Brinkley Bass (DD 887) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDING OFFICER, COMMANDER STEVEN van WESTENDORP, U Commander Steven van WESTENDORP, the son of Mr. Sz Mrs. Henry van WES- TENDORP, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on August 7, 1929. After graduation from Hope High School in Providence, he served for two years with the U. S. Army Signal Corps. Com mander van WESTENDORP attended Brown University at Providence where he was enrolled in the NROTC Program and graduated in 1953 with a Degree of Bachelor of Arts. Upon commissioning as Ensign on June 1, 1953 he reported for duty as Damage Control Assistant on board USS STEMBEL QDD-6445. SN Subsequent tours of duty included Naval Gunfire Liaison Officer with the First Marine Division, CIC Officer on board 'USS ROCHESTER QCA-1245, Executive Officer of USS KLEINSMITH QAPD-1345 and Executive Officer of USS BLUE QDD- 7445. Other tours have included duty as Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Commander, Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet, Aide to the Commandant, Thirteenth Naval District and Aide and Flag Secretary to Commander Cruiser Destroyer Force, U. S. Pacific Fleet. Commander van WESTENDORP received his post graduate education in physical sciences at the U. S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California in 1962- 1963. He graduated from the U. S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island in June 1968, prior to relieving as Com- manding Officer, USS BRINKLEY BASS. Service awards and medals include the Navy Commendation Medal, the China Service Medal fextendedb, the National De fense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Korean Service Medal with Bronze Star, the Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Ci- tation and the Republic of Vietnam Cam- paign Medal.

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THE CEREMONY The Chaplain began the invocation. A gunnersmate in the second rank bowed his head and noticed a scuff mark on his shoes as he closed his eyes. Captain Gurney stepped to the microphone and began to read the orders which would end his tour as Commanding Officer of the BRINKLEY BASS. Soon Commander van WE STEN- DORP would rise and read his orders. They would exchange salutes, just as Commander GURNEY had exchanged sa- lutes with Commander LASSITER on a June afternoon some two years before. As has been recorded in a thousand ar- ticles on change of command ceremonies, the proceedings on the destroyer's after weather decks were brief.but impres- sive . There was a tea in the Wardroom afterwards. The crew was granted early liberty. There were well wishes and goodbyes, but all that was a mere flour- ish after the simple words, I relieve you sir . Late that afternoon the gong on the uar q - terdeck struck twice and twice again. The Petty Officer of the Watch called, BRIN- KLEY BASS Departing . . .and the phrase would never have the same meaning again. An era had ended. Another had begun.