Bronstein (FF 1037) - Naval Cruise Book

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SHIP ' S HISTORY CJSS BRONSTEIN is the first of the modern classes of submarine hunting frigates. Built by Avondale Shipyards in Wespwego Louisiana, as was her sister ship GSS McCLOY (FF-1038). BRONSTEIN ' s Keel was laid 16 May 1961 and the ship was placed into commission 15 June 1963. She is the second ship to bear the name of Lieutenant (junior grade) Ben Richard Bronstein, Medical Corps, CJ.S. Navy Reserve, who lost his life in action aboard USS JACOB JONES (DD-130) in a submarine engagement off the east coast of the United States in World War 11. The first BRONSTEIN (DE189), commissioned in 1943, was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for sinking three submarines during World War II. BRONSTEIN has an overall length of 371 feet and displaces 2,650 tons. Equipped with the advanced SQR-15 Towed Array Sonar System as well as the powerful SQS-26 Sonar, the ship ' s primary mission is the very long range detection, tracking and destruction of submarines. Working in close coordination with other advanced ASW forces of the Pacific Fleet, BRONSTEIN is a leader in the development of modern coordinated anti-submarine tactics. The ship alternates training operations in the Eastern Pacific under Commander, U.S. THIRD FLEET and deployments to the Western Pacific under Commander, U.S. SEVENTH FLEET. Crewed by 200 men and 15 officers the ship has gained a reputation as a highly ready, Can Do team who, styling themselves as the Best in the West , always seek to produce quality in everything they do. BRONSTEIN is a member of the Little Beaver Squadron TWO THREE the oldest, most famous, and most decorated destroyer squadron in the Navy.

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It LCDR W.R. SCHMIDT OSN COMMANDING OFFICER Lieutenant Commander William R. SCHMIDT United States Navy Lieutenant Commander William Robert Schmidt was born on 4 September 1945 in Johnson City, Tennessee. Upon graduation from East Tennessee State University he was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. rSavy thru the Reserve Officer Candidate program. He was then ordered to USS VERNON COUNTY (LST-1161) in Yokosuka, Japan as First Lieutenant. Since that time he has served in USS PREBLE (DLG15) as a member of the Precommissioning Detail and later as Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer, Gunnery Officer and Weapons Officer. After attending Naval Destroyer School in July 1972, he served in USS BADGER (FF1071) as Weapons Officer. LCDR Schmidt took command of USS BRON- STEIN (FF 1037) on 2 December 1978. Lieutenant Commander Schmidt served ashore as a student at the Naval War College Command and Staff Course prior to reporting to the Bureau of Naval Personnel. While in BUPERS he served as a Junior Officer Assignment Officer and as the Assistant for Surface Captain Assignments. He is authorized to wear the Navy Commendation and Navy Achievement Medals with Combat V in addition to the Presidential Unit Commendation, Navy Unit Commendation and Meritorious Unit Com- mendation along with the Combat Action Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Korea, and several Vietnam Service awards.