Alamo (LSD 33) - Naval Cruise Book

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,.:1,:.,,.. .:- I ,X 5 The pages of this .book record seven months from the proud and on-going history of a great ship, ALAMO. More important than that, though, the story revealed in these pages represents seven months out of the lives of the men who sailed her, a story encompassing the work, fun, joy, sadness, satisfaction, disap- pointment, triumph, tribulation, adventure, boredom, fellowship, loneliness - all the things that add up to a deployment to the Western Pacific. For many, this was your first cruise, for others, it was your last, and for still others, it was only one of several. In any event, this cruise has been unique in that it is the only one all of us will make together as shipmates. For this reason I know that all of us will cherish these memories in the years ahead and return to these pages many times to relive again what has been recorded here. ' The conclusion of this seven-month cruise nearly coincides with the end of my tour on ALAMO. I have enjoyed the rare privilege of returning to command the same ship which I helped commission sixteen years ago. She is not as new and shiny as she was then, but her present crew is no less dedicated, professional or proud than was her first crew. Traditionally, the men of ALAMO have always displayed the same spirit as those who so nobly gave their lives defending the historical shrine for which the United States Ship ALAMO is so appropriately named. I am sure it will always continue to be so. I shall cherish the memory of this com- mand, not only because it has been my first, but because I have had the distinction of having the men whom this book is about, the crew of ALAMO, as shipmates. To you I dedicate this book. Best wishes for every success as you HCHARGEI' onward in the years ahead. m R. D. SCHOECKERT CDR., U. S. NAVY Commanding Officer ..,

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Robert D. SCHOECKERT was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1931, to Mr. and Mrs. Melvin W. Schoeckert. After graduation from Wauwatosa High School in 1950, he entered the United States Naval Academy the same year as a Midshipman. He was commissioned an Ensign in 1954 and was assigned to USS MEREDITH CDD-8905 where he served in the Gunnery Depart- ment. Commander SCHOECKERT then proceeded to pre-commissioning training in 1956 in prepara- tion for his assignment as the first Gunnery Officer of USS ALAMO CLSD-335 and later her First Lieutenant. Following this tour, he received train- ing in Nuclear Weapons at Sandia Base, New Mex- ico, prior to reporting to the Naval Ammunition Depot, Oahu, where he served as Material Officer and later as Special Projects and Operations Of- ficer, Waikele Branch. Leaving Hawaii in December, 1961, he attend- ed CRUISER-DESTROYER FORCE, Pacific Fleet Engineering Officers School in San Diego. He then served a split sea tour aboard USS LOS ANGELES CCA-1351 as Main Propulsion Assis- tant until her decommissioning in 1963, and then as Chief Engineer of USS CANBERRA CCAG-25. In September, 1965, Commander SCHOECKERT became Senior Machinery Member, San Francisco Sub-Board of Inspection and Survey. He then served another split tour at sea, this time as Executive Officer of USS KENNEBEC CAO-365 and Engineer Officer of USS VALLEY FORGE CLPH-85. In January, 1970, he once again found himself taking part in a decommissioning when VALLEY FORGE fell vic- tim to PROJECT 703 . His most recent assign- ment was with the staff of Commander-in-Chief, U. S. Atlantic Fleet as Assistant Nuclear Warfare Operations Officer from February, 1970, to May, 1971. Commander SCHOECKERT assumed com- mand of USS ALAMO CLSD-335 on 30 June 1971. Through his career Commander SCHOECKERT earned the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Expert Rifle and Pistol Medals, and various other campaign and service medals. Commander SCHOECKERT and his wife, the former Beverlee Marion of Colorado Springs, Colorado, were married' at Annapolis, Maryland in March, 1955. They have three children, Kimberly Cage 131, Douglas Cage 125, and Sandra Cage 91.

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LIEUTENANT COMMANDER MEREDITH R. JONES, UNITED STATES NAVY LCDR JONES entered the Navy in 1958, following graduation from Northern Arizona University where he earned his Commission through the Reserve Officer Candidate program. His first duty station was the USS BOLSTER QARS-383 where for a three year period he served as Supply Officer, Operations Officer and Executive Officer. Upon detachment in August 1961, he attend- ed CRUDESPAC Engineer Officer School in San Diego and then reported to the USS WATTS CDD-5675 where he served as DCA and later as Engineer Officer. Following a tour as a Mobilization assignment Officer at LCDR JONES reported to the Staff of Com- mander Cruiser Destroyer Flotilla NINE for duty as Logistics-Material Officer. His most recent assignment was with the Commander- -in-Chief, U. S. Southern Command as Supp- ly Logistics Officer from April 1969 to July 1971. During his career, LCDR JONES has earned the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Peruvian Cross of Military Merit and various other campaign and service medals. LCDR JONES is married to the former the Nawll RSSGTVS MHUPOWQF 5911391 Carlson of Phoenix, Arizona. They - 1- 11+ fl W.-A - 'nl 1 17 -55' - U lm- L- A f. reported to F5112 pre--.ofninissionnag na-.fe ilu-ee children, Jeffrey iage 105, Sheryl 5.5555 ifliifiii 53211 711, and Gregory ffage QE and reside in . fi: TF., :M fro: M MA.: .-.. ., 1 cfs' , - . .. P . '. DTiPSP3CW Q F H-SHPE? 1 21112-5 1 'f oeniain xfalieff, -california. 7 . . . .1 . ,-10,3 n Q IHlSSiOiEl1'U Q.. L.L.!Qsif1. LF11iCl5l'. 'fi