Belknap (CG 26) - Naval Cruise Book

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C0yM iNDISG Captain Edward E. Alexander, Jr. entered the Naval Academy from the State of West Virginia and was commissioned an Ensign upon gradua- tion In 1959. His advanced degrees include a Degree in Weapons Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, and a Master of Science Degree in Engineering Administration from George Wa- shington University, Washington, D.C. Additional- ly, Captain Alexander is a graduate of the National War College. His first assignment was to USS JONAS INGRAM (DD-938) on which he served as Damage Control Assistant and Chief Engineer. Transferring to USS FARRAGUT (DLG-6), Captain Alexander again served as Chief Engineer. Captain Alexander ' s first command at sea was in 1965 as Commanding Officer, USS KINGBIRD (MSC-194). Subsequent to this tour he served as Weapons Officer on board USS WORDEN (CG-18) and as Executive Officer, USS BUCHANAN (DDG-14). In 1971, Captain Alexander served as Commanding Officer of USS RICHARD E. BYRD (DD-23) and in 1976 served as Commissioning Commanding Officer of USS HEWIT (DD-966). His shore assignments include tours as a Branch Head In the Naval Ordnance Systems Command, Naval Aide and Administrative Assistant to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and most recently as Combat Systems Engineer in the AEGIS Shipbuilding Project, Naval Sea Systems Command. Captain Alexander ' s personal decorations In- clude the Meritorious Service Medal witti two Gold Stars in lieu of second and third awards; the Navy Commendation Medal; the National Defense Service Medal and various campaign and service ribbons. Captain Alexander is married to the former Ann Bryan of Mobile, Alabama. They have three sons, Edward, Bryan and Bruce. Captain E. E. Alexander, Jr. - - On the bridge

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On the 1st of July, 1975, BELKNAP was redesignated a Guided IVIissile Cruiser (CG). She departed Norfolk in mid-August for the Sixth Fleet. On the night of 22 November, while engaged in flight operations with USS JOHN F. KENNEDY, BELKNAP and the carrier were involved in a collision resulting in almost complete destruction of BELKNAP ' S superstructure and the loss of seven BELKNAP crewmembers. Following the collision, BELKNAP was towed to Agusta Bay, Sicily, and eventually to Naples, Italy, where she was decommissioned on 29 December 1975. After being placed in an out-of-commission special status, she was towed to Philadelphia Naval Shipyard arriving on 30 January 1976. Upon completion of an extensive planning and survey period. BELKNAP began her restoration and modernization overhaul in 1978. Repair and modernization began 9 January 1978. Cost of repairs was over $200 million and included a new improved 5 inch gun, up-dated missile armament, sonar communications and radar suites as well as improvements in habitability. BELKNAP was recommissioned 10 May 1980. Since recommissioning, BELKNAP has made two cruises to the Mediterranean and one cruise to Northern Europe. During Med Cruise 2-83, BELKNAP was the first ship to fire rounds ashore since the Vietnam War and did so in support of the Multinational Peacekeeping Force in Beirut, Lebanon. USS BELKNAP (CG 26) Insignia The ship ' s insignia is adapted from the Belknap Family Arms and Crest. The American branch of the Belknap family was founded in Lynn, Massachusetts in 1637 by Abraham Belknap of Warwickshire, England. The family line can be traced to Sir Edward Belknap, Justice of Common Pleas during the of King Henry VIII and to Robert de Kent, King ' s Sergeant and Assessor Lord of the Manor of Hempstead Kent in the 14th Century. Additionally, the battle abbey list of nobles who followed William the Conqueror into England contains the name Belknape. The modifications to the Belknap Family Coat of Arms include the addition of (CG 26) to the banner and surrounding the entire insignia with a cable for naval adaptation and nautical connotation.

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A 1966 graduate of the US Naval Academy, CDR Lee Pitman has served at sea as CIC and Operations Officer in USS DYESS (DD 880), Chief Staff Officer for Commander Escort Squadron Eight, Weapons Officer in USS ALBERT DAVID (FF 1050) and assistant surface operations officer on the staff of Commander Cruiser Destroyer Group Eight. A graduate of the Defense Intelligence School in Washington, DC, additionally, he served as CRUDES Scheduler on the staff of commander US Naval Surface Forces Atlantic Fleet. CDR Pitman has been ordered to Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force in Norfolk Va. CDR Lee Pitman Executive Officer November 1981 to June 1983 A 1970 graduate of Princeton University, LCDR Bill McSorley w as commissioned through the NROTC program and has served as Communications and Electronic Material Officer, in USS OZBOURN (DD 846); studied at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA; served with Naval Advisory Group, Vietnam; was Operations Officer in USS MCCLOY (FF 1038), First Lieutenant in USS LA MOURE COUNTY (LST 1 194) and Commanding Officer of USS READY (PS 87). He served as Combat System Instructor at the Surface Warfare Officer School in Newport, Rl and earned a Master oi ' Science in Systems Technology at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA. LCDR McSorley assumed duty as Executive Officer in BELKNAP after serving as Flag Secretary of Commander, Cruiser-Destroyer Group Eight. Executive Officer LCDR Bill McSorley June 1983 to Present