Colonial (LSD 18) - Naval Cruise Book

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il LIEUTENANT COMMANDER JOHN H. VOSSELLER EXECUTIVE OFFICER LCDR John H. Vosseller is 1953 graduate of the Naval Academy. After a tour aboard USS TALLADEGA (APA-2p8), he attended flight training at Pensacola, where he received his jet wings. Later he flew F7U, F8, and F9 aircraft. Following a change of designator to line, he served as Chief Engineer of the USS ISHERWOOD (DD-52p). This was followed by completion of submarine school at New London and then a tour as Operations Officer and Navigator of the USS ASHTABULA (AO-51). Before becoming XO of the COLONIAL in January 1964 he was Briefing Officer of the Fleet Operational Computer Center, Pacific and First Lieutenant of the USS ST. PAUL (CL-73). Coronado is now LCDR Vosseller ' s home, where he lives with his wife. Sue, and their four children, Walter, Catherine, James, and John. J£

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U.S.S. COLONIAL (LSD-18) FLEET POST OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO. CALIFORNIA 96601 Behold ye, ivho open the cover of this nonento of the cruise that took i iS ' 6 COLONIAL to the Orient to represent America ' s views. To make clear to our friends and to those who would oppose, our unfaltering stand for peace and freedom tyranny ' s woes, Twas in the Gulf of Tonkin that freedoms challenge was made by attacking our ships on the high seas amidst a wild tirade. But COLONIAL was ready, as were all the ships of the fleet and embarking marines, we steamed forced draft, the challenge to meet. ' I ' i I i, one peace le not And thus began an epic great fori it helpe d keep the policy tcj J e. T T If keep our p w to the fore, it reijuir ' d every ma n and our seanens ' nautical loEje pse significanc e was the Orient and our was an easy task to the efforts of l g h It took l hg hours of selfless labor an d ' Yoffg t tches at every station it to t hr ca s ll, perserueranc e, and most- of all dedicd S SSft s mere often rough and material began to WsWe-a Tthe tropical heat and crowed ship did not ease the strain. But in spite of problems that arose, COLONIAL ' s banner continue to fly and spirits were never daunted and morale was always high. Records were made underway with marine battalions embarked, thirty three re glenishments at sea, in weather calm and stark, A hundred and fifty two days at sea, sixty seven in a row, with nine days of upkeep in port, plus a few that were stop and go. Yea, ' twas a cruise of which were proud, but also Keenly aware of our sister ships in PHIBRON THREE, who did their share. Before the chapter closes on this cruise, let us make a vow to maintain the espirt that made it succeed, no matter how, and carry it with us wherever we go, in order that toe can perpetuate that spirit that helps keep mankind free. t1ND-SHIPS-S2l6 24 (REV. 2-64)

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( omntenciaii on 18 JUN 65: 19 JUN 65: 02 JUL 64: 15 JUL 64: 06 AUG 64: 13 AUG 64: 08 OCT 64: 23 NOV 64: 16 DEC 64: 17 DEC 64: Departed the Continental Limits of the United States for employment with Amphibious Force, U. S. Seventh Fleet. Issued Armed Forces of the United States Geneva Convention Card. Participated in Amphibious Exervise TOOLBOX with the First Marine Brigade in the Hawaiian area, 29 June through 2 July 1964. Crossed the International Date Line. Member of the Domain of the Golden Dragon. Commenced loadout of Units of the 3rd Marine Division at Okinawa in response to the Gulf of Tonkin incident. Arrived Viet-Nam Area of Ofjerations and assigned to TG 76.7, Am- phibious Ready Group for Contingency Operations. Departed Viet-Nam area of Operations. Eligible for award of Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for operations of 9 June 1964, and author- ized to wear service ribbon bar. During period 1-23 November 1964 participated in Contingency Oper- ations in Viet-Nam area as Unit of TG 76.7. Collected Geneva Convention Card. During employment with the Amphibious Force, U. S. Seventh Fleet as a Unit of TG 76.7, COLONIAL participated in extensive contingency operations in a ready state with Marines embarked. COLONIAL was underway 152 days, 67 of which were consecutively on station, and was in port only for a 9 day upkeep period and short periods to load unload Marine units. While at sea extensive repairs and maintenance was required, volumes of communications were handled, 33 underway re- plenishments were conducted and extensive operations were carried out under war-time conditions. In spite of the arduous schedule, no major material or personnel casualties were experienced. This outstanding record was the subject of commendation by COMSEVENTHFLT, COMPHIBFOR SEVENTHFLT and CTG 76.7. As a member of the crew you contributed materially to the success of this cruise by your unfailing devotion to duty, hard work and high morale. You are commended for a job WELL DONE! 18 DEC 64: Returned to the Continental Limits of the United States. JOHN H. VOSSELLER, LCDR, USN, Exec. Off. By dir of the C. O.