John Rodgers (DD 983) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 11 text:

COMMANDING OFFICER A native of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Commander Kmetz is a 1965 graduate of the University of Minnesota where he received his commission through the NROTC program. Commander Kmetz served as First Lieutenant in USS LASALLE ILPD-3J, Weapons Officer in USS DEALEY (DE-10061, Executive Officer in USS BENEWAH IAPD-35], and as Commanding Officer of USS CANON (PG-90J. He participated in extensive operations within the rivers and contiguous waters of Vietnam and Cambodia while serving in USS BENEWAH and USS CANON from 1969 to 1972. After a brief assignment as Operations Officer on the Staff of Commander Coastal Squadron THREE, Commander Kmetz served on the Destroyer Development Group Staff and as Flag Secretary to Commander Cruiser Destroyer Group TWO. After graduation from the Naval War College in 1977, he served as Executive Officer, USS KOELSCH (FF-1049] where he participated in ASW Squadron operations. Following this assignment. Commander Kmetz served as Chief Staff Officer for Commander Destroyer Squadron TWENTY and during this tour completed three major overseas deployments. Most recently he served as Executive Officer of Fleet and Mine Warfare Training Center, Charleston, South Carolina. Commander Kmetz assumed command of USS JOHN RODGERS on |uly 15th 1983. Commander Stephen G. Kmetz

Page 10 text:

COMMANDING OFFICER A native of Staten Island, New York. Captain Wagner graduated from the U. S. N ' aval Academy in 1962. Following commissioning he was assigned dut ' aboard USS RADFORD lDD-446]. where he served successively as Damage Control Assistant and then Operations Officer. He next attended graduate school at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, earning a Master of Science degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, and the professional degree of Naval Engineer. He was then assigned to the Naval Ship Engineering Center for duty as the Assistant Technical Director of the Computer Aided Ship Design and Construction Project. In 1970 he reported to USS BELKNAP (CG-26] as Chief Engineer. Captain Wagner served on the staff of Commander Cruiser- Destroyer Force. U. S. Atlantic Fleet from 1972 to 1974 and was then assigned as Prospective Executive Officer of USS SPRUANCE (DD-963J. Following SPRUANCES commissioning, he served as Executive Officer until December 1976. when he was assigned to the staff of the Deputy Commander for Surface Combatant Ships. Naval Sea Systems Command. Prior to being ordered to USS JOHN RODGERS. he served on the faculty of CNO ' s Senior Officer Ship Material Readiness Course at Idaho Falls. Idaho for two years. He assumed command of JOHN RODGERS 7 August 1981. Captain George F. A. Wagner

Page 12 text:

CHANGE OF COMMAND JOHN RODGERS conducted an underway Change of Command July 15th 1983 while in transit to Malaga, Spain. Commander Stephen G. Kmetz relieved Captain George F. A. Wagner as Commanding Officer. CDR Kmetz became the new Commanding Officer when he spoke the words I relieve you sir. The crew, dressed in spotless dress whites, then retired to the hangar bay where everyone enjoyed a sumptuous buffet laid out by Supply Department. CAPT Wagner enjoyed two years as Commanding Officer and JOHN RODGERS performed flawlessly in all her assignments while under his command. His present duty assignment is with the joint Cruise Missile Project in Washington DC. CDR Kmetz reported onboard after serving as Executive Officer at the Fleet Mine Warfare Training Center in Charleston. He brings with him a reputation for excellence and profession- alism. Since becoming Commanding Officer the crew has not let him down, doing what JOHN RODGERS does best. Operate.