Bunker Hill (CG 52) - Naval Cruise Book

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T CDR Russell G. Acree, Executive O fficer, July 87-July 89. CDR Russell Rusty G. Acree Executive Officer FROM CDR Acree ' s FAREWELL MESSAGE Frequently, a farewell message is a total recap of the ship ' s accomplishments. In the interest of brevity, I shall not detail the plethora of achievements you BUNKER HILL sailors have so bril- liantly accomplished during these past 18 months. Suffice it to say that professionalism, pride, initiative, responsibility, individuality and teamwork have so infused you that your performance is rou- tinely regarded an unequivocally outstanding. In just the eleven months that the ship has been in WESTPAC, you have walked off with every nomination for every Warfare Mission Excellence Award for which you were eligible, and have clearly established BUNKER Hill as the premier surface combatant in the Seventh Fleet. You have proven that you are the First Team and that has made my job easy as well as a pleasure because it is easy to succeed with the first team. To all of you officers, chiefs and crew, there is no possible way to repay you for your devotion and hercule- an efforts. I salute you and wish you well. You are America ' s true patriots. The XO hard at work serving pizza during Pizza night. The XO (left) and Captain Rempt discuss a few last minute details as the XO prepares to depart the ship for his next duty station. •

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Captain Rempt describes the Vertical Launch System to a Addressing the crowd at BUNKER HILL ' S arrival ceremony in group of visiting Japanese dignitaries. Yokosuka. ., ti Kl Showing the Gunner ' s Mates how it ' s done. A quick hour of paperwork before a liberty boat in Pattaya. The CO and his wife Pam, an indispensible member of the team.

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LCDR Roy J. Balaconis, Executive Officer, July 89- LCDR Balaconis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Balaconis, was born and raised in Boston, Mass., and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1976. His initial assignments at sea were as Communications Officer and Combat Information Center Officer aboard USS SOMERS (DDG-34), homeported in Pearl Harbor. Following this, he was assigned as Aide and Flag Lieutenant to the Commander-in-Chief Pacific Representative Philippines Command- er U.S. Naval Forces Philippines from February 1980 to December 1981. His next two sea tours were as Combat Systems Officer onboard USS ELLIOTT (DD-967) and USS ENGLAND (CG-22), both homeported in San Diego. While deployed to the Western Pacific onboard ELLIOTT, he participated in the joint rescue effort for the Korean Airline ' s Flight 007 shot down off Sakalin Island, USSR. He achieved his Qualification for Command while assigned to USS ENGLAND. LCDR Balaconis recently completed a Master ' s Degree at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California in the Weapon System Engineering Technology curriculum. His awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy Commendation and the Navy Achievement Medal, Pacific Fleet Shiphandling Award and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. He is married to the former Susan Davila of Gonzales, CA. They have two children, Anika, eight and Zoe, one. LCDR Roy J. Balaconis Executive Officer The XO enjoying a night out in Pattaya Beach. The XO, his wife Susan and children Anika and Zoe in Yokosuka.