Merrimack (AO 179) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 9 text:

•■ h, i I A IK ■L, 1

Page 8 text:

EXECUTIVE OFFICER LIEUTENANT COMMANDER JOHN B. EGGLESTON U.S. NAVY Lieutenant Commander was born in Jacksonville. Florida; however being from a Nav family-, he lived in several different states while growing up. He claims Winter Park. Florida (where he went to high school) as his home town. He was graduated from the Naval Academy in 1979. Lieutenant Commander Eggleston has served at sea as UCA and the Navigator in the commissioning crew of USS SAMUEL ELIOT MORISON (FFG-l ' B)- Chief Engineer in USS DEWERT (FFG-45) and Chief Engineer in USS PORTLAND V1joU-oT). His shore assignments have included a tour at the Naval Academy, where he taught Seamanship. Navigation and Tactics as well as coaching Off-Shore Sailing and acting as Officer-In-Charge of the YP Squadron. He also recently completed a tour as Officer-In-Charge of the SURFLANT Gas Turbine Engineering Mobile 1 ruining Team in Norfolk. Virginia. Lieutenant Commander Kggleston ' s personal awards include the Navv Com- mendation Medal with two Gold Stars and (he Navv Achievement Medal. Lieutenant Commander Eggleston and his wife Marie reside in Virginia Beach V rginia with their sons Sean and Brendan.

Page 10 text:

FROM THE COMMAND MASTER CHIEF: Sailors belong on ships. Ships belong at sea. A day inport is a day wasted. The Chiefs ' Mess used these three rules throughout the cruise. We certainly didn ' t waste too many days! This was my sixth Mediterranean Deployment and, by far, the best. I saw some new and very different ports. The highlight was working with this fine group of pro- fessionals. We showed the SIXTHFLT how UNREP- PING was done. The messages from USS WAIN- WRIGHT, CTF 63 and COMSIXTHFLT acknowledged that USS MERRIMACK was a crew of hardworking professionals. The 14 hour UNREPs, no notice UN- REPs and continuous changes in schedules did not slow us down nor keep us from being safe and always ready for the next customer to come alongside. I am proud to have been a crew member of USS MERRIMACK. You carried your outstanding behavior with you ashore. By doing that you made my job easier. I received numer- ous compliments about your behavior on the beach. Thanks! I ' ll transfer soon after our return but will brag about this crew and our reputation as the World ' s Finest Fleet Oiler for years to come. You are THE BEST!!