Finch (DER 328) - Naval Cruise Book

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li C MMANDING OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lieutenant Stephen W. Barber was born in New York City on February 24, 1937. After graduating from St. Mark's School, he attended Princeton University, earning his A.B. degree. While at Princeton, LT Barber was in the Regular NROTC Program, from which he received his commission. His first duty was CIC Officer, USS NOBLE QAPA-218D from june 1960 to june 1962. He then served as Opera- tions Officer of the USS DEHAVEN QDD-7275. After a year of school at the American Institute for Foreign Trade, he received his B. F. T. degree. In june 1965 he served on the staff of Commander Mine Flotilla One in Sasebo, Japan. During this tour he met Miss Maryann Comisky, whom he married in February 1967. In May 1966, LT Barber began training to be Officer in Charge, Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Surveillance Unit Twenty-Two. He and his unit subsequently deployed to Nha Trang, RVN. For his work in Viet Nam, he received the Navy Commendation Medal. He reported aboard FINCH in july 1967. -- ......--............e....:.....i.....4i4...m...s..-,4.a.-. .14 1 .aa --as- Commander Myron A. Skubinna was born in New Salem, North Dakota on August 15, 1931. Upon graduation from Whitman Col- lege in Walla Walla, Washington in 1955, he entered U. S. Naval Officer School and received his commission in November of the same year. He then served in maintenance and personnel billets at the Bremerton Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet until july 1955. From then until November 1956 he served on the staff of Commander, U. S. Taiwan Defense Command. Next he was Communications Of- ficer on the USS KEARSARGE QCVA-337. CDR Skubinna then became Operations Of- ficer of USS GUNSTON HALL QLSD-5, and subsequently of USS THEODORE E. CHANDLER QDD-7175. After this duty he was assigned as Current Operations Officer at Fleet Operations Control Center, Pacific. In April 1965 he assumed the duties of Execu- tive Officer, USS EVERETT F. LARSEN CDD-8301 On july 7, 1966 he became the Commanding Officer of the FINCH. CDR Skubinna is married to the former Carolynn Kaye Trantow of Spokane, Wash- ington. Mrs. Skubinna and their four children are currently residing in Spokane. 22 Q.-Q-mms: -..-..,..v:..a.-. ---1 - nw- --- - -

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A TICI ET T0 RIDE You might say it was warm-Yes, even hot-back in June and july. Besides, being in Guam really failed to offer much. So when 8 july rolled around we were ready to go. On that Saturday morning the weather was typically Guamanian-the oppressive heat pushed down as the steam tried to rise from the harbor. FINCH stood out, leaving Orote Point behind about 0950. When leaving Guam, West is a good way to go, for land is closer that way than to the east. And almost due west is Subic Bay, R. P. where we arrived on the 12th. Although the stop lasted only a day and a half, reaching Subic was a relief to the crew after Guam, except for those back in B-4, who were rather busy. 'au 1 3 l .a Q 4 While in Subic, we changed our collective mind and decided to head for Kaohsiung instead of Market Time. After three and a half days steaming-and the old XO's mix-up on time A X A zones-the delicate fragrance of Kaohsiung wafted across the water as we pulled in early on the 16th. We were to spend the better part of a month on Taiwan Patrol in and out of Kaohsiung. Along with its smells and sounds, the sights of Kaohsiung are interesting, not to mention the more popular pastimes. The amount and variety of merchant shipping is surprising. Through that narrow gap entrance pass hundreds of sail and motor junks of all color, description and size. The oceangoing craft range from tramps, to old Liberty hulks, to sleek japanese tankers. The merchandise available in the stores and markets is astounding. Woodwork ranks as one of the best buys. But there are many fine things on sale in Kaohsiung, and almost everyone took advantage of our stay.