Forrest Royal (DD 872) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE CAPTAIN OF THE USS FORREST ROYAL (DD-872) Commander John J. Creamer, U. S. Navy, Naval Academy, Class of 1944, was appointed midshipman for the Fourth Naval District, Massachusetts and received his commission in June 1943. An experienced destroyer officer, Commander Creamer was first ordered to the USS HOEL (DD553) which saw action with the Pacific Fleet. On 25 October 1944 he be- came eligible for the Purple Heart when the HOEL was sunk by gunfire while making a daylight torpedo attack during the 2nd battle of the Philippines. In July 1945, after re- turning to the States, he put the USS PARKS (DD8S4) in commission at Orange, Texas. The PARKS operated with Task Force 77 in China and Japan until October 1946. From January 1947 to November 1949 Commander Creamer served with the USS POWER (DD-S39) which served in the Atlantic and Mediterranean area. After serving the NROTC unit at Rensselear Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York he attended the Naval Post Graduate School at Monterey, California where he studied Aerological Engineering. A tour of duty with the USS MIDWAY (CVA-41) took him across the Arctic Circle during Operation Mainbrace in 1952. In August 1954 Commander Creamer was assigned to the Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island where he served as Aerological Officer. More destroyer duty followed in 1956 when he reported aboard the USS BRISTOL (DD-857) and assumed the duties of Executive Officer. Commander Creamer married the former Gloria G. Atkinson of San Francisco on 27 May 1947. They now reside in Newport and are the parents of two daughters, Cathy and Carol. 4

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Executive Officer LCDR. A. C. Bessette xm m LCDR Alfred C. Bessette was graduated from the Naval Academy in June 1944. His fi rst tours of duty were aboard LSM ' s as Executive and then Command- ing Officer. His next tour was aboard the John W. WEEKS (DD-701) where he was first lieutenant and Gunnery Officer. This was followed by a tour of duty as instructor in the NROTC section of Cornell University. He returned to sea duty as navigator aboard the Icebreaker USS ATKA. From the ATKA he returned to the Naval Academy to serve as In- structor in the Marine Engineering Department. He reported aboard the ROYAL in June 1957. He now has orders to report to the Naval Attache in the Dominican Republic for a tour of duty. ) i 2 . LT. T. H. Sherman Jr, will relieve LCDR Bessette as Executive Officer.