Marvin Shields (FF 1066) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 8 text:

To the crew: i W D When we left for the Arabian Gull' in September, we had no idea how long We would be gone. From the moment oi' depart ure, we were the focus of national and international attention, a scrutiny that all of you bore with grace and style. Despite grueling environmental conditions and a difficult, com- bat environment, you diligently accomplished your duties without a complaint. Whether conducting UNREPS, long hours at Flight Quarters, mine Watch, operating the engineering plant, or a fresh Water wash down, you completed all tasks with aploinb. When put to the test, you the crew performed as a team in a complex, compressed and hostile environment, and did precisely what was required in a completely professional manner. You have been tested in the crucible of combat and passed that test with dis- tinction. The Arabian Gulf deployment of MARVIN SH l ELDS was de- manding, trying, and at times, dangerous, but above all, it was rewar- ding and meaningful. Our mission was executed in direct support of national interests. f It has been my honor to command this vessel and the men who orm her heart. I could not have been blessed with a finer crew. if Ihafl hand picked you all myself. I thank you for your courage. pro- fessionallsm and support. A M. D. SIMPSON ,- ii r'-' N 3 A

Page 7 text:

Xl I 'hu 1 11' 55 xi S S ly-.MSS LDS 1, mg. A ship's insigne is the distinguishing mark of the ship. It re- presents the intangibles which honor a namesake and unite the crew as one. The shape of the crest is traditional and is that of the SHIELDS family. The green wreath is symbolic of honor and the inscription within, CAN DO, is the motto of the Navy's famed Sea- bees, of which Marvin Shields was a member. It will serve as the motto of the ship named in his honor. Within the insigne at the top is the saw-toothed file a herald- ic term which is the mark of the eldest son and the first ship of the name. The five stars indicate that the individual for which the ship was named received the Congressional Medal of Honor. The four-pointed object resembling an arrowhead is the cal- trop. The points are so arranged that no matter what its aspect one point will point upward thus providing defense against an at- tacking enemy. The three-pronged spear is a trident emblemetic of supremacy at sea. The barbed dart at the right of the insigne exemplifies an anti-submarine weapon and is significant in that anti-submarine warfare is the ship s primary mission. The wavy line is known as an onde and represents the surface of the sea. This is an original design' the contributors were members of the crew of MARVIN SHIELDS QFF 10665. Marvin Glen Shields was born 30 December 1939 at Port Townsend Wash- ington. After attending high school in that city he enlisted in the Navy on 8 January 1962. Following recruit training at the Naval Training Center San Die- go he was assigned first to Naval Air Station Glyncoe Georgia and then to the Construction Batallion School at Port Hueneme California. Attached to Mobile Construction Battalion ELEVEN Shields was ordered to Vietnam as an Automotive Construction Mechanic Third Class. Shields unit Seabeee Team 1104 was assigned to build and improve training facilities at the Civilian Irregular Defense Group at Dong Zoai fifty-five miles north of Saigon. On 9 June 1965 the compound was taken under fire by a Viet Cong regiment armed with machine guns recoiless rifles small arms and flame throwers. Breaching the camp defenses the Viet Cong surrounded the Ameri- cans. For approximately three hours Shields continually supplied his fellow Americans with needed ammunition and returned enemy fire although he had been wounded. During a massive close-range Viet Cong attack with flame throwers hand grenades and small arms fire SHIELDS assisted carrying a more critically wounded man to safety and then resumed his gun position for four more hours. When the Commanding Officer asked for a volunteer to ac- company him outside the headquarter s defenses in an attempt to knock out an enemy machine gun position which was endangering American personnel with its accurate fire Shields unhesitatintly volunteered. Advancing toward their objective with a 3.5 inch rocket launcher they succeeded in destroying the gun emplacement undoubtedly saving the lives of many American service- men. While returning to the defensive position Shields was mortally wounded. He died on the afternoon of 10 June 1965 shortly after being evacuated by heli- copter. Although Dong Xoai was left on charred ruins the American position was held. Marvin Shields was posthumously awarded the Vietnamese Order of Gal- lantry with Palm and the Military Merit Medal. President Lyndon B. Johnson awarded him the Medal of Honor posthumously in a ceremony at the White House on 13 September 1966. 1 J' is i C 1 x l 7 7 X 1 f 1 . 3 I 7 Y 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 f ' ' ' ' if ' 4 .sf .. . 1 5.11 as r. f fi . '. X' E - ,..,- 2 -9 .M 1:-. ..: -M, , 1,-g -I., H' + X M f- W 1 ,- - ki. . . s Mug. , V. , -1 . Vg ., 3 I :jg 9 1' af -A 1 1 . Ag v I Q . V g f sl., 1 1- ,Y , 1 . . S ,.,g,,- . Q :gsm- .N..,c . g . , 1: 1 ,.,.. A V .. A pg . 4 N fp ff , . , ... k!.., .0 3

Page 9 text:

F, I J Commander M. D. Simpson Commanding Officer MAH xg COMMANDER M D. SIMPSON USN Commander Simpson, a native of Illi- nois, was graduated with honors from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1973. His initial sea tour was on USS CO- NYNGHAM QDDG 177 in Norfolk, Vir- ginia. He then reported to the Comman- dant, Ninth Naval District, Great Lakes, Illinois, for duties as Aide and Flag Lieu- tenant. In January 1979, CDR Simpson commenced Department Head training at Surface Warfare Officer's School in Newport, Rhode Island. Remaining in Newport, CDR Simpson assumed duty as Operations Officer on USS VALDEZ QFF 10965. In October 1981, CDR Simpson reported to USS HALEAKALA QAE 255 in Concord, California as Engineer Officer. From July 1983 to December 1984, CDR Simp- son attended Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Completing the Strategic Planners curriculum with dis- tinction, he earned an M. A. in National Security Affairs, and sub specialty desig- nation as a Strategic Planner. CDR Simpson next reported to USS DUNCAN QFFG 105 in Long Beach, California as Executive Officer. Subse- quently he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in Wash- ington, D. C. as a member of the CNO's Strategic Concepts Branch. Remaining in Washington, he later served as Execu- tive Assistant to Commander, Military Sealift Command. CDR Simpson's personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal with two gold stars. Along with his wife Patricia and son David, CDR Simpson resides in San Diego. 5 -R 1,5