Comte De Grasse (DD 974) - Naval Cruise Book

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PRESENT COMMANDING OFFICER ' N lA m y yi cbmaI dmg COMMANDER PHILIP A. DUR Commander Philip A. DUR was commissioned in 1965 from the NROTC program at the University of Notre Dame. His initial assignment was as OR Division Officer and Radio Officer in USS LITTLE ROCK (CLG-4). He then served as Assistant Fleet Schedules Officer on the Staff, Commander SIXTH Fleet until August 1968. Following a tour at the Naval Intelligence Command Headquarters and assignments on USS STICKELL (DD-888) and USS C. H. ROAN (DD-853), he reported to USS KNOX (FF-1052) as Operations Officer. In .August 1972, Commander DUR was assigned to Harvard University where he earned the PhD Degree in Political Economy and Government. In 1974-1975 Commander DUR attended the Naval War College in Newport, RI. Following this tour, he served as Executive Officer in USS WADDELL (DDG-24) until May of 1977. He then served successive tours in the Office of Chief of Naval Operations and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Commander DUR assumed command of USS COMTE DE GRASSE (DD-974) on September 8, 1980 in Naples, Italy. Commander DUR has been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation and Navy Achievement Medals. He is married to the former Kathleen Donovan of Concord, Massa- chusetts. Commander and Mrs. DUR have two children, Courtney and Phillip IV.

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FIRST COMMANDING OFFICER C0yM iNDIMG COMMANDER FRANK J. LUGO Commander Frank J. Lugo, was born in Brooklyn, New York on January 14, 1941. He attended high school at Brooklyn Prep prior to enrolling in Spring Hill College in the fall of 1958. Following graduation in 1962, Com- mander LUGO entered Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island and received his commission as Ensign in March 1963. His initial assignment was as Naviga- tor and CIC Officer on board USS TALBOT COUNTY (LST-1153). Suc- cessive tours included Executive Officer on USS KODIAK (LSM-161) and Navigator of USS LLOYD THOMAS (DD-764). Upon completion of Naval Destroyer School in 1965, Commander LUGO served as Operations Officer on board USS HAMMERBERG (DE- 1015). In November 1967, Commander LUGO assumed the duties of Aide and Flag Lieutenant to COMNAVBASE Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and served in that billet until February 1969. From 1969 to May 1971, Commander LUGO served in the Western Pacific as Commanding Officer, USS ANTELOPE (PG-86). Following his tour on board ANTELOPE, he entered the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California as a student of Engineering Science. During a subsequent tour at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, Commander LUGO earned a Master ' s Degree in International Affairs through a cooperative program with the George Washington University. Commander LUGO reported to the pre-commissioning unit of USS TRUETT (FF-1095) in August 1973. He served as Executive Officer until Feb- ruary 1976 when he assumed the duty of Assistant Surface Commander Assign- ment Officer at the Bureau of Naval Personnel. Commander LUGO reported to COMTE DE GRASSE in January 1978. Commander LUGO is married to the former Carol Amos. They have three children, Christopher 12, Andrea 10, John 8, and currently reside in Virginia Beach.

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FIRST EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMANDER THOMAS E. BLOUNT, JR Commander Thomas E. BLOUNT Jr., is a native of Melbourne, Florida, and the son of Commander and Mrs. Thomas E. BLOUNT, USN (RET). He attended Walter Johnson High School in Rockville, Maryland and the Columbian Prepara- tory School in Washington, D.C. prior to entering the U.S. Naval Academy in 1962. After graduation and a commission as Ensign in June 1966 Commander BLOUNT reported to USS BIGELOW (DD-942), where he served as First Lieutenant and ASW Officer from August 1966 to April 1968. He next served in PBR ' s as Patrol Officer for River Division 573 and as Assistant Plans Officer for the River Patrol Force (CTF-116) in the Republic of Vietnam, from June 1968 to June 1969. From August 1969 to August 1971, Commander BLOUNT attended the Rosen- thil School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Miami, Florida where he studied towards his Master ' s Degree in Ocean Engineering. After attendance at the Destroyer School Department Head Course in Newport, Rhode Island, Commander BLOUNT reported to USS TOWERS (DDG-9) where he served as Weapons Officer from June 1972 to April 1974. In May 1974, Commander BLOUNT reported to the Bureau of Naval Person- nel where he served as Head, AAW ASW Rating assignment section and sub- sequently, Head, Technical Rating As- signment Branch. Commander BLOUNT assumed duties as Prospective Executive Officer, USS COMTE DE GRASSE (DD-974) in June 1977. Commander BLOUNT ' s personal awards include the Bronze Star with Combat V , Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V , Combat Action Ribbon, and various service medals and unit awards. Commander BLOUNT is married to the former Katherine Mitchell of Port- land, Oregon.