Colleton (APB 36) - Naval Cruise Book

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DATELINE... CHANGE OF COMMAND BIOGRAPHY LCDR ALDERSON began his naval career after graduating from the Naval Academy in June 1955. His first assignment was Navigator aboard the USS SULLIVANS DD 537 . In January 1957, LCDR ALDERSON was transferred to Submarine School and upon completion went aboard the USS CORPORAL SS 346i until December of 1958. The USS MULIPHEN lAKA 61) was his next assignment and he served as Engineering Officer until his transfer to the Naval Postgraduate School in August of 1950 where he was awarded the degree of Master of Science (Physics) in 1952. From Postgraduate School, LCDR ALDERSON was ordered to the USS ROBINSON CDD 562), where he served as Engineering Officer and Executive Officer for a period of two years. From July 1954 to December 1967, LCDR served with the U. S. Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory in San Francisco as an operations research analyst. For his efforts in the evaluation of shipboard defensive systems he was awarded the Secretary of the Navy Commendation for Achievement. Upon completion of this tour he was transferred to the USS COLLETON (APB 36) as the Commanding OfFice Recently LCDR ALDERSON was selected for Com- mander and has received orders to the University of California ' s Lawrence Radiation Laboratory at Lemoore, California. Commander ALDERSON was married to the former Margaret A. Northrop of Washington, D. C. in June of 1955. He now makes his home with his wife, 3 sons and daughter in San Diego, California.

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DATELINE SUBIC BAY DATELINE SUBIC BAY On 19 December 1967 the COLLETON got underway for Subic Bay, Philippines after eight months of operations in the Mekong Delta. The ship was scheduled for a 3 week yard period during which a completely epuipped, modern medical facility was to be added and 3 A C Generators replaced. This was a tremendous task to be accomplished in such a short period. For the first time in months the crew enjoyed liberty. A ship ' s party was held on two nights so all hands ' could participate. Every member of the crew was able to relax and enjoy the many recreational facilities provided by Subic Bay. The COLLETON left subic Bay on 16 January 1968 with the impossible job completed. Upon arriving in Dong Tam, Republic of Vietnam, The COLLETON rejoined the Mobile Riverine Force which was then in preparation for the V C TET Offensive. DATELINE... TET OFFENSIVE DATELINE : TET OFFENSIVE 19 6 8 At the beginning of the 1968 Lunar New Year the V. C. TET Offensive started. The COLLETON fresh from the Subic Bay Yard Period and assigned the mission of front line hospital ship began intensive opera- tions throughout the Mekong Delta. The V. C. put on a massive show of force by infiltrating every major city in the Delta. The men of the COLLETON witnessed fierce battles by allied troops to regain lost ground and hundreds of casualties were treated as COLLETON raced from one city to another to keep pace with the often moved battle front. The Army and Navy coordinated efforts began to have its effect as the V. C. were slowly but firmly dug out, routed, killed or aptured. Through the joint effort of the Army Navy team, the V. C. were kept at bay and after two months of con- stant fighting, once again the Mekong Delta was controlled by the Allied Forces. TET was over !

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MESSAGE TO ALL HANDS We have spent out year in the Republic of Vietnam in USS COLLETON learning about a new form of warfare. During the course of the year we have been challenged almost daily with the type of problems which have been without precedent for a ship of the United States Navy. Support of 900 embarked Army and Navy personnel with all the requirements for their day to day living. Provide primary Medical Treatment for the combat casualties of the Mobile Riverine Force. Defend ourselves and our embarked personnel from a cunning and determined enemy never more than a 1000 yards from our ship. Maintain our ship continously on the line without missing an operational committment. The details of how we have met these challenges are sufficient to fill a book. The initiative and effort that went into the solutions will provide the stuff from which sea stories will be told throughout the fleet for years to come. The performance of the officers and men of COLLETON in meeting these challenges and seeking additional ones has been attested to by the praise spoken of COLLETON by Commander River Assault Flotilla ONE, the Battalion Commanders and River Assault Squadron Commanders which have been embarked as well as the patients we have treated and the individual soldiers and sailors who have lived on board. To this praise I add my own ; Your efforts and initiative have made a difficult task easy and the im- possible task only slightly bothersome. No matter what the job may be, if it requires good men, I can think of no more competent group than the COLLETON and nothing would please me more than an opportunity to serve with any and all of you in the future. ' Z - . CUju.---