John Paul Jones (DDG 53) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDING OFFICER COMMANDER PETER B. OPSAL United States Navy Commander Peter Bemt Opsal graduated from Saint Olaf College in Northfield. Minnesota, and received his commis- sion in June of 1976 following Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. He is the son of Captain Bemt C. Opsal, CMC, USNR (Ret) and Shirley Opsal and was raised w ith his three sisters in Richfield. Minnesota. On his first sea tour of duty. Commander Opsal served as Gunnery Assistant and Boilers Officer on board USS HOEL iDDG 13). During this tour. HOEL deployed to the Western Pacific and participated in the evacuation of Americans from Iran. He attended the Surface Warfare Officer School in Newport. Rhode Island, with follow-on department head tours as Engineering Officer in both USS O CALLAHAN (FF 1051 ) and USS CHANDLER (DDG 996). These ships deployed to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean as well, operating as part of the Middle East Force and participating in numerous exercises with various foreign navies. His most recent sea tour was as E.xecutive Officer of USS VALLEY FORGE (CG 50). which also deployed and performed tanker escort duties in the Arabian Gulf. Commander OpsaLs assignments ashore included graduate studies at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, where he earned a Masters of Science degree in Manpower, Personnel and Training. He also received Joint Professional Military Education at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He served ashore at the Naval Military Personnel Command in Junior Surface Warfare Officer Assignments, followed by a tour as Aide to the Chief of Naval Personnel. He most recently completed a tour in Washington, DC, as Administrative Aide to the Secretary of the Navy. Commander Opsal ' s awards include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal (2), the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, and ' arious Unit and Service awards. Commander Opsal is married to the former Sandra Long of Wyandotte, Michigan and they reside with their daughter Kelly, in Coronado, California.

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COAT OF ARMS BLAZON SHIELD Azure, an anchor palcwise or interlaced with a naval sword and cutlass proper: a bordure argent pellety of thirteen. CREST On a wreath of the colors(or and azurejin front of a profile of John Paul Jones, a naval gun all proper. SUPPORTERS Cropssed behind the shield the naval flag John Paul Jones raised on the SERAPIS and the first Naw Jack all proper. MOTTO Inlertwined around the flag staffs a scroll azyre edged or inscribed. IN HARMS WAY , in gold. SYMBOLISM SHIELD Dark blue and gold are the colors traditionally associated uiththe Navy. The anchor interlaced withthe officer ' s head and enlisted sword symbolize sea prowess and team work. The AEGIS .system ' s octagonal shape highlights the modern weaponar ' of DDG 53 with its anti-air. surface, sub-surface and strike warfare capabilities. The white border with thirteen black rivits represents day and night vigilance, solidity and determination. The number of rivits. resembling cannon balls, also recalls the llilricfu colonies aiul Ihr ii.nal t uns used by Jntui Paul .(ones in i)alllc. CREST The portrait is of John I ' aul Jones, father of the American Navy. His heroism against larger and better equipped f()rc ' s eslablished a naval tradition that has never been forgotten. Tiie naval gun represents weapnii,ir ' nl ili.u jxTiod. SUPPORTERS The (lags were display«-cl by John I ' aul Jones on his warships. The thirteen star flag com memorates the most famous KevolullonarN ' War na al combat when John Paul Jones captured the SERAPIS. Tin- ralllesnakc Don ' t Tread On Me tlai; rcnecls the lempcnuncnl ol llie limes. SEAL The coat of arms as blazf)nec! In full color upon a wlilt - oval edm- on the outside with a gold nijie and ln.scribed USS JOHN PAUL JONES at the lop and DDC . . ' 53 at the bottom In blue.

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COMMANDING OFFICER Commander Peter B. Opsal