Edson (DD 946) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 9 text:

W'F -' r' 13 LCDR C. J. STUART ,IR USN EXECUTIVE UFFICER From the Executive Officer: , The past six months represent a period which all of us will long remember as both exciting and important. During this time each of you has experienced the mo- ments of greatness when free men place their lives on the line to fight for the rights of others. That EDSON performed an important role in an outstanding manner has been well establishedg that this was possible only because of her incomparable crew is equally well established. Keep with you always the knowledge of the accomplish- ments you have shared in EDSON and may this knowledge lead you to success in all future endeavors fy

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USN From the Commanding Officer: This cruise has been very significant to all of us concerned - not only those who were physically a part of the crew but to the wives, mothers, and sweethearts back home :Who were with us in spirit and gave us the support We needed to do our jobs. During this cruise we have actively supported our troops ashore and were among the first destroyers to have carried the war effectively and efficiently to the home- land of the enemy in North Viet Nam,firing more than four times as much ammuni- tion in the process than we did last cruise. We have been taken under heavy fire by enemy guns on several occasions and were even hit once - fortunately Without suffer- ing serious damage or injury. To the men of EDSON I would repeat here that the job you did on this cruise is one to be proud of. You have fought well for your country and have earned for your- selves the right to hold your heads high along with your fathers and grandfathers who carried our great nation through her other hours of need. ' To our loved ones at home I would simply like to say Thanks for the moral support you gave us while We were away. lknow that your task was really more difficult than oursg particularly the burden of interminable waiting and wondering about our welfare. May God continue to be with us all and with our great country. CDR J. J. VERMILYA CoMMAND1Nc OFFICER

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USN During the 1967 WESTPAC cruise, I was fortunate to have been on board USS EDSON for two and one half months. I say fortunate because USS EDSON is one of the outstand' h' ' ing s ips in the Navy. Any Navy man should be proud to serve on board this ship. She has an extremely well-trained crew of officers and men- she is a fighting ship with a can do spirit she meets ever chal- - Y lenge and continuously strives to do any job assigned better than it has ever been done before. I am particularly proud to have been on board a ship like this in combat- I that s the real test! That's where you must have perfection in performance by both men and equipment. And as we all know, our modern equipment requires real professionals to keep it functioning properly and continuously. USS EDSON proved herself to be outstanding in all these respects My sincere thanks for all the assistance that the officers and men provided to me and my staff during our tenure on board. My best wishes to all hands for continued success in all future endeavors. CAPT. H. B. MQCLURE CGMDESRON 13