Arnold J Isbell (DD 869) - Naval Cruise Book

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CDR. R. L. PORTER. USN — CDR. E. R. ZUMWALT, USN 1957- 1955-1957 CHANGE OF COMMAND 13 JULY 1%7

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I Visits to American Samoa. New Zealand and the Ad- Rertw % miralties provided most of the interest for the eighth tour which ended March 21. 1957. During the ISBELL ' s home tour from March 25 un- til October 25, 1957. she took part in a Fleet Reserve Association Memorial Day cruise, a Pacific Training Exercise, visited Portland. Oregon, for that city ' s Rose Festival, and Seattle. Washington, for their Sea Fair. While participating in the Pacific Training Exercise, the ISBELL operated with the Navy ' s first atomic sub- marine, NAUTILUS. When Commander E. R. Zumwalt. USN, was relieved of command of the ISBELL by Commander R. L. Porter, L SN. July 13. 1957. in San Diego. Rear Admiral Chester C. Wood, USN, COMCRUDESPAC, was on hand to pre- sent a plaque for Battle Efficiency to the officers and crew. In earning this award, the ISBELL had risen from lower depths of division competition to capture every available award possible for a destroyer to earn. She wore the large red engineering E on her after stack, the green anti-submarine E on the bridge, along with white E ' s for operations and over-all battle efficiency, and white E ' s on each of her five inch mounts and directors. Supply also earned their E for efficiency in 1957. and was awarded a plaque by CO.MCRUDESPAC later in the year. An 18-day nonstop voyage from San Diego to Bris- bane. Australia, initiated the ISBELL ' s ninth Far East Cruise. Manus Island, Guam. Subic Bay, Hong Kong, Koashiung. Buckner Bay. Yokosuka. Sasebo. Kobe. Mid- way and Pearl Harbor were other ports visited. The ISBELL returned to San Diego April 23. 1958.

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OFFICERS Commander Ralph L. PORTER. USN. Commanding Officer of the USS ARNOLD J. ISBELL (DD.869I. was born in Cochran, Georgia. He entered U. S. Naval Academy in June 1938 and was commissioned Decem- ber 19. 1941. Commander PORTER ' s first assignment was USS NEW MEXICO. While serving in the Gunnery De- partment of NEW MEXICO he participated in the fol- lowing operations during WORLD WAR II: Southwest Pacific (Mop-up I. Aleutians. Gilberts. M a r s h a 1 1 s, Marianas, bombardment of New Ireland. Philippines, and Okinawa. During the period of October 1945 to September 1948, having been promoted to Lieutenant Commander, he served as Assistant Engineer and Damage Control Officer aboard USS PHILIPPINE SEA. The PHILIP- PINE SEA participated in one Mediterranean cruise as a unit of the SIXTH FLEET and in OPERATION HIGHJUMP. Admiral Byrd ' s 1946-47 Antarctic Ex- pedition. A tour of shore duty came in 1948 when Commander PORTER received orders to the Military Requirements Section of the Navy Special Devices Center. Port Wash- ington, New York. While so assigned he participated in the Navy ' s first experiment in the use of television as a medium of rapid mass training in event of mobili- zation. Following this duty, in July 1951 he was ordered to the USS WALLER, a destroyer, as Executive Officer and Navigator. The WALLER participated in the Korean conflict. Commander PORTER took command of the Destroyer Escort USS MAURICE J. MANUEL in May 1952 and was its Commanding Officer for 22 months. His next assignment was Executive Officer of the NROTC Unit at the University of Missouri. Comman- der PORTER was later assigned as Commanding Of- ficer and Professor of Naval Science. Commander PORTER assumed command of the IS- BELL 13 July 1957. He is married to the former Miss Janet L. Weaver of Hollis, Long Island. New York. Thev now reside at 43 Sierra Way. Chula Vista. California, with their three children. Ralph L.. Jr.. Charlotte, and David. CDR. R. L. PORTER, USN Commanding Officer Commander PORTER holds the following decorations and campaign medals: American Defense (with Fleet Clasp I: American Theater: Asiatic-Pacific Theater (with 6 stars I: World War II Victory; Navy Occupa- tion Medal: National Defense; Korean Service Medal ( with 1 star I : United Nations Service Medal ; Philip- pine Liberation Medal ( with 1 star I ; Korean Presi- dential Unit Citation; and the Philippine Republic Presi- dential Unit Citation Badge. Executive Officer LT. CDR. J. A. BEAUBOUEF Operations Officer LT. WAYNE H. TERRY