Ford (FFG 54) - Naval Cruise Book

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Capt J. D. Price served onboard from March '87 -May '89, Thank You for your 15 MAY 39 committment to the United States Navy and your dedication to the USS Ford. For your outstanding dedication to service, the Meritorious Service Medal. Congratulations Capt J. D. Price 1 The handoff received by Cdr W. W. Spotts Anticipation

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CO T OF ARMS SHIELD: Gold and Blue are the colors traditionally associated with the US Navy. The symbols on the shield express the story of the heroic but shortlived naval career of Gunner's Mate Patrick Ford as he gave his life in the service of his fellow man and his country on a riverboat in South Vietnam. The colors yellow and scarlet allude to the flag of South Vietnam. The wavy blue band symbolizes the My Tho River, where the action occurred. The V-shaped symbols identify the ship as having been attached to River Squadron FIVE. The scarlet spearhead issuing from the sinister or left side of the shield is indicative of the attack from ambush by Viet Cong forces, scoring two direct rocket hits and setting the craft afire, suggested by the scarlet color of the central figure. ,WTS 222222233 or M. .6 f 4- ML. by ar if -Y 'ff 13 f 'A ' uni -5 Q ji I t T19 K E . , 5,1L'J 1: 5 rs 5 'J -f N - .- ff . mr' . 0 A - - -1.1 fr 0 - A -V M Q5 ff- b fi' . X o 67 ' 9 O ' R-yeah Q5 TES of P35 XVQT' 913' -'-A-Email-' 155 of CREST: The St01'Y is concluded in the crest with the scarlet lion's head symbolic of the courage Zggnielffacriliice exhibited by Gunners Mate Ford as he continued to fire on the Crew ilatssi Woulgded and Wlth Clothing afire and his attempt to save his wounded water from edlelfirlui mlailiziniem mmf' thefrlllhier before he jumped in' only to perish in the . , gun ire. e crossed naval un ' 'f h' ner rat1ng.J The inverted laurel wreath signif' th ' g S Slgm y IS gun y below center denotes the posthumous awaiil ofetJl?c-??IZx?31?dCi'Jds1she Story' The Cross

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1. Ifwllsf 1 F 2-0-33375-A L 7, , . 4 if fi 2 fr M ww.: f 1 f f1f..f ,f ,'f1?:.' if . ,- , ' . 1. 1 , .. :mtg 5 1 aff. If , - ,,,. gf J.. 3,1 .f ' ' ra M1 P' COMMANDER w. w. sPoTTs Commander William W. Spotts, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Elwood W. Spotts, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 16 September 1949. Raised in Ocean City, New Jersey, he attended the University of Pennsylvania and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychotherapy and received his commission as an Ensign from the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps CNROTC5 in May 1971. Commander Spotts' initial sea tour was aboard the USS ALBANY CCG 105, flagship for COMCRUDESGRU TWELVE and later COMSECONDFLT, as Communications Officer and then First Lieutenant. Upon completion of his initial sea tour, he attended Destroyer School in Newport, Rhode Island, graduating in May 1975. He then served in USS BLAKELY QFF 10725 as Operations Officer, followed by a tour as First Lieutenant aboard USS CAYUGA CLST 11865. He was commissioning Executive Officer aboard USS COPELAND CFFG 255 and his most recent assignment was as Force Operations Officer for Naval Surface Group, Western Pacific and Combat Logistic Forces QCTF 735 and Surface Combatant Forces CCTF 755, Seventh Fleet. Commander Spotts, shore duty assignment was on the staff of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Surface Warfare as the Branch Head for newconstruction manpower and training requirements COP 3945. Commander Spotts' awards include: The Navy Commendation Medal with three gold stars in lieu of the third and fourth awards, and the Navy Achievement Medal, with one gold star in lieu of the second award. He assumed command of Ford in May 1989 and currently resides in Long Beach, California. MJ