John Thomason (DD 760) - Naval Cruise Book

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ommandmg Officer W f4yN X ,. KJV w v7?fHiQ CDR Thomas E Vines, USN f X X I Al, I I I ..bV , Z, f K we s ff W ' ,A. The THOMASON's recently completed deployment to the Western Pacific saw the ship operating in many environments In every instance, the THOMASCN and her men proved themselves worthy as a crucial part of the Navy effort Most of the Sh1p'S on the l1ne time was spent in the Tonkin Gulf pro- viding planeguard services for the aircraft carriers operating there This duty 1S almost always very routine, following the carrier for days on end H while she launches and recovers her aircraft ma seemingly endless cycle However, the THOMASON sailors remained alert and prepared and were rewarded by recovering fourcrewmen of a fallen helicopter from the USS BON HOMME RICHARD The men of the THCMASON also proved themselves in the other principal area of operations, Naval gunfire support. The ship left the Tonkin Gulf for the Mekong Delta area and Vung Tau for this work. During our gun- line period, the ship was given the unusual assignment of proceeding several miles up the Nga Be River. From this forward position in the Rung Sat Special Zone, the ship had the opportunity to participate even more accurately in its gunfire mission. When the THCJMASON returned to her duties in the Tonkin Gulf, the crew had proved their worth under very strenuous circumstances and were rewarded by congratulatory messages from many sources. Considering the entire cruise, I can only be satisfied with the performance of the THOMASCN's officers and men. We did all that was asked of us, and each man did his job in the finest traditions of the Navy. . I ff s. fffz, f f Q W Q 3' -' ,i 56. ' ' Sw - ,,-.- . ef ,, ' :5,Yff9'jZJff .. X ' -, Q, ' f ' ff? - ff' W M 'X ,iw , , x 7 f --an 'f L, ' ' . ' ' 0 ' . -'P f , ff, I , X ,f :ff :ffl 11, W f 4 Q fy If! 1 f . f Aw if X 3 ffxfx f A f f s ZX SAS? 5 Q W! js rv , I f x S! if f 7 M , X y ,f f, , I X f XX f A f Q 7 Wk ff ff Q SKIN Sf WV J f XWSHX X S ,N N, SflQ X Sf XW f ' 'll N, GSW S f' X S f 2 ZW X Q Q fs . 1 Q n .S shew f X f W ffsfwf ff . . . . . O . l . . . . . . . . . . . D I I 0 O I . . . . . . . . O . . I I Q tx . A 'EH H4 y .Agni A-'el , Faqs a mg. wg ,IQMM 'fig f Wh 5 l, hgh Q.-Wwa ,T W if names . S- in, ' T 'Wa . v ...W in ' A ,J 'Wa

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yhlgw ix' bi ,,.:i:t.f'i 6 'Q yu. ! gi 'JI 'a N M . 'fgigkr -. ..N n. 3. Q, N - ar-. NW? 5 22se,,, 2' iw U41 if P25-2.1 .331-2 Re, M35 H5131 lv 5 'fclffrgs V Q Filter .7 i'1i2r .1 1. ' ' -03-2 . - A f . UB -:- v' ,ls-...4 N -.gmt Q -sn vw- t., . W-veg, III? . :S P1 4 Y fu-NLS pw f,.,.. . ,Sire--. A' - .nga F3 I 3 idmfzgr JE CLE llllmg' mr W nr We M avwiia :LES is 341' S fl ....I-Ind The hip The THOMASON has had as long, versatile, and proud life as her namesake, Colonel John W, Thomason, USMC, Built on the ways of Bethlehem Steel Company in San Francisco, California, she was commissioned on October 11, 1945, A 22:00 ton,Sumner class destroyer, she is 376 feet long with a beam of 41 feet, Her crew is about 260 enlisted and 18 o icers. On December 6, 1948, USS JOHN W, THOMASON commenced her maiden cruise in the Orient. Her principle mission, providing .liaison with the American Consulate in thebeleagured city of Shanghai while patrolling the Yangtze River, was indicative of the critical and unusual roles the THOMASON was to later have. USS JOHN W, THOMASON deployed nine times to the Pacific durin the Korean Conflict and participated in many diverse missions. Several peacetime cruises followed and the THOIXFASON visited ports from Hakodate in northern Japan, to Christchurch, New Zealand, In March 1959, USS JOHN W, THOMASON entered Long Beach Naval Shipyard for a major overhaul as the prototype ship in the FRAM II program, After nearly a year of effort, the THOMASON took on the look she has today, March 1961 saw the THOMASON once again set sail for the Far East as flagship for Hunter -Killer Group One cruise later, the THOMASON found herself in the position of recovery vessel for the Mercury MA-9 manned space shot, The year 1965 marked the beginning of the Navy's role in the Vietnam conflict, and the THOMASON was there as one of the first ships to participate in Operation Mar et Time, In 1966, the THOMASON returned to Vietnam to fire her guns as a member of the Naval gun ire support team. Since that time, THOMASON has expended more than 10, OOO rounds on enemy positions in Vietnam, The THOMASON deployed to the Western Pacific as part of Anti -Submarine Warfare Group FIVE in late 1967. THOMASON's 1969 deployment was preceeded by a most strenuous overhaul, refresher training, and a multitude of inspections. Immediately prior to the ship's deployment, Mrs, John W. Thomason, wife of the late Colonel Thomason, paid the ship a visit. No sooner had the THOMASON and her task group come under the control of COMSEVENTHFLEET than the first of more than fifteen schedule chansges was received, The ship was diverted to Subic Bay before sailing to the Tonkin Gulf for planeguard duties with US ORISKANY, The first major inport period was in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, after which USS THOMASON returned to Yankee Station. Three weeks of uneventful planeguarding were followed by a week in Bangkok. Subic Bay followed and another upkeep period, This one was cut short by a call for gunfire support in IV Corps near Vung Tau, After several days along the coast, the THOMASON navigated the Nga Be River to participate in gunfire support in the Rung Sat Special Zone, Completing a week's duty as part of the Naval gunfire support team, USS THOMASON returned to her plane uard duties in the Tonkin Gulf, this time for USS BON HOMME RICHARD, The months of training in this duty paid off one Sunday afternoon when the rescue helo from USS BON HOMME RICHARD plungted into the water off the THOMASON's starboard bow, Alertness and quick action brought all fotu' helo crew mem ers aboard in twelve minutes, Six days of R and R in Hong Kong and an upkeep period in Sasebo, Japan, followed, THOMASON then returned to Yankee,Station and provided planeguard services or USS HANCOCK, The THOMASON escorted USS HANCOCK to Subic Bay and back to Yankee Station before rejoining USS BON HOMME RICHARD in this last line period, On the return home, stops were made in Subic Bay and Yokosuka, The weather demonstrated its capabilities at this in- opportune time and delayed THOMASON's return to San Diego until 29 October 1969.

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H U +.!.4f..s-'VK E' . 4-ff 1 V i s Q LY, .NM -.N . C 7. M,-L: .him 'Q'- Ln-.,.n ,MAHNM 3 ,, 'f '-I-,. A --L.,-g J ' -. ' ,W , gy -M r..:...,,,k1. 'w- --...II ...JI ur' 'vt nl-'-....,. 1 '- -. T. ,' Q.: th.. 3 -Eu --.. ...nw-+-J I I ,,., .... ........k- . . .. ,u M' fl-iv . x ...V ---- ' 4 ,-4-1-. . ,,.' - V .- .JJ - ,-.54-T .. -'- , ' ':,, f...-4 9-,,-,.....s' . Y i . H-r..' T ., 2 -s 'j. ' . . 1- in ..-- f . . v,. -11, :ff ' ...r in' '..L -..-:.,, ' nf ,, . ...f GL ' A. 4 - .v L :-q ,. .,..i 1' fd '.. 3 . . -,, xecutive fficer LCDR Raymond G. Zeller, USN In any cruise, there are many events that make for the ship's success or failure in meeting her commitments. High standards of professionalism and dedication of each officer and man are necessary to insure that each commitment can be fulfilled. During the past seven months, the men of the THOMASON have proven their skill and dedication and consequently, the ship was ready for any event or assignment. Every department proved time and time again its ability and willingness to get the job done. With a ship that is older than most of her crew mem- bers, the engineers were constantly working to find and prevent break- downs. From main steam lines to air conditioners, the efforts of the men of the Engineering department showed dedication, skill, forethought, and imagination. The men of the Weapons department were also tireless in T their efforts. The vast number and variety of evolutions that are their responsibility require constant training, unstinting effort, and readiness at a moment's notice. The men of the Operations department reflect the epitome of the destroyer guide word, vigilance. These men were instru- mental in keeping the ship abreast of all events and through their alert- ness and training, met every event with confidence and professionalism. When all considerations are made, the crucial and outstanding per- formance of the men of Supply department cannot be exaggerated. Had they not been prepared to answer the multitude of diverse needs of the ship, the efforts of the other departments might well have been in vain. In examining the THOMASON's excellent performance during this cruise, such excellence was attainable only because each man knew his job, car- ried out his tasks, and then worked a little more. The result of this pro- fessionalism and dedication was a most successful cruise for the ship and a new maturity, growth and pride in each member of the crew. . 5 ?.