William V Pratt (DDG 44) - Naval Cruise Book

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CQMMANDING CFFICER USS WM. V. PRATT KDDG-443 'TO' TH-E MEN' or Uses w-ILLIAM vs. uP-RATT The pictures in this cruisebook serve as reminders to all of us of the significant accomplishments of USS William V. PRATT during the 1982 Mediterranean deployment. A demanding schedule of underway commit- ments that included carrier battle group operations, PLO evacuation escort ship duties, Soviet surveillance operations, Lebanon contingency operations and Black Sea operations required each man to perform to his fullest in order to maintain the high degree of combat readiness required. Performance ashore was just as magnificent with every man serving to strengthen the relationship between the United States and the countries visited. This deployment provided all of us with many new and unique challenges. Challenges that could only be met by the true professional, dedicated to his ship and his shipmatesg in every endeavor this challenge was met. As you look back on the deployment, and review this cruisebook with your loved ones, take pride in your accomplishments. You have proven OnCe again that the American sailor is without equal. Well Done!! R. . BELL Commander, U,S, Navy Commanding Officer . nj 3-vim, I 33 1-11-F. Aw .

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USS WILLIAM V. PRATT DDG-44 0,6 ,Q xii CUM PERlC-9X9 Dominating the insigne of the USS WILLIAM V. PRATT is the American Eagle, perched on an anchor, symbolizing strength through sea power. The missiles circling the eagle, demonstrate the readiness and circumvention of her fire power. The motto, roughly translated Deadly When Threatened , further testifies to her strength and readiness. The four stars represent the rank attained by Admiral William V. Pratt, who distinguished his naval career by serving as Chief of Naval Operations, and for whom the USS WILLIAM V. PRATT is named.

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Admiral William Veasie Pratt was born in Belfast, Maine, on 28 February 1869. A veteran of more than 40 years of naval service, he began his career at the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1889. He served at sea during the Philippine Insurrection, the Boxer Rebellion, and the Spanish American War. He attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, from 1911 to 1913, when he was ordered to duty as Aide to Commander, Torpedo Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet. During his assignment to the Flotilla, he was given command of the USS BIRMINGHAM, as additional duty during the years 1914 to 1915. At the outbreak of World War I, in 1917, Admiral Pratt was assigned as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, where he won distinction for his planning of convoy routes. After the war, he served President Wilson as his advisor, and later served as advisor to the U.S. Commission at the Washington Naval Conference on Limitations of Armaments. This conference culminated in the Five-Power Naval Treaty. In 1930, Admiral Pratt once again filled the role of ADMIRAL WILLIAM V. PRATT SIXTH CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS advisor, this time to the London Naval Conference on Disarmament. In 1925, Admiral Pratt returned to Newport, Rhode Island, to serve as President of the Naval War College. He served in this capacity until his return to the fleet in 1928. From 1928 to 1930, he served as Commander-in-Chief of both the Battle Fleet and the United States Fleet. In 1930, Admiral Pratt was assigned as the Navy's sixth Chief of Naval Operations, a post he held until his retirement in 1933. Eight years after his retirement, Admiral Pratt returned to active duty at the request of President Roosevelt. His task was to design a system of carrier protection for the Atlantic convoys menaced by German U-boats. Upon completion of this assignment in 1941, Admiral Pratt once again retired from active duty, at the age of 72. During World War II, Admiral Pratt worked on the staff of Newsweek Magazine. While working for Newsweek, he wrote a weekly column dealing with the war and international affairs. In 1946, he once again retired from public service. Admiral Pratt retired for the fourth and final time, at the age of 88, on 25 November, 1957. His death brought to a close a long and distinguished life of public service and devotion to duty. Admiral Pratt was, truly, an Admiral For All Seasons.