Camden (AOE 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMAND MASTER CHIEF T ABCM(AW) W. A. PURCELL Master Chief Aviation Boatswain ' s Mate William A. Purcell uses his 28 years of Naval experience as the Command Master Chief of USS CAMDEN. He serves as the Senior Enlisted Advisor and acts as a liaison between the Commanding Officer and the crew. Hailing from Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, he commenced his Naval career at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois in December 1961. His past duty stations include USS WASP (CVS 12): USS FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (CVA 42); Naval Oceanographic Unit Eight, Patuxent River, Mary- land; USS SARATOGA (CV 60): Fleet Training Center, May- port, Florida; USS LEXINGTON (CVT 16): Fleet Training Center, San Diego. California; Patrol Squadron 48, Moffett Field, California; USS MIDWAY (CV 61): and Fleet Recon- naissance Squadron Three, Agana, Guam. He began his pres- ent tour on board USS CAMDEN on 1 August 1988. His awards include: Navy Commendation Medal; Good Conduct Award (SIXTH Award); Navy Unit Commendation Award, Navy Expeditionary Medal (THIRD Award); Sea Service De- ployment Ribbon (FOURTH Award); Navy Battle Efficiency Award (FIFTH Award); Overseas Service Ribbon; and various campaign medals. He is married to the former Judith Ann Min- ner and has three children, William, Richard, and Michele.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER LIEUTENANT COMMANDER R. O ' BRIEN Raised overlooking the salt marsh in Orleans, Massachusetts, Lieu- tenant Commander O ' Brien entered the Navy in August 1975 fol- lowing graduation from the University of Massachusetts. He was commissioned an Ensign upon graduation from Officer Candidate School in December 1975. Gunnery Officer and Communications Officer were his two billets during his three years, July 1976 - July 1979, on board USS SYLVANIA (AFS 2). His next assignment, following language training, was as Navigator of FGS SCHLE- SWIG-HOLSTEIN (D 182), June 1980 - February 1981, and FGS BAYERN (D 183). February 1981 - June 1982, during his two year Personnel Exchange Program assignment in Wilhelmsh- aven, West Germany. Returning to New England, he was an in- structor at Surface Warfare Officer School Basic in Newport, Rhode Island for 15 months prior to attending Surface Warfare Officer Department Head School. Following Department Head School, he reported as Ship Control Officer of pre-commissioning crew of USS FORD (FFG 54), commissioning her 30 June 1985. In November 1986, he began his tour as Operations Officer of USS OGDEN (LPD 5). In January 1989 he reported aboard USS CAMDEN (AGE 2) as Executive Officer. Married, he resides in Bremerton with his wife Patricia M. Bradley O ' Brien and their two children Daniella and Alex.

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CHAPLAINS 23 JULY 1986 - 13 JUNE 1989 13 JUNE 1989 - 24 AUGUST 1989 LCDR C. A. RUSSELL LCDR R. G. DARLING The Chaplain ' s Office had a busy and productive WESTPAC. Project Handclasp, including CAMDEN crew members painting a school for the Children ' s Advocate Program, made our first visit to Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, a meaningful and memorable one. Tiger Cruise 89 was another project which the Chaplain ' s Office was very involved. He also maintained the Library providing a liberal schedule for the crew ' s convenience. Chap- lain Russell was relieved in June by LCDR Darling. LCDR Russell ended his three year tour reporting to Naval Hospital Bremerton, Washington. Chaplain Russell is a native of Missouri and a Southern Baptist. LCDR Rex G. Darling reported in June from Naval Hospi- tal Bremerton (you guessed it, they traded places). Chaplain Darling is a native of Arkansas and a United Methodist. Worship services and bible studies had faithful attendance wheth- er services were held in the morning, afternoon, or night. An important part of our com- mand religious program was the dedication of our Lay Readers. LT Ririe served as our Latter Day Saints Lay Reader. YNC(SW) Simpson served as Lay Eucharistic Minister and Catholic Lay Reader. SMI Thackeray provided leadership for the Protestants. Each of these individuals volunteered their time and energy to ensure the spiritual needs of each CAMDEN crewmember were met. S V D. Howard Chaplain s Assistant