Cook (FF 1083) - Naval Cruise Book

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Commanding Offi cers 2 July 1983- 19 October 1985 Captain Donald J. DeGreef Farewell . . As I reflect back on my tour as Commanding Officer, the only ttiing above all others that stands out in my memory is the caliber of professionalism on COOK. A ship is only metal and material. What makes it a great ship is its crew, and it ' s been my good fortune to sail with the very best. By design or by luck, COOK has always had the winners. This crew has strived together as a team and accomplished what others only dream of They have set the standard and are the reason why COOK will always be the finest, fastest, fighting frigate in the fleet. Captain DeGreef, a native of Tacoma, Washington, enlisted in the Navy in August 1956. He was commissioned in December 1964 upon completion of Officer Candidate School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. His initial duty assignment was to place USS WAINWRIGHT (CG-28) in commission as Assistant CIC Officer. He then placed the USS JOELSCH (FF-1049) in commission as CIC Officer. Following this duty, he attended the Naval Destroyer School at Newport, Rhode Island Captain DeGreef then served as Operations Officer aboard USS SAMPLE (FF-2048) and then on the staff of the Commander in Chief, US. Pacific Fleet. Following this assignment, he served as Operations Officer aboard USS TRUCTUN (CGN-35) and then served as Executive Officer on USS TURNER JOY (DD-951). Captain DeGreef ' s most recent assignment was at Fleet Combat Training Center, Pacific, where he served as Director of Training. Captain DeGreef and his wife Barbara reside in Rancho Bernardo with their two sons. Skip and Jonathan. They also have two married daughters, Julie Clarke and Lori Mills.

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Cruising for Peace 24 July 1935 21 December 1985 -VPSIf. ' Mk y ;. Dear Lord, guide and protect ttiis ' Man of War, ' a ' Ship of Peace ' Be with us, join in the fellowship of the COOK ' S crew as we begin our journey. Five months of hard sailing and adventure demanding our complete dedication and sacrifice in carrying out the COOK ' S mission: a symbol of America ' s determination to keep the oceans free and keep the peace in distant lands. This cruise book is a photographic record of the once in a life time experience of WESTPAC 85. of hard work, challenge, friendships and the distant ports of call. In the days to come, the memories will remain fresh within these pages. In Memory Of . . . Steve Wakefield Dedication Shipmate, friend. In life you ' ve enriched our days. Whenever we think of you, we will remember the )oy and laughter you ' ve added to our lives on board COOK. Fair winds, and smooth sailing.

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Command At Sea 19 October 1985- Present im m Commander Robert E. Lang In each ship there is one man who. in the hour oi emergency or peril at sea. can turn to no other man There is one who alone is ultimately responsible for the safe navigation, engineering performance, accurate gunfire and morale of his ship. He is the Commanding Officer. He is the ship. This IS the most difficult and demanding assignment in the Navy. There is not an instance during his tour as commanding officer that he can escape the grasp of command responsibility. It is the spur which has given the Navy its great leaders. It is a duty which most richly deserves the highest, time honored title of the seagoing world , CAPTAIN. William Conrad Commander Lang was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 28. 1945, He is the son of Commander (CHC). Ret., and Mrs. R.F. Lang of Norfolk. Virginia, He attended Duke University and graduated from the U.S, Naval Academy in 1967, His initial assignment was in USS Harold J ELLISON (DD-864) as Gunnery Assistant Subsequent sea tours included USS DALE (DLG-19). USS KOELSCH (DE-1049). Staff, Commander Carrier Group ONE and Plankowner in USS FLETCHER (DD-992). Additional assignments were as instructor at the Naval Education and Training Center. Newport. R.I. and in the Office of Naval Operations, He was awarded a Master of Science degree in Systems Technology (Anti-Submarine Warfare) by the Naval Postgraduate School in 1977 and has since continued as an ASW sub specialist Commander Lang ' s decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and Sea S ervice Deployment Ribbon He is married to the former Emily McGilvary of Durham. North Carolina, They have five children: Jennifer, LeDavid, Kevin. Sarah and Amy and reside in San Diego.