Comte De Grasse (DD 974) - Naval Cruise Book

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PRESENT EXECUTIVE OFFICER LIEUTENANT COMMANDER JAMES W. MORELAND, III m Lieutenant Commander James W. MORELAND, III is a native of Carters- ville, Georgia and the son of Mr. and Mrs. James W. MORELAND, IL He was commissioned via the NROTC Program at Auhurn University in 1969. His initial assignment was onboard USS AGGRESSIVE (MSO-422) where he served as Engineer Supply Officer from July 1969 until January 1971. Following attendance at Destroyer School Department Head Course in Newport, RL Lieutenant Commander MORELAND reported to USS ROGERS (DD-874) where he served as Engineer Officer from September 1971 to January 1973, fol- lowed by a split department head tour as First Lieutenant onboard USS FREDERICK (LST-1184) from Fe bruary 1973 to July 1974. In August 1974 Lieutenant Com- mander MORELAND reported to the NROTC Unit, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico for duties as Freshman Instructor. While at New Mexico he attended Graduate School and received an MA in Political Science. From July 1977 to February 1980 Lieutenant Commander MORELAND served as Damage Control Assistant onboard USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67). Lieutenant Commander MORE- LAND assumed duties as Executive Officer, USS COMTE DE GRASSE (DD-974) in May 1980. Lieutenant Commander MORE- LAND is married to the former Anna Flanary. They have two sons, Wes 10, Brent 9, and currently reside in Virginia Beach, Virginia. 11 E!

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ii FIRST EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMANDER (( THOMAS E. BLOUNT, JR t lJ 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 Augus t 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.

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COMING OF AGE FROM PASCAGOULA TO THE MED A PICTORIAL HISTORY The pace was set right from the time we first assembled upon our newly commissioned ship. The days were to be long, hectic and eventful. Our challenge was to bring a ship to life. We first arrived in our homeport of Norfolk, Virginia on August 11th 1978, where we had a happy reunion with our families and proudly showed our ship off.