Charles Berry (DE 1035) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDING OFFICER LCDR D.E. Woodbury The Commanding Officer of the USS Charles Berry is Lieutenant Commander D.E. Woodbury. Captain Woodbury completed Officer Candidate School in February 1960 and was assigned to the USS Em- battle (MSO-434) as Operations Officer. In March 1963, he reported to USS King (DLG-10) where he was assigned as Assistant Operations Officer, Navi- gator, and Operations Officer. Following this tour Lieutenant Commander Woodbury reported to the Bureau of Naval Personnel where he served as a Grade Assignment Officer and then as the assistant to the assistant director for Captain Detail, (surface and submarine). In July 1968 he reported for duty as Executive Officer, USS Hanson (DD-832). After duty under instruction at the Naval War College where he was additionally awarded the Master of Science degree in International Affairs from George Washington University, Lieutenant Commander Woodbury took command of the USS Charles Berry in September 1971. Captain Woodbury was selected for promotion to Commander by the cal- endar year 1971 Commander Selection Board.

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The departure, of a ship from its homeport for ex- tended periods at sela has always assumed unusual dimensions in the minds of those men who, for whatever reason, must sail their ship beyond the horizon into new, less familiar environs. For some there is the sadness of leaving loved ones as they wave farewell from a pier. For others, already sepa- rated by thousands of miles from friends and famil- lies, the thought of increasing that distance even further becomes a preoccupation. And still others wait in eager anticipation, possessed by the excite- ment of seeing new lands. For all, however, there is a sense of uncertainty, for the sea has a facinating power over both men and machines; it can be as gentle as a soft summer breeze or as harsh as a win- ters storm. It is an environment unto itself in which man, even in this modern age, journeys forth at his own risk. In the pages that follow an attempt has been made to describe pictorially the cruise of the Charles Berry to the Western Pacific from 30 November 1971 to 12 April 1972. As a publication we title it a Cruise Book . A unique label when one con- siders it for our theme more properly is of people rather than cruises - of the men that took Charles Berry to sea on a sunny November day last year and safely brought her back four months later. For some men pictured herein their reunions with loved ones on an April morning in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii saw them greet, for the first time, children born while they were away. For others, the loss of loved Ones during the same period of absence will alter their perspective of a happy home coming. And still others, though safely back in their homeport, will find themselves still removed by many miles from those whom they cherish. This book is about men - dedicated individuals who for a short period of time worked together toward a common goal. It was men who built Charles Berry some thirteen years ago and it is men today who give the ship its purpose and direction. For this reason, perhaps we misname our pictorial and literary effort; perhaps a more appropriate title would be The Crew ' s Book . By either title the material which follows describes the events, as men shape them, of a journey to a distressed area of the world where another less for- tunate people struggle for the freedoms we so often take for granted. As Charles Berry ' s Command- ing Officer I was priviledgfed to join a most remark- able group of men and observe their performance in a variety of difficult tasks. Whether engaged in market time patrol, search and rescue operations, interdiction missions against North Vietnamese trawlers attempting to resupply enemy coastal po- sitions from the sea, or Naval gunfire support op- erations, no task seemed beyond their professional competence. I can think of no greater testimonial to their individual dedication, their sacrifices, and their professional competence as Navy men than the several messages recorded elsewhere in this book which address the exceptional performance of a ship and its men under some of the most dif- ficult conditions imaginable. As I view in retrospect this cruise of the Charles Berry; the challenge of combat operations and in- deed, the less serious moments during port visits, my debt to the officers and men who made it pos- sible is limitless. By the time this book is ready for distribution many of those pictured herein will have departed to address new challenges. To each of you, however, my grateful acknowledgement for a job well done and my wish for happiness in a peaceful world during the years ahead. My warmest personal wishes go with you. Sincerely, D.E.WOODBURY

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER .♦ Lt. C.R. Stephan i» Lieutenant Stephan is the Executive Officer of the USS Charles Berry. Lieutenant Stephan, who was born in New Jersey, graduated in 1965 from the United States Naval Academy and served his first tour of duty on the USS Halsey (DLG-23). Sub- sequently he attended the U.S. Naval Destroyer School, Newport, Rhode Island and graduated in August 1968. Lieutenant Stephan was then assign- ed as Weapons Officer on the USS Johnston (DD- 821). He reported aboard the USS Charles Berry in April 1970. Lieutenant Stephan was selected for promotion to Lieutenant Commander by the Cal- endar year 1971 Lieutenant Commander Selection Board. This is the Executive Officers second West- Pac cruise aboard the USS Charles Berry. Lieuten- ant Stephan left in March 1972 in Sasebo, Japan for his next tour of duty at the U.S. Naval Academy.