John Paul Jones (DDG 53) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 9 text:

Table of Contents 8 Commanding Officer 10 Executive OJficer 12 CMC BTCM(SW) Roebuck 14 CMC QMCM(SW) Wells 15 Ombudsmen Family Support Group 16 Wardroom 18 CPO Mess 20 Combat System Department 38 Operations Department 56 Engineering Department 70 NAVADMIN Department 78 Supply Department 88 Liberty Ports 100 SWO 101 ESWS 102 Beards 104 Honors Ceremonies 106 Visitors 108 VBSS 110 UNREP CONKEFS 112 The Facts 114 The Line 116 Steelbeach + lis Awards 120 Tiger Cruise 122 Transfers 126 Home

Page 8 text:

Dedication, This Cruise Book is dedicated to the men of USS John Paul Jones and to all of the families and friends who so faithfully supported us during our six month deployment to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf, 13 April 1995 to 09 October 1995. As a surface combatant assigned to the Abraham Lincoln Battle Group, John Paul Jones performed superbly in every mission as- signed. Starting with the pre-deployment work-ups, you trained to become a coordinated team of tactical experts and established an internal support system that ensured the ship could go anywhere for almost any length of time. You maintained the highest levels of crew morale which not only increased the quality of life onboard but also enhanced the combat readiness of the ship. As recognized by the Battle Group and various fleet commanders, you dedicated your efforts to absolutely superb performances. The following are some specific highlights: Diversion to Hawaii to repair the starboard hub casualty requiring a dry docking and subsequent independent transit across the Pacific Ocean. Superb performance as CVN Shotgun, Plane Guard and Tomahawk Strike Platform simultaneously surviving the Gulfs summer heat. Numerous queries of vessels in the Northern Gulf during the Maritime Interception Operations and conducting two boardings in support of United Nations ' sanctions. Participation in SHAREM 110, a complex, shallow water ASW exercise in the Arabian Gulf and embarking a LAMPS helicopter, the first by an Arleigh Burke class destroyer. Set a high standard with the 5 inch gun, scoring six direct hits on the killer tomato winning the spirited surface gunnery competition. Successfully escorted thirteen Maritime Prepositioning Ships and Army War Reserve Ships through the Strait of Hormiiz supporting Operation Vigilant Sentinel. Quick recovery of the aircrew ejecting from an exploding F-14 on the return transit. Numerous Flight Quarters, Unreps, Conreps, Vertreps and many more... Those courageous volunteers back home also contributed enormously to the success of this first deployment. The actively involved support structure was headed by a superb team of Ombudsmen and a Family Support Group. Their efforts kept the families informed, supported and involved in many events helping bide the time of separation. Their periodic newsletters and the weekly changing phone messages kept loved ones in touch with the lives and events occurring both home and abroad. To all of you associated with the deployment, many thanks and congratulations for a job well done. This book is dedicated to you!

Page 10 text:

COMMODORE JOHN PAUL JONES John Paul Jones a name synonymous with daring and courage under fire, naval professionalism, and the establishment of the American narx. Born the son of a gardener in 1747 he went to sea as an apprentice at the age of 12. For nine years he sailed the north Atlantic before the mast. In 1768 he assumed control of a brig when the master and mate died offerer, on a voyage from Jamaica to England. Rewarded with the command of the vessel for bringing it home safely, he spent five years as a captain in the merchant senice. In 1773 his crew mutinied in Tobago and he was forced to kill the ling leader in self defense. On the advice of friends he Retired incognito to the continent of America until a court of admiralty could be | formed to hear his case. At the outbreak of the revolution John Paul Jones traveled to Philadelphia, where he was commissioned as a senior Lieuten- ant of the Continental Navy on 7 Dec 1 775. He sened onboard the flag ship Alfred participating in raids on the Bahamas. He then took command of the Providence and in a single cruise took 16 prizes and burned fishing stations in Nova Scotia. Promoted to captain and given the command of the Alfred. John Paul Jones sailed first to the grand banks where he took seven prizes. As the most successful captain in the continental navy. John Paul Jones Mas rewarded with the command of the Ranger, an 18 Gun Sloop of War. Entering the Irish sea he took two merchantmen as prizes and destroyed five others. In rapid succession he landed at the port of White Haven where he spiked the guns of the harbor fort and set fire to the ships anchored in the harbor. He sent a party of four to capture the Earl of Selkirk and defeated the British Sloop of War the Drake. When he returned to France with the captured Drake, his fame led french officials to plan more ambitious enterprises for John Paul Jones, including his command of naval vessels carrying an army led by Lafayette on a raid to Ireland or Scot- land. This plan came to naught and for over a year John Paul Jones searched for larger ships to replace the Ranger. Always a peifectionist. John Paul Jones rejected several ships offered to him, saying I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for 1 intend to go in harms way. Forced to settle for command of an old East Indian, Jones refit the vessel for use as a war ship and renamed it the Bonhomme Richard, in honor of Benjamin Franklin and set sail around the British Isles in the summer of 1779. The 23rd of September found Jones off Flambrough Head as a Baltic fleet of 41 ships sailed into view canying cargo of much needed naval stores. John Paul Jones immediately closed for action setting off the hottest single ship battle in the age of the Sail. As the merchantmen fled, the British ship Serapis and the Bonhomme Richard maneuvered for position and opened fire almost simultaneously. Two of the Bonhomme Richard ' s largest cannons burst in the opening exchange, and John Paul Jones saw that his only hope in victory was in boarding the more poweifid ship. The ships became entangled and for mo hours the Serapis pounded the Bonhomme Richard with cannon fire while seaman and french marines swept the deck of the Serapis killing anyone appearing above deck. At a lull in the battle Captain Richard Pearson of the Serapis asked if Jones was ready to surrender. John Paul Jones rejected any such thought and replied, have not yet begun to fight. At 2200 a grenade from the Bonhomme Richard set off charges on the gundeck of the Serapis. Fearing defeat, Pearson ordered his men to board the Bonhomme Richard, but they were thrown back, within half an hour Pearson surrendered. Casualties were high, half the crews of both vessels were lost and the Bonhomme Richard sank two days later, forcing John Paul Jones to transfer his flag to the captured Serapis. Retiring to Paris. John Paul Jones received a hero ' s welcome. Hoping for fitrther employment in European waters, John Paul Jones lingered in France for another year before returning to the United States where he was given command of the 74 gun ship, America. At the wars end the Continental Navy was disbanded and John Paul Jones ' senice under the American flag ended. Returning to France for a final time. John Paul Jones died in Paris on July 18, 1792. For a century John Paul Jones ' s body lay in a cemetery outside of Paris before President Roosevelt dispatched a flotilla of destroyers to return his body to America and ordered it laid to rest in the chapel at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis. His legacy is sumtnarized on his tomb, He Gave To Our Navy Its Earliest Traditions Of Heroism And Victory .