Albany (CA 123) - Naval Cruise Book

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CHIEF OF STAFF UNTIL OCTOBER 1957 CAPTAIN ROBERT W. LEACH CHIEF OF STAFF AFTER OCTOBER 1957 CAPTAIN JAMES W. DARROCH 106

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) I I Top row: Lt. J. R. Morgan, USN, Flog Secretary; Lt. W. O. McDaniel, USN, Staff Gunnery Officer; Ltjg. E. B. Bossort, USN, Flag Lieutenant. Seated: Lcdr. J. E. Ross, USN, Staff Legal Officer; Capt. J. W. Darrock, Chief of Staff; R. Adm. C. L. Melson, USN, Commander Cruiser Division 4; Lcdr. D. Fisher, USN, Stoff Operations Officer; Lcdr. P. Boland, Staff Communication Officer. The Staff of Cruiser Division 4 first joined us in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during our refresher training and provided thereafter a great deal of stimulus for both officers and crew members. Since the Admiral needs to know so much in order to function effectively as Division Com- mander, his staff must be well equipped — both from the standpoint of experience and knowledge — to provide the necessary data and criteria for his final decisions. We always had to be on our toes to keep up with them. 105

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CH I I $ COMMANDER CRUISER DIVISION FOUR Rear Admiral Charles L. Melson was graduated from the Naval Academy in 1927 and at- tained to his present rank dating from 1 June 1955. Admiral Melson ' s war record is a series of commen- dations for outstanding service. Judging from our experience with his staff and the state of their alertness, we have had no difficulty in realizing why. A good example is the Admiral ' s preference for wartime procedures, such as visual communications rather than the use of comparatively insecure voice circuits. ii Admiral Melson served on various ships commencement of World War II: the United States MACK, PITTSBURGH, DUPONT, DICKERSON SON. In September 1942, he became Commanding great deal of action in his year and one-half on dexterity. In January 1944, he became Commander mendations while here begins, For conspicuous 1952, Admiral Melson assumed command of the ingly in Korea. Then, in March 1957, he became son has seen duty on many staffs as well as with duty has always gained recognition for him. after he received his commission and until the Ships TRENTON, PENGUIN, NAPA, McCOR- NORTHAMPTON, PENNSYLVANIA AND PATER- Officer of the U.S.S. CHAMPLIN which saw a board and where he received commendations for his Destroyer Division THIRTY-TWO; one of his com- galantry and intrepidity in action . . . In October U.S.S. NEW JERSEY, which performed outstand- Commander Cruiser Division FOUR. Admiral Mel- the Navy Department where his performance of In addition to an amazing number of letters of commendation plus location medals and unit cita- tions, Admiral Melson has been awarded the Silver Star Medal, the Legion of Merit with two Gold Stars and Combat V , the Bronze Star Medal and the Commendation Ribbon with three Bronze Stars and Combat V .