Benner (DD 807) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMA DI G FH ER JOSEPH B. DRACHNIK COMMANDER U. S. NAVY Commander Joseph B. Drachnik was born in Ross, California on 11 June 1919. He spent his early years in Vacaville, California, and enter- ed the University of California at Berkeley upon completion of high school. In his sophomore year, he Won a Congressional appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy through a competitive exami- nation, and Was commissioned as Ensign in June of 1942. He reported to his first ship, the USS ZANE CDMS-14D in the Coral Sea on 3 August, 1942, Where he participated in the invasion of Guadalcanal tvvo days later. ENS Drachnik's second shipboard Watch was the midwatch during which the first battle of Savo Island took place. Upon returning to the United States in the fall of 1943, he reported aboard the USS ALLEN M. SUMNER QDD-6925, his duties included Fire Control Officer, Gunnery, and 18 months as Executive Officer. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 June 1944. In April of 1947, LT. Drachnik left the SUMNER for command of the USS QUAPAW QATF-1105, a unit of the Service Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. His subsequent duties included: Staff, General Line School, Monterey, California, Flag Lieutenant to Commander Battleship Cruiser Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet, during which tour he participated in the ungrouding of the USS MISSOURI in Hampton Roads, and as aide to Rear Admirals Allen E. Smith and J.L. Holloway, jr. He was promoted to Lieutenant Commander on 1 August 1950. The Cruiser USS DES MOINES QCA-1435 was his next sea duty, where he served as Gunnery Officer during the year 1952. He left the DES MOINES in early 1953 for his Second Command the USS LIDDLE QAPD-GOD, a ship of the Atlantic Fleet Amphibious forces. A year later he was ordered to the staff of vice Admiral Fahrion, commander Amphibious Forces, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, where he served in the Operations and Plans Division. He was promoted to Commander on 1 June 1955. Prior to assuming command of the USS BENNER on 21 August 1959, Commander Drachnik was on the staff of the U.S. Navy Post-Graduate School, Monterey, California, as instructor in Operational Planning, Tactics, and Amphibious Operations. Commander Drachnik considers his home tO. be Monterey, California. He married Miss Cay Weston of Kansas City, MiSS0L1fi ln 19453 they have two children: Denise Elaine, age 8 and Kenneth John, age 4- The Drachnik family currently resides in the Rossmoor District in Los Alamitos, California.

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. Qzil 'ei Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and soon arrived in Newport, Rhode Island, her new home port. In late 1950, BENNER h d ' ' ' ' ' ' was attac e to the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean, she made cruises there in 1951 and again in 1952. In 1956, she shifted oceans again, returning with Destroyer Division 102 to the Paciic. Arrival in Long Beach, California was 28 June 1956. In March of the next year, BENNER departed on the first of a series of deployments to the Western Pacihc. Her ports-of-call included Pearl Harbor, Suva, Fiji Islands, and Melbourne. Australia. In 1957, 1958, and 1959 BENNER returned to various ports in the Far East for deployments, missions included assistance during anti-American riots in Tai Pei, Gperation Hardtack Cconducted between Bikini and Eniwetok atollsb, patrols through the Formosa Straits, and carrier escort operations with the HANCOCK, HORNET, and LEXINGTON. .

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A F Fl E R LIE tmas Spirits at the Ship s Party Lieutenalsebo Vereen was Carolina on raised and ' until his College in also Georgia Service. LCDR Vereen entered the Navy throught the V-5 Program, an A His first assignment was as Survey Boat Officer on the USS BCPWDITCH CVGS-42, where he participated in Operation Crossroads in 1946. From there he went to the USS LIOBA CAF-36D, and served as First Lieutenant during Underway Replenishments in the Mediterranean area. Further experience was gained as Gunnery Officer of the USS MADDOX CDD-731D, where LT Cjgj Vereen received his first taste of Destroyer duty. While on board the MADDOX, Mr. Vereen saw action in Korea from June of 1950 until February 1951. After serving a tour of duty as Officer-in-Charge, Fleet Camera Party Unit in San Diego, he reported to his Hrst command, the USS LST 819 in September, 1952. He served as Commanding Officer of the 819 until September 1953. The USS ROCHESTER claimed him next, his duties included Assistant Gunnery Officer, Anti-Air Control Officer, and Senior Watch Officer aboard the Cruiser. After leaving the ROCHESTER, he returned for a tour of shore duty, this time as Officer-in-Charge of the U.S. Navy Recruiting Station in Macon, Georgia. . 'LCDR Vereen studied at the U.S. Navy General Line School in Newport, Rhode Island in 1949, and at the Naval War College in Newport in 1960, prior to reporting as Executive Officer of the USS BENNER. Mr. Vereen is married to the former Julia Miller of Pasadena, California, and has three children, Vicki, age 11, Jackson, age 9, and Andy, who is 5. He now resides with his family in Lakewood, California. A