Manatee (AO 58) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 12 text:

FROM THE CAPTAIN When took command of the good ship MANATEE back in August 1969 I promised all hands that we would go to sea, do a good job and have fun doing it. Looking back now on our arduous deployment I can honestly say that we have done just that. We steamed 47,300 nautical miles, replenished 155 ships of all shapes and sizes, made every commitment in fair weather and foul, evaded those infamous ladies, ty- phoons Co ra, Doris, Elsie, and Flossie, delivered 473,459 bbls. of black oil, 8,828,358 gallons of jet fuel, 97,313 ga ons of fresh water, 790 bags of fleet mail, and thou- sands of tons of fleet freight and provisions. We corrected all of our own ills while at sea so that the old gal could keep up with the fast pace. We did without upkeep periods when the operational schedule wouldn ' t permit such a luxury. We accepted additional time at sea when other ships suf- fered misfortunes. And, when the chips were down and disaster threatened, her performance was even more im- pressive. All in all, we did a good job! I think every person in ship ' s company will agree that we had fun. Who can forget the memorable visits to Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Singapore or Sasebo — the four best lib- erty ports in the Orient? Who can forget the Equator Cross- ing ceremony? The plush hotels? The swim calls? Fishing? Tours? Most of all, who will fail to remember the wonderful homecoming? All in all, we had fun! This has been a most rewarding and satisfying deploy- ment for me. You officers and men made each day a pleas- ure. Your hard work, dedication, willingness to devote long and arduous hours of each day to get the job done have made MANATEE the fine ship she is. Her fine reputation is a direct result of your commendable efforts. You hove made me, her Captain, a very grateful and proud man. Thank you for a difficult job, Well Done. To the relatives and friends I send special thanks for your cooperation and thoughtfulness, your prayers, your letters. With such support from those at home our job was made easier. MANATEE is a good ship because her people are good. Her people are the officers, the men and the loved ones back home. They are all part of our team, all parts of the MANATEE family. As the Captain, I wish to thank each and every member of the MANATEE family for a truly splendid performance. Gratefully, £- CAPTAIN C. E FAAS

Page 11 text:

CHANGE OF COMMAND On August 23, 1969 Captain C. E. FAAS relieved Cap- tain J. F. GILLOOLY as Commanding Officer of MANATEE. The ceremony took place while MANATEE was in Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, shortly after her arrival from Japan. Present for the change of command was Rear Ad- miral R.L.J. LONG Commander Service Group Three, who delivered the keynote address. Since the change of com- mand, Captain GILLOOLY has taken command of the aircraft carrier, WASP. Captain FAAS reported from the staff of Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Force Pacific. He assumed command as MANATEE prepared for her first line trip of the 1969 deploy- ment. He had previously commanded the destroyer USS INGRAHAM. Captain GILLOOLY commanded MANATEE from April 1968 through a WESTPAC deployment and major overhaul. Prior to assuming command of MANATEE he served as direc- tor of the Policy Division, Bureau of Personnel. Designated as Naval Aviator in 1948, he served with ASW Patrol Squadron 21, Electronic Countermeasures Squad- ron One and the Staff of Commander Naval Air Force, Pacific Fleet and the Commandant, Naval War College. He served as Operations Officer, Executive Officer, and Commanding Officer of Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 36 on the USS RANDOLPH (CVS-11). For his service during MANATEE ' s 1968 deployment he was awarded the Bronze Star. The change of command ceremony was concluded with music from the Naval Base Band.

Page 13 text:

COMMANDING OFFICER Captain FAAS assumed command of the USS MANATEE (AO-58) on 23 August 1969 at Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. Captain FAAS enlisted in the Navy in October 1942 as an Apprentice Seaman. Following graduation from Torpedoman ' s Mate School, Newport, Rhode Island, he served aboard the USS NOA (DD-343) and USS BOOTH (DE-170) as TM3 and TM2, respectively. He received his commission via the V-12 program at Berea Col- lege, Berea, Kentucky and Midshipman School, Notre Dame Univer- sity, South Bend, Indiana. Following his commissioning in 1945, Captain FAAS served in the USS WARRINGTON (DD-843) as Tor- pedo Officer and Assistant Gunnery Officer. Subsequent tours at sea included: Gunnery Officer in the USS BISPEE (PF-46), First Lieutenant in USS LEYTE (CV-32), Executive Officer in the USS BROWNSON (DD-808) and Commanding Officer USS INGRAHM (DD-694). The MANATEE is his eighth assignment at sea. Ashore Captain FAAS has served as Instructor in Seamanship at Officers Candidate School, Newport, R.I.; Commanding Officer U.S. Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Training Center, Pueblo, Colo- rado; a similar billet at South Charleston, West Virginia; Anti-Sub- marine Warfare Program Officer on the staff of the Commandant, Fifth Naval District, Norfolk, Virginia; and, prior to reporting to the MANATEE, served on the staff of Commander-Destroyer Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. For his World War II Combat service, Captain FAAS wears the African European Service Medal with three bronze stars, American Theatre, Asiatic Pacific, American Defense and the Victory Medals. For his part during the Korean War he received the Korean Service Medal with seven stars, the China Service Medal, United Nations Medal, Occupation Medal and the Sigmund Rhee Presiden- tial Commendation Medal. For participation in the Vietnam War Captain FAAS wears the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star and the Vietnam Cam- paign Medal with device. In addition, he was awarded the Mer- itorious Service ' Medal while serving on the staff of Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet in support of the war effort. While Captain FAAS was originally from West Orange, New Jersey, he presently makes his home in San Diego, California. He is married to the former Obera Powers Huddleston of Benham, Kentucky. They have three daughters: Ann, Mary and Susan, ages 21, 19, and 14, respectively.