Manatee (AO 58) - Naval Cruise Book

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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.

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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

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JULY 1968 - DECEMBER 1969 EXECUTIVE OFFICER LCDR ROBERT E. MUMFORD JR. Lieutenant Commander Robert E. Mumford Jr. received his commission fol lowing his graduation from the University of Rochester in 1957. He served aboard the USS VALLEY FORGE (CVS-45) from 1957 to 1959 first as Signals Officer, then as A Division Officer. From 1959 to 1961 he served on the staff of the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps unit at the University of Colo- rado. While there he completed course work for an M.A. in Political Science which he subsequently received in 1968. In 1961 LCDR Mumford reported aboard the USS RUSH- MORE (LSD-14) where he served as First Lieutenant and later as Operations Officer during two Mediterranean cruises. 10 After serving as an analyst with the Defense Intelligence Agency from 1963-1966 he was assigned to the staff of Commander Amphibious Squadron One. He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal, both with Combat Distinguishing Device for mer- itorious service on the staff in Vietnamese operations. Lieutenant Commander Mumford reported to USS MAN- ATEE (AO-58) in July 1968. He is married to the former Sandra Zacher of Rochester, New York, and has a son, James and a daughter, Monica. The family resides in San Diego. He departed MANATEE in December for assignment with the Chief of Naval Operations.