Nicholas (DDE 449) - Naval Cruise Book

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LCDR. A. G. MERGET EXECUTIVE OFFICER ENS. E., W. POLSON SECOND DIVISION LT. W. E. SMALL CHIEF ENGINEER LTjg C. OEHLER DCA ENS. G. E. ERICKSON LTjg R. H. BRANSHAW OC DIVISION AS DIVISION

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-- Yvrn 1713, ,, ,,, :,,,,L,,,,,,,,. .. - . H .,,, V wwf--1----Vf - - 'W' - Commanding Officer pw at 6 'v' ff fllZZZfZ, 1 ii Cdr. W. B. Hooffstetter There is little doubt that if a popularity con- test were held aboard NICHOLAS that Captain Hooffstetter would come out on top. He is probably one of the most popular com- manding officers that the crew has known, and he owes much of his success to the unity and high morale that he has instilled among the crew. He specializes in getting things done. That is why NICHOLAS was able to make a WesPac deployment only a few weeks after a four month yard period and accomplish its mission with the seventh fleet with little difficulty. He is a strict administrator, an able shiphandler, and an extremely per- sonable man. Commander Hoffstetter was graduated from the University of Louisville and commissioned in 1946. Tours of duty have included the USS FRANK KNOX QDDR 74233 Aide for Admirals Gerald and Long, COMCRUDESFLOT lg BUPERSg U. S. Naval War College, Command and Staff Course in 1957-585 Executive Officer, USS HAZELWOOD QDD 531Jg Commanding Officer, USS RIVAL QMSO 4685. He received a Master of Arts De- gree in International Affairs from George Washington University, after completion of the Naval Warfare course in 1962-63. Com- mander Hoffstetter served on CINPAC Staff until taking command of the USS NICHOLAS QDD4-49J on September 1965 and was selected for the rank of Captain by the 1966 Captain Selection Board.

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arwvw- --- f - -ff' -V .IL LTjgD. V. ESSEX, jr. oc DIVISION LTjg W. P. LINK ' OI DIVISION ENS. W. W. POSENECKER EMO LT. WALTER HOLL DOCTOR ENS. J. T. BARNOWE DCA