Mars (AFS 1) - Naval Cruise Book

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Keel laying ceremony A little more than one year later, on June 15, 1963 she was launched, sponsored by Mrs. Clyde Doyle, widow of a California congressman. MARS entered commissioned service on the 21st of December, 1963 when Captain R. C. Medley took command at Long Beach Naval Shipyard. On September 1, 1964 MARS sailed for her new homeport of Yokosuka, Japan. MARS returned to the United States for the first time in six years when she passed through the Golden Gate in May 1970 to her new homeport of Alameda, California. After a brief stay, she was un- derway for WESTPAC again in November 1970. This deployment was highlighted by several search and rescue missions and her continued outstanding ser- vice to the Seventh Fleet. Returning to Alameda in June 1971, MARS was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation, her second award, for this highly successful deployment. In August 1971, MARS entered Willamette Iron and Steel Company Shipyard in Richmond, Califor- nia for her first major overhaul. Six months later she emerged with major engineering modifications, im- proved habitability, new supply support equipment, and a fresh paint job. Sea trials, down to San Diego for Refresher Training, and then MARS was un- derway for WESTPAC once more in April 1972. Mrs. Clyde Doyle christens MARS ■■■■Mi Bow view of MARS sliding down the ways

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H I P 9 s I s T R Y The MARS insignia was inspired by the Roman god Mars, whose symbols were the spear and the flaming torch. The spear represents battle readiness, while the torch - a universal symbol of peace - represents service towards peace. The fins on the torch symbolize the space age, the era in which the MARS serves. The USS MARS (AFS-1), the first of her class of combat store ships, was named after the small community of Mars, Pennsylvania. She was the largest ship ever built in San Diego, California and has continued her history of being first throughout her career. MARS was the first ship to put into practice a new concept of underway replenishment; the first ship to be completely equipped with the FAST system of cargo transfer; and the first ship in the Pacific Fleet to have supply transactions processed by a computer installed aboard ship. A pioneer in vertical replenishment, MARS was the first ship to make night VERTREPS available to the fleet. The USS MARS was born on May 5, 1962 when her keel was laid at National Steel and Ship- building Company in San Diego. MARS slides down the ways 17:29 15 June 1963

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ALBERT E. KNUTSON, USN COMMANDING OFFICER 23 January 1971 - 12 August 1972 Captain Knutson entered the Navy in 1943 as an Apprentice Seaman. In 1944 he was ordered to flight training and was com- missioned an Ensign and designated a Naval Aviator in June 1946. From 1946 to 1965, Captain Knutson ' s squadron tours includ- ed Fighting Squadron 9A, Fighting Squadron Ninety Three, Com- posite Squadron Twelve, Attack Squadron Ninety Five, and Attack Squadron One Two Two. Shore duty included CIC Officers Schooi, General Line School, and Ohio State University where he received his degree in Bachelor of Science Business Administra- tion. In March 1965 he assumed command of Attack Squadron One Fifty Two. Embarked in USS ORISKANY he and his squadron participated in the conflict in Southeast Asia. For his actions he was awarded the Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, ten Air Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals, and his squadron was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation. He reported to the USS CORAL SEA as Weapons Officer in April 1966. During this tour he was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service and also received another Navy Unit Commendation. In July 1967 he reported to Staff, CINCPACFLT as Current Operations Coor- dinator and later served as Operations Plans and Capabilities Of- ficer. For his contribution to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, he was awarded the Legion of Merit. Captain Knutson assumed command of the USS MARS from January 1971 until August 1972 during which period the ship was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation for its efforts in support of the conflict in Southeast Aisa. From the USS MARS he received orders as CINCPAC Representative to the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff in Omaha, Nebraska where he now resides with his wife, the former Doris Catlin of Westerly, Rhode Island, and their two daughters, Betsy and Debra.