Norton Sound (AVM 1) - Naval Cruise Book

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MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER COMMAND SHCM ROBERT D. BILLS SHCM Robert D. Bills has far exceeded what the U. S. Navy originally asked him to do when he enlisted in the U. S. Naval Reserves in March 1954. As a YecmanfDecx Seaman onboard the USS HAMUL QAD-203 he began a distinct and varied career in the Navy ard Naval Reserve. His first reenlistment was from the USNR to Regular Navy in November 1956. His past has been dotted with duties onboard ships and stations that no longer exist - even in some people's memories: destroyers, tenders, destroyer escorts, an AFi?J, a USNASQJ , at Naval Air Stations and other bases with oommissary stores ard exchanges. Most of his duty was served overseas on allied soil. A highlight in his career has been his ability to calm people ard diffuse tense situations - a prerequisite to a Commard Master Chief assignment. An example of such ability was recalled by him recently. He faced a hostile group of American Navy wives who were subsisting from the branch commissary store in the heartof La Maddalena, an isolated northern Sardinian island. His store was forced to close because of the competition with local markets it presented. Caught between a political bombshell ard his irate customers, then SHC, BILLS defused the explosive situation by wittingly saying, It's illegal tostgeax in Italy! Amused in spite of their anger, the ladies dispersed quie y. F CMXC BILL'S diplomatic and very human approach to any problem are well Known to.every sailor ard family member he has helped. Customer service, whether in a sh1p's store, commissary, laurdry, or CMXC billet has been the policy-that has earned him everyone's respect ard affection. These words have been his motto ard policy throughout his career: equality, concern, integrity, ard judgment.

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LESTER W. SPERBERG, JR. Lieutenant C m ander Lester W. Sperberg, Jr., was born in Detroit, Michigan and entered the Navy in 1962 serving aboard USS SAMUEL N. MOORE CDD- 747D, USS THOMASTON KLSD-285, USS MONTICELLO KLSD-351, AND USS M LANY CDD- 528J. After earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics fro Cal State Long Beach, he was accepted and attended Officer Candidate School in 1971. Upon graduation from OCS and com letion of Vietnamese Language School, he served a tour in the Mexong Delta, RVN, attached to lst ANGLICO, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. Subsequent tours include: NGLO for 2nd Battalion, 12th Marines in Okinawa, and Officer-infCharge of the 3rd Marine Division Naval Gunfire School in the Philippines. Between 1974 and 1976, LCDR Sperberg held billets of First Division Officer, Weapons Officer, and Main Propulsion Assistant aboard USS DENVER LLPD-91. Following a 3 year tour as Main Propulsion Assistant aboard the Sixth Fleet flagship, USS ALBANY QCG-107 homeported in Gaeta, Italy, he attended Department Head School, and subsequently filled the billets of Engineer Officer aboard USS MORTON QDD-9485 and USS CIMARRON QAO-1777, both stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. After a shore duty tour as Repair Officer for Com ander, Naval Surface Forces Middle Pacific, he received orders to USS NOREON SOUN QAVM 17 as Executive Officer. LCDR Sperberg is a graduate of the Defense Language Institute, and the Surface Warfare Officers School QExecutive Officer, Department Head and the Main Propulsion Assistant coursesj. Lieutenant Commander Sperberg has been awarded the Joint Service Com endation Medal with Combat UVM, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat UVU and Bronze Star, Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Medal, Hu anitarian Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Cam aign Medal, RVN Civil Action Ribbon with Palm RVN Meritorious Unit Commendation with Palm, Navy Unit Co mendation, Meritorious Unit Com endation, Sea Service Ribbon, and two Battle Efficiency Ribbons. He is married to the former Patricia Ann Stachowiax of Plainville, Connecticut. They are the proud parents of a 4 year old boy, Willy, and a 1 year old daughter, Barbie, and reside in base housing at CBC Port Hueneme. Some pictures need no caption!

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Remember, Stand by your crew, work with your crew, Always stand behind the Captain. Never, Never, Stand in front of Him! fi!-Hx. I :iff a'e Well, almost never!