John McCain (DDG 36) - Naval Cruise Book

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From: CTG Seven Six Pt Four To:USS JOHN S. MCCAIN USS JOHN S. MCCAIN was detached with reluctance on 26 May 77 from MAULEX 1-77 to proceed next committments. MCCAIN arrived WestPac and MAULEX 1-77 only days before operations commenced on 21 May, and from the start your enthusiasm, imagination, industry, and performance were four-star caliber. McCain was assigned nearly every duty imaginable in MAULEX 1-77, including advance force operations with combined U.S. UDT Philippine UOG teams, NGFS, main body screen element, plane guard, lifeguard, agressor role as a surface raider, and surface anti-submarine anti-air-warfare coordinatir - simultaneously for a good portion of the time, McCAIN inserted-recovered UDT UGG teams and vectored buoy laying teams into rehearsal and assault beaches at night, conducted over 30 NGFS missions firing over 1000 rounds (simulated). controlled cap and conducted eight intercepts of aggressor air, rearmed (actual once, simulated twice), refueled, endured swimmer SDV attack in the AOA, fought the war in four warfare areas at once (AAW, SUW, ASW, NGFS), and generally was kept busy defending and supporting the amphibs. The McCAIN turncoated, assumed an aggressor role as Sam-Kotlin DD, and exercised the amphibs in defending themselves in night surface action scenarios. Throughout these activities McCAIN exhibited commendable performance and enviable professionalism in the art of surface warfare, and contributed significantly to the achievement of realistic conditions and training objectives during MAULEX 1-77. Please convey to your fine officers and crew our appreciation and admiration of a smart ship off to a running start look forward to working with you again at every available opportunity. 31

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LT J.M. STEUSSY OPERATIONS OFFICER Lieutenant Steussy was born 3 June 1946 in Port Arthur, Texas. He attended the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland and received his commission on 6 June 1968. Previous duty assignments include Assistant CIC Officer and First Lieutenant, USS BENJAMIN STODDERT (DDG-22); CIC Officer, USS KING (DLG-IO); Senior Advisor, VNN River Transport Escort Division 81 in Vietnam; Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California; and Surface Warfare Officer School (Department Head Class 48), Newport, Rhode Island. He then reported aboard USS JOHN S. MCCAIN (DDG-36). Lieutenant Steussy is married to the former Holly Ann Michalek of Scotia. New York. They have two daughters. Amber and Aimee. 33