Aucilla (AO 56) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDING OFFICER A native of Macon, Georgia who delights in flying the Confederate stars and bars during fuel- ing, Captain Brown TAYLOR graduated from the Naval Academy in 1934. An experienced tin can man , Captain Taylor commanded the USS SCHENCK (DD-157) and USS CONYINGHAM (DD- 371) as well as Destroyer Division 142. Duty in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations, the staff of Commander Second Fleet and as Chief of Staff, Commander Middle East Force, were among Captain Taylor ' s assignments before taking over AUCILLA. An avid athletic fan, the captain de- lights in a few sets of tennis as well as mid-day strolls around the 02 level. Captain Taylor was twice awarded the SILVER STAR MEDAL in World War II while commanding CONYINGHAM. CAPTAIN B. TAYLOR 56-57 CAPTAIN J. H. BESSON, JR. 55-56 Captain John H. BESSON Jr., served as Com- manding Officer, USS AUCILLA from 28 January 1955 until 8 September, 1956. A native of Port- land, Oregon, Captain Besson graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1935. Under Captain Bes- son ' s leadership, AUCILLA won the Navy E , as the outstanding vessel of her class in the Atlan- tic Fleet in 1956. His pre-World War II experi- ence included duty aboard destroyers, cruisers, and an AO. December 7, 1941 found him aboard the PENSACOLA (CA-24) in which he participated in several major battles of the war. Prior to as- suming command of AUCILLA, Captain Besson commanded several destroyers and had a variety of staff assignments throughout the world.

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U.S.S. AUCILLA AO-56 MED CRUISE 55-57

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER Taking over as Executive Officer in October of 1956 after a year as First Lieutenant was Lt. Commander Robert J. Stankowski. A vet- eran of both World War II and the Korean Con- flict, Mr. Stankowski was born in Syracuse, New York but spent most of his life in Scranton, Pa. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Pennsylvania State College and entered the Navy in January 1944. During WWII, he served as Communication Officer aboard CIMARRON, the first of the AO class to which AUCILLA belongs, participating in the Iwo Jima, Luzon, and Okinawa landings. When recalled to active duty in 1950, the exec served on MSTS PAC vessels, 1950-1952 before going to shore duty at the Office of Naval Inspector of Ordnance in his hometown of Scranton. Following this assignment, he reported aboard AIXILLA. LCDR B. O. FURNARI 55-56 LCDR R. J. STANKOWSKI 56-57 z i » Reporting aboard as Executive Officer in March 1955, Commander Biagoio O. Furnari, brought to the position 25 years experience as both an enlisted man and officer. While a sig- nalman prior to World War II, Commander Fur- nari served aboard the battleships NEW YORK, TENNESSEE, and ARIZONA. He was at the Cavite Navy Yard when the Japanese attacked and was wounded slightly. He then reported to the USS TANAGER and served there until the ship was sunk in Manila Harbor. Escaping to Corregidorhe participated in its defense until he was taken prisoner in May 1942. After his release from prison camp. Commander Furnari served at the Receiving Station, Washington as Seaman Guard Officer and Security Officer. He then served aboard HYADES and ADIA prior to assuming the number two spot on AUCILLA. Promoted to Commander in August 1956 he is now recorder and a member of the Navy Dis- charge Review Board.