Walker (DD 517) - Naval Cruise Book

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ev 'lil-wal Commander Prada was born in Berke- ley, California on September 22. 1921. His earlv naval training was received at Xp V the California Maritime Academy from f which he graduated in 19-11. Entering I the Navy some ten months later. Com- l?Tg? 'g - ll: mander Prada received more than a ghmpw of World War IL Swing in COMMANDER G. W. PRADA, USN Gunnery Departments of USS HELENA CCL-505 and USS QUINCY CCA-711. Post war duties tool: Commander Prada to USS ELDORADO CACTC-111, USS WHETSTONE QLSD-275 and General Line Officers School in Monterey, California. At the outbreak of the Korean conflict Commander Prada was assigned as Assistant Plans Ofhcer on the Staff of Commander Seventh Fleet. Later, he received orders appointing him Executive Officer of USS HOLLISTER CDD-7881. On December 24, 195-11. Commander Prada assumed his first command, USS WEISS CAPD-1355. More recently. Commander Prada served as Executive Officer of the Naval Section MAAC. Saigon, Vietnam and as Operations Qfficer on the Staff of Commander Amphib- ious Squadron Five. Immediately prior to reporting to the USS WALKER QDD-517j, he served on the staff of Commander-in-Chief Pacific Fleet in Foreign Military Assist- ance Planning. On May 12, 1961, Commander Prada accepted command of USS WALKER CDD- 5171.

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Born in West Roxbury, Massachusetts on August 26, 1922, Commander Kelley undertook his early education at the Rox- bury Latin School. This was followed with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Amherst College, in Amherst, Massachu- setts. His naval training was completed at Notre Dame University where he was enrolled in Midshipmen School and was commissioned on November 23, 1943. COMMANDER L. W. KELLEY, USN Upon receiving his commission as an Ensign, he assumed the duties of Ord- nance Officer of Beach Jumper Unit 116. In 1946, he was assigned to the Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Virginia, followed by orders to LSMR 510. Further duty aboard LST 1102 provided him with experience in Communications and the Gunnery Department. In December 1948, Commander Kelley was graduated from the General Line Officers School in Monterey, California. His subsequent assignment was to USS ANTIETAM QCV-365 in the Communications Department. This was followed by further background in the Operations Department aboard USS G. K. MACKENZIE CDD-8365. His next appointment was to the staff of Commander Destroyer Squadron 14 as Operations Officer. Commander Kelley was an instructor in the NROTC Unit at Yale University from 1951-1953 before assuming command of USS AGGRESSIVE QMSO-4225, in August 1953 Then in Rome Italx he served on the staff of the Military Assistance Advisory Group as Chief Plans and Pro rams Branch Following this tour of duty he was ordered to the Key West Test and Evaluation Detachment Key West Florida HOMA CITY QCLG ol before tal in command of USS WALKER CDD 5171 OH June 29 1963 , g . , Commander Kelley recently completed duties as Operations Officer aboard USS OKLA- -F 5 ' si' g - i s 9 ni

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CHANGE OI' CUMMBND CEREMDNY Koala, JAPAN JUNE 29, 1963 On Saturday afternoon, the ship's com- pany and guests, wearing dress whites, gathered on the fantail for the Change of Command Ceremony. Following the Nation- al Anthem played by the COMCARDIV 15 Band and the Invocation by Lt. W. J. Winslow, CHC, USN, CDR. L. W. KELLEY is ':,1 r- ,r'. nr ' i CDR. G. W. PRADA remarks were delivered by CDR G. W. Prada. After the Reading of Orders, the AS- Sumption of Command marked the twelfth Commanding Officer to accept command Of USS WALKER QDD-5171 Then CDR L. W. Kelley delivered his remarks and the CCYGIUOUY Was closed with the Benedictifm led by LCDR P J office CHC USNR - - . . C , 7