Wilhouite (DER 397) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDING DFFICER Cdr. E. W. Hays Commander E. W. Hays, U. S. Navy, Commanding Officer U.S.S. WILHOITE was born in Giltner, Nebraska in 1932. He entered the U. S. Naval Academy in July, 1949, graduating and receiving a commission as an Ensign, U.S.N. with the class of 1953. Commander Hays has completed ten years sea duty since 1953. As an Ensign during the Korean conflict he was a deck division officer and later CIC officer on board the USS MENIFEE QAPA-2025. While Lt. CJC3 , he was aboard the U.S.S. RAYMOND QDE-3415 operating out ofNew- port, Rhode Island, and Key West, Florida. As a LT. he was assigned to the pre-comrnission- ing detail and initial crew of the U.S.S. TOPEKA QCLG-85 as Terrier Missile Officer. Also in 1962, he was on the pre-commissioning detail for the U.S.S. HEEL QDDG-135 in Bay City,MiCh' igan, and later as Weapons Officer for this guided missile destroyer. As a Lieutenant Com- mander in 1965 he served as Executive Officer, U.S.S. COONTZ QDLG-97. ln December 1966, he assumed duties as Commanding Officer, U.S.S. WILHOITE. In July 1967 he was promoted to the rank of Commander. During the two periods of shore duty for CDR. Hays, he has been concerned with the field of education. During the period 1957 to 1959 he attended the U.S Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, California studying in the field of Weapons Engineering. In 1963 he was attached to the U.S Naval Academy, as an instructor in Weapons Engineering. During the latter period ashore he attended night classes conducted at George Washington University. Commander Hays resides in Hawaii with his wife, the former Miss Norma Boomer of Lincoln, Nebraska, and their three children.

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DEDICATION To the men oi' the WILHOITE, who give their best efforts to the perpetuation of the American Ideal ...... who have left family and friends to maintain the freedom of the friendly nations of the world. Constant vigilance would not be possible without the skills and devotion to duty of the WILHQITE offi- cers and men. To these men, and those that are giving their lives in Viet Nam, we dedicate this book. Y 6 1

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER n,n.'5ifL,, , F , lt. W. H. Tredick, USN Born in Colon, Republic of Panama, QCanal Zonel and a Navy junior, the family moved to Lebanon, Pennsylvania in 1942. Lt. Tredick graduated from Lebanon High School and entered the U.S. Naval Academy in July 1957, graduating in June 1961 with a Bachelor of Science De- gree and a commission as Ensign. His service has been on the U.S.S. STGRMES CDD-7805 as ASW and Gunnery Officer, NROTC Unit, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire as an assistant Professor, and in 1966, helped to develope the pilot curriculum for Riverine War- fare as it applies to river patrol boats qPBR'sJ. Lt. Tredick helped to establish a new command, the Naval lnshore Operations Training Center at Mare Island, California teaching tactics, employment, gunnery and small boat hand ling QPBR'sl prior to his present assignment as Executive Officer, U.S.S. WILHOITE. Lt. Tredick is married to the former Barbara F. Lenker of Elizabethville, Pennsylvania and they currently reside in Hale Moku, Honolulu, Hawaii.