Ainsworth (FF 1090) - Naval Cruise Book

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CHANGE OF COMMAND THE PRESTIGE, PRIVELEGE, AND THE BURDEN OF COMMAND Only a seaman realizes to what extent an entire ship re- flects the personality and ability of one individual, her Commanding Officer. To a landsman this is not understan- dable, and sometimes it is even difficult for us to compre- hend, but it is so. A ship at sea is a distant world in herself and in consider- ation of the protracted and distant operations of the fleet units the Navy must place great power, responsibility, and trust in the hands of those leaders chosen for command. In each ship there is one man who, in the hou r of emergen- cy or peril at sea, can turn to no other man. There is one who alone is ultimately responsible for the safe navigation, engineering performance, accurate gunfiring and morale of his ship. He is the Commanding Officer. He is the ship. This is the most difficult and demanding assignment in the Navy. There is not an instant during his tour of duty as Commanding Officer that he can escape the grasp of command responsibility. His privileges in view of his obli- gations are most ludicrously small; nevertheless command is the spur which has given the Navy its great leaders. It is a duty which most richly deserves the highest, time- honored title of the seafaring world — CAPTAIN . Joseph Conrad READING OF ORDERS ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGE A JOB WELL DONE TURNOVER HANDSHAKE

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COMMANDER JOHN W. BEARDSLEY U.S. NAVY Commander Beardsley was commissioned in June 1964 upon graduation from the Naval Academy. His initial sea tour was on board USS JOHN W. THOMASON (DD 760) as 1st LT Gunnery Officer. Following graduation from Destroyer School in 1967, he reported aboard USS STODDARD (DD 566) as Weapons Officer. In 1969-70, he served as a member of the Naval Advisor Group, Republic of Vietnam. From 1970-73, Commander Beardsley was assigned to the Executive Department, U.S. Naval Academy. In March 1976, he completed the course of instruction at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California and received a Master ' s degree in Oceanography. From 1976-77, he was Executive Officer on board USS MEREDITH (DD 890). From 1978-1981, he served on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations (OP-095) and from 1981-82 he was a student at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C. Commander Beardsley is married to former Barbara Bocskay of Huntington, New York, and they have three children, Karen, Michael and Megan. '

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THE SHIP ' S INSIGNE The arms of AINSWORTH, designed from ideas of the ship ' s company, reflects elements symbolic of the life of Vice Admiral Walden Lee AINSWORTH as well as values inherent in American and naval tradition. i The concept of the knight brandishing a battle axe, together with the colors red and silver, derive directly from the Ainsworth family coat-of-arms. In concert, they represent strength, fortitude, and nobility in pursuit nf peace. The seahorse represents prowess and fortitude. In addition to the connotation of vigilance at sea, the seahorse symbolizes the forces of science and industry, vital elements in design, construction, and operation of the ship. The knight astride the seahorse, then, indicates seapower strengthened by the marriage of man and technology, of crew and ship. The full color version adds special meaning to the AINSWORTH arms. The traditional Navy blue and gold signify loyalty, fidelity, truth, and excellence. In addition to reflecting our national colors, the red, white, and blue shield is highlighted by a central ermine band, symbolic of leadership and justice. The green charger represents youth, strength, and freshness, particularly appropriate to the Navy of today and tomorrow. The motto PARATA PUGNARE meaning Prepared to Fight stresses the primary goal of readiness to act to further the values which have become our heritage. The motto also encompasses the nickname of the fighting destroyerman who was Pug Ainsworth. The peripheral stars are marks of honor and achievement, characterizing both the life of Vice Admiral Ainsworth and the aspirations of those who proudly carry his standard to sea. The continuous line highlighting the border of the crest, signifies the unity and continuity of the ship ' s crew. May that line be a strong one. May it never part. May this crest inspire those who comprise that line to act in pursuit of excellence throughout the life of a proud ship bearing a proud name and proud heritage.