Casa Grande (LSD 13) - Naval Cruise Book

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,,- ,-,-1-,v- r ' - , l EXECUTIVE 'OFFICER LT. eEo'rieE T. WALKER . CLINTON, MONTANA Lieufenanf George T. Walker came 'foighis commission fhrough The hawsepipen-serving over eiqhf years as a boafswainsmafe before being 'selecfed as an officer. Born near Spokane, Washingfon, his fa- fher's railroading life kepf fhe family moving fhroughouf fhe Norfheasf . . . finally seffling fhe Walkers in Missoula, Monfana. The lieufenanf complefed high school in Missoula and enlisfed in fhe Navy in l935. Affer recruif fraining, Seaman Second Class Walker wen+aboard fhe USS Ranger lCV 4l. Reminiscing on fhe rigid prewar Navy, he recalls he became coxswain affer faking fhe examinafion several fimesf' Aboard fhe carrier four years, he lafer was among fhe crew fha+ commissioned fhe USS Albemarle lAV 53 in I94O. ln February, I943, Boafswainsmafe Firsf Class Walker was fransferred fo fhe Pacific and infro- duced fo amphibious warfareaboard fhe LST 353, seeing acfion in The Solomons. The war years, demanding officers wifh a pracfical knowledge of seamanship, changed Chief Boaf- swainsmafe Vifalker fo ensign in ,Se-pfember, I943. From April, I944, unfil fhe summer of l945, he was com- municafions officer of LST 554, fhen, shiffing fo fhe Aflanfic, he became execufive officer of LST 983. Lieufenanf lJGl Walker 'rock command of LST 391 in January, I946, and lafer commanded LST.5do. Affer 'ren years of sea'du+,,, he insfrucfed in Naval science af 'rhe U. S. Merchanf Marine' Academy, King's Poinf, New York, from I947 'ro I95l. Aboa'd fhe famed Baffleship Missouri, he served for fwo years as combaf informafioriicenfer officer before affending fhe Universify of Minnesofa in l953. Lieufenanf Walker became execufive officer of +he USS Casa Grande lLSD- I 3l on 30 Neyember l954. The living condifions abpard,.sh,ip have been improved by fhe execufive officer's close donfacf wifh fhe crew-a reason for his popularify wifhfhem.

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H ,. 1 p s. sec p p .fn Cuff? Port C3h'f?s'.s p New YsfQfn'fNew Yl,Yl'ki'ff,:'1 Q ' e at -'A. Fgsiy M AN opnv LETTER TO nm orrrcnzsp ring s? 9 JH During the periodcovereq adn 'Qhas Steamed wo l h 'interesting experiences. Most of us with its North Atlantic gales, the cogieentration of 'ice we gingerly threaded our I-Jay towards lfhule, or ys and t ng cold nights in Sondrestrometsfjord. Less perhaps, but more emcting were our Amphibious Exercises in the Caribbean and South Atlantic These were highlighted by such events as the' night landing at Vieques and our operations with the Ahqy off Pendleton. A We have loaded almost every conceivable type of vehicle in our well M t from an Air Force snow plow to an Almy Bare. In landing exercises and on training cruises We have carried Marines, Army, Naval Reserves, Midshipmen and Boy Scouts. These passengers have all been impressed by your consideration for them and have helped spread the Casa Grande' s reputation as a friendly hard working ship. Between operations we have managed to get OUP fail' Share ai, g liberty and recreation 5 and thanks to our new found home at the Naval Ahlphibious Base, we have even managed to get a pier most of the time. 47.1 in all, I would say that the Casa Grande had a very sl10ceSSfUl .Yea and I think that the overall mark of Excellent On Our' recent Operational Readiness Inspection is a well deserved tribute, to your fine team spirit, professional competence, and plain hard work. No Captain could have asked for a' finer sh,-Lp's company! Good luck, and best wishes for an even happier 5 Cruise next year. i Z . . SEAQWJ

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3 H E A D S 0 F Eliirfgi LT MARION C. COLLINS Norfolk, Virginia ENGINEERING OFFICER LTJG ROBERT E. WILDRIDGE Syracuse, New York OPERATIONS OFFICER ,ge IM ,ly ,S I . ii ' LTJG DANIEL O. MCCOOK. JR Macon, Georgia NAVIGATOR LT JACK W. HILLMAN Upper Marlboro, Maryland SUPPLY OFFICER LTJG EDWARD D. MCDONALD Leroy, New York FIRST LIEUTENANT Br GUNNERY OFFICER , ..-...-- - V-...4..1v.,.,--. . , , . ,. revs-7.v..f D ' ' - ., ..::.1 ..-- I-2' 2' -f -2-',:.'5'.s:s:23- ae:- - e,. ..e z111....::: A' ---'PA av i, A-, , V K, L...,.,,,, ,A fe--V-A 'MM .M,....,..,...,.,, -- -- ..,,.,...,, 1.iu3 -R wN,,a,,,,aLub