Firedrake (AE 14) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 9 text:

A ship is not a floating hulk of cold iron. The story of a ship is a human story. Every ship in the United States Navy, whether commissioned in l S S(i or 1966; whether resting in the watery grave of a battle-scarred harbor or launching sleek jet fighters in Southeast Asia — every ship has a heart in the human from of a crew. What you are about to read is the story of a ship, her men, and their mutual desire to keep their country free. At present, she is their lite and without her men. she would have no life Here is her story . . .

Page 8 text:

Lieutenant Commander Clovde I. Brown became FIREDRAKE ' s Executive Officer on Novemver 21, 1965. Mr. Brown was Commanding Officer of the U. S. Naval Facility, San Salvador, Bahamas before reporting to FIREDRAKE. Commissioned an Ensign upon graduation from the University of Colorado in June 1953, he re- ported for first duty to USS ORLECK (DD-886) . He served in the capacity of Assistant CIC Officer during the last months of the Korean conflict. He was transferred from ORLECK in October 1956 and reported to SNS LePANTO (ex-USS CAPPS (DD-446)) where he served as Gunnery Officer and assisted in the training of LePANTO ' s Spanish crew. LCDR Brown attended the U. S. Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, California until June 1958 when he was ordered to return to sea aboard the USS SHADWELL (LSD-15) . He served tours as First Lieutenant and Engineering Officer aboard the amphibious vessel. In March I960, Mi Brown was assigned to the U S Atlantic Fleel Operational Control Center at Norfolk. He performed duties as Officer-in -Charge of the Movement Control Center and addi- tional duty on CINCLANT, CINCLANTFLT, and CINCWESTLANT Staffs. In April 1962, LCDR Brown assumed duties as Navigator aboard the cruiser USS CANBERRA (CAG-2) until August 1964. During this period, CANBERRA was one of many Atlantic Fleet combatant units participating in the 1962 Naval blockade against installation of Soviet missile sites in Cuba. He also served as Flag Navigator for the blockade flagship during a portion of the Cuban Crisis. FIREDRAKE ' s Executive Officer has been awarded the Ko- rean Service Medal and the United Nations Medal (Korea) for his service aboard USS ORLECK. He also holds the China Service Medal and the National Defense Medal.

Page 10 text:

t . P t At sea off Vietnam. USS FIREDRAKE, defender of freedom, veteran of three wars . . . THIS IS YOUR LIFE. Ye . FIREDRAKE. you were horn S. S. WINGED RACER in June 1944 at the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company of Wilmington, North Carolina. You were one of the newest ships in the U. S. merchant fleet until you were drafted into the service at the age of six months. The U. S. Navy changed your name to FIREDRAKE, which is taken from the fire-breathing dragon of German mythology, and designated you AE a supplier of ammunition.