Walker (DD 517) - Naval Cruise Book

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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

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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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l. LIEUTENANT COMMANDER J. E. LACY Lieutenant Commander E. Lacy, born in Chicago. Illinois on January 4 1930, received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Southern California. His early naval training was received at the University of South- ern California NROTC Unit, where he was commissioned an Ensign on june 16. 1951. Reporting to the USS MANCHESTER QCL-831 LCDR Lacy was as- signed duties as Gunnery Division Officer and Gunnery Liaison Officer in Combat Information Center. His next assignment began in July 1953 when he served as an Instructor at the NROTC Unit of Villanova University in Villanova. Pennsylvania. Following that he reported to USS AMMEN QDD- 527j in July 1955 and served in the capacity of Gunnery Officer. In June 1957. LCDR Lacy accepted command of USS DUNN COUNTY CLST-7-125 in which he was Commanding Officer for two years and six months. After his duty in the gators he reported to the staff of the 14th Naval District in Pearl Harbor and served as an Aide to the Command- er, 14th Naval District. LCDR Lacy began his present tour of duty as Executive Officer of USS WALKER CDD-5175 in September 1962. if 9 5