capable of caring for the child and that they consent to the exclusion requirement. Four principles generally apply to all orders under the Children Act 1989: paramountcy of the welfare of the child (s1 (1)); reducing delay (S1 (2)) to avoid prejudicing the welfare of the child (in this respect many of the orders that could be granted by the court had specific time limits); no order unless consider ed in the best interests of the child (s1 (5)) and limiting litigation (s91 (14)) (Open University, 2003). The Children Act 1989 provides a welfare checklist s.1 (3) detailing what factors a court has to consider in certain proceedings relating to children. This list includes issues such as the childs wishes/needs, sex, background, etc. Although the law is attempting to impose control when applying an order it also attempts to provide some balance and promote anti-discriminatory practice with children and families. The relationship between social work practice and the law is an extremely complex and ever-changing one. The law is constantly developing especially with the influence of the Human Rights Act 1998 becoming more visible in court decisions. As a result social workers must have an understanding of how the law applies to practice situations recognising the strengths as well as the limitations of applying the law. Sound knowledge of the law is not only essential to ensure that the actions undertaken are legal and proportionate, such knowledge is essential for the social workers own professional protection (Brammer 2010: Foreword by Andrew McFarlane).

Psychology in the News Essay

Adolescent has always been considered a period of experimentation and risk taking. It is a time when teenagers become extremely aware of themselves and their bodies, leading to problems with regard to body image, self-esteem and negative emotions in general. One disturbing trend in the American society is adolescent suicide. In June 2009, news item published in the San Jose Mercury news website (www. mercurynews. com) tackled the harsh reality of this grave problem surrounding the tumultuous years of the adolescent Americans. Fisher started with an account of teen suicide (Fisher 2009). After two consecutive student suicides at Gunn High School, a community forum was held to give assistance to teens bombarded with problems and in the process, avoid committing suicide (2009). During the forum held at Cubberly Community Center, the Palo Alto community tried to find the answers on how to avoid teen suicide and at the very least, find reasoning on the school’s successive suicides. Citing figures from the National Institute of Mental Health, Fisher expressed that teen suicide poses a â€Å"greater threat† to children than swine flu (Fisher 2009). She also noted the result of a one survey which estimates that 1 in 12 students had taken a shot (no pun intended) at suicide in the past year (2009). While the figures are alarming most especially to the parents, Fisher argued that no significant solutions have been placed. Community forums and counselling are the usual steps laid to alleviate this problem (2009). While there are warning signs that parents and teachers may detect, such as alcohol and drug abuse and changes in attitudes towards schools and other relationships, Fisher remarked that such signs may sometimes be hard to detect or overlooked upon, thus making it harder to prevent suicide (2009). Fisher ended by voicing out concerns over when the community would start getting serious about teen depression and suicide (2009). The news item is indeed, as the author opined, a ‘wake-up call’ on the gravity of teen depression and suicide. As a future parent, it is a cause for alarm for this author. If the current situation cannot be changed, if the number of teen depression and suicide continue to soar, it will be harder for future parents and children to get to the bottom of it. Now, the statistics are already startling, what more ten years from now? Everyone should remember that the youth is the future generation but if the future generation is constantly plagued with depression and suicide, how will they lead the nation? It is something that everyone should take seriously. The news item related to psychology on two things: first, it covers a period in the life span development of individuals, that of the adolescent. It is a time when an individual undergoes physical changes as well as personality and social development. It is a transition phase when the individual is no longer a child but not yet an adult. It covers human development, which falls under developmental psychology, the study of changes in people from birth through old age. . Second, the news item relates adolescence with a common developmental problem, which is suicide. It has been known that suicidal behavior among adolescents is linked to psychological problems such as depression, drug abuse and disruptive behavior. As such, they are directly related to the field of psychology. As aforementioned, depression is a leading cause of suicidal behavior and depression, as everyone knows, is a common mood disorder. It is important to bring to light the issue of teen depression and suicide, not only to treat it but to prevent it in the first place. As the author of the news item said, it does not take two or more suicidal incidents to take the problem seriously. Work Cited Fisher, Patty. â€Å"Teen suicide needs Attention†. San Jose Mercury News. June 2009. 3 August 2009 < http://www. mercurynews. com/ci_12523782? nclick_check=1>

Polar Bears

The different adaptations of the Polar Bears and Brown Bears Polar Bears: Polar bears mainly eat seals Paw pads with rough surfaces help stop the Polar Bears from slipping on the ice Polar Bears don't swim The polar bear's fat layer, which is three to four inches thick, not only protects it from the cold A polar bear is so well insulated that it experiences no heat loss. The bear's blubber layer can measure 4. 5 inches thick. Polar bears have excellent underwater vision. They can spot food up to 15 feet away.They have sharp claws and teeth to eat prey Their ears have small surface area compared to body, reduces heat loss Thick white fur for camouflage and insulation Long legs for running to catch prey Brown Bears: They have thick insulating coats and tend to be large which helps them to keep their body heat They hibernate during winter. They have sharp claws and teeth which help them attack their prey. Adult brown bears are powerful; much of their diet consists of nuts, berries, frui t, leaves and oots.Bears also eat other animals. Brown bears can be recognized by their most distinctive feature, their shoulder hump. The shoulder muscle helps the bears to dig up roots and tear apart logs to find food. These muscles are located in the ‘hump' of the brown bear. Brown bears can move rocks and logs and dig through hard soil and rocky ground using their long sharp claws when making their dens. They eat grass, fruit, insects, roots and bulbs of plants.

World War II USS Ticonderoga (CV-14)

Conceived in the 1920s and early 1930s, the US Navys Lexington- and Yorktown-class aircraft carriers were built to conform to the restrictions set forth by the Washington Naval Treaty. This agreement placed limitations on the tonnage of various types of warships as well as capped each signatory’s overall tonnage. These types of restrictions were confirmed through the 1930 London Naval Treaty. As global tensions increased, Japan and Italy departed the agreement in 1936. With the collapse of the treaty system, the US Navy began developing a design for a new, larger class of aircraft carrier and one which incorporated the lessons learned from the Yorktown-class. The resulting design was wider and longer as well as incorporated a deck-edge elevator system. This had been used earlier on USS Wasp (CV-7). In addition to carrying a larger air group, the new class possessed a greatly enhanced anti-aircraft armament. The lead ship, USS Essex (CV-9), was laid down on April 28, 1941. USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) - A New Design With the US entry into World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Essex-class became the US Navys standard design for fleet carriers. The first four ships after Essex followed the types original design. In early 1943, the US Navy made modifications to improve future vessels. The most noticeable of these was the lengthening the bow to a clipper design which allowed for the addition of two quadruple 40 mm mounts. Other alterations included moving the combat information center below the armored deck, installation of improved aviation fuel and ventilation systems, a second catapult on the flight deck, and an additional fire control director. Though known as the long-hull Essex-class or Ticonderoga-class by some, the US Navy made no distinction between these and the earlier Essex-class ships. Overview Nation:  United StatesType:  Aircraft CarrierShipyard:  Newport News Shipbuilding CompanyLaid Down:  February 1, 1943Launched:  February 7, 1944Commissioned:  May 8, 1944Fate:  Scrapped 1974 Specifications Displacement:  27,100 tonsLength:  888 ft.Beam:  93 ft.Draft:  28 ft., 7 in.Propulsion:  8 Ãâ€" boilers, 4 Ãâ€" Westinghouse geared steam turbines, 4 Ãâ€" shaftsSpeed:  33 knotsComplement:  3,448 men Armament 4 Ãâ€" twin 5 inch 38 caliber guns4 Ãâ€" single 5 inch 38 caliber guns8 Ãâ€" quadruple 40 mm 56 caliber guns46 Ãâ€" single 20 mm 78 caliber guns Aircraft 90-100 aircraft Construction The first ship to move forward with the revised Essex-class design was USS Hancock (CV-14). Laid down on Feb. 1, 1943, the new carriers construction commenced at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company. On May 1, the US Navy changed the ships name to USS Ticonderoga in honor of Fort Ticonderoga which had played a key role in the French Indian War and American Revolution. Work quickly moved forward and the ship slid down the ways on Feb. 7, 1944, with Stephanie Pell serving as sponsor. Construction of Ticonderoga concluded three months later and it entered commission on May 8 with Captain Dixie Kiefer in command. A veteran of Coral Sea and Midway, Kiefer had previously served as Yorktowns executive officer prior to its loss in June 1942. Early Service For two months after commissioning, Ticonderoga remained at Norfolk to embark Air Group 80 as well as needed supplies and equipment. Departing on June 26, the new carrier spent much of July conducting training and flight operations in the Caribbean. Returning to Norfolk on July 22, the next several weeks were spent correcting post-shakedown issues. With this complete, Ticonderoga sailed for the Pacific on August 30. Passing through the Panama Canal, it reached Pearl Harbor on September 19. After aiding in tests on the transfer of munitions at sea, Ticonderoga moved west to join the Fast Carrier Task Force at Ulithi. Embarking Rear Admiral Arthur W. Radford, it became flagship of Carrier Division 6. Fighting the Japanese Sailing on Nov. 2, Ticonderoga and its consorts commenced strikes around the Philippines in support of the campaign on Leyte. On November 5, its air group made its combat debut and assisted in sinking the heavy cruiser Nachi. Over the next few weeks, Ticonderogas planes contributed to destroying Japanese troop convoys, installations ashore, as well as sinking the heavy cruiser Kumano. As operations continued in the Philippines, the carrier survived several kamikaze attacks which inflicted damage on Essex and USS Intrepid (CV-11). After a brief respite at Ulithi, Ticonderoga returned to the Philippines for five days of strikes against Luzon beginning on Dec. 11. While withdrawing from this action, Ticonderoga and the rest of Admiral William Bull Halseys Third Fleet endured a severe typhoon. After making storm-related repairs at Ulithi, the carrier began strikes against Formosa in January 1945 and helped cover the Allied landings at Lingayen Gulf, Luzon. Later in the month, the American carriers pushed into the South China Sea and conducted a series of devastating raids against the coast of Indochina and China. Returning north on Jan. 20-21, Ticonderoga began raids on Formosa. Coming under attack from kamikazes, the carrier sustained a hit which penetrated the flight deck. Quick action by Kiefer and Ticonderogas firefighting teams limited damage. This was followed by a second hit which struck the starboard side near the island. Though inflicting around 100 casualties, including Kiefer, the hit proved not to be fatal and Ticonderoga limped back to Ulithi before steaming to Puget Sound Navy Yard for repairs. Arriving on Feb. 15, Ticonderoga entered the yard and Captain William Sinton assumed command. Repairs continued until April 20 when the carrier departed for Alameda Naval Air Station en route to Pearl Harbor. Reaching Hawaii on May 1, it soon pushed on to rejoin the Fast Carrier Task Force. After conducting attacks on Taroa, Ticonderoga reached Ulithi on May 22. Sailing two days later, it took part in raids on Kyushu and endured a second typhoon. June and July saw the carriers aircraft continue to hit targets around the Japanese home islands including the remnants of the Japanese Combined Fleet at the Kure Naval Base. These continued into August until Ticonderoga received word of the Japanese surrender on Aug. 16. With the end of the war, the carrier spent September to December shuttling American servicemen home as part of Operation Magic Carpet. Postwar Decommissioned on Jan. 9, 1947, Ticonderoga remained inactive in Puget Sound for five years. On Jan. 31, 9152, the carrier re-entered commission for a transfer to the New York Naval Shipyard where it underwent a SCB-27C conversion. This saw it receive modern equipment to allow it to handle the US Navys new jet aircraft. Fully re-commissioned on Sept. 11, 1954, with Captain William A. Schoech in command, Ticonderoga commenced operations out of Norfolk and was involved in testing new aircraft. Dispatched to the Mediterranean a year later it remained abroad until 1956 when it sailed for Norfolk to undergo a SCB-125 conversion. This saw the installation of a hurricane bow and angled flight deck. Returning to duty in 1957, Ticonderoga moved back to the Pacific and spent the following year in the Far East. Vietnam War Over the next four years, Ticonderoga continued to make routine deployments to the Far East. In August 1964, the carrier provided air support for USS Maddox and USS Turner Joy during the Gulf of Tonkin Incident. On August 5, Ticonderoga and USS Constellation (CV-64) launched attacks against targets in North Vietnam as a reprisal for the incident. For this effort, the carrier received the Naval Unit Commendation. Following an overhaul in early 1965, the carrier steamed for Southeast Asia as American forces became involved in the Vietnam War. Assuming a position at Dixie Station on November 5, Ticonderogas aircraft provided direct support for troops on the ground in South Vietnam. Remaining deployed until April 1966, the carrier also operated from Yankee Station further north. Between 1966 and mid-1969, Ticonderoga moved through a cycle of combat operations off Vietnam and training on the West Coast. During its 1969 combat deployment, the carrier received orders to move north in response to the North Korean downing of a US Navy reconnaissance aircraft. Concluding its mission off Vietnam in September, Ticonderoga sailed for Long Beach Naval Shipyard where it was converted to an anti-submarine warfare carrier. Resuming active duty on May 28, 1970, it made two further deployments to the Far East but did not take part in combat. During this time, it acted as the primary recovery ship for the Apollo 16 and 17 Moon flights. On September 1, 1973, the aging Ticonderoga was decommissioned at San Diego, CA. Struck from the Navy List in November, it was sold for scrap on September 1, 1975. Sources DANFS: USS Ticonderoga (CV-14)USS Ticonderoga (CV-14)NavSource: USS Ticonderoga (CV-14)