Macdonough (DLG 8) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 7 text:

COMMANDER J. T. PARKER, USN Commander Parker is a native of Wheel- wright, Kentucky. He attended the University of Cincinnati prior to attending, and graduating from the United States Naval Academy. Upon commissioning, he reported to USS DOUGLAS H. FOX (DD-779), where he served for two years in Deck and Gunnery assignments. He then served as Opera- tions Officer for Commander, Destroyer Division 262. Following a tour of duty at U.S. Naval Guided Missile School, Dam Neck, Va., he was assigned to the commissioning crew of the USS DAHLGREN (DLG-12) as Weapons Officer. In 1962 he assumed command of USS ST. CLAIR COUNTY (LST-1096), servinguntil 1964 when he reported to the Nav?i Or- dnance Systems Command in Washington, D.C., he was assigned to the Nuclear Power Training Program, subsequently qualifying. Prior to reporting to MACDONOUGH, Commander Parker was assigned as Executive Officer of USS SELLERS (DDG-11). Commander Parker relinquished com- mand of MACDONOUGH to Commander R. R. CLARKE in October 1969. He is presently serving in a post at the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations,

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Tnat this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom- and that govern- ment of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from this earth. In a time when the political relations between the major powers of the world are resting on a razor edge and ready to topple, the United States finds it necessary to keep a sufficient number of units, both land and sea, in a state of readiness in order to enable this country to react to any aggressive act in any corner of the globe. This book is the story of s uch a unit, the USS MACDONOUGH (DLG-8). It is the story of her officers and men and of a seven month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea. The Navy keeps a force deployed there for the purpose of showing those countries whom we consider to be friendly, that the United States is ready in all respects to help our allies in every possible way and also to impress upon those countries who have designs on world domination, that we of the United States of America, stand ready to defend de- mocracy wherever it is threatened. Although being deployed to far flung parts of the world means being seperated from home and loved ones, the men of this ship know that it is necessary if those loved ones, whom we leave at home, are to live in peace and freedom. We, there- fore, go down to the sea in ships in order to insure that the freedom of the United States and of all free countries through- out the world shall not be hampered or endangered at any time. Much high praise has been bestowed on these men, and rightly so, but there are others, often in the background and seldom thought of as making any sacrifice for their country, without whose encourage- ment these men would be unable to perform their all important task. They are the parents, wives and sweethearts of the men of this ship. We, the crew of the Mighty Mac dedicate this cruise book to them in deep appreciation of their many letters, their love and their many hundreds of silent prayers which follow us wherever we roam over this earth. May God bless them and keep them safe in our absence and may He always be with us and our ship wherever we may be required to sail the seas.

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. MACDONOUGH is assigned to Destroyer Squadron Six but for the deployment, she was selected to assume the duty of flagship for Commander Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Six. This Squadron Commander is based in Norfolk, Va. and the staff moved to the ship a few days prior to our departure. Acting as the flagship brings many added responsibil- ities upon the crew and the ship. The ship is charged not only with the execution of its own assignments but supply the staff with facilities to enable them to direct the operations of up to 12 destroyers. It is a credit to the men of Mighty MAC that the Commander of the Sixth Fleet complimented the Commodore on the way in which he conducted operations during the deploy- ment. To all the Mighty MAC sailors who made the cruise, a WELL DONE for a fine job. -