Nitro (AE 23) - Naval Cruise Book

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1 COMMANDING OFFICER ' USS NITRO IAE-231 5 May 1971 To the Crew: - In theyear of 1970 the word sacrifice seem to have passed out of common usage. Though many self-proclaimed A patriots are more than willing to assert that their fellow Americans are oppressed, drowned in pollutants and exploited by the politico-military-industrial Wconspiracyn, very few will jeopardize their comfortable positions in their noppressiven society by transmitting their loud rhetoric into positive action. , The real hero of 1970 is the fellow who quietly endures the hardship of long family separations, extended operating periods under difficult conditions, and.a working day that is liable to include twenty-four hours and a seven day week. He is the man whose vigilance and fortitude help to keep his country safe and free for everyone. He is every crew member of NITRO and his sacrifice has not gone unnoticed. 1 Thank you. Sincerely,, , Howe

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Captain Howe was born in Blue Field, West Virginia, on 2 December, 1924. Upon graduation from the University of Virginia in Januagf, 1946, having completed the NROTC Program, he was commissioned an Ensign and reported for duty to USS CLEVELAND CCL-555, following tours were on USS FRASER QDM-243 as Communica- tions and CIC Officer, CIC and Fighter Director School, USS TACONIC QAGC-171 as CIC Officer, USS GRAMPUS QSS-5235, and USS POMPON CSSR-2671. In 1956, after a tour in the Submarine Branch of the Bureau of Ships he reported for duty as Executive Officer, USS BLACKFIN CSS-3225. He was detached in 1959 to attend the Armed Forces Staff College, after which he commanded USS CUTLASS CSS-4785 until 1961. Following were tours in the Special Projects Office, Washington, D. C. , and on Submarine Flotilla SEVEN Staff at Yokosuka, Japan. In December, 1969, he assumed Command of USS MAZAMA QAE- 95 ln April of 1970 u n the . , po decommissioning of MAZAMA, Captain Howe reported on board USS NITRO as Commanding Officer. A Captain Howe has been awarded the following medals and citations: Bronze S ' ' ' tar, American Campaign Medal, World War ll Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Star, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Navy O . . . . . ccupatron Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Armed Forces Expedi- tionary Medal. He is married to the former Mary O'Leary of Newton, Massachusetts. u

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The USS NITRO's Executive Officer, Lieutenant Commander G. E. Mott III, re- ported on board in September of 1970, just prior to the Mediterranean deployment. He brought with him twelve years of Naval experience stretching from Antartic 1ce-break- ing to the office of The Joint Chiefs of Staff. Q The X.O. is a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he was born on 3 December, 1935. He was graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1958, at which time he received his Navy commission as Ensign. His first duty station was the USS GLACIER where he served as Damage Control and CIC Officer. His next assignment was as Engineering Officer aboard the ALLEN M. SUMNER until 1962. From 1962-1964 he attended Naval Post Graduate School in Monterrey, Cali- fornia, where he received a Bachelor in Communications Engineering. Before joining the NITRO, he served with COMCRUDESFLOT TEN and the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Lieutenant Commander Mott has been awarded the following medals and awards: Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Antartic Service Medal. He is married to the former Priscilla'An.ne Weedon of Alexandria, Virginia.