Cleveland (LPD 7 CL 55) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMAND MASTER CHIEF DCCM(SW) THOMAS Command Master Chief After joining the Navy in January 1968, DCCM(SW) John L. Thomas served in GSS BOXER (LPH 4), GSS MGLIPHEN (AKA 61), GSS RALEIGH (LPD 1), GSS SHENANDOAH (AD 26), GSS TRENTON (LPD 14), Fleet Training Group Gitmo Bay, Cuba, Fleet Training Center San Diego, GSS KINKAID (DD 965) and Headquarters Staff Training Command G.S. Pacific Fleet, He relieved RMCM(SW) Long as GSS CLEVELAND Command Mas- ter Chief on 28 February 1989.

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DONALD P. COOK Executive Officer-OSS Cleveland (LPD-7) A graduate of the CIniversity of Utah, LCDR Donald P. Cook received his commission through the Naval Enlisted Scientific Education Program (NESEP). He enlisted in the Navy in 1966 and served as a Hospital Corpsman at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, a tour with 1st Marine Division in Vietnam and a tour on Naval Station, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Accepted for the NESEP Program, he was commissioned an Ensign in December, 1976 after receiving a B.S. in Math at the University of Utah. He served his first year as an instructor spotter at Naval Gunfire Support School in Coronado. He served sea tours on USS DURHAM (LHA- 114) as Gunnery Officer, Assistant First Lieutenant, Electrical Officer, and Chief Engineer on USS INGERSOLL (DD-990). LCDR Cook attended Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California where he received an M.S. in Operations Research and Systems Analysis. Next came a tour with CINCPACFLT Propulsion Exam- ining Board as a Gas Turbine Examiner. LCDR Cook reported to USS CLEVELAND (LPD-7) as Executive Officer in August of 1989. LCDR Cook ' s personal decorations include Meritorious Service Medal, Naval Achievernent Medal, Corhbat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal with star and Vietnam Service Medal with three campaign stars and the Marine Corps Emblem. LCDR Cook and his wife Teodosia and their five daughters live in Rancho Penasquitas, California.

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DEDICATION The successful undertaking of any worthwhile endeavor requires dedication, loyalty, motivation and selfless sacrifice. During the past six months, you, my CLEVELAND Crew and Officers met every challenge, conquered every obstacle and shouldered every burden in the defense of our country and her allies. Even in peacetime, freedom and global stability demand an exhausting price — A price that you pay every moment of every day. Through all the adversity and hardship of being away from loved ones, you never allowed your high standards to slip, proving that only men of iron succeed when the going gets tough. Americans everywhere should be forever indebted to you, for you have written another chapter in the defense of the ideals and values that every American should cherish so dearly. I salute all of you and 1 share your pride and joy as we venture forward, knowing full well that we must never yield our guard in the protection and service of our great nation. Lastly, 1 express my heartwarming gratitude to the CLEVELAND wives and dependents. Your unending endurance and equivalent sacrifice during this time of tremendous stress and difficulty is nothing less than heroic. Your support for your loved one has fueled the torch of freedom. 1 am proud of you and to have deployed with your men, the men of CLEVELAND. May you continue to meet the challenge and may God be with you always. Sincerely, THOMAS E. HOPSON COMMANDING OFFICER