Consolation (AH 15) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 8 text:

THE CAPTAIN Captain W. M. GuUett, USN, a Naval Academy appointee of 1922 from Illinois, came to the USS CONSOLATION from duty as Commanding Offi- cer of the Naval Security Station, Washington, D. C. Captain Gullett reported aboard the USS IDAHO after being graduated from the Naval Academy in 1927. He returned to Annapolis in 1934 to attend Post Graduate School and again in 1939 as an instructor. During World War II, he served as Executive Officer of the USS BISCAYNE m the Atlantic and Mediterranean, as Commander of LST GROUP 26 in the Atlantic, and as Commander of LST GROUP 62 in the Pacific. Captain Gullett was awarded the Legion of Merit for his services in the invasion of Sicily and Salerno, Italy; a Gold Star in lieu of a second award for his part in the invasion of Iwo Jima and Okinawa; and a Unit Citation for services on the USS BISCAYNE. EXECUTIVE OFFICER Commander J. M. Dukes enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1926. Following indoctrination training, Commander Dukes was assigned duty in the Pacific Fleet, serving in the battleship USS TEN- NESSEE gunnery department until September 1942. During this period of duty on board the USS TENNESSEE, Commander Dukes was appointed to warrant rank in February 1941. He received his commission as Ensign on June 15, 1942. On 7 De- cember 1941 our Executive Officer was serving in the capacity of assistant to the gunnery officer during the initial Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. During World War II, he served in the Pacific Fleet with the following type ships: destroyers, auxiliary tankers, and attack transports. He holds awards for the following campaign medals and ribbons: Asiatic Pacific Theatre (9 operations); American Theatre; American Defense Mqdal and ribbon with the bronze star; World War II Victory Medal with fleet clasp and ribbon; Navy Occupation Service ribbon; China Service ribbon.

Page 7 text:

copter. 8. To have a Korean baby born aboard a hospital ship. The USS CONSOLATION has come home to take her place besides the other greats of the mothball fleet who served so well. Her communications file is stagnant, but the final messages read: COMSERVRON 3 you have performed every task assigned with determination and follow through X Good Luck X RADM Smith. COMNAVFE on the occasion of Consolation de- parture from Far East COMNAVFE wishes to thank and congratulate all hands for outstanding contribu- tions in medical care rendered to United Nations Forces X Consolation first hospital ship to report Far East following outbreak of hostilities 1950 X you have added to the fine traditions established during noteworthy career this vessel X well done. We shall not say good by but so long, for CON- SOLATION, you shall serve as long as those who hove served you live, as long as patients you have helped walk the earth, and as long as your red cross stands poised to help suffering humanity.

Page 9 text:

OFFICER IN COMMAND OF THE NAVAL HOSPITAL Captain M. R. Wirthlin (MC) USN, entered the Naval Service as a LTJG in June 1929 and served on board the following ships and stations prior to assuming duty as Officer in Command of the Naval Hospital in the USS CONSOLATION (AH- 15): USS BRAZOS, CHAUMONT, DOBBIN, DESDIV 17, MASSACHUSETTS; U. S. Naval Hospitals Brooklyn, San Diego, Annapolis, Philadelphia, Oakland, Newport, Quantico and BuMed. Captain Wirthlin is a member of the American Medical Association and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. ASSISTANT OFFICER IN COMMAND Captain Wm. S. Lawler (MC) USN, is a native of Lowell, Massachusetts, where he was in prac- tice when the United States entered World War II. He was commissioned in the Naval Reserve in January 1942 and came on active duty one month later. In 1949 he transferred to the regular Navy. Dr. Lawler has had previous sea duty on the USS CHATEAU THIERRY and the USS CATSKILL and shore duty in the Naval Hospitals located at Chelsea, Mass., Portsmouth, N. H., Memphis, Tenn., and Camp Lejeune, N. C. He is a graduate of Tufts Medical School and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.