Charles P Cecil (DDR 835) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMDESDIV 262 Commander Lester Earle Hubbell, USN Commander Lester E. Hubbell, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lester S. Hubbell, of Asbury Park, N. J., was born on September 24, 1916 in Hackensack, N. J. A graduate of the Georgia School of Technology, Where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Indus- trial Management, he was commissioned as Ensign in the U. S. Navy through the NROTC program in June 1938. Appointed to his present rank of Commander in July 1948, he was recently selected for Captain. He has commanded the USS ROLFE QDE- 3627 and the USS OWENS QDD-5361 and- served as Operations Officer for ComDesFlot FOUR. He and Mrs. Hubbell presently reside with their three children at 7309 Woodfin Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia. COMDESRON 26 Captain Joseph Wilson Leverton, Jr., USN Captain Joseph Wilson Leverton, Jr., USN, since October 1956 Commander of Destroyer Squadron TWENTY-SIX, is a veteran officer of wide experience. Since graduating from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1931'he has served in cruisers, destroyers, battleships, attack transports, minesweepers, oilers and on Heet operational staffs during combat operations. He has commanded the Heet oiler TRUCKEE, the attack transport FREMONT, and the high speed minesweeper WARSMUTH. He also commanded the battleship NEW JER- SEY during the laying up process several years ago. Captain Leverton was four times decorated for War service at sea, twice with combat citations. He was promoted to the grade of Captain in December 1950. In 1938 Captain Leverton and Helen Bell of Atlanta, Georgia were married in Atlanta. They have four daughters, twins Joan and Joyce born in 1940, Kim born in 1946 and Deborah born in 1953. The family resides in Washington, D. C., Captain Leverton's home city and Where his parents live.

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DUTY WITH THE SIXTH FLEET In the midst of a confused national and international situation the USS Cecil got underwaY from 'the Destroyer-Submarine Piers on '7 November. Feelings were tense-the Suez crisis was at its height and the I-Iungarians were bravely fighting for freedom.. Eisen- hower was being announced Victor in the presidential race. ff Where exactly were we going and what were we to do? We knew that we were scheduled to 80 to the Mediterranean, brit it was a surprise to iind ourselves in the powerful Task Force 26 with the new guided missile cruiser Boston and super-carrier Forrestal. -t This was not just a routine deployment to the Med, and we experienced a thrill at knowing we were the cream of the crop-the first line of the U. S. Navy with an Vice Admiral Charles R, Brown indefinite job ahead but definite means of handling Commander, Sixth Fleet whatever arose. U Finally we joined the Sixth Fleet itself and were proud to know that we were adding our strength to that area just as U. S. warships have done since the early nineteenth century. Beginning with the War with Tripoli in 1802, and almost continuously since 1886, American sea power has operated in this area of more than one million square miles which the ancients called 'the center of the earth. The Mediterranean was of strategic importance in world affairs centuries before America was dis- covered. In the countries bordering this sea civilization was born. Phoenicians, Romans, and other powerful peoples fought to control it. Throughout history it has been the Vital sea link between Europe, Africa, and the countries of the Near and Middle East. The Mediterranean has been called the loveliest of all seas, favored by situation, shape, and climate above all others, and likewise before all others discovered and sailed. This is the Helen among oceans, l'k h 't ' ' - ' 1 e er 1 was desired by all that saw it, and captured by the boldest Then it was half forsaken obscured by the fame of new and distant oceansg rediscovered, as it were, after three hundred yearsg and today, before our eyes, it is fought over anew. . . K ig K ' K ni- fi ' A USS SALEM Flagship of Sixth Fleet .1

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f - Y -,,,.,,,,,,,,, - 4 1 , . I l LCDR JOHN N. HORROCKS, JR., EXECUTIVE OFFICER I W I R I i 1 I I . f LT. qj.g.y GEORGE c. SIMPKINS. GUNNERY I K N T 1 LT. U-S-,JAMES M. HOYE,CIC LT. LELAND T. GRAY OPERATIONS LT. RIAL c. JoNEs, COMMUNICATIONS LT. qj. g.y ROBERT c. woons, ENGINEERING