William V Seiverling (DE 441) - Naval Cruise Book

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, - ,,,,, .,.... asf, James Francis Welch, Seaman USN There is a feeling of good fellowship on ships of the Navy that tends to link crew members together in a sort offamily unity. A small ship, such as the SEIVERLING, gives us all the advantage of personally knowing everyone on the ship. This ex- plains, in part, the great personal loss which every one of us felt at the tragic death of Jim Welch in Niigata, Japan, July 18th, 1954. By dedicating this Cruise Book to his memory, we hope, in some small way, to show our appreciation for the privilege of knowing and serving with Jim Welch.

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I was l N, or . Away s Q-un..-.,,N h , 'This is the Captain speaking...' Command at sea is the goal of every line officer, and for every line officer there is always that first - and most important - sea command. For me SEIVERLING has been my first command, and it has been by far the most gratifying and enjoyable experience of my naval career. However, no ship in the Navy is known by any individual or individuals among its crew. Rather, it is by the collective performance of each and every member of a crew that a reputation is established. It is with all humility, therefore, that I state that the good reputation enjoyed by the SEIVERLING is one which you yourselves have earned. While the publication of this cruise book marks the end of SEIVERLING's Third Cruise during the Korean conflict, this is the first cruise which has been honored by a memorial of this sort. To the officers and men who contributed to this publication I want to ex- press on behalf of the other members of the crew my appreciation for contributing so freely of their time and effort to the work, and to congratulate them on a job well done. I note that it is with unanimity that this book is dedicated to Joseph F, Welch, whose tragic accidental death was a blow to all of us. This is altogether fitting, and I join in expressing my personal sense of great loss. To those of you who are carrying on, let me say that detachment is my loss, as well. SEIVERLING has never failed to accomplish the missions assigned to her, and my loss is the company of the shipmates who have made this so. Finally, I wish to express my very best wishes for the continued success of each and every one of you, and of the United States Ship WILLIAM SEIVERLING- a crew and a ship in which I have every confidence, Sayonara, ROBERT G. TOWER LCDR, USN