Waldron (DD 699) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE PAGES THAT FOLLOW DEPICT PORTIONS FROM THE LIVES OF SOME TWO HUNDRED AND FORTTV MEN AND OFFICERS-DURING A SIX MONTH PERIOD w CRUISING AS VQRT OF. THE U.S. SIXTH FLEET IN I MEDITERRANEaxiMIamHE CHANGES ARE THAT THE STORY WILL BE PERSONALIZED FOR YOU BY THIS BOOKIS OWNER. LIKEWISE, THE CHANCES ARE VERY GOOD THAT HE'LLSI-IAVE A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THE WALDRON'S 'MED CRUISE OF NINETEEN SIXTY. HE HAS GOOD REASON TO BE PROUD OF HIS SHIP DURING THIS CRUISEQQQEIQR IT WAS ON THIS CRUISE THAT HE AND HIS SHIPMAQEEESEFEARNED FOR THE WALDRON ITS FIRST BATTLE EFFICIENCY E THE AWARDING OF THIS MERIT TAKES PLACE ANNUALLY AT THE CLOSE OF THE COMPETITIVE YEAR. THE BATTLE EFFICIENCY IS AWARDED BY THE COMMANDER,ADESTROYER FO CES ATLANTIC, TO THE SHIP INwETACH,SQUADRON WHIC SI-IAS THE HIGHEST OVERALL ANECRTALGE-'OF COM.PETITIVIfIEXERC3lSE SCORES AND REBIABILITTY AND SMARTNESS GRADES. THE MEN WALDRON REALIZE THIS AND WEAR THE WITHVGREAT PRIDE. BUT TO THEM, WINNING THE HAQQSHAQ A GREATER SIGNIFICANCE. IT HAS IDENTIFIED,jfAj VaGPERIOD OF SERVICE TO THEIR COUNTRY ASAHAVING BjE'E1BQNEARER THEIR BEST EFFORTS . . . AS BEING AWTYPT3 OF SERVICE BOTH DESIRED AND DESIRABLE. IT HAS PROVEN AGAIN THE OLD NAVY AXIOM, A TAUT SHIP IS A HAPPY SHIP. A X V 'R I N

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A MESSAGE FROM THE CAPTAIN I welcome this opportunity to express to all hands my pleasure in having had command of the WALDRON while she was deployed in the Mediterranean with the SIXTH FLEET. During this cruise WAL- DRON was awarded the coveted E , an achievement in which you may all take pride. Operating with the SIXTH FLEET places a ship in the front line of our nation's POWER FOR PEACE forces. The presence of our naval forces in Mediter- ranean waters assures our friends over- seas of America's friendship and concern for them and for the wor1d's peace. It was our fortune to share in this vigil and visit among the people of five different nations during our seven month's deploy- ment. The extent and variety of our oper- ations was proof of the usefulness and versatility of today's destroyer force. Whether serving as a single shore bom- bardment unit in an amphibious assault landing or as an integral part of an im- mense air defense net about a carrier group, our purpose and abilities were clearly evident. fp In years to come it will be witha sense 1 t of pride that we can leaf through this re- if ' H' ' cord of our cruise,knowing thatWALDRON p A Si. mt g img was a first rate ship manned by a first I ' fate Crew- CDR. HARRY A CUMMINGS, U-SN BIOGRAPHY Commander CUMMINGS was born in Gulfport, Mississippi on l May 1921. Most of his early education was acquired in schools at Norfolk, Virginia where he graduated from Holy Trinity High School in 1939. He subsequently received a Presidential Appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated as an Ensign in 1943. His first duty assignment was the USS ERICSON lDD4401where he served as Torpedo Officer and later as Gunnery Officer until 1946. In 1946 he was transferred to the USS HAYNSWORTH fDD7001 where he performed duties of Executive Officer until 1948. Having displayed the essential requirements for command, he was assigned as the Commanding Officer of the LSMR-517 until 1950 when he became Aide to the Chief Military Assistance Advisory Group, The Netherlands. Upon completion of aide duty, he was directed to report to the U.S. Naval Academy for assignment in the Executive Department. He served as Company Officer at the Naval Academy from 1951-1953. His next assignment was that of Navigator on the USS LOS ANGELES CCA-1351. From the LOS ANGELES he was transferred in 1955 to the Armed Forces Staff College, and upon completion of the course was assigned as Special Plans Officer on the'Staff of Commander Service Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. His last duty assignment prior to present command was that of Gunnery Officer in the USS FORRESTAL CCVA-591. Commander CUMMINGS assumed duty as the Commanding Officer, USS WALDRON CDD,-6991 on 26 May 1959, having relieved Commander J. W. MASON, Jr. Commander Cummings has served in destroyers, cruisers, carriers, and the amphibious force, as well as having had staff duty and additional training at the Staff College. In his career Commander CUMMINGS has received the following medals: American Defense Navy Occupation Korean Service Atlantic-European Theatre World War Il Victory United Nations Asiatic-Pacific Theatre National Defense Commander CUMMINGS is married to the former Rosemary DONOVAN of Norfolk, Virginia They have three daughters and one son now residing at 1205 Lake Shores Road, Bayside, Virginia.

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