Castor (AKS 1) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDING OFFICER Captain William M. CARPENTER became CASTOR ' s Commanding Officer in August, 1964. He reported aboard from dutv in the Office of the Secretary of Defense where he served as an International Security Affairs Officer specializing in the Far East area. Born in Mooresville, Indiana, he attended Indiana Central College before being appointed a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. He graduated from this latter institution in 1940. He is also a graduate ot the U. S. Naval Postgraduate School and holds a Master ' s degree in Aerologv. He attended the Senior Seminar in Foreign Policy of the State Department in 1963- 1964. The Commanding Officer served aboard the USS OKLAHOMA during the attack at Pearl Harbor. He saw Pacific Fleet duty from 194 2 - 194c aboard the USS SAN JUAN and participated in the Lebanon Operation in 19C8 as a member of the staff of Commander, Carrier Division 14 aboard the USS WASP. He is the holder of numerous campaign and service medals. Captain CARPENTER is married to the former Mary A. COMER of Mooresville, Indiana. Their children are Richard M., Katherine A., Suzanne L. and John R. They have one- grandchild. The CARPENTER ' S now make their permanent home in Houston, Texas.

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ICHI-BAN MARLI has been the CASTOR ' s nickname ever since 19 6 when Japan became her permanent home. Roughly translated, it means Number One Ship. All the names or Japanese ships end with f Maru . Mchi-ban ' has the double meaning of number one and the best. It is said that when the first Japanese visitor had completed his tour of the CASTOR, he looked up at the bow, saw the designation AKS-i, and remarked, ff I see, ICHI-BAN MARU!

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER Commander John A. Ul RICH became CASTOR ' S I x . . m i «.- Officer in September oi 19k}- He reported aboard from staff duty with the Commandant, Fourth Naval District in Phila delphia. Born in New York City, raised in Connecticut, Commander ULRICH joined the Merchant Marine ' upon completion of high school. I lis record with the Merchant Marine was so impressive that at age 2j, Commander ULRICH earned his unlimited Masters papers whic h he still holds. The I xecutive Officer entered the Naval Service in Vpril l [946 with a direct commission as Ensign. Ilishrst U.S. Na command was USS IKON COUNTY (LST-840). Upon completion of this tour, he became Commanding Officer ol the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Training Center. Eugene and Salem, Oregon. While in Oregon, the Executive Officer w as promoted to lieutenant Commander. Transferred to Korea in June ol ! ■) , ' ), Commandei I IRK II was ide .md Chiel ol protocol for the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command, and Commander, U.S. Forces, Korea Commander ULRICH is married to the former [ hereasa M. U.BRO of New Britain. Connecticut, [ heir children arc ' Leslie ]., John . Jr., and Christopher I. rhe Commander ' s mam hobbies are small boating, bird hunting and woodcraft.