Damato (DDE 871) - Naval Cruise Book

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OFFICIAL GOVERNOR DeCASTRO OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS GREETED BY THE ADMIRAL

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Congratulations...

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p nam eci p m QMm ' L . . On Friday, 6 February 1953 at Meritorious Mast held on board the U.S.S. DAMATO a score of members of the ship ' s crew were re- cipients of Specific Commendations for excel- lence in performance of their respective duties during the time that the ship was host to Rear Admiral Chester C. Wood, Comman- der Destroyer Flotilla FOUR, United States Navy. The Commendations and awards of the Admiral were typical expressions of his appreciation of a job well done . In commending the Communications per- sonnel, he said in part, This general per- formance of duty speaks well for the Com- munications organization of your ship . In- cluded for special credit were the Operations Officer, Lieutenant Ralph K. Strawn, United States Naval Reserve, the Communications Officer and his assistant. Ensigns Fred J. Barto and Robert A. Costigan and the enlisted men of the Radio Gang: G. T. Stephanos, RMl; F. A. Fleishman, RM3; and the following RMSN ' s: E. D. Brown, M. Busto, E. J. Decker, P. B. Martin, J. C. OToole, D. J. Prince, A. C. Shepard, D. P. Taylor and N. K. Watson. In a citation mentioning Alfred R. Chi- coine, SN; Anthony J. Shoot, BM3; Ralph W. Preo, Jr., SA, and James Marchese, EN3, who were mutually responsible for the prepara- tion and operation of the ship ' s boat as the Admiral ' s Barge, the Admiral stated that, The boat was beautifully prepared from a material point of view and at the time of my embarkation was in ideal shape . Admiral Wood in appreciation of the serv- ices of his orderlies stated that Elmo Young, SA; Bobby J. Watson, SN; Richard F. Ander- son, SN; Ronald L. Wise, SA, and Ernest C. Spinney did Without exception, and at all times, perform their duties in the most exem- plary fashion. They were alert; they acted with a high degree of intelligence; they dis- played initiative; they were outstanding in the appearance of their uniforms and in their personal bearing; they were courteous and helpful. They did much, as a group, to make my stay in DAMATO as pleasant as it was . And to the Commanding Officer, a letter was addressed reading in part, U. S. S. DAMATO (DDE871) commended by Com- mander Destroyer Flotilla FOUR for excellent service as his flagship during the month of January 1953 while engaged in Operation SPRINGBOARD . At the same ceremonies, two Chief Petty Officers, Roscoe M. Hunley, MMC, and Frank R. Baptist, MMC, were com- mended for outstanding performance of duty and devotion to ship and service. This com- mendation was in recognition of a speedy repair of equipment under pressure and strain in order to successfully complete a required competitive exercise. Their success in this arduous task was attributed to their leadership and ' know-how ' by Commander Victor F. Wadsworth, Commanding Officer of the ship.