Aylwin (FF 1081) - Naval Cruise Book

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CSMM WDIKG Commander Craighill was born 22 March 1944 in Washington, D.C. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree and was commissioned Ensign from the U.S. Naval Academy on 7 June 1967. Following graduation, Commander Craighill ' s first assignment was in USS LAWRENCE (DDG 4) homeported in Norfolk, Virginia where he served first as Communications Officer and then Combat Information Center Officer. While on board LAWRENCE. Commander Craighill participated in two Mediterranean Deployments and a Regular Overhaul. In July 1970, Commander C raighill reported for duty under instruction at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He earned a Master of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in December 1972. Upon graduation, Commander Craighill was assigned to duty under instruction at the U.S. Naval Destroyer School (now Surface Warfare Officers School, Department Head Course) in Newport. Rhode Island. In August 1983, Commander Craighill reported aboard USS GOLDSBOROl IGH (DDG 20), homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii as Operations Officer. While onboard GOLDSBOROUGH, Commander Craighill was selected for the Nuclear Power Program and upon completion of his tour as Head of Department was assigned to the Naval Nuclear Power School Bainbridge, Maryland and then the S3G Prototype of the Nuclear Power Training Unit, Ballston Spa, New York for initial qualification. Commander Craighill then reported in January 1976 as Reactor Mechanical Assistant on board USS ENTERPRISE (C VN 65) homeported in Alameda, California. In June 1977, Commander Craighill achieved qualification as Engineer Officer of a Nuclear Powered Ship. While on board ENTERPRISE, Commander Craighill made an extended Western Pacific Indian Ocean Deployment. In March 1978, Commander Craighill was assigned as Executive Officer, Nuclear Power Training Unit . Idaho Falls. Idaho and served until November, 1980. In January 1981, Commander Craighill attended the Nuclear Prospective Commanding Officer Course given by the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Naval Reactors, Department of Energy prior to assignment as Reactor Officer, 1 SS NIM1TZ iCVN 68) homeported in Norfolk. While on board NIMITZ. Commander Craighill achieved his Command Qualification and participated in two Mediterranean Deployments and a yearlong Complex Overhaul. Commander Craighill is authorized to wear the Meritorious Service Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Battle Efficiency E Ribbon, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, National I lefense Sen. ice Medal, and the Sea Service I leployment Ribbon. Commander Craighill is married to the former Kathleen Lloyd Meade born in Charleston, S.C. The Craighills reside in Charleston with their two daughters, Sarah and Leigh and one son. John Jr. was FF-i

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■ AYLWIN ' S PAST USS AYLWIN (DD-47), 1914-1921 The second AYLWIN (DD-47) was built by William Cramp and Sons Ship and Engine Building Com- pany, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Commissioned 17 January 1914 she was initially armed with four 4- inch .50 caliber guns, and eight 18-inch torpedo tubes. In 1917 AYLWIN was used extensively for Anti- submarine Warfare exercises with submarines L-10 and G-l in local operating areas out of Boston. When America entered World War I, she was first assigned to patrol in the Virginia Capes area protecting vital merchant shipping from possible U-Boat attack. In 1918 she deployed to join British forces and help guard against German submarine menace in ap- proaches to the British Isles. With the signing of the Armistice of 11 November 1918, AYLWIN sailed in company with light cruiser Chester (CL-1) to inspect German Baltic seaports. She returned to America in June 1919 where she participated in brief operations out of Newport, Rhode Island before entering the Philadelphia Navy Yard to join the reserves. She remained in Philadelphia until decomissioned 23 February ' 1921. Her disposal was the result of the terms of the London Treaty. r-t ' if ■ KM •J » Ik p ■ Hi omll fc«d few r jf! A knpi -•. i S t)ta» atvfr f rid Christened AYLWIN on lOJuly 1934 at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, (DD-355), the third AYLWIN, was com- missioned 1 March 1935. Operating with scouting and battle forces of the Pacific Fleet, AYLWIN was flag ship for Destroyer Division 2, Squadron 1. AYLWIN ' s distinguished battle career began the morn- ing of 7 December 1941, as Japanese dive bombers flew in over Ford Island to attack Battleship Row. Escaping the confines of Pearl Harbor unscathed, AYLWIN continued her good fortune in numerous engagements in the Pacific Theater earning a total of thirteen battle stars with only two crewmembers lost and those to tropical storms vice enemy fire. When hostilities with Japan came to an end, AYLWIN headed east and transitted the Panama Canal enroute to New York Naval Shipyard where she was decommissioned 16 October 1945. USS AYLWIN (DD-355), 1935-1945

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER Commander Hobgood received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Emory Henry College, Emory, Virginia in August 1971 and was commissioned an Ensign in the Naval Reserve at Aviation Officers Candidate School, Pensacola, Florida in November 1971. His afloat assignments include duties as Mine Countermeasures Officer, Commander Mine Flotilla TWO; Mine Counter- measures Officer, Commander Task Force 78 (Haiphong Harbor Sweep Detail); Mine Countermeasures Officer, Commander Mine Squadron TEN; Executive Officer, Navigator, and Operations Officer, USS FEARLESS (MSO 442); Legal and Electronic Warfare Officer, USS OKLAHOMA CITY (CG 5) COMSEVENTHFLT Flagship; Operations Officer, USS GOLDSBOROUGH (DDG 20); Operations Officer and Staff Navigator for Commander Destrover Squadron THIRTY-FrVE, and Executive Officer, USS AYLWIN (FF-1081). Ashore assignments consisted of Mine Field Planning Officer for the Vietnam Mining Campaign while TAD to CINCPACFLT in 1972, Destroyer School graduate, and most recently as Maritime Logistics Support Force Officer and Near Term Prepositioned Force Officer for Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet. Commander Hobgood is authorized to wear the Navy Commendation Medal (with Gold Star), Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, Navy E Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal (with Bronze Star), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (with Bronze Star), Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (with Silver Star), Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Civil Actions Medal, First Class Color with Palm), and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. Commander Hobgood is married to the former Margaret Odom of Greenville, South Carolina.