Bainbridge (DLGN 25) - Naval Cruise Book

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FROM THE CAPTAIN In the short time I have been serving you with aboard BAINBRIDGE it has become evident to me why this ship is recognized as one of the finest in the fleet. The reason is you - the officers and men who maintain and stand ready to fight on this splendid ship. Two Battle Efficiency E awards in two years, and four departmental E awards this year bear witness to your efforts both individually and collectively. The very fact that we were able, upon completion of a strenuous three month Mediterranean deployment, to steam at high speed around the world is noteworthy. What is even more note- worthy is that, due to your ability to repair minor casualties and your vigilence in the field of preventive maintenance, we were able to maintain complete battle readiness during this time. The record of achievement of this ship is such that as Commanding Officer,! reflect on her and the men who man her with a sense of pride and gratitude; as well as eager anticipation for future tasks. Pride in our work and service performed; and gratitude to each and every man for his contribution which has resulted in outstanding performance. This book is intended as a record of memories from a very significant time in your Navy careers. It is all about you and what you accomplished. It is also proof that an outstanding performance does not preclude the possibility of some very pleasant experiences. Without Navy men who have a sense of purpose, dedication and responsibility, this remark- able performance record could not have been accomplished. With men of your quality the future looks bright indeed; for your performance in the past I thank you and render the traditional Navy Salute - Well Done . Hal C. Castle Captain, U.S. Navy Commanding Officer

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CAPTAIN HAL C. CASTLE, USN COMMANDING OFFICER Captain Hal C. Castle, USN, was born on 26 December 1921, in Peoria, Illinois and is the son of Mrs. Helen M. Castle and the late Earl E. Castle. After attending St. Mary ' s College in Winona, Minnesota for a year, he won an appointment to the Naval Academy, and was commissioned an Ensign in June 1943. His first duty station was the USS PHELPS (DD-360), the first ship to anchor in Japanese territorial waters in World War II. Captain Castle ' s postwar duties included tours of duty aboard the USS BRISTOL (DD-857) and the USS DICKSON (DD-708). In 1948, he returned to the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and subsequently earned an M.S. in Metallurgy from Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1951. He obtained cruiser experience when he reported for duty to the USS WORCESTER (CL-144) as Air Defense Officer and the Gunnery Officer. After leaving WORCESTER, he served for two years as Assistant Terminal Ballistics Officer at the U.S. Naval Proving Ground, Dahlgren, Va. In July 1956,Captain Castle became Executive Officer of the USS WILLIAM M.WOOD (DDR-715) and then took command of the USS STRONG (DD-758) in January 1958. On leaving the STRONG in December, he attended the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia andNuclear Power School at New London, Connecticut. Prior to reporting to USS LONG BEACH (CG(N)-9) as Pro- spective Executive Officer in April 1960, he received additional training in naval reactor proto- type operations. As Executive Officer of our first nuclear surface ship, he participated in her first Mediterranean deployment and a Northern Europe cruise. In early 1964 Captain Castle reported to the Director, Naval Reactors. Captain Castle assumed command of the nuclear powered frigate USS BAINBRIDGE(DLG(N)25) 27 July 1964. Captain Castle wears the following ribbons: American Defense, American Theater, European Theater, Pacific Theater (with one silver star), the World War II Victory Ribbon, the Navy Oc- cupation Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. Captain Castle is married to the former Miss Martha Shelton of Washington, D.C. They have four children; three boys and a girl, residing in Norfolk, Va. Hal, Jr., is a Midshipman, class of 1967 at the U.S. Naval Academy.