Farragut (DLG 6) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 8 text:

Commander William B. ALTHOFF, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Althoff of Long Island, New York graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1945 (class of 1946). His first duty assignment was to tfie destroyer USS Cfiarles S. SPERRY (DD-697) whiere he served as Gunnery Officer. Subsequent tours in destroyer types included two years as En- gineer Officer in the USS FITCH (DMS-25) and a year as Executive Officer of the USS Richard S. ED- WARDS (DD-950). CDR ALTHOFF attended the Russian Language School in 1948 and the Naval Intelligence School in 1952, both in Washington, D.C. Upon groduation from the latter, he was assigned to the staff of Com- mander Middle East Force, whose flagship was based in the Persian Gulf. Following this and after attend- ance at the American University, Beirut, Lebanon, he reported to the Fleet Intelligence Center at Port Lyautey, Morocco, for duty. He also has served in the Officer Distribution Branch of the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Washington, D.C. CDR ALTHOFF has commanded the ' USS E-PCS 1431, a vessel engaged in experimental anit-sub- marine warfare development at Key West, Florida, and the USS LOYALTY, an ocean-going minesweeper based at Long Beach, California. In March 1961, he took command of the radar picket destroyer USS DUNCAN, then undergoing FRAM at the Long Beach CDR. William Althoff: FARRAGUT ' s CO. Naval Shipyard. In October of the same year, DUN- CAN ' S home port was changed to Yokosuka, Japan, and she became a permanent unit of the Seventh Fleet operating in the Western Pacific. On 9 May 1963, CDR ALTHOFF returned to the Atlantic Fleet to take command of the USS FARRAGUT (DLG-6), first of a class of 5600-ton guided missile frigates equipped with the latest in electronic detection equip- ment and long range anti-submarine missiles. CDR ALTHOFF is married to the former Marilynn Eustace of Charleston, South Carolina, and has two children, a daughter, Susan, and a son William.

Page 7 text:

defense at a peak of battle readiness. During the necessary maintenance, supply, and relaxation periods all hands were engaged as good will am- bassadors in forging ties of friendship with the Medi- terranean countries. Among the ports visited were: Cannes and Myeres, France; Rhodes and Athens, Greece; Naples, Gaeta, Genoa, San Remo, and Palermo, Italy; and Barcelona, Spain. Naples was the site of FARRAGUT ' s second successive holiday season away from home. FARRAGUT finished out her deployment with an eagerly awaited return to Port Mahon, Menorca. She arrived home in Mayport on 2 March 1963, for a welcomed leave period prior to readying the ship for an interim shipyard availability period in May 1963. Entering Norfolk Naval Shipyard at Portsmouth, Virginia on 7 May, FARRAGUT underwent minor repairs and alterations and acquired a new Captain, CDR. W. B. ALTHOFF, USN, in change of command ceremonies at Portsmouth on 9 May 1963. Avail- ability completed, the ship welcomed 63 Naval Academy Midshipmen aboard and participated in her second Midshipmen Cruise, which included visits to New York City and Quebec as well as extensive underway training. FARRAGUT returned to Mayport on 27 July for a period of leave and upkeep. During the following month she was underway for local operations and a one-day dependents cruise on 16 August. A brief operational cruise to the Carribean from 16 Septem- ber until return to Mayport on 1 October included visits to San Juan and St. Thomas. FARRAGUT departed Mayport again on 28 Oc- tober for twelve days of operations as part of Task Force 23 and returned to her homeport on 8 No- vember 1963. Except for brief periods of refresfer training in the Jacksonville operations area, the ship remained in Mayport for a period of leave and upkeep, spending Christmas in her homeport. The months of December and January were spent in completing preparations for FARRAGUT ' s impending Mediterranean deployment with the United States Sixth Fleet on 8 February 1964. FARRAGUT ' s crossing to the Mediterranean went quickly and without noticeable event. Arriving in the Mediterranean the ship participated in Sixth Fleet operations until 6 March when she anchored for the first liberty of the deployment, Istanbul, Turkey, where FARRAGUT spent five days. In this sunny port, FARRAGUT ' s crew set on outstanding record for people to people relations. Departing our first liberty port we found ourselves enjoying the sunny waters of the Cyprus patrol, until the 28th of March when FARRAGUT dropped anchor in Naples harbor to remain there for 18 days receiving repairs to the engineering plant. Leaving Naples on the 1 1 th of March FARRAGUT took part in normal Sixth Fleet operations. On the morning of the 18th of March FARRAGUT began a two day visit to the enchanting island of Menorca, Spain. Sailing, fishing, Softball, and the pleasure of relaxing were enjoyed by all. FARRAGUT returned to Naples. Many of FAR- RAGUT ' s crew again took advantage of the low priced tours to Capri, Mount Visuvius and Rome. On leaving Naples for the final time in this Medi- terranean cruise FARRAGUT enjoyed rough seas and a two day visit to St. Tropez, France home of Bridget Bardot. Home again after an enjoyable short trip, FAR- RAGUT awaits her time to go into the Charleston Naval Shipyard. .fr W .-

Page 9 text:

LCDR. Robert Monroe: FARRAGUT ' s Former X.O. Lieutenant Commander Robert R. MONROE was graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in the class of 1950. His first duty assignment was to the de- stroyer USS FORREST ROYAL (DD-872), where he served in Operations Department billets. This was followed by a second destroyer tour as Operations Officer of the USS STRONG (DD-758). Both ships operated extensively in the Korean theater, 1950 to 1953. LCDR MONROE then commanded the minesweep- er USS REEDBIRD (MSC(0)-51) until 1956. Subse- quent to this he served ashore in the Officer Promotion Planning section of the Bureau of Naval Personnel. His next sea tour was as Missile Officer of the Navy ' s first guided missile ship, USS BOSTON (CAG-1 ). Between 1960 and 1962 LCDR MONROE did postgraduate work in international relations at Stan- ford University, receiving a Master ' s Degree. He served as Executive Officer of USS FARRAGUT(DLG-6) FROM July 1962 until May 1964. LCDR MONROE is married to the former Char- lotte Anderson of Knoxville, Tennessee. They have three children, Robert, Nancy, and Susan.