John Thomason (DD 760) - Naval Cruise Book

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gunna-1 ? S , S . P' . Hand Salute! I relieve you, Sir. On Monday, 24 July T96T, aboard the flagship USS John W. Thomason DD-760, Captain James B. Hildreth relieved Captain Joseph H. Rayburn as Commander Destroyer Division Seventy-Two. The ceremony was held in Yokosuka, Japan where the Seventh Fleet ready HUK Group, of which Commander Destroyer i Division Seventy-Two is screen Commander, has entered for two weeks availability. The change of command was held on the helo platform of the Thomason. All Officers and Chief Petty Officers of DesDiv 72 were assembled on the helo platform, while the crews of DesDiv 72 ships were at quarters on the USS Lofberg DD-759 and USS Bole DD-755 who were tied up alongside the Thomason. The invocation was given by CruDesPac Force Chaplain Captain Robert Coe. Music was by Commander Carier Division Seven- teen Band. Honored guests included Rear Admiral O. D. Watters, Commander Destroyer Flotilla One, Rear Admiral R. L. Townsend, Commander Carrier Division Seventeen, Mrs. Townsend, and other officers of the Seventh Fleet Ready HUK Group. Immediately after the relieving ceremony, four S2F aircraft from the USS Kearsarge flew overhead in a salute to Captain Rayburn for a iob well done. A reception in the wardroom of the Thomason concluded the mornings program. Born in Ukiah, California T9 July, T92O, Captain Hildreth attended grammar school and high school there before entering the University of California at Berkeley. He graduated on TT May T94T with a Bachelor of Science Degree from the College of Commerce CForeign Tradei. Captain Hildreth was commissioned Ensign, USNR on 25 May T940 and received his regular commission on TT May T94T. He served as Torpedo Officer and Gunnery Officer in the USS KING CDD-242D in the Eastern Pacific and Aleutian Islands from June T94T-June T943, seeing action when Dutch Harbor was attacked by the Japanese on 4 and 5 June, T942. Captain Hildreth was ordered as Executive Officer of the SULLIVANS in August T944 and served in that position until August T945. His next duty was as Executive Officer of the USS JOSEPH P, KENNEDY QDD-8501 during the pre-commissioning period, and upon her commissioning in December T945 to July T946 in the Atlantic Fleet. Captain Hildreth attended the General Line School, Newport, Rhode Island from August T946 to June T947. Upon graduation, he was ordered to command of the USS GEORGE CDE-697D, home ported in Pearl Harbor. Under Captain Hildreth's command the GEORGE took part in the atomic tests at Eniwetok from January T948 to April T948. In June of T948 the GEORGE served as flagship for CINCPACFLT during the sinking of the NEVADA off Pearl Harbor. Captain Hildreth was then ordered to the General Line School. Monterey, California for duty as an instructor in CIC-ASW Strategy and Tactics from September of T948 until May T952. He then assumed his second command tour as Commanding Officer of the USS HOPEWELL QDD-68TD during the Korean conflict. He next reported to Commander Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet for duty on his staff as Ship's Readiness Officer during the period September T954 until July T956. Prior to reporting as War Plans Officer on the staff of Commander Amphibious Forces, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Captain Hildreth attended the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. Captain Hildreth was ordered as Executive Officer of the USS HELENA CCA-75D in June of T959 and served in that position until July T960. Captain Hildreth then reported for duty under instruction at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island prior to assum- ing command of Destroyer Division SEVENTY-TWO on 24 July T96T. Captain Hildreth holds numerous decorations including the Bronze Star with combat V for service aboard USS THE SULLIVANS and the Gold Star in lieu of the Second Award of Bronze Star with combat V for service as Commanding Officer, USS HOPEWELL. l , , t ' Captain Hildreth married the former Miss Kathryn Halliday of Piedmont, California in September T94T. The Hildreths have three nsons, Jim, Bruce, and Kevin and presently reside at 323 B Avenue, Coronado, California.

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We enlerlain on Board af Kobe How could he just happen to fall in the fuel trunk? Come alongside, sfeamerf' He must have changed his mind We're gaining on 'em, buf will our fuel hold our? lsn't this a darling pisfol?

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SHIP'S PARTY