Charles P Cecil (DDR 835) - Naval Cruise Book

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Returning to the east coast in 1949, CECIL de- ployed on her first Mediterranean cruise. Since that time she has participated in numerous exercises and cruises on the east coast. In the fall of 1958, CECIL entered Norfolk Naval Ship ' ard for overhaul. During this yard period she was equipped with the Electronics Data System. This s ' Stem was installed to cope with the problem of the newest and fastest of jet aircraft. The next months CECIL participated in numerous exercises evaluating this unique s -stem. On 21 June 1960 Commander George W.Kingston relieved Commander David H.Green as Commanding Officer. Later on 4 August CECIL once again departed for the Mediterranean, participating in numerous fleet exercises. One of the highlights of this cruise was being able to viev.- the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. Finally CECIL returned to Norfolk, Virginia on 2 March 1961 ready to carr - on it ' s fine tradition, as workhouse of the fleet.

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The U. S.S. C?IARLES P. CECIL (DDR-835) was named in honor of Rear Admiral Charles Cecil, who died in a plane crash on 31 July 1944. Admiral Cecil awarded the Navy Cross for his extraordinary heroism in World War II. Built by the Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, CECIL was launched on 22 April 1945, sponsored by Mrs. Charles P. Cecil. CECIL was commissioned in June of the same year, with Commander W. OUTER- SON as her first Commanding Officer. Arriving too late to participate in the war, CECIL participated in the surrender ceremonies at Tokyo Bay. Upon completion of a tour in the far east, CECIL took part in both Atomic Bomb tests held at Bikini Atoll in 1946. After a brief yard period CECIL again returned to duty in the Pacific in 1947. In 1948 CECIL underwent a major change and be- came a Radar Picket Destroyer which increased her air defense capabilities, and at the same time re- mained capable of carrying out all the duties of a conventional destroyer.

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Cmmmdinq emge W. fCin tony Go nmoMie i,, 74. S. A. Commander Kingston took command of the U. S. S. Charles P. Cecil (DDR-835) on 21 June 1960 at Norfolk, Virginia. He enlisted in the Navy in 1935, and served aboard Ranger (CV-4), where he be- came a QMl. Prior to World War II, CDR Kingston was assigned to the Cole (DD-155), where he was introduced to the Destroyer Navy. He then served aboard Amethyst (PYC-3) a coastal patrol yacht. During the early war years he served as a pilot, including a period spent in command of an AOG during the ATTU AND KISKA Campaigns. Cdr. Kingston accepted an Eirsign ' s commission in 1943. He spent the duration of the war in com- mand of the ATR-50, a fleet rescue tug. His next tour of duty saw him in command of PC-10S7 until her decommissioning in 1947. Cdr. Kingston entered the University of Nebraska in 1947. Upon completion of his studies there, he attended the General line School in Newport. Following a tour of duty as the Executive Officer of Macomb (DMS-23), he served in Turkey as the Destroyer Advisor to the Turkish Navy. In 1954 Cdr. Kingston took command of the Ellyson (DD-454), followed by commands of Jeffers (DD-621) and Kirkpatrick (DER-318). In 1957, he attended the Naval War College in Newport. Upon completion of this schooling he served on CINCNELM ' s Staff in London. Before reporting to Cecil, Cdr. Kingston served as the Commanding Officerof Stribling (DD-867). Cecil is fortunate to have as a Commanding Officer, a man witli such a long experience in the Destroyer Navy.