Blue Ridge (LCC 19) - Naval Cruise Book

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USS Blue Ridge LCC-19 CHANGE OF COMMAND NOVEMBER 19, 1985 HMS TAMAR, HONG KONG THE CEREMONY The change of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition which formally restates to the officers, men and women of the activity, the continuity of command. It is a formal ritual conducted before the assembled company of the command. The change of command ceremony is unique in the world today: it is the transfer of total responsibility, authority and accountability from one individual to another. Captain John H. Heidt, USN, who assumed command of the Blue Ridge from Captain Paulsen. Captain Thomas D. Paulsen, USN, Commanding Officer of the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-1 9) from January 1 984 to November 1985.

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USS Blue Ridge LCC- 19 COMMANDING OFFICER, USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19) JANUARY b. 1984 - NOVEMBER 19, 1985 CAPTAIN THOMAS D. PAULSEN Captain Thomas D. Paulsen was commissioned an Ensign and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland in June 1960. During his first eight years of service, he served in two Atlantic Fleet submarines, the USS Corporal (SS-iAb) and USS Theodore Roosevelt (SSBN-600). During these two tours of duty, he completed division officer and department head assignments. From 1968 to 1970, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California and was awarded a Master ' s degree in computer science. In July 1970, he reported for duty as Executive Officer of the submarine USS Sailfish (SS-572), based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Following a short tour as a watch officer on the staff of Commander Submarine Force, Pacific, he was ordered to the cruiser USS Reeves (CG-24) as Executive Officer. In July 1975 he assumed command of the frigate USS Whipple .¥¥- 0(i2). Captain Paulsen reported to the staff of Commander Seventh Fleet in August 1977 as Fleet Readiness and Surface Operations Officer. During his three-year tour of duty, the staff was embarked in the guided missile cruiser USS Oklahoma City (CG-5) and the amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge {LCC-19), both operating from Yokosuka, Japan. His next assignment was Director, Professional Development Division, U.S. Naval Academy. Captain Paulsen assumed command of the USS Blue Ridge ' m Yokosuka, Japan, on 6 January 1984. Captain Paulsen was relieved of command of Blue Ridge on 19 November, 1985. His current assignment is Executive Assistant to the Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet, Norfolk, Virginia. Captain Paulsen is authorized to wear the following awards and decorations: Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star; Navy Commendation Medal; Navy Achievement Medal; Battle Efficiency Ribbon with four awards; Expeditionary Service Medal; National Defense Medal with one star; Vietnam Service Medal with two stars; Humanitarian Service Ribbon with two awards; and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with three stars. Captain Paulsen is married to the former Marbeth Hirsch of Westbury, Long Island, New York. They have three daughters: Kari, Kendel, and Kate. (H I coramaiidc 10 il

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Change of Command CHANGE OF COMMAND Captain John H. Heidt, USN relieved Captain Thomas D. Paulsen, USN as Commanding Officer of the USS Blue Ridgeon November 19, 1985 in shipboard ceremonies while the Flagship was moored at HMS Tamar, the British naval base in Hong Kong. Captain Heidt reported for duty to the Seventh Fleet Flagship from assignment as Head, Education Plans and Policy Branch, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. Captain Paulsen, who had been Commanding Officer since January 1984, subsequently reported for duty as Executive Assistant to the Commander In Chief, Atlantic Fleet, Norfolk, Virginia. Vice Admiral Paul F. McCarthy Jr., USN, Commander Seventh Fleet, was the guest speaker. British, Chinese and Australian military and civilian dignitaries also attended the shipboard ceremonies. Vice Admiral Paul F. McCarthy, Commander Seventh Fleet, was guest speaker at the change of command ceremonies. Rear Admiral H. L. Webster, Task Force 75 Surface Combatant Force, Seventh Fleet arrives for the ceremonies. Mrs. Webster accompanied Admiral Webster to the ceremonies. 12 ll ! ' I