Cacapon (AO 52) - Naval Cruise Book

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The USS CACAPON QAO-527 was commissioned September 21, 1943, by LCDR George Eyth, DM. USNR. the first Commanding Officer. The CACAPON is named after the Cacapon River in West Virginia. She is a twin screw, geared turbine propelled tanker. Her designers were part of the U.S. Maritime Commission who had the idea in mind to build large fast tankers suitable for naval operation during war- time. endin 22 months supporting the Fifth Fleet The CACAPON lived up to her purpose, sp g units in their raids against the Gilbert Islands. She refueled some 600 naval vessels, dis- charging 2.100.000 barrels of fuel oil, 134,000 barrels of diesel oil, and 5,824,000 gallons of aviation gasoline. ' ' th A tarctic waters with Admiral In 1947, the CACAPON spent 10 weeks operating in e n Byrd's famous expedition. She steamed about 20,000 miles total from the beginning of Oper ation Highjump until its end on 1 March, 1947. f J he - A um1 . ... ,- v .1 :x Ammmm,,mM.1m,i .

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.V if V, '1f'!f'f'f' fffif '4' h fz ,i52 '-Q- X Qf ,U ff ffm- , ffm, aff A .,,.A.., A, ' . . r ' A I '4 USS CACAPON 4 , 4 , X , f ry , Q! X ffwpo, f ff P, An ,f ,lg ff 1 ff V fn ,f 4 f A,, 4 ,tj if aff ywffff fff fy ffffflv f ,I A, X , wwf M I ,gf 'W 4 f7Wf Q ff? ff fy f ff f,g,! fl f , f f 1. fhf i LCDR MELVIN H. KNAAK, USNR EXECUTIVE 0FFICER'S BIOGRAPHY LCDR Knaak earned his commission as an Ensign, U,,S. Naval Reserve by receiving a direct appointment from the enlisted status following graduation from Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois in 1949, after having served three and a half years during World War Il as an Aviation Machinist Mate First Class. After his initial commissioned assignment during the Korean War as Personnel Officer of FASRON 102, he returned to civilian life until 1956 at which time he returned to active duty as a line officer with the assignment as Division Gunnery Officer of the USS ST, PAUL CCA-731 and later Operations Officer, USS BEN- NER fDDR-8055. Following this he became Recruiting and Procurement Officer, U,S, Naval Recruiting Station, Denver, Colorado followed by a tour as First Lieutenant of the USS ASHTABULA KAO-51.1 Prior to reporting to the CACAPON, he was in the real estate busi-. ness and is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of California. He is married to the former Edna P, fBrownie9 Head of Texarkana, Texas.

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X 3 . 3 1 1 s K E ll , ,, . , .,,., .,... . -...MN From 1950 to 1953, the duration of the Korean Conflict , the CACAPON made 5 tours - off the coast of Korea in the combat zone. She established her eligibility to wear 8 of the total 9 engagement stars authorized since the start of Korean hostilities. Captain Becker, Commanding Officer of the Cac in 1953, brought to new life the sym- bolic house flag of a black rooster, which now flies over the ship at the end of each unrep. This accompanied with our notorious slogan Find em, Fuel em, Forget em. In the time since commissioning, the CACAPON has had at least 3 major million dol- lar overhauls. She is being modernized as quickly as new ideas and practices are put to use. The CACAPCN has pulled into every liberty port within reach of the Pacific Ccean. She proudly wears the big E Battle Efficiency award, reminding all that she still has the prow- ess, capability, and loyalty to meet all her commitments each new year. c-.E f 'F , N X Xxx n '?lNfP' 'iW N rum. 'ia M 'T-'Ovffiifv 'iw , ff? -fl? Q--2: an-ssx 5 1 QQ'