Harlan Dickson (DD 708) - Naval Cruise Book

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CDMMMDEH DESTROYER SOUADRDIV TWELVE Captain O. L. Livdahl, U. S. Navy CAPTAIN Livdahl, our Squadron Commander, who rode the U.S.S. Compton (DD 705) during the cruise, was born in North Dakota on September 14, 1903. He graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1926. Prior to assuming command of DesRon TWELVE on January 5, 1951, he served the .Navy in many capacities. In the U.S.S. Claxton, he served in the Mediterranean during the Spanish Revolution, 1937-1938; as the Gunnery Officer of a large ship for a year prior to World War II, and for the first year and a half of the War; as Gunnery and Training Officer on the Staff of Commander, Seventh Fleet; and as Section Chief of the Underwater Ordnance Research and Development section of the Navy ' s Bureau of Ordnance. Captain Livdahl came to us well versed in the problems of the Naval Reservist on active duty, having just completed a tour of duty as Director of Naval Reserve, Fourth .Naval District. The Commodore has received many awards for extraordinary heroism and devo- tion to duty; among these are the Silver Star Medal, Conunendation Ribbon, Presi- dential Unit Citation; and the various war area ribbons.

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DUR FORMER CAPTAIIV Commander Charles V. Allen, U. S. Navy COMMANDER Allen was born in Van Wert, Iowa, on November 20, 1910. He re- ceived his education in Iowa public schools, and later attended Burlington Junior College and the University of Washington. His naval career began in 1932 when he enlisted as a seaman in the United States Naval Reserve. He was commissioned as Ensign, USNR in December 1935. Prior to World War II, Commander AUen was ordered to active duty as a recruiting oflBcer, and in December, 1940, reported on board the U.S.S. Brooks (DD232) as First Lieutenant. Commander Allen served in destroyers and destroyer-transports throughout World War II in the Pacific Areas. He commanded the Brooks (APD 10) during the New Guinea campaign and at the landings on Saipan. Returning to the States, he became the CO. of the newly commissioned U.S.S. Pavlic (APD 70) and again returned to be engaged in the campaign for Okinawa and in the initial occupation of Japan. After the war ' s end, he became Technical Staff Officer, Bremerton Group, Pacific Reserve neet. In March, 1949, Commander Allen became Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Dickson, and he continued in that capacity until May 17, 1951. Beloved by the crew, he was presented with a gift of Limoges China Dinner service as a token of their esteem. Commander Allen holds the Bronze Star with a gold star in lieu of a second for combat service; the Naval Unit Commendation, Naval Reserve Medal, American Defense, Asiatic-Pacific Theater (six stars), and other area ribbons.

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OFFICERS AND CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS FRONT ROW (left to right): Ensign B. C. Cubbage, Second Division Officer; Lt.(jg) R. W. Fuller, Repair Officer; Lt.(jg) W. H. Hooper, Jr., First Division Officer; Lt. B. F. Gallagher, Engineering Officer; Commander W. M. Braybrook, Executive Officer; Com- mander E. C. Finney, Commanding; Lt. IN. H. Witschen, Operations Officer; Ll. I. W. Baitv, C.I.C. Officer; Lt.(jg) K. C. Tavlor, Legal Officer; Lt.(jg) B. J. Billings, Ass ' t Engineer Officer. (Lt. E. J. Lambur, Jr., Gunnery Officer, absent). . . . SECOND ROW (left to right): Chief Quartermaster McGranor: Chief Watertcnder Zimmer; Chief Elec- trician ' s Mate Brvant; Ensign T. G. North, Electronics Officer; Ensign J. R. Mandelker, Supply Officer; Ensign W. R. Dealaman, Torpedo Officer; Chief Hospitalman Christmas; Ensign J. L. Cariker, Communications Officer; Chief Machinist ' s Mate Barlow; Chief Radioman Lewis; Chief Boatswain ' s Mate Anderson. . . . THIRD ROW (left to right): Chief Commissary StewaH Wolfe: Chief Torpedoman Gaines; Chief Gunner ' s Mate Bruce; Chief Fire-Contr ' olman Long; Chief Gunner ' s Mate Bailey; Chief Machinist ' s Mate Frederick; Chief Watertender Matthews.