Ashtabula (AO 51) - Naval Cruise Book

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LCDR. I. M. WILTSE EXECUTIVE OFFICER LCDR. D. L. HANSON LT. M.J. HOESLY LT. HJ. PIECH OPERATIONS OFFICER OPERATIONS OFFICER FIRST LIEUTENANT LT. R. L. JOHNSON LT. R. E. ELLIOTT LT. S. W. BALDWIN ENGINEERING OFFICER SUPPLY OFFICER SUPPLY OFFICER

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CAPTAIN RALPH E. GRAHAM Captain Ralph E. GRAHAM was born in Oldham, South Dakota july 11, 192o. He was enlisted in the Naval Reserve from 1937 till 1941 while attending college. With the coming of World War II, Captain GRAHAM enlisted serving aboard USS RODMAN QDD-4569 and as Assistant Engineering Officer aboard the USS CAPERTON QDD-6505. On February 28, I944, he was commissioned Ensign, United States Naval Reserve. After his commissioning Captain GRAHAM served tours as engineering officer in USS HAILEY CDD-5565, Uss OWEN QDD-5365, and USS HOLLISTER QDD-788j. He then served as operations officer aboard USS GANTNER CAPD-425 until january 1949. He was a Flag Lieutenant on an amphibious staff from then until june 1950. In 1950 Captain Graham began three semes- ters of study at UCLA, followed by the Navy CIC School in San Diego. From August 1951 to December 1952 he served as gunnery officer in USS TUCKER CDD-8755. The next year he served as Executive Officer, and for a short time as acting Commanding Officer, of USS EDMONDS QDE-406D . He then attended gen- eral line school in Monterey, until September 1954. Upon completion of general line school, he was attached briefly to COMINRON NINE STAFF as Liason Officer in Charge of the Military Defense Assistance Program. In Feb- ruary of 1955, Captain GRAHAM took com- mand of USS CONSTANT CMSO-427D Following command of USS CONSTANT he was assigned to the Pittsburgh area office of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission where he served as a Bureau of Ships Technical Assistant to the Manager of the Naval Reactors Branch from August 1956 until December 1959. Cap- tain GRAHAM was given command of Mine Division 73 and USS PLEDGE CMSO-4525 in December of 1959. From COMINDIV 7 3 Captain GRAHAM assumed command of the Naval Explosive Ord- nance Disposal Facility at Indian Head, Mary- land. In December of 1963 he left NAVEOD- FAC to assume command of USS LEONARD F. MASON QDD-8525, which he commanded until August 19, 1965. Captain GRAHAM took command of uss ASHTABULA QAO-51? OH Oct 11, 1965.

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LTIG. T. K. KUHLOW LTJG. 1. M. GREEN LTJC. D. B. TOOKER NAVIGATOR COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER REPAIR OFFICER LTIC. W. W. MARSLENDER CUNNERY OFFICER ENS. CW. STURGELL FIRST DIVISION OFFICER Missing: LTIG. M.H. SNYDER, A ssistan LTJG. A. F. FEEHAN LTJG. F. K. MUTCH COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER MAIN PROPULSION ASSISTANT ENS. M. R. WOODBURY ENS. J. R. FLOWERS NAVIGATOR ASSISTANT REPAIR OFFICER I SUPPIY Officerl LTIG. C. R. I-IAI-IN, Repair Ofiicerg ENS. I. SLANGER, CIC OfIice1'.