Blue Ridge (LCC 19) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 168 of the 1977 volume:

■■■iH [ SHIP ' S LOG U.S.S. BLUE RIDGE LCC-19 FO UR TH CR VISE SEPTEMBER 25, 1976 MARCH 8,1977 BLUE RIDGE, HER HISTORY USS Blue Ridge is the first ship ever designed as a Command and Control ship. She is the third Navy ship of her name. The first Blue Ridge was a Great Lakes passenger steamer purchased for use as a Navy transport during World War I. The second was an amphibious flagship that saw extensive action in the Pacific during World War IL The idea for Blue Ridge was conceived in 1963, and was four years in the planning stage before construction began at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in 1967. On January 4th 1969, almost two years after her keel laying, she was launched. Over a year later, in mid February 1971 she was finished. Blue Ridge is a unique achievement in Naval design. Longer than two football fields (629 feet overall), she displaces 18,500 tons. She is 108 feet wide and settles some 27 feet in the water. To date Blue Ridge has made four deployments to the Western Pacific. While in a deployed status she serves as flagship for the Commander Amphibious Force, Seventh Fleet and for the Commanding General, 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade. During her third deployment Blue Ridge was called into action off the coast of Vietnam for Operation Frequent Wind. There she commanded the task force assigned to rescue American, foreign national and Vietnamese refugees from Saigon. In November 1976 she participated in Kangaroo II off the coast of Australia. The largest multi-national peacetime exercise of its kind. HER MISSION Blue Ridge ' s job is Amphibious Force Control and Coordination. Amphibious warfare is probably the most complex form of war fought, and its effective control demands equally complex facilities. Blue Ridge utilizes a maze of computers and communications equipment to accomplish her assigned task. Blue Ridge is capable of commanding and coordinating all aspects of an amphibious assault landing, comparable in scale to a major World War II operation. This floating commandpost is able to coordinate troop landings, control air and gunfire support, offer task force protection and disseminate logistical data simultaneously. The forest of antenna which sprout from her main deck and superstructure give an indication of Blue Ridge ' s extensive communications network. Part of this network includes satellite tele-communications. Blue Ridge was the first ship designed to command amphibious operations exclusively. Time and time again, from the coast of Vietnam to several large scale exercises she has proven equal to the task. CI CAPT. James G. Mclntyre, U.S.N. Commanding Officer Captain James G. Mclntyre received his commission as Ensign and was designated as a Naval Aviator in 1955. He served as an Instrument Flight Instructor and taught Aerodynamics at Pensacola in 1957. He attended the U. S. Naval Post Graduate School from 1960 to 1962 where he earned his B.S. in Meterology and Oceanography. He graduated from the Naval Test Pilot School in 1968 and served as ASW Branch Head of the Service Test Division and participated in various test projects. Captain Mclntyre was Officer in Charge of VAW-11, Detachment GOLF aboard USS ORISKANY(CVA-34), and Commanding Officer of VA W-116 aboard USS CORAL SEA (CVA-43) and RVAW-110, the replacement E-2 squadron. He reported to the USS KITTY HA WK (CV-63) as Navigator in 1974 and later served as Executive Officer. Captain Mclntyre assumed command of BLUE RIDGE on July 31, 1976. r CDR H. M. S. Gimber USN PRESENT XO CDR Harry M.S. Gimber graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in Jne 1957. His first sea duty was aboard the USS WATTS (DD-567). He completed submarine school in 1960 and served in USS CORSAIR (SS-435) and USS TENCH (SS-417) and as Executive Officer of the USS BARBEL (SS-580). CDR Gimber has served in the Bureau of Naval Personnel as Assistant for Submarines on the Career Planning Board, Special Assistant to the Chief of Naval Personnel, and as Head, Washington Placement Branch, Officer Distribution Division. He served as Commanding Officer of USS BLUEBACK (SS-581) in 1971 to 1973. He attended the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School where he completed his graduate education in mechanical engineering. He reported to BL UE RIDGE as Executive Officer in January 1977. I CDR R. A. Resare USN FORMER XO CDR Ronald A. Resare entered the Navy in 1959 after graduating from Purdue University. In 1966 he earned his Masters Degree in Physics from the Naval Postgraduate School. He served as First Lieutenant and ASW Officer aboard the Pacific Fleet destroyers USS EDSON and USS McKEAN He served as an advisor on the Operations Staff of the Military Assistance Command in Vietnam, for which he received the Bronze Star, Joint Service Commendation and Vietnamese Staff Service Medals (First Class). CDR Resare was assigned as a Military Research Associate at the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, before assuming the duties of Executive Officer aboard BLUE RIDGE from Oct. 1975 to Jan. 1977. He is now the Commanding Officer of the USS VOGELGESANG. 1 1 „ . «r.«r ■ I SHOCK TEST 8 _- SJ((. THE YARDS i I B H M REFRESHER TRAINING ' 10 CHANGE OF COMMAND ' .-V i 12 6k - MO 13 BLUE RIDGE DEPARTS 14  -a ffTSP S! 15 l r- 5 — PHUIPPINe KMM ISIANOS votCANO lUAfei MAtlANA ISIANOS •ISMADCK CARCXINE ISUNOS 7 )01 isk fee 1, more ) (! Km, Em km kjsm MUthli % ' - - - SOLOMON ISIANOS RUCI UMTA OIUZ ■ CO«At StA i  oniaS 14 FIRST STOP, HAWAII CMAT AUSTtAlfAN UCMT Vi CD ' • • I A Pearl Harbor Arriving in Hawaii Blue Ridge made her first port call in a journey which would take her crew over 22,000 miles ov the Western Pacific. Clear skies and warm sunshine greeted the men of Blue Ridge as the ship glided into Pearl Harbor. Our stay would be short, only two days, but time enough to give all hands a glimpse of the islands many beautiful sights. From the sparkling beaches of Diamond Head to the rugged jungle covered volcanoes, our 50th state offers the visitor a panorama not soon forgotten. Many of the crew took advantage of the islands colorful, fast paced night life. Honolulu more than met crewmembers expectations, displaying a wide range of entertainment and recreation. Hawaii would be our last contact with America for almost six months. Ahead lie 30 days at sea, a major military operation, and much work. tia NO f OP. NORTH PACIFIC O C i A N A,. OPERATION CROSSDECKS, AND CROSSING THE LINE Son fiOfK-K [wo 17 Av • OP. CROSSDECKS 18 RAdm. James H. Morris USN Commander Task Force-76 Rear Admiral James H. Morris, a 1947 graduate of the U. S. Merchant Academy, began his Naval career on the staff of Commander Task Force Ninety-Five, in 1951. He has served on torpedo boats, destroyers, cruisers and amphibious ships. He developed the Navy Human Goals Plan while assigned to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington as Director of the Human Resource Management Division in 1972. He was the first commanding officer of the USS TARAWA (LHA-1), before being promoted to his present rank in July 1976. He was also the first commanding officer of the Combat Stores Ship USS SAN JUAN. Rear Admiral Morris holds numerous awards including the Legion of Merit, two Bronz Stars, and the Navy Commendation Medal. 20 CTF-76 HER MISSION Commander Amphibious Group ONE, who also serves as Commander Amphibious Force, U. S. Seventh Fleet and Commander Task Force 76, is tasked with directing and coordinating the movement and actions of the amphibious ships deployed to the Western Pacific. Homebased in White Beach, Okinawa, COMPHIBGRU ONE, operating from various flag ships including USS Blue Ridge, schedules and controls over thirty ships and craft ranging in size from small Mechanized Landing Craft (LCM ' s) to Helicopter Landing Ships (LPH ' s). He controls Amphibious Ready Groups (ARG ' s) normally comprised on an LPH, a Landing Platform Dock (LPD), an Assault Cargo Ship (LKA), a Landing Ship Dock (LSD) and one or more Landing Ship Tanks (LST) with embarked Marines, ready to react to emergency situations anywhere on short notice. During combat, COMPHIBGRU ONE is responsible for the most complex form of warfare imaginable, amphibious assault. In such an operation, his main concern is putting a hard hitting Marine landing force ashore and keeping it there. In peacetime, his major concern is somewhat altered. At present his major task pertains to training and readiness preparation. This is accomplished through exercises such as Kangaroo II. 21 BrigGen. Francis X. Quinn USMC 9th Amphibious Marine Brigade Brigadier General Francis X. Quinn is the Commanding General, 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade, and the Assistant Division Commander, 3rd Marine Division. A graduate of the University of Dayton, he enlisted in the Marine Corp in Feb. 1950 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in Feb. 1952. He graduated from the Basic School, Quantico, Va., that same year. General Quinn served with the 1st Marine Division during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. His personal decorations include two Silver Star Medals, two Legion of Merit Medals, with Combat V, and two Purple Hearts. He is a graduate of the Junior School, Quantico, Va., and the Naval Warfare College, Newport, R.L 22 9th M.A.B. MISSION For the fourth time, the 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade was embarked aboard USS Blue Ridge. Unlike previous deployments, 9th MAB did not have a comfortable period in which to set up shop and get orientated. As soon as they came aboard, there was work to be done. Operation Kangaroo II was less than one short month away and there was much to be done. As the lagest multi-national amphibious operation held since the end of World War II, the Marines had to get all the information and intelligence needed for the landing in Australia. Drawing on over thirty years of amphibious experience and utilizing Blue Ridge ' s computer and communications capabilities, 9th MAB organized over 10,000 marines into a mobile effective landing force. But that was not half the job. Those men had to be fed, resupplied and directed to the place of action. Once the landing had taken place, the fruits of long hours and intensive planning came forth. There were minor problems, though not the fault of 9th MAB. There was the enemy to contend with and their actions can not be plotted, only estimated. After the week long operation was over and the war had been won, the men of 9th MAB still had much work to do. Those 10,000 marines had to be withdrawn, their un-used suplies collected and all of them loaded back aboard their respective ships. Nothing could be forgotten, and the 9th MAB professionals made sure that nothing was. 23 CTF-76 I Brunnelle, R.J. MAJ h J Claflin. D.R. AKl Costa, J.T. AG AN Dixon, L.D. RMS IT Ellis. W.D. RMS Dougherty, S.H. AGS Fitzgerald. P.M. YN2 24 Gabbert, J.G. AG2 Green, C. W. RMl Harbison, A.F. CT03 Hite, DR. ISl 25 ■:mi Lowry, J.M. CTOSN Mullnix, G.D. CAPT Nelson. R.K. AGS Pidgeon, E.T. CDR 26 Rodriguez, M.L. CT03 Sheppard, T.C. SN Shoemaker, R.S. CTOSN Walters, J.B. CT03 Yewcic, M.F. RM3 27 Ship ' s Officers - Ill n i Hiii i aifea a iiM 0 % i Aardahl. L.N. CW03 Brezina, E.S. LT Broadley, T.S. LT Bryant. E.E. LTJG Bryson, G. Y. LTJG Budnik, S.M. ENS Byrne, J.W. ENS 28 Curtis, C.C. CW02 Hess.D.W. LTJG Johnson, W.R. LTJG Kafka, W.J. LCDR Landry, R. LCDR Lierman, J.S. LCDR Lockwood, A. W. ENS Lopez, G.J. LTJG 29 Marszalek, K.J. LT McGuire, D.J. LCDR Patton, W.J. CW02 Pinkl. T.J. LTJG Praeger, D.K. MAJ Roques. P.F. CAPT Ray, M.D. CW03 Ruddell, C.L. CW02 ( 30 Sadamoto, T.K. LCDR Schandel, G.W. LCDR St Clair. M.J. 2NDLT Thorne. M.E. CW02 Vidal, DA. LTJG White. R.J. LCDR Williams. T.A. LTJG Yeager, F.G. ENS 31 0 iC hi made kM dm tkKf jorthii %i mm jeM Sm Mni mmi Mskr kit it mkts i CtfAr AUSritAllAN liCHT CROSSING THE LINE - - - The Line On October 13th, the Navys 201st Birthday, Blue Ridge again entered the Royal Domain of Neptunus Rex, Ruler of the Seven Seas. As Blue Ridge neared the equator preparations were made for the time honored line crossing ceremonies. Seasoned Sailors made ready to test and initiate slimy polywogs into the Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of Shellbacks. Davy Jones, special emissary to the King of the Deep, paid Blue Ridge a visit on the eve of the ceremonies to insure that all was in order for this most special event. Neptune himself was on hand as Blue Ridge crossed latitude 00000 to preside over the festivities. Summons and subpoenas had been issued listing the Wog ' s charges. One by one they ascended toward the main deck as the boisterous initiation began. The hot tropical sun beat down upon over 600 Wog ' s as they began what seemed the longest crawl of their life. I I i I Mm laviiaA • 1 •f EW5F ■- NO ' IV I cc N O K T H PACIFIC OCEAN ' ' f lll ' lllliu, -I- V V — SAMOA ISLAMOS tOHOA OLUOI MAtOUESAS IS TUAMOTU AUCHIPEUGO OOfry ' ( o, • •h CONTINUE SOUTH TO SYDNEY K 33 J ii i I UNREP 34 1 J f 35 COMM Ball, S.L. RMl %. ki Ballard, L.L. RM2 % Beckham, C.A. RMSA Bradford. R.C. RMSA Chappell. BR. RMl 36 Cooley. P. RMSA Dunn, J.S. RM2 Eaglin. DR. RMSN Erickson. D.A. RM2 Espinosa, L.P. RMSA Fields, L.L. RMl Fulton. R.G. RMS 37 ,ii ■ u Galentine, J.M. RMS e y Gee. S.K. RMS Gray.R.W. RM2 -y Gutierrez, E. RM2 '  Heidelberg. W.S. RMS Henderson. F.B. RM2 S8 Kirby. R.L. RM2 Lang, DP. RMS Logan. R.D. RMSA Lyerly, D.L. RMl ' ■ ' . ■ ' : Mil jour, M.R. RMCS Morgan, LL. RMSA Mooney, P. RMS % O ' Rourke. T.J. RMSN ' ' 88 mi a _; ' jK- • H y..- f f , ■ 3 3S Pi ■ Parcel, M. RM3 Railling, F.A. RMS Richards, M.H. RMS A Rogers, A.D. RMSA Rowe, AD. RMSN Rowland, G.P. RMSA Schaffner, D.S. RMSA Tholen. V.E. RMSA ' V- ' ' -m w Treutlein, E.G RMS Valdez, W.L. RMSA Winters, B.L. RMSN Woodiwiss. T.R. RMS 40 I 41 4 ' KANGAROO II BEGINS 42 OFF AUSTRALIA 43 SECOND DA Y - PLANS 44 K r-ij I BECOME REALITY 45 KANGAROO II ENDS 46 47 WELCOME DOWN UNDER. 48 ' ' SYDNEY GttlAJ AUST AUAN UCNT CANMH Sydney The first week of November found Blue Ridge down under. It was the ships first visit to Australia, and the port of Sydney was a welcomed sight to bone weary sailors who had spent a month at sea. Australia means many things to many people, but first choice among the crewmembers of Blue Ridge would have to be the generosity and friendship of the Australians themselves. First stop for the Blue Ridge crew was the Hospitality Center. There one could make those purchases for people back home and themselves. The Hospitality Center was also the home of Dial-A-Sailor; the fine people of Sydney could call in and invite the visiting navymen to dinner, sightseeing, or maybe to the local pub for a cold beer. The five days spent in Sydney was far too short, but the friendship of the people will be remembered for far longer. NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN W SUNDS a. ' mocNu SAMOA ISLANDS roMCA rSLu«s it A f-l ' V,;., -X- T • ' 7 MAIOUESAS IS TUAMOTU AXCHIPEIACO SOOfry . - „ A BIRTHDAY AND A MEMORIAL 49 SOUTH P A C I F I C O C f fXi lk--, MARINES GIVE A PARTY 50 tir ' tAVkt tJl,! mM iS i :.Si 51 - . -••-,!- -■ -1- i - ' J- ' i AT MEMOR Y 52 GUADALCANAL 53 Navigation Johnson, E.L. SM3 Boulton, J.C. SMS Bradley, A.E. SMSN ' -? Kellogg. T.P. SMSA Koklich, DR. SN Alderman, G.C. QMSN Campbell, R.L. AG A A  « V Lugliani, J.N. QMl 54 Mayberry, M.E. SMSA Moen, S.C. QMSN I y. Morita. M.H. SM2 McClemons, D.P. SMCS Morgan, J.L. SM3 Nauille. R.D. SM2 n Ruka, A.J. QMSN Stivers, R.L. SMI 55 Medical and Dental Boggs. R.C. DA Darnell, W.G. HM3 Enriquez, J.D. HN «-• J Jacobson, A.B. HN Jimenez, M.A. HA W ' F Lamar, D.E. HMl .56 ' J c- - t - I ' f Myers, A.W. HN V Stocks, i?.W, HMl Reed, F.R. HN Migues, D.F. DTG2 •mh Rucker, M.A. HMl ■ — Monroe, J.L. HMl Schwarzer, P.E. DA 57 MARCOMDET Byers, K.S. SSGT Giannini, R.L. SOT Harrison, B.F. SSGT Idle, M.C. GYSGT McGill. R. LCPL 58 i JL Frs: ip K ' • Petersen, G.F. GYSGT Plane, J.L. SSGT White, E. SGT Witschger, D.E. GYSGT Worley, T.F. SGT 59 INTELL y. Cain. RE. DPI Chaplin, G.H. DS3 M ! Davisson, D.R. IS3 Dyer, D.W. ISSN ..- y Frame. RE. DPI -_ • y. Gschwind, J.A. IS2 Hall. S.D. ISSA Hamoy. J.A. DP2 Hearing, K.G. DP2 Hubbard. H.G. DPI Jordan. S.A. DPSA 60 Kirby. D.F. DS2 Laufenberg, R.J. ISSA T Luebe, M.D. DPS — Marten, V.L. IS3 J Martin, E.D. ISC « «tfK? Mcertean, J.G. IS2 Moorbrink. R.P. ISSN Pekrul, D.N. ISC ■ssjyyiBfe- Piatt, R.L. DPC I Price. JR. DS3 Terrell. C.R. DS2 Trueblood. D.M. IS3 61 T AC RON A Andrikos, T.P. ACAN - yi Basham, J.E. AC2 IWlu ' l Bell H. RMl Dagostino, A. 083 Doty. D.L. ACAN Gibson. D.D. AC 3 _?4 Hamer. D.C. AC2 Hanson, R.C. LCDR Hymes. C.W. ACC Kelch. C.W. ACl Knox. A.R. ACAN 62 Koecher. M.P. ACS Lepo. P.J. MAJ Miklaws, R.K. LCDR Nadeau, J.F. AC AN Finney, W.J. MS3 Powell. R.E. LCDR Ritterspach, F.P. MAJ Segroves, R.C. AC2 Stallard. E.J. OSSN tsm:c Tr Udell, T.A. LT Waring, J.D. CDR Westerman, J. P. LCDR 63 KEELUNG, A PLACE FOR SHOPPING 64 Ik. GKAi AusnMUkN iiCMr Keelung The island of Taiwan lies midway between Japan and Hong Kong. Early Portuguese mariners exploring the trade routes to the Far East in 1590 came upon this island and marked it on their charts as Ilha Formost, Beautiful Isle. Crewmembers and dependents of CTF-76 paid a visit to the Beautiful Isle in early December at the bustling seaport of Keelung. Upon arrival many navymen and dependents left Keelung by train, bus or taxi for the capital city of Taipei. There they spent four days of shopping and sightseeing. Taiwan offered Westerners a look into traditional Chinese culture. Here many of the ancient beliefs and time honored customs are still practiced. The ship ' s goodwill cruise to Taiwan was a successful one. We were visited by the Mayor of Keelung and many other dignitaries, all of whom were impressed with Blue Ridge and her crew. A ' ' %h ii a1 N O k T H PACIFIC OCEAN H A Ntitav J Kowa- .. ?2 - Oi t urn MaM SAMOA ISLANDS njl ISLANDS i . Si tONCA ISlAfCS t .A « ;v ' ' ' - ' ■ ' , . ' •• « t- -X- ' ■ .nl „:,n,l ' ' ' MAtOUESAS IS TUAMOTU AKCHIKIACO SOOf ' it. BL UE RIDGE RECEIVES THE NA VY UNIT COMMENDATION 65 Navy Unit Commendation COMMANDER TASK FORCE 76 for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For exceptionally meritorious service on 29 and 30 A pril 1975 during Operation FREQUENT WIND, the emergency evacuation of Saigon, Republic of Vietnam. During this period, the units of Commander Task Force 76 displayed exceptional teamwork and professional competence in supporting and accomplishing thehelicopter evacuation of nearly 7,000 United States citizens, Vietnamese refugees, and third country nationals. Although under constant threat of enemy reaction and attack from both land and sea, they selflessly devoted themselves to the task of saving evacuees lives. In addition, the operation was severely complicated when scores of South Viemamese helicopters loaded with armed and often panic- stricken Republic of Viemam Army troops and their dependents descended upon every unit of Commander Task Force 76 with a helicopter landing deck. By their courage, resolute determination, and mutual cooperation, ,the officers and men of Commander Task Force 76 contributed signifi- cantly to the success of Operation FREQUENT WIND; thereby reflecting great credit upon themselves and up holding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. 66 Secretary of the Navy 67 A Division Baker, PR. EN3 Brown, J.K. ENFN F Heraly, B.A. MMFN Barton, F.J. ENS Brown, M.E. FR Johnson, J. MR2 Bio, A.M. FA Faucett, H.L. MMFN • ••„ j Blackford, G.A. MRl «f u % . H Frost. K.L. MM2 68 V J. Kaishian, J. MMCM Ortiz. A.M. FA Paslay, M.T. FT Peterson, T.A. FA Snelgrove. W.E. ENFA Snyder, D.W. MR2 Richardson, J.C. MMFN Rodman. G.E. MRFN rm: _, m « 4 w i i mu Stevens, J.L. MM2 West, D.A. ENFN 69 M Division i y •• ,. Antonio, R.N. FN Holloman, D.B. MM3 Mendaros, E.D. FN ViHBW Beauchamp, M.G. MM2 ' 7 ?f?57? ' : Looper, J .L. MMFN Muller. F. W. MM3 Brackeen, G. W. MM3 Ducheneaux, L.C. MM3 70 Novak, G.P. MM3 - . u«, u. latt.D.W. Powell, B.M. MMFN MM2 Revels. K.E. MMFA • ntf I Troxel. L. W. MM3 ' l Weber. S.P. MM3 Williams. R. FA Williams. T.L. MM3 71 B Division Adler. L.L. BTFN Allison, A.J. BTFA Binene, R.P. BT3 IS. Brunder, F.J. FR Delos Reyes, R.S. BTFN Ellis, E.M. BTFA .. V Fox, F. IV. BT3 Gallegos. R.M. FR Houck. P.J. FA 72 r Jones, R.L. BTl Loflin. W.P. BT3 Macalalad. T.B. BT3 Murray, R.R. FN 1 „ i1 Nelson, LP. BTl Sims, L.L. BT2 Villanueva, J.S. BT3 I Wilcox, DP. BTFN 73 E Division • ¥ Barnett, J.R. IC3 Bautista, A.S. EMI Cantu, G. EMFN Crenshaw, P.M. EMFN Dunbar. B.M. IC3 Fisher. B. W. ICFA Gardner. J.W. EMFA Garza. D.D. EMFA 74 1 laa Heraly, BE. EMFA Jordan, E.C. EMC I Reilly, G.S. FA %.. « Johnson, E.R. EMFN Laconsay, R.F. EMFN :::: Spangelo, F.W. EMFA f Mettler, O.V. ICl Turner, D.W. FN Mulkern, C.T. EMS Wangler, F.A. EMI 75 R Division •• ' ■ ? W- Butler, C. HTC Carson, CD. HT3 Delise. R.K. HT3 Chirigotes, R.E. HTFN Donaldson, S.E. HTFN Clark, R.B. HTFA Gamache, L.H. FN Cobble. JR. HTFA Grimm, F.H. HT2 76 Hubert, DR. HT3 y Hillyer, S.L. HT2 mt Ison, W.S. HT3 Kawasaki, A.R. HT3 Moody, M.E. HTFN Perkins, S. W. HTFA - y Reid, P.M. HT3 Rogers. R.E. HTFN Vomacka, G. HT3 Waugh, D.A. HTC 77 COMMANDING OFFICER 78 INSPECTS THE CREW 79 COLD WELCOMES US TO PUSON 80 Pusan Just before Christmas Blue Ridge and her crew made a five day port call to Pusan, Korea ' s largest seaport. December in Korea was at times bitter cold, but the weather was no match for crewmen who covered the town sightseeing, celebrating, and shopping. Pusan was a pleasant surprise for shoppers. The city ' s countless stores and shops seemed not to have discovered inflation, and many took advantage of the excellent bargains in clothing and jewelry. Korea is known as the Land of the Morning Calm , and for the cost of a short bus ride from downtown Pusan you could find out why. In the mountains surrounding the busy seaport one could visit an ancient Buddhist temple, or watch a farmer tending his rice field with the aid of a water buffalo. Korea was a country of stark contrast and subtle beauty, for most it was a memorable visit. I N O H T H PACIFIC OCEAN i ' H A «. .. . FU ISLANDS , ■: TOMO ouim j:: ' A. A 1 rf 3 .A v • •- -«- I- ' lllIlM MM . ■! MA OUCSAS IS TUAMOTU AXCHIfflACO °Otry ' A NO SNOW BUT STILL CHRISTMAS 81 ffir,vc CHRISTMAS 82 r 83 OD Division I j Babel, T.A. DS3 Codding, J.F. DS2 Denneson, C.G. DSC Duncan, J.R. DSSN Fuentes, N. DS3 84 — V Gallahue. W.J. DSl Johnson, V.J. DS2 w Knapp.K.W. DS2 Leathers, B.K. DS2 Perman, R.C. DSSA • Swigost, J.D. DS2 Yarbrough, E.B. DS3 85 OE Division , y Anson, F.H. ETN2 Bozman, C.S. ETR3 Brokens, S.J. ETR3 Bussell, R.L. ETCM .. y Carman, G.S. ETN3 Chatelain, D.J. ETR3 86 Claussen, T.A. ETR2 Ctise, F.S. ETRl Costello, P.P. ETl Curran, DP. ETRSN P f Cyr, R.G. ETR3 ■ Drury. F. W. ETCS Epperson, D.A. FTM3 Finch, MR. ETN3 87 i r Foglesong, S.W. ETR3 A Horvath, M.L. ETRSN Groth, R.A. ETNSA Lloyd, R.H. ETC oof Guagliardi, J.G. ETN3 Oldham, W.G. ETR3 Parker, E.W. ETN2 Perry, G.R. ETl Schrock. R.A. ETN3 88 ft:. Scott, M.L. ETR3 Thierry, B.M. ETN2 Webb, D.E. ETR3 Wegner, E.A. ETC Wohlfeil. R.F. ETN2 .T ' . «, - «eii «... TT Wooley, B.C. ETN2 . Yarberry, J.M. ETN3 89 01 Division ' uMuJ , i Abbott, J.G. 0S2 Anderson, R.R. 083 Buckley, J.J. OSSA Burris, R.S. 0S3 Cappella. P.C. OSSN Copper, T.J. OSC Derning, D.R. 0S3 Dix, D.J. SN 90 ■k.tf Fioritti, G.M. OSl • y. Galtrude, R.L. OSSA Gartner, F.R. OSl Heline, L.F. 0S3 Hudson. B.B. OSS . . .«.i r- ' !-;c- ;.v -r.o - , -.i wafi Hurlbut. CM. OSSA Jl Jacobson, M.K. OSS Kearney, M.R. OSC Klingenberg, R.C. OSSN 91 Lamb, L.D. OSC i Lambert, P.J. OSSA lii Paterson, D.A. 0S3 J, Leuschner, K.E. OSSN Pernicairo, A.J. OSSA - yi Mendenhall, R.D. 083 . kcft _ _, Ray, C.G. 0S2 • Morris, G.L. 083 Reidinger, W.J. 083 92 •e. Richards, M.T. OSSA Scott, CD. SN Shearer, W.D. OSCM Sinon, D.B. 0S2 Sumsky, R.J. OSSA mf 5 Svopa, G.R. OSl Webb, R.L. OSl Wise, J.R. 0S2 93 OS Division Scott, R.L. DP3 94 m OW Division Aldrich, D.L. EWSN -... V Arnold. T.M. EWl V Eberhart, P.J. EWC Fruits, G.J. EWC Meyer, J.R. EWl 95 N A — 96 A NEW YEAR, AN OLD PLACE - - - :HONGKONG-.xr WRAI XUjnrA ' .IAN IICHT Hong Kong Blue Ridge ' s first port call of the new year was a five day visit to the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong. Hong Kong has something for everyone. Here one can spend a day shopping for fine quality merchandise from the world over, dine in any one of a number of renowned restaurants, and be surrounded by some of the most famous sights of the Orient while doing it. This small Colony is a remarkable place by any standard. The island is only 29 square miles in area and home to almost two million people. Victoria harbor is alive with ships of all nationalities day and night. The duty free port serves as an international marketplace for much of Asia. Hong Kong never sleeps, and the night life is equal to that of any in the world. The night sky pulsates with the energy of a million garish colored lights, and the noise of crowded streets and lively clubs. . ' i . h: tr r? tf « NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN H A ..oCO- . CI XOii m i Man SAMOA IllANOS FIJI ISLANDS TONGA o. .A •V A 1 ' 4- % •- 7 IM ' ' y MARQUESAS IS TUAMOTU ARCHIPELAGO V v SOOfry 41 S UBIC BA Y FOR UPKEEP 97 S-1 Division Bahl. M.J. SKSA Betito, M.V. SN l Cabuhat. E.M. SKC David, R.G. SK3 ' « ..y Guzman, D.M. SKI Heimbaugh, R.A. SKI Hugtin, PC. SK3 98 m Lemp, B.C. SKSA Minos, J.D. SKCM ♦ ' •JfeK. uf V Pfiefer, R.E. Radkay. R.A. SK2 SKI Villanueva, P. A. SK3 •••••••• 99 S-2 Division • .v Ditona, CD. MS2 Behimino, C.R. MS3 Boyd. J.D. MSCS ' .r. V Esteues, R.D. MSI Bowman, J.R. MSI -. «rf « Cudanin, M.A. MS2 .- Hernandez, E.B. MSI 100 Lee, W.Z). MS A -v. 1VA . McCarty, R.E. MSI  fci,W McCollam, W.E. MS3 « a:. Moosbrugger, S.A. MSSN Ranee, G.L. MSSN 101 S-3 Division Abad. MM. SH2 Acosta, H.P. SH3 Amon, R.G. SH2 taiVB ry Ancheta, C.S. SH2 Ballenger, L.R. SHSA Cantilado, A.F. SHC Bondoc. B.D. SHSN Cherry, A. SHI 102 Conrad, T.R. SHSN . M Devera, R.A. SH3 Domingo, W.C. SH3 Hall, JR. SHSA Herron, T. SHSN l Lumley, G. SHSA ■ Merritt. J. SH3 Munoz, A. SN Nabor, C.V. SH2 103 ■ . ■ ., Ordillas. J.E. SH3 -.-- y Tagum.S.V. SH2 •■ Tate, W.L. SN Trillanes. R.L. SH3 ti Villegas, R.R. SHSA 104 S-4 Division Bolus. A.M. DK3 Flores, M.E. DK3 A Hess, R.L. DKSN Lucchesi, D.J. DK3 Pawlowski, G.E. SN Quintos, M.E. DK3 Rhodes, T.G. DKCS Seals, C.E. DKSA 105 S-5 Division ¥ w Abille. E.A. MS3 Chua, J.F. MSCM Bumbasi, V.C. MS3 Costales, P.A. MS2 Fajardo, CD. MS3 Gelle. A.B. MS3 Limcaoco, B.C. MS2 106 -: 1: i ! v i j i Mariano, R.C. MS2 tr- ■ . ' Ti '  - Mirano, L.C. MSI ..w flffc StyW Recafrante, R.A. MS3 Morales, C.S. MS2 rr„.« Salabao, S.A. MS3 Olson, M.A. MS3 ss. Samson, D.V. MS3 Radoc, A.H. MS3 Sarmiento. E.M. MS2 107 1st Division ' 1 Carlson, M. SA Ackley. R.A. SA Botts, P.E. BMl - Defrancesco, J.P. SR Fitzgerald, R.L. BM3 Frazier, W.R. SA 108 Fuertes, T.D. SA ■ViWlS. Glidden.S.W. BM3 Johnson, H.G. BMC Leras, A.F. S.N. Marin, M. SA Markley, G.W. SR y: McCallum, S.R. SR 109 p a Salcido, D.G. SA ■■ Sharpnack, M.D. SA McManis, B. SA ku Moreno, W. BM3 ' ::j ' JS .:,m Smith. S.F. SN McManis, T.J. SA Ochoa, J.E. SA Sullivan. R.L. SA no ' • 4 Thomas D. SN Torres, E. SA : rssmxafn-x A Turnbull, J. A. SA Velez. O. SN y. Ward, M.J. SA 111 112 THE PHILIPPINES, FUN IN THE SUN Ji y r omul Ausr««ti«N vcnr o NMn 9 Subic Bay The Philippines has long been a friend to WESTPAC sailors. The Republic is made up of 7,107 islands, many of which are marked with mountainous country, fertile plains, and tropical forests. Subic Bay brought Blue Ridge a three week upkeep period and some unexpected good news. We would be returning home two and one half months early. Crewmembers made use of the warm weather by taking part in outdoor activities such as water skiing, Softball, and swimming. Subic offers some of the most extensive recreational facilities in the Far East. While at the Ship ' s Repair Facility, Blue Ridge played host to many visitors. Among them were the Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet and the Commander, U. S. Seventh Fleet. As we left for our last overseas stop on WESTPAC IV, a final quick visit to White Beach, thoughts turned eastward; toward home and those special people. m ■i-?a.5 « ' ' . Jif ■■--- I NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN H A •■ ?C - motNu it SAAAOA l9Uf«S njl ISLANDS .■ o- TONOA ,,V ' ' ' l -v„, ♦ ' • ' % V ' rT Ami ,ii ' „i.Vi ' MAHOUESAS IS TUAMOTU AICHIPELAGO . x ' SOQfry GOOD iV WS WE HEAD HOME 113 2nd Division I fS mmk 0 A ' , Adams. C.C. Barbarin, G.A. Beard. D.L. Bowling. E.L. BMl SR SA SA Campau, A. W. SA Cashman, S. W. SA Calmer, M.G. SN y. Enguillado, A.C. SR y Habbershaw, D. SA Hulme. R.A. SA Izquierdo, H. SA Lempke. K. SA I IN Lkes, S. BM3 . Newby, BE. BM3 St Metcalfe, J.C. SN n w Perry. C.E. BM2 Rasmussen, M.G. SR Reed, R.R. SA ♦ f ) •w V y Schmierer, L.E. Slaughter, M.R. Summers, R.J. Utter, M.E. SN SA SA SA 115 3rd Division Allen, J.L. FTGSA Anbro.R.W. FTGl ,1 Billings, E.R. GMG3 V Cummings, J. W. GMGl y. Daniel. PC. SA Davis, M.A. SN . t ' .- ?JV.Vi« !I ? J£S ' 4mtH3ia Deline, R.D. SA Edwards. H.A. FTGSN Fabian, A. FTG3 Ferguson, S.D. FTG2 116 % m i Fiedler, C.E. FTG3 Guenther, C.L. GMGSN Hasti, B.C. FTG3 _ 1u McCaslin, W. FTG2 f ,« « .. Mitchell. S. FTG2 Moore, J.L. FTGSN Osborne, W.L. GMGSA Pardy. R.M. FTMl •i-X!S 3if 9i i } Rill. JR. FTGSA sSts Slocumb. J.E. GMG3 Tinker, DM. GMGSN Williams, L.B. GMGSN 117 X-1 Division Aamold.D.W. PC3 A Carter. CD. SN f r Bagshaw, A. SN ifsah. Cleaves, C.H. YNC Bast, R. S. SN . ' i1 ii« Cooper, G. SN a Gutsche, C.I. PCS . Buckley, J.J. DPC Garner, R.S. PN3 - Re. Y Kirkpatrick, L.J. YNl |i 118 - Rfc V Klipsch, D.M. PNC Lummus, J.L. PCI mmk . Madsen, A.D. SN Nevels. W. YN3 Pichette. R.E. YNCS %  ?ro, P.M. Sheehy. DM. Walker, J.S SA PN3 PNSA 119 X-2 Division x Armijo, L.A. SA Berkey, H.L. PHI Blount, J.C. LIS Coward, R. LIS ' i t.m Cook, G.P. PH2 Delizo, G.L. LIl 120 intsa V Dombrovski, B.L. DM3 Elmore, W.C. PH3 Foster. R.A. PH2 Foster, R.J. JOSN • . -fc. • orge, R.A. Hendrix, T.S. Konieczny, M.E PHAN LIS PH2 121 Kwikkel, A.D. PH2 lf Lewing, J.D. PH2 - Marquez, S. SN Noonan, W.L. JOl Ochoa. E.R. LIS Petteway, S.M. PH3 ii Porbansky, J. PH2 122 Portwood, J.E. PHCS Snell, C.H. PHC vsi.msiMm ' .j iMsi ! fi ; Spangler, S.M. PH2 Warden. J.D. LI2 Washington, M.A. LJ3 123 jjA STAFF DEPARTS 124 - ' 0 , ' 1 ■ ' 7- ■ r r 125 Meritorious Unit Commendation COMMANDER SEVENTH FLEET for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For meritorious service from 30 March 1975 to7 May 1975 while engaged in Operations EAGLE PULL and FREQUENT WIND, the emer- gency evacuations of Fhnom Penh, Cambodia and Saigon, Republic of Viemam, as well as refugee evacuation operations in the South China Sea. Throughout this period, the units of Commander SEVENTH Fleet dis- played exceptional teamwork and professional competence in supporting and accomplishing the safe evacuation of United States citizens, Cambo- dian and Viemamese refugees, and third country nationals. Although under constant threat of enemy reaction and attack both from land and sea, they selflessly devoted themselves to the task of saving evacuees lives. By their courage, resolute determination, and mutual cooperation, the personnel of SEVENTH Fleet contributed significantly to the successful operations; thereby reflecting credit upon themselves and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. i ' Ly Secretary of the Navy 126 n i 127 MEMORIAL, USS ARIZONA 128 m i. ii f ' -«■ t 129 p Tigers Abbott. J. Ackley, H. Anbro, D. Anbro, J. ' « Bussell. K. Cudding, C. Dennison, C. 130 ■ ' Epperson, M. Gimber. J. Foster, S. Gimber. S. m % Hartman, H. Jones, B. Jones, B. 131 I . (1 n ' Lamar, M. Lloyd. B. % McCollam. R. Miklas, S. Pardy, R. Parker. D. Parker, M. Peterson, J. Pichette, D. Pichette. P. 132 i Piatt, K. Piatt. T. 1 Saunders, R. Schandel. H. Setterlund, M. i It . Sutton, J. Sutton, M. Sutton, T. Williams, G. 133 ACTIVE TIGERS 134 MESSCOOKS 1st. CLASS 136 137 HOME AT LAST, HOME 138 I SLUE K ; L. w B. I 139 140 INDEX Blue Ridge History Page 2 Blue Ridge Mission Page 3 Commanding Officer Page 4 Executive Officer Page 5 Shock Test Page 6 The Yards Page 8 Refresher Training Page 10 Change of Command Page 12 Departure Page 14 Hawaii (color) Color Page 1 OPERATION: Cross Deck Page 18 Rear Admiral J. H Morris Page 20 CTF-76 Mission Page 21 Brigadier General F. X. Quinn Page 22 9th MAB Mission Page 23 CTF-76 Staff (Rosters) Page 24 Blue Ridge Officers Page 28 Crossing the Line (color) Color Page 2 UNREP Page 34 Communications Department Page 36 Kangaroo H Page 42 Sydney, Australia (color) Color Page 3 Marine Corps Birthday Page 50 Guadalcanal Page 52 Navigation Department Page 54 Medical-Dental Department Page 56 Marine Communications Detachment Page 58 Intelligence Department Page 60 TACRON ONE Page 62 Keelung, Republic of China Color Page 4 Navy Unit Commendation Page 66 A Division Page 68 142 I i n M Division Page 70 B Division Page 72 E Division Page 74 R Division Page 76 Commanding Officer ' s Inspection Page 78 Pusan, Korea (color) Color Page 5 Christmas (White Beach) Page 82 OD Division Page 84 OE Division Page 86 01 Division Page 90 OS Division Page 94 OW Division Page 95 Hong Kong (color) Color Page 6 S-1 Division Page 98 S-2 Division Page 100 S-3 Division Page 102 S-4 Division Page 105 S-5 Division Page 106 1st Division Page 108 Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines (color) Color Page 7 2nd Division Page 114 3rd Division Page 116 X-1 Division Page 118 X-2 Division Page 120 Staff Departing Page 124 Meritorious Unit Commendation Page 126 Arizona Memorial Page 128 Tigers Page 130 Tiger Activities Page 134 1st Class Messcooks Page 136 HOME COMING Page 138 143 CRUISE BOOK STAFF Editor in Chief CW02 C. C. Curtis Production Editor JOl W. L. Noonan Layout - Design Editor PH2 J. Porbansky Copy Editor JOSN R. J. Foster Sales Editor PH2 A. D. Kwikkel Photographic Staff Photo Lab Crew Research Editor PHANR.A. George Published by The crew of the USS BL UE RIDGE with thanks to Tiffany of California, 144 Publisher: Tiffany of California 8140 Miramar Road San Diego, CA 92126 r