Decatur (DDG 31) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 8 text:

The Ship Always In The Right The name of Commodore Stephen Decatur is presently being kept alive by the USS DECATUR (DDG-31), the fifth ship to bear this famous naval Hero ' s name. The first DECATUR was a sloop-of-war built in 1839 and decommissioned 20 years later. The second DECATUR (DD-5) was placed out of commission after World War I, and the third DECATUR (DD-341) was decommissioned in 1945 after serving in the Atlantic during World War II. The fourth DECATUR (DD-936) was one of the FORREST SHERMAN class destroyers, the Navy ' s first post- World War II Destroyer Building Program. Commissioned on 7 December 1956, she had a main armament of three 5-inch 54 caliber and two 3-inch 50 caliber gun mounts. After commissioning, she served with the U.S. Second and Sixth Fleets in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, and Mediterranean Seas. In May of 1964, DECATUR was severely damaged in a collision with the aircraft carrier USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN. After the collision, DD-936 was converted to the first of a new class Guided Missile Destroyer, and was recommissioned as DDG-31 on 29 April 1967. DECATUR V is 420 feet in length, with a maximum beam of 45 feet. The ship ' s draft is 23 feet for a displacement of 4200 tons. The ship is powered by four 1200 PSI boilers that drive two steam turbines, creating 35,000 shaft horsepower each. Under full power, the ship can maintain speeds over 30 knots for extended periods of time. The ship ' s armament includes a single arm TARTAR (AAW) missile launcher, and an anti-submarine rocket (ASROC) launcher. DECATUR also carries two triple tube torpedo launchers, and a single 5-inch 54 caliber gun mount. Modern air conditioned working spaces and living accommodations are provided for a crew of 340 officers and enlisted men.

Page 7 text:

Table of Contents The Ship 4 The Captain 5 The Crew Nav Exec Admin 7 Engineering 15 Weapons 33 Operations 47 Supply 57 Self Defense Force 64 Ports O ' Call Hawaii 66 Philippines 68 Hong Kong 70 Thailand 72 Sri Lanka 74 Bahrain 76 Singapore 78 Crossing the Line 80 Sports Picnics 82 Tiger Cruise 84 Homecoming 86 Staff 88

Page 9 text:

The Captain ■ Commander Michael J. Mills Commanding Officer 3 July 1981 - 28 May 1983 Commander Mills was born in Black River Falls, Wisconsin. He graduated from St. Mary ' s College, Winona, Minnesota and after attending Officer Candidate School was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy in June 1964. Commander Mills ' initial assignment was in USS VALLEY FORGE (LPH-8) in the Pacific. He was subsequently assigned to the staff of Commander, Military Sea Transportation Service, Far East in Yokohama, Japan. After attending the Naval Destroyer School Department Head Course he served in USS HOEL (DDG-13) as Operations Officer. He was then assigned to the Bureau of Naval Personnel. Commander Mills attended the Naval War College in 1974-1975 and graduated with high distinction. Assigned to USS REEVES (CG-24) from September 1975 to January 1977 he then assumed the duties as Executive Officer of USS HENRY B. WILSON (DDG-7) from April 1977 to October 1978. From December 1978 to November 1980, Commander Mills served on the staff of the Commander, Navy Recruiting Command. Commander Mills is married to the former Karen Marie Mooberry of Benson, Minnesota. They have one daughter, Sandra.