Forster (DER 334) - Naval Cruise Book

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Dedication H During the period covered by this book, FORSTER was withdrawn from her long standing assignment as a navigation airlsearch and rescue ship of the Northern Pacific Early Warning Barrier and reassigned as a unit of the South I ciii iet-113111659 Coastal Surveillance Force on OPERATION MARKET TIME . Surface infiltration of arms and munitions by the Viet Cong was confirmed in the sinking of a laden com unist freighter in Vung Ro Bay in South Viet- xemese water during February, 1965. In order to curb this infiltration, it was the DER with her elaborate radar detection, her diesel plant endurance, and her vigilant trained crews that met the requirements for this type of cperation. It is the hope and intention that this cruise book will portray a genuine and complete account of the hard work, the long hours, the discomforts, the unexpected, the contributions, the dedication, the beauty, the experience, the humor, the travel, and the return from FORSTER's 1965 WESTPAC cruise. FORSTER met the new challenge of WMARKET TIME OPERATIONH and fulfilled every com itment. Her sailors produced superior results that proved beyona any doubt that they were sailors. With the above thoughts in mind, this book is proudly dedicated to the ship's company, U.Sa.S., FORSTER CDER 3341. K9 H15 Safe

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1 u.s.s. Forster CDER 3345 P i strategic materials to Africa and Europe. 1 way to the Pacific war zone, the fighting 5 served as a unit of the Allied Occupation 5 assigned to the Reserve Fleet in January, 1 In July, 1945, FORSTER was transferred to the USS FORSTER, originally DE 334, is named in honor of Edward William Forster, Machinist, USN, who was killed in action during, the Battle of the Solomon Islands on August 10, 1942. Machinist Forster was wounded while serving aboard the cruiser USS VINCENNES and died two days later, being buried at sea from the Australian cruiser CANBERRA USS FORSTER as DE 334 was built by Consolidated Steel Corporation Ltd. of Orange, Texas. Her keel was laid on August 31, 1943. Mrs Grace Forster, wife of William Forster, acted as the Vessel's sponsor when it was launched on November 13, 1943. LCDR Irving E. Davis, USNR, assumed com and of FORSTER upon her commissioning on January 25, 1944. FORSTER joined the Atlantic Fleet for active duty in March, 194i where she served as an escort vessel for convoys carrying Pacific Fleet. While on her came to an end. She continued however, to the Western Pacific where she Forces in the Far East. FORSTER was ordered out of active service and 1947. In 1951, she was recommissioned as a U,S. Coast Guard weather a ship USCGC FORSTER CWDE 4343. She served in this capacity until she was again decommissioned on May 25, 1954. FORSTER remained as a part of the reserve fleet until 1956 when she began a FRAM conversion to a radar picket escort vessel Upon completion of her FRAM overhaul in March 1957, FORSTER was transferred from Long Beach Naval Shipyard to Seattle, Wash- ington for duty as an early warning radar picket ship in Escort Squardron FIVE under Commander Naval Forces, Western Continental Air Defense Region. In June, 1958 FORSTER's homeport was changed to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where she became a unit of the Pacific Barrier Force, the vital sea-area of the Distant Early Warning CDEWJ line. On November 28, 1960 FORSTER deployed for duty with the Seventh Fleet and returned to Pearl Harbor on May 24, 1961. During the tour of duty in WestPac, FORSTER participated in numerous Good Will people-to-people assignments in addition to carrying out normal operations with units of the U.S. Seventh Fleet. In March, 1962, FORSTER entered into operations as a unit of Joint Task Force Eight for nuclear testing in the Pacific. FORSTER served 121 days at sea during the year of 1962 with Joint Task Force Eight. FORSTER departed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on 29 December 1962 for three months employment with Task Force 43 in Operation Deep Freeze. FORSTER returned in March, 1963 and resumed her vital role in the defense against surprise attack as a member of the Pacific Barrier Force. On 24 March 1964 FORSTER once more was ordered to the Western Pacific where she became one of the first units to participate in Wdarket Timen coastal surveillance operations. Presently FORSTER is preparing for another tour of duty in Southeast Asia as a unit of the Market Time anti-infiltration surveillance force.

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-an.-f.-.-M,.,......., . The Captain vfg with 1 ,V 12 ll 1 I , . A B . ik Lieutenant Commander J. Campbell, U.S.N LCDR Jack CAM BELL was born in Butler, Pennsylvania on 10 May 1927. He attended the public schools in Butler and was graduated from high school with the class of 1945. Mr. CAMPBELL enlisted in the Navy on 26 March 1945 and subsequently served at U,S, Naval Training Centers at Sampson, New York, and Bainbridge, Maryland. Discharged in 1946 he attended Slippery Rock State Teachers College in Pennsylvania majoring in mathematics from 1946 to 1949. ICDR CAM BELL was appointed to the U,S, Naval Academy from the 25th Congressional District of Pennsylvania in 1949, and grad- uated with the Class of 1953. His first duty assignment was in the Executive Department at the Naval Academy during the summer following graduation. After completing duty at the Naval Academy Mr. CAM BELL served as Assistant Navigator and a 5 inch gun battery officer aboard the heavy cruiser USS COLUMBUS CCA-742 homeported at Boston, Massachusetts from September 1953 to August 1955. He made two European cruises during this period. From COLUMBUS LCDR CAMPBELL was assigned as Engineer Officer aboard USS PHILLIP CDE-4985 homeported at Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii for a two year tour and deployed to the Western Pacific twice. From 1957 to 1959 he served as Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Commander Destroyer Flotilla THREE homeported in Long Beach, California, working for both RADM G.R. DONAHO and RADM B,J. SEMMES, Jr. After duty with the staff, LCDR CAMPBELL proceeded again to the U.S, Naval Academy and served in the Executive Department from 1959 to 1962. In June 1962 he returned to sea duty and was assigned as Material Officer on the staff of Com- mander Destroyer Squadron SEVEN homeported in San Diego, Cali- fornia until April 1963. LCDR CAMPBELL reported for duty as Executive Officer of USS CHEVALIER QDD-8051 in May 1963 at Yokdsuka, Japan at the outset of a six month Western Pacific employment. LCDR CAM BELL reported to his present assignment as Com anding Officer, USS FORSTER QDER-334D in December 1964, and participated in DEW Line barrier extension operations in the northern Pacific until FORSTER's assign ent to the SEVENTH Fleet in the Western Pacific. LCDR CAMPBELL married the former H. Loretta DUGAN of Owings Mills, Maryland, in April of 1954. They have three children, Sally Lee, 9, Scott Curtis, 7, and Susan Gail, 5, and presently reside at 2031 Aamano Street, Pearl City, Hawaii.